Harlee Rainz: The Ride Of Your Life

Harlee Rainz is a young drag performer from Ohio who naturally captures everyone's attention with her loud and eccentric personality. She uses her drag to embrace who she is, a natural performer.

1. Who is Harlee Rainz?

From where I live I'm called many names..... some I love, others I brush off from the haters ... but HARLEE RAINZ is a mix of 80's glam.... LA street kid and a girl who doesn't give a fuck what anyone thinks. I do me and I come to work and entertain both on and off the stage. My show isn't just a 3-5 minute number on a stage with a spotlight, I'm wild, loud, and a ball of energy on and off the stage. My tag line is "hi im harlee .. ya know like the Davidson ill give you the ride of your life!!"

 

2. When and why did you start doing drag?

I officially started drag on august 19th 2010.... when I was 18, but was sneaking into bars at the age of 16 once I found out about the drag and gay scene. After coming out at the age of 13, I knew once I heard about the bars and what goes on there that I had to see it! Coming from doing theater and being the class clown, I knew that I could be a fucking drag queen and entertain everywhere! I love being in the spotlight and making people laugh and smile. Also, drag was a way out of my everyday life from the bullying name calling and shit I had to deal with on my regular everyday life but once the night hit, bam, I was unstoppable!

3. Where did you get your drag name? 

Growing up, I've always loved the names Riley and Harlee, I wanted twins named that for some reason. But Harlee just clicked with me, and my drag mother had the last name of Rainz and she offered to help me and grow into what I have become today... she wasn't the only one to help but the one that saw something in me and, bam, Harlee Rainz was born.

4. What is the biggest obstacle that you've overcome in the past? How did you overcome it?

oh lordt! There are many in the past as well as the present.. with my diabetes and celiac diseases it makes performing really rough sometimes but I push through it because I don't wanna disappoint my fans/followers or friends and family that come to my shows every weekend. But the biggest thing that I still fight today is trying to prove that I am a great entertainer and not being cocky but being confident, something most queens don't know the difference between, and it saddens me because once I walk into a bar im WORKING just like a regular 9-5. I put on my shiny shoes, a smile, and I greet every single person in the bar tell a joke or whatever to ensure their money and time is well spent.... and a lot of queens don't do that which is funny because a lot bitch and complain because they didn't make a lot or whatever the case. It's funny I see my drag different then everyone. I don't wear hip pads or big ass fake jewelry and costumes that cost an arm and a leg etc. I wear what I like and spend a lot of time adding to or making.... I stick to my status quo not the quo of  other entertainers... 

5. What is something you wish to accomplish with your drag?

I would love to be on Rupaul's Drag Race because I want to be that role model to every single lgbtq girl/guy/transgender/transsexual/gender fluid that can see that, yes, I went through hell and back In high school/health issues/personal life...I wannabe a queen that can travel and talk at colleges and high schools about being YOU is all you really need... the added support of family and friends is a treasure and that although things get crazy more then half of the time it does truly get better.... (this coming from someone who preaches this stuff but cant take their own advice LOL)

6. Where did you learn to do your makeup?

Makeup is magical! I learned from MAAAANY!!!! Trial and errors...there  are pictures on my facebook and instagram to prove that! But I would sit in front of my computer or phone and watch drag makeup tutorials and regular girl makeup on contouring, blush, eye shadow, eyebrows...you name it I've probably watched video on it! It was and still is an addiction of mine, always new things to see and learn!

7. What is something that makes you unique compared to other drag artists?

Not to be a bitch or a cunt but FIRST THINGS FIRST IM THE REALIST!  I love Iggy... but I don't worry about how much this costume costs or how big this hair piece is... I know I can make a crowd stay for the entire show and laugh, smile, and have a kick ass time...because once I get off stage I freshen up a little then I go out and talk, chat, dance, and laugh with all these people who are paying to see the show. I don't give a fuck about who doesn't like me or who does because at the end of the show night I promise that I'll be an everlasting memory in the peoples mind! I love taking pictures with people and new Harletz (what I call my army of supporters) 

8. In your opinion, do you think that Rupaul's Drag Race has helped the drag community or do you think it has hurt the drag community? Why?

To be honest its both! Hello, it's a tv show and they are going to show you what they want to! But it always shines light on a lot of very different styles of drag and I enjoy that part. Then they show the fighting and shade throwing which, yes, I have done but I'm working really hard not to, because I've been judged and given shade so many times. It's childish and STUPID. It's funny some queens talk about "this should be a sisterhood...yadda yadda yadda..." and then go run their mouth about a queen they just were nice to. High school all over again, just magnified by 100 because of Rupaul's Drag Race, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube etc.

9. How long have you been doing YouTube videos? 

On off for about 2 or 3 years 

10. Which video was your favorite video to make on the channel Altered Illusions? 

Every one of them, from the serious to the stupid, it was a chance for my fans out of Ohio to see me and my craziness! Might start back again, but who knows.

11. Who is your biggest inspiration?

Drag: Sonique from Season 2 of Rupaul's Drag Race

 

Celebrity: Miley Cyrus, Iggy Azalea, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, and Pink  

12. What is your New Years resolution for 2015? 

To strive in my drag career and make sure I keep my health to perfection...and hopefully make it on a certain tv show. 

13. How long does it take you to fully get into drag? 

25 minutes...used to be 3 hours!

14. What is a makeup product that you absolutely cannot live without? 

my Kat Von D Tattoo foundation from Sephora!!!! It's PERFECTION!

15. What is the most misunderstood thing about you? 

My style of entertaining...but, hey HATERS GONNA HATE HATE HATE! I'm still booked pretty much every weekend with having 10-30 people at the bar just for me, but they also tip the other entertainers and drink and dance and play along with everyone! #imnotacunt 

Stalk Harlee:

facebook.com/harleerainz

instagram: @narleeharlee

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