No Tea, No Shade
Life as a Drag Queen
Published on 23. October 2025
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-0-06-343055-6 (ISBN)
Description
"No Tea, No Shade is an essential read for anyone who has searched for a way to feel like themselves." -- Booklist
Intimate, hilarious, and inspiring essays by celebrated drag queens Kennedy Ann Scott, Lagoona Bloo, Alexis Michelle, Olivia Lux, Julie J., and Nina West.
No Tea, No Shade is a collective anthem written by six drag queens who believe in equality, peace, and in a world that loves and respects all people. The defiant legacy of drag will endure fearmongering and hate because their hearts have endured the unthinkable, their courage has been relentlessly tested, and to be blunt, they have the balls to prevail.
When these gorgeous queens wear a stunning gown with picture perfect makeup, haters label them as inappropriate and unlawful. They are entertainers not predators. Drag is an art of self-expression that, at its core, affirms and uplifts LGBTQIA+ people.
No Tea, No Shade features thirty essays discussing:
Social activism, Drag Story Hour, and education.
Coming out, gender, and equality.
Relationships, setting goals, and rejection.
Celebrating womanhood, family, and image.
Kennedy Ann Scott was awarded Teacher of the Year in Nashville, Tennessee. Lagoona Bloo starred on the Off-Broadway hit Drag: the Musical, and Alex Michaels received a stellar review from the New York Times for their role in La Cage Aux Falles at Barrington Stage Company. Olivia Lux starred in Rent and Kinky Boots. Julie J raised more than $100,000 for trans and LGBTQIA+ organizations. Nina West received an honorary doctorate in May 2024 and is a well-known entertainer, having worked with everyone from Glenn Close to Kermit the Frog.Despite the pervasive danger of being authentic and real, these drag artists have chosen to fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. They remind us that a person's identity shouldn't be marginalized to genitals. Identity categories are not as important as we have been led to believe, and the shade casted on drag is just a scapegoat. It is a distraction political figures and trolls use to lure people away from caring about serious issues like equality, gun violence, poverty, and racism.
No Tea, No Shade shines a light on a community of people who are paving the way for a better world and holding the light for others to step up.
Intimate, hilarious, and inspiring essays by celebrated drag queens Kennedy Ann Scott, Lagoona Bloo, Alexis Michelle, Olivia Lux, Julie J., and Nina West.
No Tea, No Shade is a collective anthem written by six drag queens who believe in equality, peace, and in a world that loves and respects all people. The defiant legacy of drag will endure fearmongering and hate because their hearts have endured the unthinkable, their courage has been relentlessly tested, and to be blunt, they have the balls to prevail.
When these gorgeous queens wear a stunning gown with picture perfect makeup, haters label them as inappropriate and unlawful. They are entertainers not predators. Drag is an art of self-expression that, at its core, affirms and uplifts LGBTQIA+ people.
No Tea, No Shade features thirty essays discussing:
Social activism, Drag Story Hour, and education.
Coming out, gender, and equality.
Relationships, setting goals, and rejection.
Celebrating womanhood, family, and image.
Kennedy Ann Scott was awarded Teacher of the Year in Nashville, Tennessee. Lagoona Bloo starred on the Off-Broadway hit Drag: the Musical, and Alex Michaels received a stellar review from the New York Times for their role in La Cage Aux Falles at Barrington Stage Company. Olivia Lux starred in Rent and Kinky Boots. Julie J raised more than $100,000 for trans and LGBTQIA+ organizations. Nina West received an honorary doctorate in May 2024 and is a well-known entertainer, having worked with everyone from Glenn Close to Kermit the Frog.Despite the pervasive danger of being authentic and real, these drag artists have chosen to fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. They remind us that a person's identity shouldn't be marginalized to genitals. Identity categories are not as important as we have been led to believe, and the shade casted on drag is just a scapegoat. It is a distraction political figures and trolls use to lure people away from caring about serious issues like equality, gun violence, poverty, and racism.
No Tea, No Shade shines a light on a community of people who are paving the way for a better world and holding the light for others to step up.
Reviews / Votes
"No Tea, No Shade actually spills ALL the tea of what it's really like to be a drag artist: the good, the bad and never the ugly." - Carson Kressley, Style Superstar"It's so rare that we as a community have our voices heard. Even when we do, it is most often the voice of those whom "society" considers non-threatening. Here is a rare collection of essays written by humans speaking the truth about themselves, the world in which we live and how our queer family has evolved. Enlightening, poignant, sometimes sassy, sometimes funny but always entertaining." - Lea DeLaria, Actor, Activist, Jazz Singer and Lord of the Lesbians
Drag is a multifaceted art form that encourages creativity, self-expression, and joy. In this essay compilation, six drag queens reflect on how their art led them to understand and embrace their identities and in some cases saved their lives. Addressing homophobia in daily life, misunderstandings about drag, growing up in unsupportive families, and receiving terrifying threats for hosting Drag Story Hours, the author-artists share insights into the risks they take to express themselves and pursue their careers. They also share the deep connections, bountiful joys, and love within the diverse LGBTQIA+ community. Some pursue drag full time, while others balance careers in their non-drag life. From Nashville to New York to Columbus to Los Angeles, the queens write eloquently about their experiences finding their personae and finding themselves. Featuring deeply personal stories from Kennedy Ann Scott, Lagoona Bloo, Alexis Michelle, Olivia Lux, Julie J, and Nina West, No Tea, No Shade is an essential read for anyone who has searched for a way to feel like themselves. - Booklist, Laura Chanoux
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Illustrations
12 B&W images throughout
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 151 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
372 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-343055-6 (9780063430556)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2025
HarperCollins
€18.38
Available for download
Persons
Kennedy Ann Scott is the stage name of Benjamin Slinkard. Benjamin is a Blue Ribbon Teacher and has been awarded Teacher of the Year for his service as an educator for Metro Public Schools. He has been recognized by the Nashville community as a top performer and claims residency at the Lipstick Lounge. He has been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine and the New York Times. Benjamin resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and is an advocate for children and members of the LGBTQIA community.
