The COVID-19 Pandemic hit all drag performers harshly, as many were used to performing in bars or clubs that had now been closed. During this time, Trixie planned to launch a new company, a cosmetics line. Trixie frequently says that she created her cosmetics line because of the mundane packaging of a lot of good makeup products. Mattel makes an analogy with kids' toys, saying that people should have an avenue to buy good quality makeup in beautiful bright packaging, contrasting with brands like Mac which, apart from the amazing quality of makeup, have bland, all-black packaging.
On top of this, Trixie grew her youtube channel, where she showed her fans how to do her iconic makeup style, while also using lower costing makeup. On top of this, Trixie has made music videos, sketches, kids' toy reviews, and makeup videos featuring celebrities like Margaret Cho, Brittany Broski, and Iggy Azalea. One of her more popular collaborators in the drag scene is Katya Zamolodchikova.
Katya is featured with Trixie Mattel in Unhhh and Queens who like to Watch. Trixie notes the usefulness of this collaboration because of how different they are. She says in an interview that Katya is the "yin to her yang" as they are completely different yet hold the tiniest bit of similarity that allows them to work perfectly together. Katya has also been featured in a limited edition Trixie Cosmetics campaign, as her style is very different from that of Trixie. They have also worked together on an ongoing world tour, in which both queens perform comedy, music, improv, and acting.
Apart from her cosmetics line and youtube channel, Trixie's music career has also gained popularity since her time on Drag Race. She has performed 2 world tours on her own, and 1 with her most popular collaborator: Katya. Trixie says that her music is loosely based off of a lot of what she listened to growing up: Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Blondie, B-52s, Kris Kristofferson, etc. She used these influences of her culture to influence how she creates and markets music, along with what the music sounds like. Because of this, it is no surprise that her music portfolio is so diverse: ranging from pop to surf rock to country to folk.
Because of this wide range of genres, Trixie's music has been able to reach a diverse group of listeners. Furthermore, Trixie has used music and comedy to show that if she, as a gay drag queen from a small town in Wisconsin, is not afraid to express herself, neither should you be.
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/2020/02/04/802594797/trixie-mattel-balances-genre-history-and-humor-on-barbara
https://fashionista.com/2019/05/trixie-mattel-cosmetics-interview
https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/02/12/trixie-mattels-drag-queen-popularity-started-milwaukee/4716479002/
And Her Cosmetics website:
https://trixiecosmetics.com/
I knew of Trixie Mattel before, but needless to say that after your blog I am really interested in finding out more. Drag Queens as a whole I think are pools of creativity, constantly coming up with costumes, make up looks, choreography, and serving personality in amazing and entertaining ways.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really cool that Trixie came with make up brand that has bright packaging, I love bright colors and its great to see her pushing them into the market more.
I love Trixie Mattel, and it was so interesting to read about her inspirations. I knew about Dolly Parton, but I did not know about some of the others. From music to fashion to beauty, Trixie is such a versatile creative. I remember when people used to hate on her unique, bold makeup style in Drag Race, but now it is such an iconic symbol that other drag queens and even just fans of drag are now using as inspiration. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI was not familiar with the breadth of work that Trixie participated in! I loved getting the chance to learn about the drag queen's career, and how her partnership with Katya has given her new avenues for creativity. I would be interested in what kinds of experiences (memory) and collection occured throughout her life to give her an interest in fashion, makeup, and performing. I would also love to learn about the ways she is breaking boundries, and becoming more mainstream than any drag artist before her.
ReplyDeleteI love Trixie Mattel and I have always found her rise to fame so interesting. She didn't do super well on her original season or go really far, but she has had such amazing success after Drag Race. She really is one of the hardest working drag queens and she is constantly working on new projects, which I think is one of the reasons she has been so successful in mainstream media.
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard about Trixie's rise to fame! I've was introduced to her a while back when she worked on an album with a favorite masked artist of mine - Daniel Pitout (https://www.orvillepeck.com/). It's wild to me how much both of them have done as individuals outside of their one or two mutual facets. Pitout tends to focus on fashion and a western-alt-rock brand of music - but Trixie extends herself into entire other industries. I think that's incredible. She wouldn't be who she is if she didn't have the heart and power to match her creative mind. It's also a neat note that her and Katya contrast so much but make it work with a knot of some similar threads. You think that could also be how it works with Pitout?
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