Spectators sit and wait for the next drag queen to perform in a packed Rubles Bar. The lights dim, toxic by Britney Spears blares over the loudspeakers and a figure emerges from the backstage door. The crowd cheers as they welcome drag queen Britney Blitz.

Brintey Blitz or Blake Walters when outside of the spotlight, has been performing since 2018. “I started my drag career by dressing up for Halloween for fun in 2016,” says Walters, “my first gig was at Rumors Nightclub [in Grand Rapids, MI] and that started my performing career.”  His interest in makeup started his interest in drag. “I’ve done theater for a long time, [my] mom did a lot of my makeup at that point, 15 or 16-years-old I started doing my own.

The style of Britney Blitz is vintage. Blake tends to look for the attire for shows at local thrift stores. “Bougie on a budget,” says Walters. Being a man, having the ability to try on items is very important when shopping for drag. “Buying online can be risky because I don’t know how the item might fit.”

Making money as a drag queen can be difficult. Many times most queens, including Walters, work off tips from the crowds. “You put more in than you can get out of it sometimes. I’ll spend $50-100 on a makeup pallet and tonight I’m only guaranteed $25 plus any tips I get.” Money aside, Blake enjoys performing and that has been a greater motivator over the money that can be made.

“Drag is whatever you want it to be.” is the mindset that Blake has when describing drag. The ability to play a character, very different from one’s self is freeing for him. “Britney is more energetic and feminine and powerful while Blake is shy and antisocial,” says Walters, “Britney is more of a mask for me and it gives me confidence. I would say it has [given me more confidence] because Briney has given me underlying confidence.”