Alex Michaels, also known as Alexis Michelle, is an actor, drag artist, activist, and accomplished cook who stormed the international stage on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9 and All Stars Season 8. They have also appeared in Blue Bloods, Dragnificent!, Drag Me Down the Aisle, True Colors, and the PBS series One Voice: Broadway-both with The American Pops Orchestra. In addition to performing their cabarets at Joe's Pub, 54 Below, and Club Cumming in NYC, they made their Barrington Stage Company debut playing Albin/Zaza to great acclaim from the New York Times. Alex holds a B.F.A. from the University of Michigan in Musical Theatre, where they also enjoyed writing about the LGBTQ experience in literature.
Olivia Lux is a drag artist, actor, singer, and musician who placed in the top five on Season 13 of the Emmy-award winning television show, RuPaul's Drag Race. She has starred in lead roles in productions of RENT, Kinky Boots, and more. She has done television ad campaigns for brands including Starbucks, Burger King, and Paramount. Olivia is also a member of the legendary ballroom house of Miyake Mugler.
Julie J is a Brooklyn-based actress, drag artist, and community organizer. Julie stars in the horror comedy film Queens of the Dead. She has been featured in advertising campaigns for Maybelline and the luxury jewelry brand Alexis Bittar. In 2023, she was named Miss Bushwig at the nation's largest drag festival, and in 2024, she won Entertainer of the Year at the Glam Awards, which recognizes the best NYC nightlife. She is the founder of Stand Up NYC, which has raised more than $100,000 for trans and LGBTQIA+ organizations.
Lagoona Bloo is a musician, actor and drag artist based in New York City. Since 2021, the self-titled "Mermaid Popstar" has released her debut EP AQUA and debut studio album Underwater Bubble Pop showcase her three-octave range with blissed-out synth anthems that redefine the intersection between pop music and drag. She has been featured on television shows such as America's Got Talent, The Voice, and Nailed It! In 2024, she originated the role of Tuna Turner in the Off-Broadway hit Drag: the Musical.
Nina West (he/him/they/them) Nina West is a veritable "every-queen" - an actor, singer/songwriter, producer, author, host, and activist. Nina appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race, released chart-topping music, been featured as a voice actor in several high profile projects, toured the nation in the 20th anniversary production of Broadway's Hairspray, and even performed with Kermit the Frog. She has partnered with Nickelodeon, Proctor and Gamble, Paramount, Disney, and the queen of kindess, Dolly Parton. Nina founded The Nina West Foundation and works to amplify and uplift LGBTQIA+ voices, mental health awareness, and equality. She received an honorary doctorate from Columbus College of Art and Design.
Alex Michaels, also known as Alexis Michelle, is an actor, drag artist, activist, and accomplished cook who stormed the international stage on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9 and All Stars Season 8. They have also appeared in Blue Bloods, Dragnificent!, Drag Me Down the Aisle, True Colors, and the PBS series One Voice: Broadway-both with The American Pops Orchestra. In addition to performing their cabarets at Joe's Pub, 54 Below, and Club Cumming in NYC, they made their Barrington Stage Company debut playing Albin/Zaza to great acclaim from the New York Times. Alex holds a B.F.A. from the University of Michigan in Musical Theatre, where they also enjoyed writing about the LGBTQ experience in literature.
Olivia Lux is a drag artist, actor, singer, and musician who placed in the top five on Season 13 of the Emmy-award winning television show, RuPaul's Drag Race. She has starred in lead roles in productions of RENT, Kinky Boots, and more. She has done television ad campaigns for brands including Starbucks, Burger King, and Paramount. Olivia is also a member of the legendary ballroom house of Miyake Mugler.
Julie J is a Brooklyn-based actress, drag artist, and community organizer. Julie stars in the horror comedy film Queens of the Dead. She has been featured in advertising campaigns for Maybelline and the luxury jewelry brand Alexis Bittar. In 2023, she was named Miss Bushwig at the nation's largest drag festival, and in 2024, she won Entertainer of the Year at the Glam Awards, which recognizes the best NYC nightlife. She is the founder of Stand Up NYC, which has raised more than $100,000 for trans and LGBTQIA+ organizations.
Lagoona Bloo is a musician, actor and drag artist based in New York City. Since 2021, the self-titled "Mermaid Popstar" has released her debut EP AQUA and debut studio album Underwater Bubble Pop showcase her three-octave range with blissed-out synth anthems that redefine the intersection between pop music and drag. She has been featured on television shows such as America's Got Talent, The Voice, and Nailed It! In 2024, she originated the role of Tuna Turner in the Off-Broadway hit Drag: the Musical.
Nina West (he/him/they/them) Nina West is a veritable "every-queen" - an actor, singer/songwriter, producer, author, host, and activist. Nina appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race, released chart-topping music, been featured as a voice actor in several high profile projects, toured the nation in the 20th anniversary production of Broadway's Hairspray, and even performed with Kermit the Frog. She has partnered with Nickelodeon, Proctor and Gamble, Paramount, Disney, and the queen of kindess, Dolly Parton. Nina founded The Nina West Foundation and works to amplify and uplift LGBTQIA+ voices, mental health awareness, and equality. She received an honorary doctorate from Columbus College of Art and Design.