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Drag Performer | facebook.com/dragentertainerBJDaniels
From as early as I can remember, I always wanted to be in show business. I was that little kid who loved playacting, putting on productions, and dreaming of a life beyond my hometown. As I reflect on my accomplishments, I realize how many people have helped me along the way. My first mentor, Michael Bruno, believed in my talent and encouraged me to pursue a career in entertainment. Thanks to him, I became the first Miss Gay Madison! That exposure in the local press of the time caught the eye of Ginger Spice and Samantha in Milwaukee who were putting together a cast for a new weekly drag show that would have production numbers and elaborate staging. Wow! I hit the jackpot and eventually went on to become Miss Gay Wisconsin and Miss Gay Continental Wisconsin.
Although I briefly worked as a server, bartender, and salesperson at a vintage clothing store, I never fully committed to any other type of work because it felt like a cop-out to me. In the end, drag opened many doors for me, especially after I moved to Milwaukee from Madison in 1982. As one of the famous Club 219 Showgirls, I had the opportunity to model for some of the best art photographers in the state, including Francis Ford, Shimon and Lindemann, John Grant, Stanley Ryan Jones, and many more. Those experiences taught me so much about what living your truth really means. Eventually, I became a makeup artist and hairdresser for film, video, and photography on sets across the city, state, and country.
My lucrative day job at one of the top salons in Milwaukee occupied 26 years of my life. There, I learned business management skills and became an educator for other stylists. Drag has been the catalyst for almost my entire career, both on and off stage. It seems unbelievable that a kid from a farming community could eventually work at Fashion Week in New York during its heyday and learn from some of the top talents in the arts.
Today, I proudly sit on the board of the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project and perform every so often, too. When asked, my advice to anyone is to pursue your dreams, no matter how silly or weird they may seem to others. Take chances and seize opportunities that might feel frightening or beyond your reach. Trust me, if I can do it, so can you! Dream Big!
Gabriel Aguilar, Dancer & Composer
BJ Daniels, Drag Performer
Brandon LePage, Musician
Han Raschka, Poet
Chuang Wang, Visual Artist
2025 Queer Arts Directory
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