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The Drag Performer's Lived Experience: Exploring the Interplay Between Person and Persona
Shawn Sturnick1, Christine Campbell1
1School of Allied Health and Life Sciences, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK.
Journal of Homosexuality
|August 3, 2026
Summary
British drag performers find their personas are not just roles but psychological partners. The study reveals drag personas can act as protectors and enhance self-expression, creating a profound sense of self.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Performance Studies
Background:
- Drag's increasing mainstream acceptance necessitates further research.
- Existing research primarily focuses on US cisgender male drag performers.
- This study addresses the gap by exploring British drag performers' experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of British drag performers.
- To understand the intersection of drag personas and personal identities.
- To investigate the psychological relationship between drag persona and self.
Main Methods:
- Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).
- Semi-structured interviews with six diverse British drag performers.
- Thematic analysis of interview data.
Main Results:
- Identified three key themes: 'The Paradox of Integration,' 'Persona as Protector,' and 'Peak Me.'
- Drag personas function as psychological buffers and sources of pleasure.
- A spectrum of integration exists between persona and self, from separation to deep integration.
Conclusions:
- Drag personas are more than theatrical roles; they are psychological partners and protectors.
- Performers experience a heightened sense of self ('Peak Me') during performance.
- A 'spectrum of integration' model can explain the persona-self relationship in drag performance.
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