WATCH: Talarico instantly names favorite Texas drag queen — a performer who says he ‘works with children’
Texas Senate Candidate’s Instant Drag‑Queen Pick Sparks Controversy
In a recent campaign event in Texas, Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico was asked by an attendee who his favorite drag performer in the state was. He answered immediately, saying the answer was “Alyssa Edwards.” The comment has drawn attention because Edwards, real name Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson, is a well‑known drag artist who has worked with youth and appeared on the 2018 Netflix docuseries “Dancing Queen.”
Talarico’s on‑stage remark comes amid a broader debate about the former state legislator’s past statements on gender and sexuality. In 2023 he described God as “non‑binary” and praised Texas for having “some of the best drag queens in the nation.” Those comments have become a focus of attack ads in the Senate race, with opponents questioning his positions on social issues.
The event that prompted the question was part of Talarico’s campaign tour. A man approached the senator‑to‑be and said, “I was there when you defended the drags.” He added that the question about his favorite drag queen had been asked at a 2021 event the candidate had headlined called “Taylor PRIDE,” which was held in the city of Taylor, Texas. At that event an 11‑year‑old boy performed in drag under the name Kween Kee Kee, a detail that was highlighted by the Washington Free Beacon in a 2021 report.
In a separate interview with Fox News last week, Talarico acknowledged that some of his earlier remarks had “missed the mark.” He said he no longer believes that there are six distinct sexes and that he is not interested in discussing the issue with Republicans in the majority, adding that the conversation would be about “six dollar diesel” rather than gender.
Talarico’s campaign spokesperson, JT Ennis, responded to the incident by deflecting criticism toward the Republican candidate. Ennis told Fox News Digital that “James’ favorite performer is Ken Paxton—who dresses up as attorney general while giving sweetheart deals to child sex predators.” The comment was intended to shift the focus away from the drag‑queen reference and onto the opposing candidate’s record.
Alyssa Edwards has long advocated for youth drag shows. She has spoken publicly about performing with children and has cited her experience sharing the stage with dance students during a World Pride event in New York. Edwards also worked with a 10‑year‑old boy who appeared as her “mini‑me” during a segment of “Dancing Queen,” and she has described the experience as one of the most powerful moments of her life.
The controversy highlights the growing sensitivity around gender and LGBTQ‑related topics in Texas politics. As the Senate race heats up, both parties are expected to keep the debate over such issues front and center, with Talarico’s campaign needing to address past statements and the Republican campaign responding to new allegations.