For Washingtonian, I wrote captions for a photo essay featuring some of DC’s most talented drag kings, including the legendary King Molasses, who later went on to [this is not truly a spoiler, they had it in the bag from day one] win the first drag king reality show, “King of Drag.”

When Molasses first saw a Pretty Boi Drag show at the Bier Baron in Dupont Circle in 2016, they “got chills, like it kind of went quiet. And I just remember this feeling of telling myself, like, ‘I would be really good at this.’ ” As a child, Molasses emotionally and mentally withdrew in order to cope with bullying, family conflict, and their father’s extended illness. Through performing, they’ve been able to dial down their anxiety and achieve a new sense of ease in their body—helping Molasses connect with their father before his death and survive the grief after: “Drag really did bring me to spirit.”

Photograph by Keylimehi