10 years later — a lot has changed
Drag performer from Conway returns for high school reunion
Symone, winner of Season 13 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and one of the stars of the series “Avalon TV,” returns to her hometown of Conway this weekend to reconnect with her fellow Wampus Cats during the 10-year reunion of the Conway High School Class of 2013.
“Avalon TV” debuted Oct. 9 on WOW Presents Plus and features Symone and her Los Angeles-based House of Avalon friends — fellow Arkies Marko Monroe, Hunter Crenshaw, Grant Vanderbilt and Caleb Feeney along with Gigi Goode and Rylie. The show is described as a “genre bending series filled with real life drama, pranks, parties, and celebrity guests galore.”
We caught up with Symone, who was born Reggie Gavin, earlier this week for this interview, which has been edited and condensed, to talk about the new series, attending her prom in drag and what fashion designer Monroe has created for her to wear this weekend.
How are you feeling about coming back for your high school reunion? Is it one of those situations where you’re thinking, I can’t believe it’s been 10 years?
I don’t know why, but I’ve always been excited about coming back for the 10-year reunion. It’s crazy, especially since how my life has changed so drastically.
Will there be a camera crew with you, and will anyone else from House of Avalon be with you?
It’s me and Rylie, and I will have someone filming it. I really like the idea of filming it, of going back 10 years later and seeing the people I grew up with and showing people where I’m from. It’s like a time capsule moment.
What was your high school experience like?
Interesting. Middle school was miserable, but I had a pretty good high school experience. By the end of it, anyway. Of course there was bullying and name-calling, but I didn’t let it stop me. Discovering drag and figuring that out at such an early age really helped me to get over it and find my voice. I was so shy in high school. I wasn’t a loud person.
Hunter Crenshaw told me that you went to your prom in drag. Wow!
I’d been doing drag for maybe a year and I was posting videos and pictures on Instagram. Someone in my trigonometry class asked me if I was going to prom in drag. I’d never even thought of it, but I was like, you know what? I think I am. I saved up my money and bought a dress. The mother of one of my classmates owned a dress store and that was the only place in Conway or Little Rock that would let me try on a dress. I got a dress off the sale rack — $68, honey! I still have it at home. It was pink and gold.
I didn’t know what to expect. There were people who weren’t about it, but others were so supportive. I’ll never forget the principal at the time [Joel Linn] saw me walking up and he said ‘Reggie, you go in there and have a good time and if someone has a problem with it you come find me.’ At that point I was like, I’m good. I wasn’t necessarily scared that something would happen to me, but to have him say that it felt like he was protecting one of his students. It really helped shape me being, like, OK, let me keep pursuing this. I really appreciate him.
What are you wearing to the reunion?
I want to look stunning, but I also want to have fun, so I’m not wearing a gown. I’m having a jumpsuit made that has bows on the sleeves and it’s Wampus Cats blue.
A lot has changed for you since high school: Winning “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” appearing in the film “Bros” and now “Avalon TV” has launched. You’ve come a long way.
I just had a dream of doing drag. To be able to do what I love at such a level, and be able to take care of myself and the people around me — we have this TV show and people get to see our lives — it’s so mind-blowing to me. I’m living my life with my chosen family and we’re all reaping the benefits. It’s amazing.
How important is it for you to return to Arkansas and to your hometown and be visible in the LGBTQ community?
It’s so important to me. Arkansas is a huge part of my life. With what’s going on right now, with people growing up and feeling rejected from their home, it’s not OK and it’s not something that should be happening. I’m proud of my career, I’m proud of being from Arkansas and it’s important that I remain visible and talk about it and in my own way be an ally for the people who need it.
I’m sure it’s going to be a busy weekend, but will you have time to make it to the Central Arkansas Pride events?
I hope so. I texted my friend, Queen Anthony, and she said ‘Oh, my God! Are you coming for Pride?’ I had no idea, but I have to go. I have to see what’s going on. We’ll figure it out. I’m renting a car, so it will be easier to move around.