I joined the cabaret community when I first started drag a little over 15 years ago. There was no drag community when I started drag and to fill a full show we would tag up with burlesque and ever since then I’ve been hooked. So I guess the inspiration to get involved was to create bigger and better shows.

My favorite act to perform recently has been a slower number to Clown by Mariah Carey. I love the feel of the song and the R&B roots. So good.

The trend I would love to see more of is character impersonation themed numbers. I loved seeing Shrek or Micky Mouse strip. As for trends I would like to see stop would be nothing. This is going to be a PC answer but I love watching anyone that performs that loves what they are doing. I get roped in seeing someone loving themselves and what they are doing. I love it all! And if I don’t I’ll always be able to find something I love.

I do a lot of hosting so there are always those hecklers and you need to be able to quiet them but still keep the mood light and fun. It’s an art. As for a performer there as those wardrobe malfunctions that can throw a wrench in your act. I remember in my early drag days I did a number by Beyonce and my heels got stuck in the stage and came off and then my wig got caught on a certain and came off and then the buttons on my dress came undone and came off. It was a wreck of a number and I’ve never attempted another Beyonce number since.

I have dealt with burn out and never realized it. I do 3-7 (sometimes more) shows a week and I use to drink a lot. I was hungover all the time and when I quit drinking I realized my hangovers weren’t that bad. I was just very burnt out and was pushing myself through it because I thought I was just hungover. I didn’t deserve to take a break because I drank and the hangover is my fault and the show must go on. So I would just drink more and the show would go on. Now that I no longer drink I am able to identify when I am feeling overwhelmed and I do a mental exercise of what I can control and what I cannot and focus on what I can change and leave behind everything else that I cannot. I also love a spa day! I’ll do saunas and facials and pamper myself. And then voila, a fresher me.

I draw inspiration from the amazing people in my life. I’m grateful i get to travel a lot for my act and I get to see so many different art forms and opinions and I get challenged to do more.

I’ve never thought of a different stage name. I use to go by Ella Gonza, back when I first did drag. That was for a house party but once I decided I was going to do drag I changed my last name to Lamoureux. Thinking I wanted a pretty name so I chose Ella Lamoureux. Only later to find out it’s an insanely popular name in Quebec. Thinking I was going to be original by not picking a punny name I just jumped head first into the basic pool. But that also works for my aesthetic.

Choreography. I can learn lower body movements and upper body movements but once you add them together my brain turns to mush and I just look like the drunk aunt trying to snag the uncle.

I just recently saw the Drag Queen Christmas show and I’d love to one day be in that show. As for a dream cast I cannot think of any specific people. The show is filled with drag race girls and I don’t know any of them super personally to create a team I’d love to travel with.

My mantra these days are say yes. I’ve turned down so many opportunities because of self doubt only to realize I can totally do what was asked of me I just second guessed myself. It also pushes me to broaden my skills. And since then I’ve done so many amazing things. Make me more marketable.

My goal is to keep having fun. I’ve been a full time performer for over four years now and it’s a lot of work but I’m having the best time. My goal is to keep that joy and excitement. Advice for the community is to always find the joy in whatever you do. And to have that one performer friend you can discuss anything with.