Kerri Colby — The Anomaly

Whether you know her from her recent run of the Emmy-Nominated 14th season  of RuPaul’s Drag Race, becoming a viral sensation on social media, or from taking this years MTV VMAs red carpet by storm as a  vixen in red, dripping from head to toe in Mugler, Kerri Colby is here to stay and ready to take on anything that comes her way.  

I sat down with Kerri to talk a little bit about her life, giving back, and where she sees herself next. This budding star has all of the  right stuff when it comes to a star in the making: Talent, tenacity, beauty and hunger. “I think from a very young age I’ve always  been hungry for more and I knew in my heart that I was meant for more,” Kerri says with a strong sense of self when asked about  her early childhood.

“I think from a very young age I’ve always been hungry for more and I  knew in my heart that I was meant for more.” 

“I was raised heavily in the church,” via northern Texas, “and I was always involved in different aspects of performing. My father  was part of the Praise Team in my church,” which is what they called their core choir, she explains, “so I naturally followed my  fathers example and was in the youth choir, singing as well as performing in sign language for special church services.” “Maybe  this is foreshadowing a little bit,” Kerri says with an emphatic laugh, “but I would always try to figure out a way to be in the high pitched categories with the sopranos! I think for my family and church leaders around me I seemed very chaotic since I could  always be seen doing musical things or dancing around, being very exuberant and loud.” 

Kerri was raised United Pentecostal, a strict branch of Christianity where she wasn’t exposed to much secular concepts, pop  culture, or music. “Anytime I could watch TV or hear the radio I would be amazing by award shows or the sounds of certain music  artists. I found myself extremely curious about regular life outside of the church and what it was like for my normal peers. I would  go to my friends’ houses and see and hear all of these new sights and sounds filling me with both fascination and shame.” 

“I would go to my friends’ houses and see and hear all of these new  sights and sounds filling me with both fascination and shame.” 

Performance and music would continue to shape Kerri’s life over the years not only for herself but as a way to connect with her  family. “I felt like I was just different from everyone around me, and the only way that I could live up to my family’s expectations  was to push my talents further.”  

“Growing up in a biracial household,” Kerri elaborates, “You could tell that my father was predominantly able to connect to his  culture through music and the church, so in turn I wanted to connect because I had a longing to connect to something as well.”  

With that need for connection, a series of several events within her family along with the will to live her life on her own terms, she  found a way to Los Angeles, and hasn’t looked back — Eventually taking her to another stage of her life — RuPaul’s Drag Race.  

Dominating several award seasons and currently nominated for not one but eleven Emmy Awards, this year, RuPaul’s Drag Race  continues to break boundaries and spread messages of love and hope to its viewers. Being the most trans-visible season of the  show’s franchise, Kerri is proud to have been able to live her truth as a trans woman, and compete in the season with pride. When  asked about how it feels to forever be part of this show’s history she replies, “It feels… correct. My initial reaction after filming and  not placing exactly where I wanted, made me feel like I had taken a big swing and missed. Now looking back, there were so many  unpredictable things that happened and I listened to my inner-saboteur instead of trusting myself. All in all, I’m proud that it  became such a unique part of my story. It feels really good to see and feel the love and acceptance from everyone involved with 

this show as well as my fans, The KerBears. It’s all I’ve ever hoped for and feels like the ultimate victory, in hindsight. So.. it feels  correct.”  

We agree — Beyond having been deemed a fashion queen of her season, giving show-stopping performances all over the world,  and even performing with Jennifer Lopez on the iHeartRadio stage , she has, time after time, shown up for her cast mates as well  as her fans by being a rock in supporting their journeys, as many have since come out publicly as trans. “It is important for me to  be there for my peers and fans because growing up, I wish that I had somewhere to look to or someone to talk to about how I was  feeling inside, and the more I accomplish, the more I prove that I can change things. I want others to know they have that same  power.” 

“…the more I accomplish, the more I prove that I can change things. I  want others to know they have that same power.” 

From the trials of her upbringing and her rocky journey to catapulting herself to stardom, Kerri feels like she is on a mission that  the universe was always calling her to embark on. “It’s not about me anymore. When I went on Drag Race, I wanted to tell my  story and share myself, and now it’s no longer just my story. This has been one big adventure full of ups and downs to get here  and I’m very grateful.  

Since the show’s premiere, Kerri has begun performing all around the world on a different scale than ever before. From a small  church to stadiums, she continues to enjoy the rush from performing. “I like to explore. I’ve always wanted to go everywhere, see  new things, and all of this has provided a platform for me to be able to do that. I’m loving meeting people. I love that people  actually show up, care, and listen. They are excited to share their own experiences and it brings me a lot of joy to know that they  feel touched by something that I did.” 

Wrapping up this interview, I asked one last question: “What’s next for Kerri Colby?” Without missing a beat she replied, “Absolute  domination,” with a cheeky smile. “We need more proud transgender stars and I think we’re ready for another one. I want to  become a household name. There is so much in the works right now, but I will leave you with this: Music is coming and I can’t wait  to share my sound with the world.

“I think from a very young age I’ve always been hungry for more and I  knew in my heart that I was meant for more.” 

