Q and A with Endeavour Hills drag queen Brenda Bressed

Brenda Bressed (aka Bryce Gibson) is a drag performer from Endeavour Hills. Photo: SUPPLIED

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

When I was about 14 years old, I decided that I wanted to learn how to Yodel! So I taught myself from watching YouTube videos and I can still yodel today!

What are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about finding ways to enjoy every day! I am really passionate about doing what you love, and living your most authentic life. I feel that people waste so much of their life worrying about what other people think or what others are doing. It’s about time we live in the moment, and don’t waste our life doing things for the sake of doing things. I strive every day to do something that I love, and just be happy!

What do you love about drag?

I love that drag gives me a confidence that I never knew I had inside. It’s like a superhero suit that allows me to transform into the heightened and enlightened version of myself. It allows me to nurture every creative instinct I have, and brings me so much joy!

What would your last meal be?

Firstly, what crime did I commit to warrant being given a last meal?! But if it came to that … it would have to be sushi! I have a dangerous obsession with sushi and my bank account does not like me very much for that.

What was your most memorable moment?

I think my most memorable moment would be playing one of my dream musical theatre roles, ‘Jean Valjean’ in Les Miserables at the National Theatre in 2018, while Jeanne Pratt and Marina Prior were in the audience!

What was your favourite subject in school?

My favourite subject was music – closely followed by theatre studies! But I enjoyed music the most!

What event past or present would you like to witness?

I would love to go back and watch ‘Wicked’ for the first time again – one of my favourite musicals of all time!

Which six dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

Number one would have to be Dolly Parton, my idol, hero and goddess! Then it would have to be Ella Fitzgerald, Michelle Obama, Jinkx Monsoon, Lady Gaga and Cher.

What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

I am currently watching ‘The Handmaids Tale’, and listening to the podcast ‘Office Ladies’.

How would you describe your fashion sense?

My fashion sense would be very homo-bogan-chic out of drag, and Matriarchal-camp when I am in drag!

Have you had a pet that has made an impact on your life?

I think my current pets have had the biggest impact on my life so far. I have two little Maltese X Poodles, their names are Dolly and Choccy. They are the naughtiest little things, but I love them to death.

If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?

I would cook anything because, according to my darling fiancé Thomas (and me of course), I am such an incredible chef!

Where is your dream holiday destination?

My dream holiday as of now is Japan. That is next on the list of places to go.

What were you like as a kid?

As a kid I can understand that I was very irritating. I was always doing all sorts of wacky things, hobbies, crafts and trying to find outlets for my creative brain. However, these usually involved a lot of mess, much to my parents’ dismay.

What is your favourite colour and why?

My favourite colour is Sunset Orange, because it’s the same as Peeta from The Hunger Games – my favourite movie.

What’s one question you have never been able to get the answer to?

Why do people put dirty tissues in their sleeve?! I mean, GROSS! Put it in the bin!