The Killer King of Drag

content warning: imitated blood and gore

I'm James 'The King' Jackson (he/they in drag, they/them out of drag) – an alternative/horror drag king from New Port Richey, Florida. I've been performing as a drag king since 2021, during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. Through my life, I've always had high levels of anxiety and problems with communicating properly. I also struggled to fit into what society expected me to be as AFAB (assigned female at birth). But when I discovered and stepped foot into the world of drag, my eyes were suddenly open to a world where I could break the norm and express myself freely without being judged. It has also helped me open myself freely to people without the fear of judgement, helping my anxiety and communication skills. Drag has saved my life, in more ways than one. And all I want to do is spread the message that anyone can do drag, no matter who you are or what kind of drag you wanna do, you are allowed to be yourself and share your creativity with the world.

The King: Picture 1 – this is the first professional photo taken of me in drag. I'm wearing a black horned top hat, a white contact in the left eye, speckled black beard with black lipstick and eyeshadow, a spiked collar, cigarette earrings and necklace, a spiked leather jacket with black rhinestones and brown waved back hair.

📷: Morgan Le Shade: @blackrosephotography

The King: Picture 2 – I won my first title of Mr SWFL (Southwest Florida Drag King) 2023. I'm wearing an all-white outfit including a white vest with red rhinestones all over the collar and vest, a white under shirt, white pants, a crystalized heart on the left side of the breast, a red rhinestone necklace, a blue and black sash reading "2023 Mr SWFL Drag King", a blue and white crown, a red and black speckled beard, black eyeshadow and lipstick, and some fake blood dripping down my lips.

📷: Morgan Le Shade: @blackrosephotography

The King: Picture 3 – I was performing at Manna Tea & Kava Bar located in Sarasota, Florida. I'm wearing a black horned top hat with rhinestones, red eyeshadow, black eyeliner and lipstick, red speckled beard, skeleton earrings and a spiked leather jacket with fake cigarettes and chains hanging down the sides.

📷: Morgan Le Shade: @blackrosephotography

Follow James ‘The King’ Jackson on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Bluesky: @James.The.King.Jackson