Dance diva Thea Austin and openly-gay headliner David Archuleta may be billed as the stars of the show when MetroBall 18, the Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund’s signature annual fundraising party, takes over S4 on Friday night, June 6. But it will be our own local drag legend Cassie Nova, aka James Love, running the show as emcee.
So, while we all think we know all about Cassie, Dallas Voice asked the queen to answer a few questions, just to make sure we have all the Cassie scoop as she gets ready to take the stage — and the microphone — for the 2025 edition of MetroBall.
(Oh, and be sure to read Cassie’s column, “Ask A Drag Queen,” in Dallas Voice on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.)
— Tammye Nash
DALLAS VOICE: Tell me about where you came from. Were you born in a log cabin in Butcher Holler like Loretta? Or did Cassie spring, like Athena, from Zeus’ forehead as a full-grown drag goddess? Cassie Nova: I am originally from my mother’s womb. But I was pushed out at a very young age, and I have been on my own ever since. Just kiddin’ … Cassie Nova was always a part of James. Even before she had a name or a reason to exist, Cassie was the voice in my head, forcing me to say all of the things I knew I shouldn’t. She was the little devil on my shoulder encouraging mischief and bad decisions.
That’s why drag is so freeing and addictive. Doing drag released the real, unfiltered me. In the years B.C. — “before Cassie” — I knew I was funny and entertaining. But it wasn’t until Cassie came along that I got the attention I desired. Thanks to Cassie, I finally felt seen.
How did you become queen of drag in Dallas? Did you have to slay the evil queen? Did you have to fight a DRAG-on? Or did you take a bite of a poisoned apple and sleep until Prince Charming came to wake you with a kiss? First of all, did you just read a YA novel? These questions … sheesh!
I became the queen of Dallas drag through hard work, luck and the blood of more than a few virgins. It was part “right place/right time,” part dedication to my art and part witchcraft and gay sorcery.
What is your favorite memory, your most memorable moment, from your career on stage so far? This is going to make me sound like a puss, but years ago in the old Rose Room, the crowd cheered and applauded for me after my performance so loud and for such a long time, that I got choked up. In a show with lots of big-name entertainers with national titles, I got the biggest response of anyone. That is my all-time favorite memory. That moment showed me that I was on the right path in life.
You’ve been getting into drag and putting on make-up about 200 times a year for the last 25 years — that’s at least 5,000 times over the course of your career. At this point, is it just a job or is it still fun? Gotdam! That is a lot of tucking! No wonder my balls hurt!
I love what I do, so rarely does it feel like a job. There are days when it is hard to get motivated, and I have to force myself to get in drag. But as soon as the transformation into Goddess (cough-cough) is complete, it’s fun. Showtime is my playtime.
You often use your powers for the good of the people — like each December when you hold your Freakmas show to raise money for the Secret Santa program benefitting underprivileged kids at Sam Houston Elementary School, or in 2023 when you and other drag queens traveled to Austin to lobby against the evil king and his anti-drag minions. Why are those things important to you? Do you feel like drag performers have a responsibility to do more than “just entertain”? We absolutely have a responsibility to do more than just entertain. We come from a long line of drag queens that showed up when our community needed something. Who do they call first when they need to raise money for a good cause? Drag queens! It is in our DNA to help our community.
Drag queens, whether we want to be or not, are usually on the front lines of getting shit done.
What advice do you have for all the young drag princesses out there looking to follow in your footsteps to fame and glory? First, I would say, back off bitches! I ain’t dead yet! Then I would tell them to do everything you can yourself. Being self-reliant is important, especially if you are serious about doing drag. Drag is not a huge money maker. You will probably spend more on doing drag than you will make, especially if you are just starting out.
Don’t let your ego get out of control. You may think you are the most sickening queen that has ever existed, but there are so many baby drag queens just like you out there.
If you wanna stand out, be creative; find what works for you and work hard to make it better. Have an actual work ethic. And — this last one is the most important — don’t do it if you don’t love it. If your heart isn’t in it, it shows, and you will go nowhere. Yes, all drag is valid, but not all drag is bookable!
Thank you for the questions strange person! I like talking about me! PEACE OUT BITCHES!