This Emmy Winner is Turning Drag into Art

In a time where social media and reality TV shows are making stars of drag queens, there is a faction of trailblazers that have taken the idea of drag and turned it into an art. Three-time Emmy Award winner Glen Alen is one of those queens. Hard to succinctly describe his style, his drag creations and celebrity impersonations are works of art unto themselves. The man behind the makeup is equally as magical with a glowing personality and a resume as colorful as his makeup.

He was destined to be an artist from a young age, learning the basics of color and form from delving into oil painting. After high school, he would embark on a 17-year career with the Regis Corporation becoming a National Educator, award-winning hair artist, and award-winning salon manager. During that time, he would also work with major brands like Smashbox, Lancome, Estée Lauder, Make Up For Ever, and Urban Decay and have his work seen in print, film, music videos, and commercials. Letting a woman’s natural beauty shine through, he would present it together with his flawless technique.

After leaving Regis, he would become one of the most sought-after film and television makeup artists with his work seen on Drag Race, Legendary, A Star Is Born, The Greatest Showman, Penny Dreadful, The Masked Singer, Dancing With the Stars U.S.Tour, America’s Next Top Model, Days Of Our Lives, America’s Got Talent, Key & Peele, and the list goes on and on, with celebrity standouts that include Loni Love, Rita Moreno, Rosie O’Donnell, Tamar Braxton, Mel B, Leeza Gibbons, Raquel Welch, Pat Benatar, Kathy Griffin, Lisa Rinna, Betty White, Carol Channing, Bea Arthur, Debbie Gibson, and more.

Evolving his own drag style, he created the Drag Makeup Academy, where he teaches his unique techniques and looks around the nation. His transformative art is astounding. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to see Glen perform live, you know it is not just a lip-synch and glued eyelash. It is art.

Glen Alen is our GED Drag Centerfold of the Month!

How did you go from oil painting to makeup?

As soon as I saw pop stars on TV like Boy George, Pete Burns, Cyndi Lauper, and Steve Strange, I knew my face had to be my new canvas.

What did you learn most about makeup from being at the Regis Corp?

Being an educator, I learned that when it comes to art there are principles, guidelines, and rules. Yes, rules were meant to be broken. But you must know them first.

How has the makeup industry changed the most since you first started?

Because of social media, the makeup Industry has gained massive appreciation and respect for its intricacies and for the discipline it takes to be successful.

How has your makeup technique changed the most since you first started?

I think it’s grown in two ways: The word ‘subtlety’ comes to mind. The high definition for TV, film, and print has taught me to blend even beyond what is seen by the naked eye. And the word ‘intensity.’ As a drag queen and club kid, a rule of thumb is that “more is just a place to start.”

What was your first experience with drag makeup?

I came across a drag show in the 80s called The Cosmetixs which performed at the club called Peanuts West Hollywood. It was filled with celebrity impersonators who performed as Madonna, Tina Turner, Grace Jones, Cher, and many others, with the lead performer, Michael Angelo, serving outrageous club kid fantasy looks.

What is your take on influencers on social media becoming stars from doing makeup techniques – are they getting it right?

They are talented and inspiring. They are getting it right when doing makeup on themselves, and it’s a beautiful thing to see. Now, having said that, they get it right because most of them have a commercially beautiful face, meaning their face fits the golden ratio. The golden ratio is the mathematical face proportion that models are chosen for … it’s what plastic surgeons use for restructuring a face. The challenge is doing makeup on all other face shapes and skin tones.

What does being a multiple Emmy award winner mean the most to you?

It means I’ve grown into a disciplined and responsible artist. I’ve learned the importance of working as a team and not needing the spotlight on me or my work. And it’s also a symbol of decades of mental and spiritual growth and perseverance.

What celebrity project has been your favorite, and why?

It’s not the projects, it’s the legends. It’s the women who have been in the business for 40, 50, or 60 years. To get their approval means the world to me.

How would you categorize your personal drag persona?

The category is ‘Shapeshifting.’

What do you love most about performing in drag?

I love suspending reality and transporting the audience and myself to another place in time where there is no stress, no worries, and no pressures that we encounter in our day-to-day life.

Hometown: Lakewood California.

Guilty pleasure?

A row of Chips Ahoy cookies.   

Favorite part about doing drag?

The creative process of creating different looks and not getting stuck in a rut.

Least favorite part about doing drag?

#Corset   

Craziest drag story?

I was impersonating  Kathy Griffin for a red carpet event and then had the real Kathy Griffin surprise me and walk up the carpet.  She approved and we took many photos together.

Most undrag thing you do?

Camping.   

What celebrity most needs a drag makeover?

Gordon Ramsay.   

Favorite nightlife hotspot?

Heart WeHo.   

Favorite non-profit?

APLA Health.  

Favorite binge food?

Mexican.   

What is the most overrated pop song?

“Baby Shark.”   

Go-to cocktail?

A giant coffee.

What would the name of your biography be?

From Bullied to Brilliant.

Favorite song to perform?

“Otto Titsling.”

What is your after-drag ritual?

To release the Kraken. [Laughs]

What’s your favorite pickup line?   

It’s a dick pic.

You can follow Glen on IG: @GlenA