Denver PrideFest Headliner Spotlight: Yvie Oddly

Originally from the Mile High City, Yvie Oddly is a revolutionary drag and musical artist who loves to push boundaries and represent the queerdos.

The world was first introduced to this unique creature after she stepped into the Werk Room on Season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and audiences instantly knew she was the one to beat. Giving us everything from high fashion glam to spooky alien creatures, being a jack-of-all-trades clearly worked in Yvie’s favor since she ultimately won the competition.

Since snatching the crown and the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar,” Yvie has not only made several contributions to drag and entertainment, but she has also raised awareness and brought visibility to artists of color and performers with disabilities. She herself suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a genetic disorder that causes the skin to not produce enough collagen, which results in flexibility of the skin and joints.

Additionally, Yvie hopes to be the queer role model for LGBTQ youth that she never had.

Currently, she is back on Drag Race competing in the all-winners season of All Stars, and just like before, she is taking her art to new heights with captivating narratives, impeccable skills, and a presence unmatched by anyone.

OFM caught up with the superstar, who will be a headliner at Denver PrideFest this year. She is scheduled to perform on Saturday, June 25.

Let me begin by asking, how meaningful is it for you to perform at your hometown Pride celebration?

Performing at Denver Pride means everything to me. I’ve gotten to travel the world a bit now, and there’s no feeling like giving your energy back to the place and people who helped build you into who you’ve become. Especially because I’d like to imagine that there’s a younger version of me out in the audience finally seeing the possibility of a bright future through me.

What can audiences expect from your set?

I honestly can’t say what any specific audience can expect, except for some pure unbridled expression of joy and a sprinkle of chaos!

Do people treat you differently when you come back to Denver, or do they look at you as the same weird kid who loves to perform?

For the most part, people back home treat me like a family member who they haven’t seen in a while. However, Denver has grown a lot, even in the few years since I won Drag Race. So, there are always some people who are just shocked to run into a Ru Girl at their local bar.

What does Pride personally mean to you?

Pride for me is all about visibility. My queer identity is something I wear on my sleeve every day, year-round, but for those who are at a different place in their journey of self-discovery, it can be so important to see that they are far from alone! There are still so many who don’t believe queer people deserve to live authentically, and Pride is our way of showing you will never be able to erase us again.

Do you remember the first Pride event you ever attended? 

My first Pride was actually Denver Pride. I was 15 and went with a whole group of friends who were each dressed in a different color of the rainbow. I wore every ugly red thing I owned (laughs). It was really magical because not only did I have all my friends there, but I got my first glimpse at seeing how many queer people were secretly around me the whole time. I’ll never forget it.

How would you say Yvie Oddly has evolved as a drag artist since Season 11?

I’d say since Season 11, the drag world has evolved in more ways than me. My drag has always been about experimentation and expression, which are qualities I’ve seen in so many of the drag artists who have graced the runway after me. If anything about me has changed, I’ve just gotten better at advocating for myself and executing my visions.

Season 14 recently wrapped up and your Mile High sister Willow Pill snatched the crown. How excited were you when you found out?

I was as excited as you would expect when one of your close friends works really hard and makes their dream a reality. I look forward to giving her a big ol’ hug if we’re ever in the same city again.

What was your first impression of Willow when you first met her?

My first impression of Willow was wondering who let their child into the club (laughs). My second impression was that they are a deeply talented and disturbed individual.

Did you offer her any advice before she left for the competition?

Yes, I told her to burn it all down. If that doesn’t work, just have as much fun as possible at every moment.

You two are the only Denver queens to ever compete on the show, and you both won your seasons. What kind of message do you hope that sends?

Actually, Nina Flowers was the first Denver queen to appear on the show. Even more, she was doing “alternative” drag at a time when drag was still commonly referred to as cross-dressing. So, for me to watch this radical artist make it to the top two showed me that you can achieve greatness no matter where you’re from. Especially if you’re brave enough to nourish the things that make you unique. That’s the same message I hope Willow and I exemplified by winning our seasons a decade later.

You’re totally right. I completely forgot that Nina Flowers is a Denver queen! Since Drag Race, you have done quite a bit with your music career. Do you have any projects currently in the works?

I do! I’ve been working on another project I’m hoping to release this fall. I experimented a lot more across different genres and wrote about a lot more personal subject matter, so I’m excited for fans of Drag Trap to get to know me and my influences better.

You have made such a significant impact in representing Denver and its LGBTQ community. What more would you like to accomplish?

I feel like my bucket list won’t ever be all checked off. I already changed my life by chasing one dream, so I just hope to keep dreaming, creating, and advocating for the radicals until I die.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you’d like to mention or plug?

Yeah, you can cheer me on every Friday for RuPaul’s Drag All Stars 7 on Paramount+! And keep your eyes peeled for new music/chaotic projects coming soon!

Stay up-to-date and connect with Yvie Oddly by following her on Twitter and Instagram @oddlyyvie, or visit her official website, oddlyyvie.com. For more information on Denver PrideFest, visit denverpride.org.