Workhorse Queen (2021), a documentary directed by Angela Washko, offers an intimate and compelling look at the life of Ed Popil, the man behind the drag persona Mrs. Kasha Davis. Popil, who spent 18 years managing a telemarketing center in Rochester, New York, by day, transformed into Mrs. Kasha Davis by night - a 1960s-style housewife who performs as an act of self-liberation. Through this documentary, Washko explores the complexities of mainstream television's influence on queer performance culture, examining how reality TV has altered the drag community and shaped individual lives.
Ed Popil's life story is one of perseverance, reinvention, and unexpected fame. For years, he worked in a mundane job at a post-industrial telemarketing center in Rochester, struggling to find personal fulfillment. By night, however, he embodied the persona of Mrs. Kasha Davis, a drag queen inspired by the housewives of the 1960s. Mrs. Kasha Davis wasn’t merely another aspirant in the world of drag queens; she was a reflection of Ed's own mother, a tribute to the women who performed domestic tasks tirelessly yet often without recognition. Ed’s journey toward national recognition began with his desire to be on RuPaul's Drag Race, a reality competition that had become a phenomenon in the drag world.
After seven years of submitting audition tapes to the show, Ed's perseverance paid off when he was finally cast in Season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race at the age of 44. This marked a significant turning point in his life, as he left behind his telemarketing job to embark on a full-time entertainment career. Despite his later start in drag, Popil was thrust into the spotlight, navigating the highs and lows of pursuing fame in an industry that often favors youth and novelty. As a member of the show’s cast, Ed faced the challenge of fitting into a space that was increasingly dominated by younger queens, struggling with ageism and the pressure to maintain a consistent public image. Yet, his role on Drag Race ultimately helped him build a more prominent career, although it also brought complications as bookings initially surged and then tapered off once newer queens came into the limelight.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Workhorse Queen is its exploration of the rift that RuPaul's Drag Race has caused within the drag community. Through Popil’s personal experience, the film highlights the divide between those who have appeared on the show and those who have not. For smaller local drag communities, such as the one in Rochester, this divide has created both opportunities and tensions. Workhorse Queen illustrates how the mainstream success of Drag Race has led to new opportunities for queens who appear on the show, but also how it has inadvertently sidelined the broader community of queens who contribute to the drag scene without national exposure.
As a result, the local drag community has had to grapple with feelings of resentment and division, with some queens gaining fame and success while others feel left behind. The film also sheds light on how reality television often prioritizes individualism over community. RuPaul's Drag Race, while instrumental in elevating drag as an art form and providing exposure to queens, can sometimes overshadow the collaborative nature of drag. Many queens and performers who contributed to the success of Drag Race contestants have not received proper acknowledgment, and the competition format has further entrenched this emphasis on individual success. Washko’s documentary draws attention to this dynamic, suggesting that reality TV’s focus on competition diminishes the value of collective collaboration within the drag world.
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The documentary also focuses on the personal struggles that Ed Popil faced as he navigated his newfound fame. Before fully embracing his identity as a drag queen, Ed struggled with his sexuality and the societal pressures that came with it. He had been married to a woman for several years, largely to conform to his conservative family’s expectations, but eventually came out as gay. This revelation led to a painful breakup with his family and the end of his marriage. However, moving to Rochester allowed Ed to immerse himself in the local drag scene, and it was through this process that he found his drag persona, Mrs. Kasha Davis, and began to flourish in the community. Mrs. Kasha Davis’s persona was rooted in an homage to Ed’s mother, a symbol of both liberation and humor. As a performer, Davis's routines often featured household tasks like cooking, vacuuming, and shopping for alcohol. Her catchphrase, "There's always time for a cocktail," became iconic in the drag world, capturing the essence of domesticity while also providing a winking critique of the stereotypical housewife role. However, after appearing on Drag Race, Ed’s journey took a darker turn. As the new queens began to steal the limelight, Ed found that bookings began to slow down. The pressure to maintain relevance led him to struggle with alcohol, culminating in a DUI arrest. In the film, we witness how Ed, with the support of his husband Steven Levins, began to confront his issues with drinking. His journey of self-discovery and sobriety serves as a testament to his resilience, but also highlights the harsh realities of life after Drag Race.
After his Drag Race experience, Ed Popil began working to redefine his drag persona. A key moment in his reinvention was the creation of Imagination Station, a children’s variety show that allowed Ed to transform Mrs. Kasha Davis into a role model for queer youth. In a moving turn of events, Mrs. Kasha Davis, once a reflection of Ed’s desire to break free from domesticity, became a queer figure for children - a representation that Ed himself had desperately wanted when he was growing up. Ed’s new focus on becoming a role model for children shows the power of drag as a vehicle for positive change. Workhorse Queen portrays how drag can be a source of empowerment and self-acceptance, especially for those who may not have had access to LGBTQ+ role models in their formative years. By teaching children to embrace their authentic selves and celebrate diversity, Ed hoped to offer the kind of guidance that he had been denied in his own youth.
Workhorse Queen is not just a documentary about the drag community; it is also a thoughtful commentary on the intersection of mainstream media, pop culture, and queer identity. The film offers an insightful look at how RuPaul's Drag Race has reshaped the entertainment industry, particularly the world of drag, while also revealing its more problematic aspects. Through interviews, archival footage, and vérité moments, Workhorse Queen examines the complexities of fame, the challenges of reinvention, and the human side of the drag performance. Director Angela Washko, a feminist artist and scholar, brings a unique perspective to the project. Washko’s own background in art and activism informs the film’s analysis of the ways in which RuPaul’s Drag Race has impacted the drag community. As a fan of Drag Race herself, Washko was drawn to the story of Mrs. Kasha Davis because of the character's roots in 1960s domesticity and the way she challenges traditional gender roles.
The film becomes not only a personal narrative about Ed Popil’s journey but also a case study in the media’s role in shaping the queer community. Through Workhorse Queen, Washko underscores the idea that the drag community is not a monolith but a collection of diverse individuals, each with their own struggles and aspirations. While the mainstream recognition that comes from shows like Drag Race is significant, it is also a reminder of the challenges and divisions that come with success. Ultimately, the film is a celebration of resilience, community, and the power of drag to inspire and create change.
Image credits: YouTube
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