Ms. Pandora Boxx poses with Victoria Fitzgerald.

Good things happen to those who wait. I never quite understood this quote until recently when I received a call with an invitation to meet some of the cast from Rupaul’s Drag Race, Season 2. I’ve always been a faithful fan, but never would I have imagined getting to meet the girls, who had performed at Fort Worth’s Rainbow Lounge the night before, and were in Dallas as guests of couture designer Nicolas Villalba.

As four other youth, Wilford Brown, John McKnight, Steven Richmond, and William Morvant, along with a volunteer and I walked into the nearby Villalba Design studio, we were all grinning and ready to see the beauty up close. We walked in and saw Tatianna, Jessica Wild, and my hero Pandora Boxx talking to the other guests. A few associates of Mr. Villalba approached us with greetings and asked questions about the show as well as Youth First Texas. Eventually Miss Pandora Boxx, with her platinum hair and ruby lips, came around to hug us; when it was my turn, I went dry-mouthed and started to shake. I did in fact manage to keep myself calm as we chatted with her and a local reporter. My enthusiasm made it obvious that I was a huge Pandora fan, so I was asked about my favorite quote from this funny lady. I simply said, “No quote, but I will always remember the time she fell as she,” to borrow from the show’s lingo, “sashayed away from the main stage.” After a short fun conversation with the queen of Campiness, we were soon approached by Miss Thing, Tatianna. With killer legs, chic chin length bob, and makeup so flawless it looked airbrushed, the 21 year old star struck an easy rapport with our group—probably because she’s so close to us in age. All of us had such a fun time talking with her. We asked lots questions, concerning RuPaul, life after the show, and, of course, all the back stage drama, until she had to step away to resume her fitting with Mr. Villalba. Soon after, we were united with all the girls, including sultry Jessica Wild, who explained that when not working as a drag superstar, she makes her living as a makeup artist. We took pictures and wrapped up for the night.

I said to goodbye to Pandora with a little tear and told her that she was my biggest inspiration and her story, so closely mirroring my own, meant a lot to me. She leaned toward me and said, as her voice cracked ever so slightly, “You’re so sweet.” I felt sad but also incredibly inspired. When I was hugging Jessica goodbye, she said to me, “One day you will be a beautiful drag queen. Never be scared of anything.”

And with that, I really had a bigger desire to be the hottest drag queen of my century and maybe one day become America’s Next Drag Superstar!

Tatianna poses with representatives from Youth First Texas