No Tea, No Shade: Life as a Drag Queen

"No Tea, No Shade is an essential read for anyone who has searched for a way to feel like themselves." -- Booklist

Intimate, hilarious, and inspiring essays by celebrated drag queens Kennedy Ann Scott, Lagoona Bloo, Alexis Michelle, Olivia Lux, Julie J., and Nina West.

No Tea, No Shade is a collective anthem written by six drag queens who believe in equality, peace, and in a world that loves and respects all people. The defiant legacy of drag will endure fearmongering and hate because their hearts have endured the unthinkable, their courage has been relentlessly tested, and to be blunt, they have the balls to prevail.

When these gorgeous queens wear a stunning gown with picture perfect makeup, haters label them as inappropriate and unlawful. They are entertainers not predators. Drag is an art of self-expression that, at its core, affirms and uplifts LGBTQIA+ people.

No Tea, No Shade features thirty essays discussing:

• Social activism, Drag Story Hour, and education.
• Coming out, gender, and equality.
• Relationships, setting goals, and rejection.
• Celebrating womanhood, family, and image.

Despite the pervasive danger of being authentic and real, these drag artists have chosen to fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. They remind us that a person’s identity shouldn’t be marginalized to genitals. Identity categories are not as important as we have been led to believe, and the shade casted on drag is just a scapegoat. It is a distraction political figures and trolls use to lure people away from caring about serious issues like equality, gun violence, poverty, and racism.

No Tea, No Shade shines a light on a community of people who are paving the way for a better world and holding the light for others to step up.

Kennedy Ann Scott is the stage name of Benjamin Slinkard. Benjamin is a Blue Ribbon Teacher and has been awarded Teacher of the Year for his service as an educator for Metro Public Schools. He has been recognized by the Nashville community as a top performer and claims residency at the Lipstick Lounge. He has been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine and the New York Times. Benjamin resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and is an advocate for children and members of the LGBTQIA community.

Alex Michaels, also known as Alexis Michelle, is an actor, drag artist, activist, and accomplished cook who stormed the international stage on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9 and All Stars Season 8. They have also appeared in Blue Bloods, Dragnificent!, Drag Me Down the Aisle, True Colors, and the PBS series One Voice: Broadway—both with The American Pops Orchestra. In addition to performing their cabarets at Joe’s Pub, 54 Below, and Club Cumming in NYC, they made their Barrington Stage Company debut playing Albin/Zaza to great acclaim from the New York Times. Alex holds a B.F.A. from the University of Michigan in Musical Theatre, where they also enjoyed writing about the LGBTQ experience in literature.

Olivia Lux is a drag artist, actor, singer, and musician who placed in the top five on Season 13 of the Emmy-award winning television show, RuPaul’s Drag Race. She has starred in lead roles in productions of RENT, Kinky Boots, and more. She has done television ad campaigns for brands including Starbucks, Burger King, and Paramount. Olivia is also a member of the legendary ballroom house of Miyake Mugler.

Julie J is a Brooklyn-based actress, drag artist, and community organizer. Julie stars in the horror comedy film Queens of the Dead. She has been featured in advertising campaigns for Maybelline and the luxury jewelry brand Alexis Bittar. In 2023, she was named Miss Bushwig at the nation’s largest drag festival, and in 2024, she won Entertainer of the Year at the Glam Awards, which recognizes the best NYC nightlife. She is the founder of Stand Up NYC, which has raised more than $100,000 for trans and LGBTQIA+ organizations. 

Lagoona Bloo is a musician, actor and drag artist based in New York City. Since 2021, the self-titled “Mermaid Popstar” has released her debut EP AQUA and debut studio album Underwater Bubble Pop showcase her three-octave range with blissed-out synth anthems that redefine the intersection between pop music and drag. She has been featured on television shows such as America’s Got Talent, The Voice, and Nailed It! In 2024, she originated the role of Tuna Turner in the Off-Broadway hit Drag: the Musical.