Article written by Alexander Rodriguez, host of On the Rocks with Alexander

When a queen spills the tea, you listen. When a queen spills the tea in a tell-all documentary, you watch! Mrs. Kasha Davis is the stage name of Edward Popil, a drag performer based in Rochester, New York. After auditioning for Drag Race for over seven years, she made it onto the show sharing her retro-style drag with the world. Though eliminated earlier than she would have liked, she was able to make Mrs. Kasha Davis her full-time gig, leaving her long career in telemarketing to tour the world.

This June, her documentary, Workhorse Queen, debuts on Starz (just in time for Pride) and details an intimate exploration, through a tender mix of touching moments and wise-cracking humor, of the complexities of reality television’s impact on queer performance culture. Workhorse Queen focuses on the growing divide between members of a small-town drag community - those who have been on television, and those who have not.

She stopped by to chat about her documentary, her journey with sobriety, and of course, the Mr. to her Mrs., and Christopher Meloni being able to watch.

What first got you into the world of drag?

When I visited Ptown with my boyfriend (now husband) Steven, we saw Miss Richfield 1981 and I was blown away by her characterization and interaction with the audience. Miss Richfield sang live and had a message. I had seen the gals in Rochester perform and they were all so pretty and sexy and I couldn’t imagine doing that. I had a theatre background and I saw the chance to create a character and fulfill my passion to perform on my own time. No rehearsal schedule and it would fit in with my life! The rest they say is HERSTORY.

Why the 60s era motif?

RETRO anything tickles my loins. TBH, much of my reference for Mrs. Kasha Davis comes from my grandmother, mom, and the ladies of TV I adored like Endora, Lucy and Ethel, Peggy Lee, and the likes. Much of the reruns from when I was a little boy, gal, girl, FELLA seemed to be from the 50s and 60s and they spoke to me.

After years of auditioning for Drag Race, you made it! What did you think it was about that audition tape that got you cast?

I was most like myself which is a very difficult and complicated thing to do when you are taught to bury and hide who you are since childhood. Plus I emphasized that I would leave my career and make DRAG my career for the first time in that audition tape. I think I was taken more seriously with that statement.

How did you stick with telemarketing for so long? What aspects did you like?

It was a great company to work for and I was in management! I wasn’t an actual telemarketer for long as I transitioned into leadership. I was most interested in two things with DialAmerica – one, was the sense of teamwork and recognition of people's abilities. People got promoted from within and that was inspiring to witness. Secondly, my heart grew big when we could help people build a resume and skills sometimes without an education that they could take beyond the phones and build a career! As one could imagine call center work was often entry-level and there were many people looking for a second income but others had no other options. I loved to help them see their potential and we would teach them skills and tools that could transfer to other jobs or advance within. It was truly inspiring work and I am proud of it.

What did you hate most about telemarketing?

The reputation. DialAmerica was and is still a very reputable company. The telemarketers that people need to watch out for aren’t the ones who fall under legislation as much as the “non-profits” that call to solicit donations. A very small percentage goes to the local fireman etc.

What did you learn most about yourself from filming Drag Race?

I was meant to be an entertainer and it was time to stop doing what I thought others wanted me to do. It’s imperative to follow your heart, instincts, and gut in life to achieve true happiness.

What would you have done differently?

I don’t believe in regret but I’d be more competitive and it would be lovely to have the chance to compete sober!

It must have been scary giving up your steady paycheck to do drag full time. What advice would you give to a queen leaving her 9 to 5 job?

It was a very scary time that drove me to drink even more. My insecurities about not contributing to the family and what others thought of this risk was a very scary time for me. I had the undying support of my husband and we had a plan, but the fact of the matter was that I spend way too much time comparing and worrying about what others thought vs getting my nose to the grind and selling myself and getting work! This is a business like any other and it had ebbs and flows. You will get out of it what you put into it and for me, that meant saying YES to everything! You want to interview me for a podcast that has 6 followers GREAT, maybe two will follow me back. You have an offer for a gig that no one else will accept because the money isn’t great, I’M IN because I will entertain and make connections and ensure I’m booked back. (Because it’s never about that gig is it? It’s about being asked back!) The bottom line it’s been 7 years since RPDR season 7 and I have more work each and every year. It’s possible if you are willing to WORK!

Were you nervous to put your whole life on the screen for Workhorse Queen?

YES AND NO. I’m an open book but I would say that Angela Washko, our director, encouraged me greatly to keep giving her more and more. We spend a lot of time together and as the trust was built I kept spilling the beans.

What do you want audiences to get from watching Workhorse Queen?

Everything is possible when you love yourself enough to follow your dreams. Keep trying and working no matter what your age or what others say about you. Your dreams will come true not necessarily in your time or even exactly as you planned but the world will respond to your work and the energy you exude.

What is your take on the mainstream boom that Drag Race has had?

It’s incredible! Straight People now love drag and they would like to see it in the form of Brunch! Follow our Instagram at RocDragmetoBrunch where you’ll see me Darienne Lake, Aggy Dune, and Ambrosia Salad dishing out legs and eggs weekly! Mr. Davis and I have been getting us booked out since the boom and we love it because we can wake up have a fun show and be home in our recliners by 2 pm!

What are the new Drag Race queens getting right?

There are no rules. New Drag Race queens are being all-inclusive and that’s the future!

What are the new Drag Race queens getting wrong?

There are no rules so I believe all drag is good drag and BAD drag is often the best!

Ok, spill the tea: Have you hooked up in drag?

Nope. Not even with Mr. Davis.

What is the craziest fan DM you've received?

My last name is Davis. We must be related. GURL, PLEASE

What fellow drag queen is in most need of a makeover?

Gia Gunn because she BLOCKED me. LOL

What celebrity would you love to give a drag makeover to?

I would like to put Christopher Meloni in drag and have Mr. Davis watch.

If you were to design a pair of Andrew Christian underwear, what would they look like?

CLASSIC tighty whites with a high comfortable waistband for the nerd in all of us.

You can follow Mrs. Kasha Davis on IG: @MrsKashaDavis

May 22, 2022 — Andrew Christian
Tags: Interview