Las Vegas is renowned for its vibrant entertainment scene, and this year, the city is about to be enchanted by a new star: Miss Uchawi. A unique blend of magic, drag, and personal triumphs, Miss Uchawi’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and community spirit. As she prepares to launch her debut show in Vegas, her journey to this stage is nothing short of magical.
Miss Uchawi’s love affair with magic began at the tender age of eight during a family trip to Branson, Missouri. Growing up in Texas and Missouri, her family would frequently travel, and it was during one of these trips that she saw her first magic show. The magician, in a dazzling display, enlisted her father to assist on stage, tying him up with ropes. Moments later, the magician vanished, only to reappear in the audience in a red Ferrari. This spectacle, combining elements of magic, mystery, and grandeur, ignited a spark in young Uchawi.
Tragedy struck soon after when her father fell into a coma and eventually passed away. During those trying times, Uchawi, a shy child, found solace in magic. Practicing card tricks beside her father’s hospital bed became a therapeutic escape. Despite the challenges, magic became her companion, offering a sense of control and wonder in an otherwise turbulent world.
Her journey wasn’t easy. The loss of her father left a deep impact, and she struggled with anger and behavioral issues, leading to several stints in mental health facilities. However, even in these constrained environments, she clung to her magic. With a deck of cards and magic books, Uchawi honed her skills, gradually becoming a proficient magician.
High school brought a revelation. During a casual gathering, her friends attempted to perform a magic trick, only to be outshone by Uchawi’s practiced expertise. Unbeknownst to her, the years of dedicated practice had transformed her into a formidable magician. This recognition marked the beginning of her journey as a performer.
By the time she was performing at birthday parties and local events, Uchawi had also taken on the role of a mime in her church. In a community where praise dancing was reserved for women, male participants often took up mime dancing. This unique blend of skills and performances began to shape her artistic identity.
However, life threw another curveball. Her family, deeply rooted in Baptist traditions, struggled with her emerging identity. Perceiving her interests as “fruity,” they eventually kicked her out, leaving Uchawi homeless for two to three years. During this period, she relied on street performing to survive. It was in Las Vegas that she encountered her first mentor, Tiny Bubbles, also known as Bonnie Bitch.
Tiny Bubbles introduced Uchawi to the world of drag, a revelation that came not through the mainstream channels of gay clubs or TV shows like Drag Race but through the lens of a performer at Planet Hollywood. This exposure was further enriched by witnessing Frank Marino’s “Divas Las Vegas” show, where comedy and drag intertwined seamlessly. These experiences planted a seed, yet Uchawi’s journey into drag was far from immediate.
Her path continued primarily in magic until a gay bar in Columbia, Missouri, proposed an intriguing offer: perform a magic show in drag. Initially reluctant, the financial incentive persuaded her. Thus, Victoria La’Fame, her first drag persona, was born, combining her stage name as a magician, Victor Le’Yon, with a feminine twist.
Drag became a healing journey. It provided a space for Uchawi to explore and express her queer identity, find community, and heal from past traumas. Being around other black drag queens offered a profound sense of belonging and empowerment. Meditating on her experiences and identity, Uchawi’s true persona, Miss Uchawi, emerged. “Kiki,” as her friends called her, and “Uchawi,” Swahili for witchcraft or magic, blended her cultural heritage with her passion.
Miss Uchawi’s career took a significant turn when she was performing in her home state. A dramatic death drop off a bar left her with a back injury, and a subsequent car accident totaled her vehicle, forcing her to reconsider her path. Unable to dance, she turned back to magic. This pivotal moment led her to merge her two loves: drag and magic.
With renewed focus, Uchawi embarked on a journey that saw her performing at colleges across the country, from bustling cities to remote towns. The move to Las Vegas, the entertainment capital, marked the beginning of a new chapter. Here, she aims to establish a show that combines the grandeur of magic with the glamour of drag, envisioning a spectacular performance where she makes helicopters disappear in full drag regalia.
Miss Uchawi’s Vegas debut on August 10th is more than just a performance; it’s an introduction and a fundraiser. The show, supported by Identity Hormone Clinic, a new clinic in Henderson focusing on trans healthcare, IV boosters, STD screenings, and more, reflects Uchawi’s commitment to community and advocacy. As a non-binary person, she understands the challenges of accessing healthcare and seeks to shed light on organizations making a difference.
Las Vegas, with its rich history of groundbreaking performers, is ready for the magic and charm of Miss Uchawi. Her journey, marked by resilience, creativity, and a profound sense of community, promises to add a new, enchanting chapter to the city’s entertainment legacy. As she steps onto the Vegas stage, Miss Uchawi brings with her a story of overcoming adversity, embracing identity, and transforming the world one magical moment at a time.