Peaches Christ is the Camp Queen of San Francisco

The legendary drag icon and self-proclaimed cult leader Peaches Christ, powered by all-encompassing entertainer Joshua Grannell, is a magically impossible blend of old-school camp, modern-day gay, and envelope-pushing art.  If you aren’t familiar with the stories and work from Peaches’ career, you need to do some research on trailblazing history makers from drag culture.

The Peaches Christ persona was born during her time studying film at Penn State University when her senior film Jizzmopper: A Love Story became a Student Film Festival audience favorite. Encouraged by filmmaker John Waters, she moved to San Francisco and began a phenomenon that would rock the filmgoing and queer experience on its ass. Called Midnight Mass, the event would last years and would celebrate cult, camp, and classic films with drag performances, shocking audience interactions, and pop-up appearances from the films’ stars themselves. Peaches has continued that energy that is part John Waters, part Ed Wood, and part Elvira in everything she has done. Classic film parodies brought to life on stage, a podcast, the feature film All About Evil, and a variety of show performances around the world, she has spread her art in many different genres. Currently, she is celebrating her close friendship with the equally camp and fabulous Mink Stole, an icon herself in the John Waters world, with their show Idol Worship. An evening of film clips, stories, and performances, it is the perfect companion to the lives that these two led thus far. Even with the evolution of the Drag Race style of drag, the artistry of Peaches Christ is just as relevant as it always has been and challenges what we consider activism and celebration of the drag and queer communities. Not only a community legend in San Francisco, but she also serves as inspiration worldwide. We are honored to have Peaches serve as our Drag Queen Spotlight for this month.

What was your first exposure to drag?

If you don’t count watching Elvira as a kid on television, it would have to be the discovery of Divine. I grew up in Maryland and when John Waters was making Hairspray in 1987 the local news channels were covering the production. Once I learned about all of this, I had to know more, and this led me to find Pink Flamingos and Female Trouble. My mind was blown. Shortly after this, I began attending Rocky Horror midnight screenings. I think of Elvira, Divine, and Frankenfurter as the holy triumvirate of drag that inspired me to become Peaches.

What brought you to San Francisco?

I actually brought John Waters to Penn State when I was a student there and he told me about the Cockettes and the Kuchar Brothers and told stories of his time living in San Francisco. It sounded amazing. Also, I had just seen the PBS series Tales of the City with Laura Linney and it made the city feel like Oz. I knew I had to get there.

What do you love most about the drag culture in San Francisco?

I love that the drag scene in San Francisco is so incredibly diverse and that it’s the birthplace of so many groundbreaking drag scenes, events, styles, types of shows, etc. I think a lot of people who enjoy modern drag don’t realize that much of its origins can be traced back to early SF drag performers.

How would you describe the type of drag you do?

Hmmm, I don’t often try to describe it. I mean, I’m not in the habit of referring to myself as an artist but I do see drag as a way for me to express myself creatively. If I must describe it, I’d say it’s part comedy drag, part horror drag, and part booger drag. [Laughs]

Your name has caused controversy at times, what does your drag name mean to you?

I grew up Catholic and was an ardent believer as a kid so when I realized that the church wanted me to believe I was going to hell for being gay or acting upon being gay, I was really confused and hurt and fairly traumatized.  That’s a serious level of rejection from a community. I think by taking on the name Christ as a drag character, it was a form of reclamation and a way to take the pain out of that experience.

Peaches Christ (Photo by Ash Danielsen)

Peaches Christ (Photo by David Ayllon)

What is your hometown?

Annapolis, Maryland.

Favorite part about doing drag?

Making people laugh or scream.

Least favorite part about doing drag?

Corsets and heels.

Craziest drag story?

I once did a show in Texas where I thought the audience was gagging for me because they were screaming so much but found out later that a roach had landed in my blonde wig and was crawling all around it while I was emceeing.

Your strangest hobby or talent outside of drag?

Pie making.

What do you want the new generations of drag queens to know most about drag culture during your early days?

I’d like them to know that we did drag despite a lot of obstacles. It was a real calling. When I started, it wasn’t popular or mainstream. In fact, gays didn’t even like drag back then. The larger gay community was interested in fighting for marriage equality and often felt like drag performers hurt the cause, so we were asked not to attend events or march in parades. Drag didn’t make us money, it cost us money. But we still had to do it.

Why don’t we see more of the legends (you, Coco Peru, Varla, etc) represented on Drag Race?

I think you’d have to ask the Drag Race producers. I mean, it seems really obvious to me that there’s a whole generation of brilliant drag performers aka ‘legends’ that would make great judges on that show but even after all of these seasons we haven’t seen it happen.

You and Mink Stole have been friends for years and have the show Idol Worship. First, what do you love most about the John Waters culture?

I love the clever and biting sense of humor that the John Waters universe embraces. I think his scripts and the performers he works with are so hilarious and wholly unique.

What have you learned the most from Mink Stole?

I feel like she’s really taught me how to enjoy life through gratitude and not get too caught up in the day-to-day stressors of the world.

What is your take on the current drag culture, and how has it changed the most from when you started?

I would say that the biggest change is that it’s hugely popular and big business nowadays. I could never have dreamed that there would someday be something called DragCon and that drag would become franchised around the world. I also think that the fan base has completely changed. When I started, the fans were as special, queer, interesting, and strange as the performers themselves. Nowadays, not so much.

What celebrity most needs a drag makeover?

Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Favorite hotspot?

Ciahngir, Istanbul.

Favorite non-profit?

The LGBT Asylum Project.

Favorite cocktail?

Sex on the Peach.

Peaches Christ and Mink Stole (Photo by Mettie Ostrowski)

Peaches Christ and Mink Stole

How is Joshua most different than Peaches Christ, and do you ever feel overshadowed by your drag persona?

I would say that for me, the two personas have become more and more closely connected over the years. In many ways, Peaches is a channel that has unlocked another part of Joshua – a more exaggerated and expressive version. I used to think of the two personas as being very different, but over the years they’ve really morphed into each other.

What is a personal top achievement in your career? Not because it was a critical success or made money, but because you overcame a major challenge?

Making my feature film, All About Evil. There was a point when I thought I’d never be able to do something like that because of how crazy I was as Peaches. I didn’t think anyone would take me seriously enough to invest that kind of money into a movie. I think making that film really shifted my perspective and now I find myself doing shows at places like the Royal Albert Hall. There was a time when I couldn’t have imagined any of that was possible.

What would the name of your biography be?

Confessions of a Cult Leader.

Favorite celebrity/character you’ve played?

Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale

What is your after-drag ritual?

Must have food!

What’s your favorite pickup line?

Sup?

What is the best way we can support the drag community?

I’d say that if you enjoy watching queens on television, be sure to go out and see the in-person events that your local performers are producing. This directly supports them continuing to create drag entertainment for your community.

What is your message to the drag community?

Remember to have fun! Don’t take drag too seriously. I don’t get humorless drag.

You can follow everything Peaches Christ at PeachesChrist.com