Gothic goddess Sharon Needles is a true survivor and could sashay away with the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar on the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race!
She may have clashed with fellow “queen-testant” Phi Phi O’Hara, but she’s won audiences over with her wicked ways, way out looks and offbeat sense of humor.
This versatile vixen has shown she’s much more than just a freaky face – standing out, winning challenges and stunning Ru and the judges on the runway.
Party City’s dream spokesmodel tells all in our exclusive interview!
Socialite Life: Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Sharon Needles: No.
SL: How did you get started in drag?
Sharon: I’ve always been obsessed with beauty and feminine
extremes. So, at 16 it just came natural to me to start dressing up and
performing in the dive bars of Des Moines, Iowa.
SL: Who are your biggest influences or
inspirations?
Sharon: Elvira is my biggest influence! She’s sexy,
spooky, ditzy, but most important, APPROACHABLE!!
SL: How would you describe your look?
Sharon: My look ranges from old Hollywood to gutter punk. As long
as I look dead, I’m happy!
Sharon: What inspired you to get your Tammy
Faye tattoo?
Sharon: Alcohol! Ha! Growing up I had a huge infatuation with her.
The makeup, the tears, the preaching, the scandal, the shoulder pads! My kinda
lady. The ultimate survivor of adversity.
SL: You been quoted as saying “It’s hard to be
gay and weird”. Why do you think this is so?
Sharon: I think it is more acceptable to be gay nowadays due to our
exposure, but I think the media and entertainment industry portrays us as being
snotty, preppy, drunken gal pal shopaholics. I mean, have you seen A-list
Dallas? What about the rest of us? The BEST of us!?
SL: Among your inspirations, you list G.G. Allin and Amanda
Lepore – and you
refer to yourself as “Satan’s Secretary”. Do you think you’re a versatile
enough drag performer to impress Ru and the judges and emerge the winner?
Sharon: I
don’t take myself too seriously, which allows me to think outside of the box
and take risks. Safe is a dirty word to Ru, and I’m never SAFE!! (unless it’s
sex of course).
SL: What do you enjoy most about performing?
Sharon: Making
the audience laugh. I’m not doing my job until I see a row of ear-to-ear grins.
SL: Where is your favorite place to perform?
Sharon: The
Blue Moon in Pittsburgh, ‘cause you can get away with MURDER!!
RELATED: Let’s Kiki About RuPaul’s Drag Race! Season 11, episode 4 – ‘Trump, The Rusical’
SL: What can people expect to see when they come see you perform?
Sharon: A
man in a dress making a fool of himself. The inner fool is under-appreciated
these days. RELAX!!
SL: Have you ever had an embarrassing moment on stage?
Sharon: My
show is an embrace of embarrassment.
SL: What do you think separates you from the other queens?
Sharon: My
imagination overfloweth. The shit I can do with a mannequin, some mustard, and
a Britney Spears song is LEGENDARY!!
SL: What was it like working with RuPaul?
Sharon: A
dream come true.
SL: What was it like working with the other queens?
Sharon: A
real pleasure. One of the most enlightening experiences of my life.
SL: This season, there seems to be more androgynous queens – do you
feel an increased sense of competition?
Sharon: I’m
a fan of all forms of drag…even Phi Phi’s! I came to Drag Race to push myself, not to get wrapped up in the competition.
SL: There was a little flirtation between you and The Princess during the first episode – would you
want to date another drag performer (like Manila
Luzon and Sahara Davenport)?
Sharon: She
flirted with me, I was being polite. I already am dating a drag queen, ALASKA
THUNDERFUCK!
SL: What would people be surprised to know about you?
Sharon: I
listen to talk radio all day long.
SL: What do you hope people will learn about you from the show?
Sharon: That
I’m a beacon of nightlife and subculture in everyone’s living room.
SL: What song would be your dream song to “lip sync for your life”?
Sharon: Gary Glitter’s “Rock ’n’ Roll Part 2″ (the only word is ‘hey’), or “Lady Bump” by Penny McLean (look it up!) Ed note: I did
SL: What words of wisdom do you live by?
Sharon: When
in doubt, FREAK ‘EM OUT!
SL: Could you share one of your beauty tips with us?
Sharon: Overdraw
your lips until you look like a clown.
SL: What one beauty item can you not live without?
Sharon: Glue
stick!
SL: What are you hoping to gain from your experience on the show?
Sharon: $100,000!!
SL: Any upcoming news, future projects or events you’d like to share
with us?
Sharon: New
music on the way, and I’m just kicking off my “Every Night is Halloween Tour”.
SL: How can your fans best stay in touch with you?
Sharon: Any
standard Ouija Board. (You can also find Sharon on Facebook,
Twitter (@SHARON_NEEDLES) and her
website, sharonneedles.com!)
Socialite Life debuted back in 2003. SL Flashback showcases some of our favorite content from years past. This article was originally published on April 16, 2012.
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