Gothess Jasmine
A Black Non-Binary Queer Artist and Creator
Ngozi aka Gothess Jasmine in their Drag Room. Photo by Niko Hernandez.
On Sunday, March 23, 2025 — the Cultural Archive team visited Ngozi aka Gothess Jasmine at their home. We sat on the floor together in their drag room, surrounded by costumes and body art supplies. We had a conversation on their experience being a performer and creator. Here are some highlights from that chat:
Tabitha (Archivist): If you had to describe "home" without using the word itself, how would you?
Ngozi: Home feels like Liberation. Whenever I feel like I am free from what everyone else has told me to do. I've been a rebellious person since I was child, so when i stop and think “you know who would be mad about this? The colonizers who stole this land…” I feel at home. When i'm Gothess versus Ngozi, I feel the channeling of my art and of my voice and I use my body as a tool and also my armor. That’s home.
Tabitha: Tell us about your background as a performer.
Ngozi: I was never a formal dancer or performer but when I reached a certain age I started working at a club where every Friday night was Fantasy Friday. I worked as a server and at the time I didn't realize that what I was experiencing was body dysmorphia. Back then they called me a stem, a stud and a femme. I didn't want to be showing parts of me that I didn't like or feel connected to. I found my joy in doing makeup though. All the dancers would ask for me to do their make-up. Eventually they all said I should charge because I was so amazing at it.
Tabitha: What was your first performance like?
Ngozi: My first event was in Austin shortly before the pandemic and it was at the Glass Coffin. The event was called Danse Macabre and it showcased people from multiple backgrounds and how they have joy or facilitate death in their own cultural way. It was super impactful and it was my first time hosting on a microphone! I was so scared! Then once 2020 came around, the age of digital drag and performing, I started hosting digital showcases and in one of the showcases I recorded a number. Then for the first time in-person was November 13th 2021 and it was for an all black showcase at Sellers called ‘Heat’.
Tabitha: What’s the juiciest, most delicious moment you’ve had as a performer/drag parent?
Ngozi: One of my juiciest, most beautiful days of my life was actually last year — May 11, 2024. It was Black Fae Day, an international holiday celebrating black mysticism, folklore, and fairytales. Last year we threw an event to celebrate the holiday and I even had a grant from the City of Austin to host it. There were so many different black artists and creators in the space who were a part of the event. Everyone was so happy to be a part of Black Fae Day. There were also a lot of people in the space who didn't know it was a holiday who got to celebrate Black Fae Day for the first time. It was all ages and there were craft stations, bubbles, fairies, and Sir Beauregard was a bard! I’m a virgo so I strive for perfection but the scrappiness and DIY element of this event was special. We're hosting it again this year at the tiny minotaur May 10th 2025!
Tabitha Hamilton (left) and Ngozi (right) sitting on the floor of Ngozi’s drag room. Photo by Niko Hernandez.
