Today we’d like to introduce you to Glitz Glam.
Hi Glitz, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up knowing that creativity would be my compass, but it wasn’t until I discovered drag that I truly found my voice. I started performing as Glitz Glam nearly thirty years ago, blending gender-bending artistry, humor, and heart into a persona that allowed me to step fully into my power. Drag became my therapy, my rebellion, and my celebration — especially after being diagnosed with HIV at 19. Instead of shrinking, I chose to shine louder.
Throughout the journey, I’ve been blessed with unwavering support from friends and Family. Especially from my husband, Anthony. We were married live on the Grammy stage during Macklemore’s “Same Love,” with Queen Latifah officiating and Madonna as our wedding singer— a moment that symbolized not only our love, but the importance of queer visibility. Anthony has been a grounding force in my life, helping me stay connected to Jesse beneath the wigs, glitter, and spotlight.
Over the years I’ve performed everywhere from underground clubs to major stages, shared moments with icons like RuPaul, and built a career rooted in resilience and community. Today, I’m the General Manager and Events Director of Urban MO’s, producing hundreds of shows annually and mentoring the next generation of performers. My life is a blend of Jesse, GG, and Glitz — personal, professional, and performer — and I’ve learned that my strength comes from embracing all three, with Anthony beside me.
My path has had twists, struggles, triumphs, and rebirths, but every chapter led me here: living boldly, leading creatively, and using my platform to uplift queer voices through entertainment, joy, and representation.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but the challenges have shaped me just as much as the triumphs. I was diagnosed with HIV at 19, at a time when stigma was loud and resources were limited. Instead of letting that define me, I used it as fuel to live bigger, create louder, and show others what survival and joy can look like.
As a queer performer, I also had to navigate the usual hurdles — pushing through doors that weren’t built for people like me, carving out space in an industry that didn’t always understand gender-bending artistry, and rebuilding myself after moments of burnout, rejection, or feeling underestimated. Drag is glamorous, but the path is anything but easy.
Add to that the very real personal struggles: addiction and recovery, losing my sense of self at times, and learning how to balance my identities — Jesse, GG, and Glitz. There were years where I poured so much into performing or working that I forgot to care for the person underneath the makeup. Reconnecting with myself, with my community, and with my husband Anthony has been part of my healing.
But every obstacle ultimately taught me resilience. The rough parts of the road forced me to evolve — as an artist, as a leader, and as a human being. And today, I stand in all of it with pride, knowing that my story might help someone else make it through their own hard chapter.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Today, my work lives at the intersection of entertainment, leadership, and community. I’m the General Manager Urban MO’s, Where I co-produce and oversee hundreds of drag shows, theme nights, brunches, and large-scale events every year; with my drag daughter and Events Coordinator Mariam T. We specialize in creating immersive queer nightlife experiences that blend performance, storytelling, and community connection.
As a performer, I’m known as Glitz Glam — a gender-bending, bearded drag artist with nearly three decades of history on stages around the country. My style has always been about pushing boundaries: mixing camp with glamour, masculine energy with feminine illusion, and using drag as a vehicle for truth rather than imitation. I’ve never been interested in fitting a mold; I’m interested in breaking it.
What I’m most proud of is the impact I’ve had on others. Whether it’s mentoring new performers, providing safe and affirming spaces for our LGBTQ+ community, or telling stories through drag that challenge expectations, my greatest joy has been helping people feel seen. Moments like being recognized as a “Legendary Queen of San Diego” or being married at the Grammys are incredible — but the quiet everyday wins matter just as much.
What sets me apart is my ability to merge worlds: the artistic, the operational, and the deeply personal. I’m equal parts creator and organizer, performer and producer, visionary and workhorse. I bring heart, humor, resilience, and a whole lot of glitter to everything I do. And I’m proud that after nearly 30 years, I’m still evolving — still innovating, still taking risks, still lifting others up, and still proving that drag has limitless possibility when you lead with authenticity.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest advice for anyone just starting out — whether in drag, entertainment, or any creative field — is this: trust your voice before anyone else’s. When you’re new, it’s easy to let comparison, doubt, or outside opinions shape who you think you should be. But the magic happens the moment you lean into what makes you different.
Don’t chase perfection. Chase authenticity. The wig, the makeup, the costumes — those all come with time. What people connect to is your heart, your point of view, and your willingness to be vulnerable. And don’t be afraid to evolve. I’ve reinvented myself many times, and each version taught me something valuable.
Also: find your community. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, challenge you, and remind you who you are when you forget. I wish I knew earlier that asking for help doesn’t make you weak — it makes you human. Mentorship, collaboration, and chosen family will carry you a long way.
On a practical level: be reliable, be kind, show up on time, and treat every opportunity like it matters — because it does. Drag and entertainment are glamorous on the surface, but they’re built on hard work, discipline, and professionalism.
And lastly: remember why you started. There will be moments of doubt, burnout, and fear. But if you stay connected to your purpose — your art, your joy, your story — you’ll find your way every time. Your voice is needed. Your story is needed. And the world is better when you show up as your fullest, fiercest self.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesse_glam/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glitzglam69
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/glitzglamdiva
Image Credits
Modern Aperture Photography, Kristoffer Reynolds Photography, CeCePhotoBiz,
