Drag Queen Spotlight: Flaming Wok on Beyoncé, Vancouver, and K-Pop

April 1, 2023
JORDAN JAYRO

Good morning! We're back for yet another Drag Queen Spotlight! This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Flaming Wok from Vancouver, Canada! She and I have been Instagram friends for a while, so I'm glad I got to do this with her! We've never met in person, but we did FaceTime once during quarantine while I was doing my makeup. Flaming Wok is a fierce performer slaying stages all over Canada. Out of drag though, you'll probably find her at the gym. She shared about her drag inspiration, her favorite songs to perform, and her favorite hobbies out of drag. So take a look at her answers below and follow Flaming Wok on Instagram!

How did you get your drag name?

When I went out with my friends to the club, I would do the Beyoncé stomp crossing the street. That always felt very powerful and liberating to me. Then when I visited a food court in downtown Vancouver, I saw a Chinese food stand called Flaming Wok. Then it all made sense to me.

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How long have you been doing drag?

Flaming Wok made her debut on Halloween 2014 but did not start performing until 2018.

When is your birthday? How old are you?

I am a Taurus and was born in the year of the rabbit. You do the math.

Relationship status?

Very not single, IYKYK.

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What was your first time in drag like?

The inspiration was the 2014 K-Pop girl. Was it good drag? No, but was it fun? YES! I also remembered how much my feet hurt at the end of the night.

What made you want to start drag?

I have always had this feminine energy inside and was made fun of. After seeing people perform in drag at the local bar and on TV, I wanted to explore that side of it. I also love the transformation aspect of drag, to paint my face the way I want it to be.

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Who inspires your drag (celebrities, other queens, etc.)?

I draw makeup inspiration from many artists, starting with Manila Luzon, to Kameron Michaels, and Blu Hydrangea. Also, shout out to my drag mother Gina Tonic for teaching me to not be scared of using colors.

Favorite song/artist to lip sync to?

Recently I really like "Girlfriend" by Avril, and I also like "I Want Your Love" by Grace Chang which was in Crazy Rich Asians.

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Have you ever hooked up in drag?

Drag to me is beautiful, gorgeous, and alluring, but it takes a lot to maintain and uphold the fantasy and illusion, which means when others get too close, the fantasy is no longer there. Let me shower first then I will come back. That was a long way to say "no."

What’s your favorite thing about drag?

The artistic/self-expression for me, and the responses of others witnessing that. Drag taught and challenged me to break the boundaries of what I know and pushed me to experiment and try different looks, and ways to express myself and the music.

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What are your hobbies outside of drag?

I enjoy cooking, functional fitness classes, and hiking/swimming in the summertime here in Vancouver.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve witnessed in a dressing room?

Nothing. I mind my own business and surround myself with lots of amazing and talented performers here in the city (and there are A LOT of them).

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Biggest pet peeve about working with other drag queens?

Not being on time...

Biggest pet peeve about audiences in nightclubs?

Not respecting the performers, especially during their numbers. Many of us put a lot of work into each performance to share, because I want to make sure the audience can also.

Any advice for someone wanting to start drag?

HAVE FUN WITH IT! Ask yourself what about doing drag drives you to do it, and come to drag shows, and talk to other performers who are doing it!