“I was raised heavily in the church,” via northern Texas, “and I was always involved in different aspects of performing. My father  was part of the Praise Team in my church,” which is what they called their core choir, she explains, “so I naturally followed my  fathers example and was in the youth choir, singing as well as performing in sign language for special church services.” “Maybe  this is foreshadowing a little bit,” Kerri says with an emphatic laugh, “but I would always try to figure out a way to be in the high pitched categories with the sopranos! I think for my family and church leaders around me I seemed very chaotic since I could  always be seen doing musical things or dancing around, being very exuberant and loud.” 

Kerri was raised United Pentecostal, a strict branch of Christianity where she wasn’t exposed to much secular concepts, pop  culture, or music. “Anytime I could watch TV or hear the radio I would be amazing by award shows or the sounds of certain music  artists. I found myself extremely curious about regular life outside of the church and what it was like for my normal peers. I would  go to my friends’ houses and see and hear all of these new sights and sounds filling me with both fascination and shame.” 

“I would go to my friends’ houses and see and hear all of these new  sights and sounds filling me with both fascination and shame.” 

Performance and music would continue to shape Kerri’s life over the years not only for herself but as a way to connect with her  family. “I felt like I was just different from everyone around me, and the only way that I could live up to my family’s expectations  was to push my talents further.”  

“Growing up in a biracial household,” Kerri elaborates, “You could tell that my father was predominantly able to connect to his  culture through music and the church, so in turn I wanted to connect because I had a longing to connect to something as well.”  

With that need for connection, a series of several events within her family along with the will to live her life on her own terms, she  found a way to Los Angeles, and hasn’t looked back — Eventually taking her to another stage of her life — RuPaul’s Drag Race.  

Dominating several award seasons and currently nominated for not one but eleven Emmy Awards, this year, RuPaul’s Drag Race  continues to break boundaries and spread messages of love and hope to its viewers. Being the most trans-visible season of the  show’s franchise, Kerri is proud to have been able to live her truth as a trans woman, and compete in the season with pride. When  asked about how it feels to forever be part of this show’s history she replies, “It feels… correct. My initial reaction after filming and  not placing exactly where I wanted, made me feel like I had taken a big swing and missed. Now looking back, there were so many  unpredictable things that happened and I listened to my inner-saboteur instead of trusting myself. All in all, I’m proud that it  became such a unique part of my story. It feels really good to see and feel the love and acceptance from everyone involved with 

this show as well as my fans, The KerBears. It’s all I’ve ever hoped for and feels like the ultimate victory, in hindsight. So.. it feels  correct.”  

We agree — Beyond having been deemed a fashion queen of her season, giving show-stopping performances all over the world,  and even performing with Jennifer Lopez on the iHeartRadio stage , she has, time after time, shown up for her cast mates as well  as her fans by being a rock in supporting their journeys, as many have since come out publicly as trans. “It is important for me to  be there for my peers and fans because growing up, I wish that I had somewhere to look to or someone to talk to about how I was  feeling inside, and the more I accomplish, the more I prove that I can change things. I want others to know they have that same  power.” 

“…the more I accomplish, the more I prove that I can change things. I  want others to know they have that same power.” 

From the trials of her upbringing and her rocky journey to catapulting herself to stardom, Kerri feels like she is on a mission that  the universe was always calling her to embark on. “It’s not about me anymore. When I went on Drag Race, I wanted to tell my  story and share myself, and now it’s no longer just my story. This has been one big adventure full of ups and downs to get here  and I’m very grateful.  

Since the show’s premiere, Kerri has begun performing all around the world on a different scale than ever before. From a small  church to stadiums, she continues to enjoy the rush from performing. “I like to explore. I’ve always wanted to go everywhere, see  new things, and all of this has provided a platform for me to be able to do that. I’m loving meeting people. I love that people  actually show up, care, and listen. They are excited to share their own experiences and it brings me a lot of joy to know that they  feel touched by something that I did.” 

Wrapping up this interview, I asked one last question: “What’s next for Kerri Colby?” Without missing a beat she replied, “Absolute  domination,” with a cheeky smile. “We need more proud transgender stars and I think we’re ready for another one. I want to  become a household name. There is so much in the works right now, but I will leave you with this: Music is coming and I can’t wait  to share my sound with the world.

CREDITS

Creative Directors: Cierra Zacchaeus-Bachore x Kentö 

Photographer: Martha Galvan @martymoes

Wardrobe: Cierra Zacchaeus-Bachore @cithevision

Make-Up: Eros Gomez @erosmua

Fashion Assistance: Terah Wilson @teraah

Interview: Kentö @kentoofficial

Videographer: Leslie Wiley @leslay_niicole

Color Body Suit: Mugler @muglerofficial 

Christian Louboutin @louboutinworld

Earrings: Kairu Jewelry @kairujewelry

Silver Top: Bachore x Ethereal by T @bachoreofficial x @etherealbyt.co

Silver Pant: TLZ L’Femme @tlzlfemme

Black Hat: Sarah Sokol Millinery @sarahsokolmillinery

Leather Dress: Ritual @ritual_fashion


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