SYMONE FOR PLASTIK: LIBERTY
PLASTIK MAKES ITS NYC DEBUT WITH SYMONE
Symone is undeniably one of the most successful Drag Queens to come out of the iconic, boundary-pushing, conversation-opening, mind-widening RuPaul’s Drag Race. Her path and looks are reminiscent of RuPaul Charles himself - who’s quite the protegée of the crown holder. Her political stance on the show has been subtle but powerful, as the drag artist continues her legacy by simply being everywhere.
- photographed and interviewed by Eli Rezkallah
“I finally had some time to actually sit and reflect over the year I’ve been having. I found myself just being like “Bitch you really have done the damn thing!”You really went out and followed your dreams and did what you said you were going to do. I found myself being so proud and in awe because it’s truly been the most magical time of my life.”
Eli: The last time we had a drag icon on our cover, it was none other than RUPAUL Charles - there seems to be a lot of synchronicities in your paths and a lot of love on a personal level - tell us more about your relationship with Ru.
Symone: Ru is Motha! Let’s just start there. I really look up to her because she was one of the first people I saw on the TV that was remotely like me. She always seems so proud of me and what I’ve done.
Eli: We’re seeing you everywhere! At the Met Ball, with Kacey Musgraves, with Madonna!! Did you get a moment to take it all in
Symone - Oh, yes I have! Finally! I just finished filming the movie Bros and during that time I wasn't really doing a lot of drag, so I had some time to actually sit and reflect over the year I’ve been having. I found myself just being like “Bitch you really have done the damn thing!” haha You really went out and followed your dreams and did what you said you were going to do. I found myself being so proud and in awe because it’s truly been the most magical time of my life.
Eli: Who got you the most starstruck so far?
Symone - Oh, definitely meeting Naomi Campbell in the flesh. I saw her from across the room and was SO nervous to speak to her. She looks just like the pictures on the interwebs, honey. Hell even better to be honest. I went up and introduced myself and she was so nice to me. It was funny though because it was burning up in the place we were at, and she was just fanning herself being like “It’s so hot in here! Oh, my god! I have to get out of here!” Giving you the Naomi drama momma. I was living!
Eli: Has an artist ever changed/opened your mind about something?
Symone - Oh, for sure! So many artists have. The one that comes immediately to mind though is Madonna. It was amazing getting to watch her work because you get to see how/why she’s the icon she is today. It was truly inspiring to see.
Eli: Now let’s talk a bit about the covers and the process behind them. How did it feel to be hanging from a Chandelier?
Symone- Baby! Yall know that feeling you get when a song REALLY hits? I was the personification of that Chandelier song, honey! Hahah the only thing I could keep thinking was “bitch this is for the shot. GET THE SHOT!” I’ve never done anything like that before, but honey I gots me a story to tell now.
Symone hanging from an nyc studio’s ceiling - lensed by eli rezkallah, plastik sudios new york 2021.
Eli: In a way drag is an art form that allows you to play many different roles. There is an element of method acting; how do you embody different personas and touch on different subjects all the while keeping it fun and fresh?
Symone- Oh, it feels so liberating! That’s the best way for me to describe it. Drag allows me to do/be anything I want. I’m starting to ask myself what I haven't done yet which is really fun because I’m getting to explore different parts of myself that I didn't necessarily know were there.
“the only thing I could kept thinking [while hanging from the ceiling] was “bitch this is for the shot. GET THE SHOT!” I’ve never done anything like that before, but honey I gots me a story to tell now.”
Eli: If Symone is elected president of the United States, the first big change you would make would be:
Symone- I would outlaw chaps IMMEDIATELY! We’ve seen enough
Eli: Many RPDR winners including Alaska, Violet and Sasha visited our headquarters and performed shows in Lebanon. Would you?
Symone- Oh, absolutely! Yall just tell me when, and I’m sure we can get something popping and locking!
Eli: A message to your Arab Queer fanbase?
Symone- Well, first and foremost thank yall so much for the love! It means everything to me. Also, I know that it’s hard being your authentic selves in certain places that you are, but know that being Queer means we survive and we perserver, baby. Oh, and remember life holds for you one guarantee. You’ll always have me!
Framed prints are available on our shop:
Photography Eli Rezkallah
Produced by Plastik Studios 2021
Hair Gigi Goode Styling Bashar Assaf Executive art director Philippe Ghabayen
Plastik Team Beirut: Camille Medawar, Alex Curtis, Christian abf, Jean Paul Rahal
Plastik Team US: Nancy Heyl, Paul Terrie, Jaime Allison, Madeleine Burrow, Mettieo Strowski.
Special thanks: Marko Monroe, Ralph Arida, @theballgownboy, Gonaway