Today we’d like to introduce you to Venym (Will Bradley).
Hi Venym , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My drag career started on a whim. I had a community of friends and performers who had suggested that I had the opportunity for greatness as a Drag Queen. I never believed them at first. That doubt turned into them saying that I was “scared to try it and fail.” But somehow, in June of 2023, I caved and said, “You know what? I am gonna show everyone I can do this and that it just wasn’t for me. HOW WRONG I WAS! My first show, a Thursday Open Stage Night at Play, I was trembling in fear and excitement. I looked in the mirror at myself and said “Okay. It’s nice to meet you, Venym. Now let’s show the world what we are made of.” The name “Venym” came from my genuine character. My friends like to say I’m not toxic, just infectious. So I claimed the name. Of course, the spelling was decided with the help of Vanity, a cast member of PLAY Nashville, who said “swap the O out for a Y!” From there everything skyrocketed. I started to learn to sew and improve my makeup from my drag sister, Dee Zastris. I started going out in drag almost every weekend, every opportunity I had to perform I took, and I didn’t say no to a single challenge. I sent in applications for all the drag competitions and shows I could find and make it to. My wigs fell off, my makeup would smear, I took fail after fail, and turned it into growth and more growth. Dee Zastris would give (and still gives) me all the motivational support I needed, including a chance to perform in her drag show at Canvas when I felt like giving up. And after just a year of my drag career and competing 5 times, I won Play Nashville’s October “Now That’s What I Call Drag” competition. My first competition win with a just a year of experience felt unreal, especially after all the tears I had after every loss because I wanted it so bad. That win catapulted me with two amazing bookings at Play Nashville, the opportunity to be one of Columbia Pride’s Queens, shows at PCKRS and my chance at SiSSi cycle 7, Nashville’s premiere drag competition. So much all at once after pushing myself so hard felt so so great. But I wasn’t and still am not done yet. After SiSSi cycle 7, I had the fantastic opportunity to work with Flip Phone Events with their “Sister Act Drag Brunch” they held Easter weekend of this year. And now I’m backing to my local competitions, fighting for more bookings, and making a long lasting career.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Drag in the south is TOUGH. And that’s okay. I am better because of it. You have to have the perfect mug, perfect body padding, the perfect walk, etc., etc. because a lot of queens here are pageant queens at heart. Most of the queens I’ve worked with have been doing drag for 6 or more years MINIMUM. They’ve become extremely close to perfection. I am no where near that yet! The biggest struggle has been getting the drag scene to take me seriously. But that comes with time. It’s about showing up and showing out. As well, I’ve had to learn some strong life lessons along the way. Such as, not every queen is your friend automatically; sisterhood is earned, it is not a right; and that you can’t let anyone else make you bend your own morals. Nichole Ellington Dupree, a cast member at Play Nashville, said it best to me- “You must let people see what your art is, you can’t make art for people. People will love your art because it is distinctly you.” That mantra she said changed me for the better. Drag is show business. Everyone is fighting for gigs and everyone is fighting for success. Besides the showbiz aspect, my family and I have a very tense relationship from my drag. My mother’s side is well aware and doesn’t greatly approve of it. My dad and his side are unaware I plan to leave it like that until time comes to address it. Having to separate a part of me from my family is a hard struggle in itself, but somehow I manage it. Don’t know how but I do! haha!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am one of Nashville’s most talked about Drag Queens. I have been coming into Nashville like a hurricane and growing exponentially to the surprise of many. I’d say my drag specializes in Adele, “Scooby-Doo’s” Velma, and Kris Jenner impersonations, comedy, glamour camp, and the escape from reality. I’m known for the most outrageous ideas, such as my Velma impersonation where the pterodactyl ghost comes out of my dress, my 5 gallon prop paying homage to a gay’s best friend, “Rush”, and playing a nun singing Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.” I’ve been an ambassador for queer freedom of expression. I’m most proud of my community outreach. It’s been my goal to do what Adele did for me-give me something to hold onto, a hero you could say. The amount of closeted queer people, queer families, and allies I’ve been able to positively impact and bring joy to is the greatest accomplishment I can ask for. My goal is to make my reach worldwide and be a hero for as many as I can. Other than shows and performance numbers, I am an experienced songwriter and vocalist with a Bachelor of Music from Belmont University. I do plan to start releasing music as Venym before the end of the year. I think what sets me apart from others is my adaptability, I take every swing and learn from it. I haven’t stayed in one lane of drag. I keep finding new pieces to the puzzle, whether it is pageantry, makeup, modeling, I have reached into every window of drag and started to gather my avenue.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The easiest and best way is to just walk up to me, email me, or message me on instagram or TikTok! I love to meet new people part of the Nashville community and hope my drag can contribute to the city’s greatness. My email is on my instagram @venymofficial ! Give me a message/email/tap on the shoulder and I will be absolutely excited to meet you!
Pricing:
- Booking fees can be sent via email and discussed!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/venymofficial
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venymofficial
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@venymofficial
