Drag Queen Adore Delano to grace cover of Alternative Press Magazine’s first-ever pride issue
Drag queen, singer-songwriter, and television personality Adore Delano, who is best remembered for her stints in 'American Idol' and 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' will soon be gracing the cover of the first-ever Pride issue of Rock and Roll of Fame-celebrated publication Alternative Press Magazine.
In what will be her first ever international cover, she will be joining an illustrious list of names such as 'Nine Inch Nails,' 'Paramore,' 'Fall Out Boy,' 'twenty one pilots,' 'Nirvana,' 'Oasis,' 'Radiohead,' and one of her biggest influences, Marilyn Manson.
The pride issue of the magazine will also include photographs by Giselle Dias and a captivating story by Sam Chapman. Adore will also be opening up about a wide range of issues including her ongoing legal battles, the emotional turmoil from losing her dad last year, what the dating scene is like for a queen, the impact Trump's immigration crackdown is having on her family, her thoughts on the entertainment business, and her problems with RuPaul.
She took offense to some of the comments that the legendary drag queen, actor, model, and singer made to 'The Guardian' during a profile, in which he had disclosed that he would not allow a trans contestant who’d had gender confirmation surgery or begun medically transitioning to compete on his VH1 reality television competition show, 'RuPaul’s Drag Race.'
Adore, who made it into the final three of the show's sixth season, told AltPress: "Seeing that the fans are getting younger and younger, and the culture of drag is becoming a lot more accepting, it’s a really f*****-up way of thinking. Drag really starts with trans women. Those comments are very cringe-y, and every time (RuPaul) says something like that, I end up on the phone with some of my homegirls from the show and I’m like, 'Girl… she needs to chill.'"
She also said that those comments made her personally question RuPaul's cultural legacy: "It makes me question [the legacy], of course! It makes everybody question. We’re all on the phone together saying, 'What the fuck is going on?' We can chalk it up to age, but (RuPaul) grew up in the midst of drag, as well. My friend and I were on the phone that morning and we were like, 'Is she tired? Was she sleeping when she tweeted that? What’s going on?'"
Explaining her gripe with the entertainment industry, Adore said: "Most of my homegirls are drag queens, and we didn’t go to business school. We didn’t know what it was going to feel like to be thrust out there, and make all this money… it’s easy to take advantage of somebody when they’re not used to handling books or business."
While her outspokenness may rub some off the wrong way, General Manager and CFO of AltPress Joe Scarpelli is an admirer of the brashness. While other artists are scared to tackle truth for fear of losing opportunities, Adore demands respect by addressing her feelings head on and standing up for what she believes is right. I am so proud of our staff and Adore for piecing together a wonderful work of art that truly showcases pride in both the alt-rock and LGBTQ communities," Scarpelli said speaking about the 'Whatever' hitmaker.
The pride issue will be a celebration of the rock contributions of the LGBTQ community, with Adore joining other LGBTQ musicians such as Julien Baker, a Southern, Christian, lesbian rocker, Panic! At The Disco, Lynn Gunn of PVRIS, and Tobi Duncan of the U.K. melodic hardcore band Trash Boat, among others in the publication.
To AltPress founder and CEO Mike Shea, it's a watershed moment. He credits the gay marriage fight for the profound shift toward the acceptance of the LGBTQ community from the alt-rock population, as well as the music industry as a whole.
He said: "Suddenly, artists — from metal dudes to hip-hop moguls and even top country stars from red states — came out in support of the community. Supporting the gay community, and even being gay, was no longer considered a business risk and that ultimately changed the game."
The fact that both Shea and Scarpelli are both openly gay adds to the weight of the occasion. Asked what advice he had to offer to the young queer generation, Scarpelli said: "Chase your dreams, and to anyone who says you’re shit, give them the middle finger and keep on course. Go against the grain and be different, be yourself and rock on, gay rockers."