Adam All (born Jen Powell) is a British drag king, performer and host.
Adam All | |
|---|---|
 Adam All on the main stage at World Pride | |
| Born | Jen Powell |
| Occupation(s) | Drag king, performer, host |
| Spouse | Eleanor Burke |
| Website | www |
Early life and background
editPowell was born and grew up in Winchester, and performs as a Drag King under the name Adam All.[1] Growing up, Powell was often mistaken for a boy and cites this as one of their earliest inspirations to dress in male clothing. Powell also cites novel Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters, which was adapted into a BBC Dramatization in 2000, as a key inspiration. Powell explains in their TEDX Talk that Drag has been integral to them exploring and finding their own gender identity. Powell identifies as nonbinary.[2]
Powell studied contemporary arts at Manchester Metropolitan University and has an extensive background in music, having taken lessons on seven instruments, eventually focusing on the saxophone and the ukulele. Singing is Powell and Adam's primary form of musical expression, particularly 80s power ballads and stadium rock. Comedy is also integral to their art.[3]
Career
editPowell began their drag career in 2008 in Southampton in England with their first show at local gay bar 'The London Hotel'. Adam All continued to perform across the UK Drag Circuit, where there were few Drag Kings. In 2009 Adam All was the first Drag King to get to the final of National Drag Competition 'Drag Idol'.[4] Adam All continued to work as a Drag King and in 2013 set up Drag King Cabaret night 'BOiBOX' at legendary lesbian bar 'The Candy Bar' in Soho, London with their partner Apple Derrières to provide a platform for other Drag Kings.[5] Adam All also co-hosts Europe's biggest Drag King Contest 'Man Up'.[6]
Adam All has been described as a pioneer for the modern UK Drag King Scene[7] by 'rewriting the rules of masculinity' and challenging gender stereotypes [8] and perspectives,[9]'redefining Drag'.[10] In 2019 Adam All won the award for Best Drag King at the QX Awards.[11] and in 2023, Adam All won 'Drag Artist of the Year' The PinkNews Awards of Pink News, becoming the first drag king to win the award. Adam All won the award alongside Drag Queen 'That Girl'.[12]
Personal life
editPowell identifies as nonbinary and is married to actor Eleanor Burke, who performs alongside them as drag queen Apple Derrières.[13]
References
edit- ^ LeCourt, Nina (28 March 2019). "Drag King Adam All:'It's the air that I breathe'". Pink News. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "Adam All: Using Drag to deconstruct, express and reclaim my gender identity". TED. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "Adam All Website". Adam All. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "All Hail The Drag Idols". QX Magazine. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "Meet the founders of Boi Box, London's vital drag king talent showcase". TimeOut. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "Man Up 2019: Meet this year's drag king competition finalists". Evening Standard. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ Muyobo (27 August 2020). "Adam All is eradicating the gender boundaries of drag one pink suit at a time". Gay Times. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "New boys in town: the drag kings rewriting the rules of masculinity". Thomson Reuters Foundation News. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ Franklin (19 April 2017). "meet 5 drag kings challenging gender expectations". ID Magazine. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ Watson (17 June 2017). "We meet the queens and kings redefining drag". Wonderland Magazine.
- ^ "The QX Cabaret Award Winners 2019". QX Magazine. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ Hansford (18 October 2023). "I Kissed A Boy, Lauren Rowles, Sophie Duker and more win at PinkNews Awards 2023". Pink News.
- ^ "nonbinary awareness week". Pink News. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ O'Brien (22 June 2018). "Meet the men who outdo the drag ladies in style and sex appeal". DGO Mag. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.