Wikipedia

Alexis Campbell Starr

Alexis Campbell Starr is an African-American drag queen based in Portland, Oregon. She is a resident cast member at Darcelle XV Showplace and has performed at CC Slaughters and other events and venues. She is active in the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court of Oregon and has been crowned Rose Empress.

Alexis Campbell Starr
Born
Portland, Oregon, United States
OccupationDrag queen

Early life

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Alexis Campbell Starr was born and raised in Portland, Oregon.[1]

Career

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Alexis Campbell Starr is a drag queen. She often performs to gospel hymns as well as secular pop and R&B songs. Andrew Jankowski of the Portland Mercury has described her as "rich with the diction and conviction of a saved woman–who might eat from the offering plate", as well as someone who does not "reach for easy Christian jokes, instead using proper church vocabulary to humorously address the congregated apostles and apostates".[2]

 
Alexis Campbell Starr is a resident cast member of Darcelle XV Showplace (pictured in 2012)

Alexis Campbell Starr is a resident cast member at Darcelle XV Showplace.[1][2] In 2020, she began co-hosting a weekly drag brunch with Poison Waters at the venue; the series remains active, as of 2024.[3][4][5] Alexis Campbell Starr has also toured with the cast outside Portland, including in The Dalles in 2022.[6] She was among cast members who paid tribute to Darcelle XV, who died in 2023, during a memorial service at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.[7] Alexis Campbell Starr performed to "Me, Myself, and I" (2003) by Beyoncé and other songs during Drag-a-thon, which was held at Darcelle XV Showplace in 2023 and set a Guinness World Record for the longest drag stage show.[8][9]

Alexis Campbell Starr has performed at various other events and venues. In 2015, in conjunction with Pride Month, she was part of the cast of 'Big Gay Boat Ride', a Carla Rossi-hosted event aboard the Portland Spirit also featuring Heklina, Poison Waters, and Trixie Mattel.[10] Alexis Campbell Starr hosted 'Testify Brunch', a weekly gospel-themed drag brunch at CC Slaughters, as of 2018.[11] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alexis Campbell Starr offered socially distanced performances; she was part of the 'Drag Delivered' series, which saw local artists perform in streets as privately hired events,[12] and she also performed at Rooster Rock State Park.[13] Alexis Campbell Starr performed in the 'Diva Drag Brunch' series at Bit House Saloon in 2021,[14][15] and at an event about the history of Black drag in Portland at the Kennedy School in 2022, in conjunction with Juneteenth.[16] She performed at Portland State University's annual Viking Days Drag Show in 2023.[17]

Alexis Campbell Starr has worked with various LGBT businesses and community groups such as the defunct gay bar and nightclub Embers Avenue and the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court of Oregon.[18] In 2024, she participated in a roast of Poison Waters; the comedy event was held at CC Slaughters and raised funds for a summer camp organized by Cascade AIDS Project.[19] Alexis Campbell Starr raises funds for HIV/AIDS research and patient support.[2] She has been crowned Rose Empress.[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Wesley, Lashay (2017-06-18). "Uber delivers drag queens for Portland Pride Week". KTVL. Archived from the original on 2017-06-19. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  2. ^ a b c Jankowski, Andrew. "Say Nice Things About Local Drag Artists (Proudly Representing Portland All Year Long)". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on 2024-05-26. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  3. ^ "A New Drag Brunch Is Coming to the Historic Darcelle XV". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  4. ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2020-09-04). "Ringside Steakhouse Among Portland Businesses Filing a Lawsuit Against Their Insurance Company". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  5. ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2024-05-08). "Ask Eater: Where Can I Go for Drag Brunch in Portland?". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  6. ^ Bertram, Jacob (2022-11-02). "Darcelle XV and Company back for round four (includes slide show)". Columbia Gorge News. Archived from the original on 2022-12-04. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  7. ^ Nakamura, Beth. "Memorial held for Walter W. Cole aka Darcelle XV in downtown Portland". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  8. ^ "Portland drag performers break world record for longest continual drag show". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2024-08-26. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  9. ^ "The Mercury's 48-Hour Drag-A-Thon Live Blog". Portland Mercury. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  10. ^ "Find Your Perfect Portland Pride Event". Willamette Week. 2015-06-10. Archived from the original on 2017-06-08. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  11. ^ Jankowski, Andrew. "Portland Pride Things to Do". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on 2023-09-25. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  12. ^ Stein, Rosemarie (2021-06-07). "These live and virtual events celebrate Pride 2021 in Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2021-06-09. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  13. ^ Bolstad, Erika. "State parks have been full of visitors amid the pandemic, but can budgets and regulations keep up?". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  14. ^ "Daily Xtra Travel's Complete List of Top Portland Gay Events". Xtra Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  15. ^ "A Portland Pride Events Guide". Willamette Week. 2021-06-02. Archived from the original on 2021-06-03. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  16. ^ "Here's Where to Celebrate Juneteenth in Portland". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  17. ^ Vincent, J. M. (2023-10-05). "QRC presents annual Viking Days drag show". Portland State Vanguard. Archived from the original on 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  18. ^ Lopez, Julia (2024-06-13). "Old Town legacy honored at new LGBTQ+ bar". KPTV. Archived from the original on 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  19. ^ Jankowski, Andrew. "Portland Drag Icon Poison Waters Turned Up the Heat at Her CC Slaughters Charity Roast". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  20. ^ Imperial Sovereign Rose Court of Oregon:
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