Drag is more than an art form—it’s a powerful way of expressing identity, blending creativity with purpose, and breaking down societal barriers. For Crisartista, drag represents the fusion of multiple passions, from dance and makeup artistry to the transformative power of performance. What started as a serendipitous entry into the world of drag has blossomed into a journey of self-expression, resilience, and love for the craft.
Sunday & White was honored to capture the stunning portraits of Crisartista, offering an intimate glimpse into the life of one of Iceland’s most dynamic drag queens. In this exclusive interview, Crisartista takes us behind the scenes, sharing the highs and lows of her journey, the creative process behind her striking looks, and her thoughts on the political landscape shaping today’s drag culture. Join us as we explore the story of Crisartista—a queen who is redefining the essence of drag and honoring the women who inspire her along the way.
Tell us a little bit about your journey into drag—how did you first discover this art form, and what drew you to it?
I started in the Drag world almost by accident. I am a professional dancer and about 10-years ago I was working as a backup dancer for the Drag Queens of the scene at that time in a few nightclubs in Venezuela. One day one of the nightclubs decided to have a Drag contest and they needed two more participants who were just an extra. These "extras" had no place in the final of the contest. I was one of those extras. After a month of embracing new experiences and facing four challenges, I ended up winning the Drag Contest. That moment marked the beginning of my journey, and here I am today. As a makeup artist, actor, and professional dancer, what drew me most to drag was the opportunity to combine these three passions of mine and bring a character to life on stage—transforming CRISARTISTA from an idea into reality.
Iceland has a relatively small but very supportive queer community. What’s it been like navigating the drag scene here, and how do you think it compares to the drag culture in rest of the world
It has been an amazing experience. From the moment I decided to step into the spotlight as one of the local queens, the love and support from the Reykjavik Drag scene has made me feel right at home. The Icelandic drag scene is wonderfully diverse, with space for everyone, and I find that truly special. In other countries, the focus is often on supporting established drag queens, but here, the community embraces new artists, baby drags, drag kings, and everything in between. I absolutely love the inclusivity and openness of the drag scene here!
Your looks are always so striking and meticulously crafted— walk us through your creative process when preparing for a performance or photoshoot?
It all begins with an idea—often sparked by a song, a movie, or sometimes by watching one of my favorite actresses or singers. Once I have the seed of inspiration, I start organizing my thoughts and writing down what I want to create. I search for references online to see if anything similar exists, and if I find something close to my vision, I make it my own. It’s not about reinventing the wheel, but rather spinning it in my own way. Once I have a clear idea, I begin sourcing the materials to bring it to life. I love doing as much as I can myself, from gluing rhinestones onto my outfits to painting and customizing heels for the perfect look.
As the costume comes together, the right song often starts to come to mind for a performance, and for photoshoots, I think about the theme I want to express—whether it's something romantic, bold, or aggressive, but always sexy, because Crisartista is all about that sexy energy!
Being a drag queen comes with both glam and grueling moments. What are some of the behind-the-scenes struggles or challenges you face that many people might not realize?
I want to emphasize that I absolutely love the entire process of being a Drag Queen. From the moment an idea for a show enters my mind, I don’t rest until I’ve created the costumes, hair, and makeup I envisioned. However, there’s a lot that people might not realize—like how much high heels hurt, the weight of a wig, and the neck pain the next day, or the hours spent crafting a wardrobe. These are just a few small examples, though the list is much longer. Still, I’ll say it again—I truly love the entire process.
Photography plays a huge role in capturing the essence of drag and bringing these incredible looks to life. When you're photographed, what are you hoping the photographer will capture? What do you want the camera to reflect about your drag persona?
I like the photographer to capture the femininity of my character, primarily—the angles where Crisartista looks most beautiful, exotic, and sensual. But it’s not about highlighting my personal ego; on the contrary, we all know that underneath all that makeup and the wig, there is a man. But he is a man who respects women as the perfect creation and source of life, which is why I love having the opportunity to pay tribute to women every time I step into my drag persona.
Every drag queen has a unique relationship with how they're portrayed visually. How do you feel about your own image being frozen in time through photos?
First and foremost, I feel grateful to have the opportunity to do this. I am healthy, and I have the time to prepare everything and leave a lasting mark in the form of a photo. I know that in a few years, I’ll look at these photos and remember everything that was going through my mind and my life at that exact moment—and I’ll be thankful that I captured it.
You’ve been photographed by Laimonas. How was that experience for you? Did you feel it brought out something new in you or your drag persona?
It was a wonderful experience. Laimonas is an excellent professional who knows what he is doing and knows how to make you look in the best possible way, with the best angle, in the best light.
I love how detail-oriented and perfectionist he is when he works because that shows how passionate he is about what he does and I love working with people who are passionate about what they do. Life is too short not to do things for love and with passion. Laimonas knew how to help me organize my ideas and achieve excellent results, his point of view and opinion on the set helped me recognize what result I wanted to obtain in each look.
Drag has long been a form of self-expression and resistance, but with the current political climate, there’s been a lot of conversation around the rights of drag performers and the visibility of LGBTQ+ communities. How do you feel about the role of drag in today's political landscape, and has your experience as a performer changed in response to these shifts?
As a Drag Queen my only political flag has been, and always will be "MAKE LOVE NOT WAR".
If in my shows I can help you; make you laugh, make you happy; make you remember a loved one in the best way; move you or even make you forget your problems for the duration of a song, then my reason for being is fulfilled in that moment.
I will never spend even a small bit of my energy talking about the bad things that people in the political positions do because coming from Venezuela, a country where talking about problems and negativity has never solved anything, considering that even to this day my country is still under a dictatorship.
That's why I've learned to focus on taking action within my own reach—while we may not be able to change the world, we can certainly make a difference in the spaces around us.
