The winner of the Season 2 of Drag Race Thailand has claimed her throne and risen to fame almost overnight.
Angele (real name Anchalee Anang) is the first transgender winner in the Drag Race franchise and the first queen to win six challenges in a single season.
Angele has been a makeup artist for eight years and a performer her whole life. Her artistry is undeniable as we all saw from her show-stopping looks on the Drag Race runway. She sits down with Time Out to talk about her journey to success, her role in the LGBT community and her future plans.
Sereechai Puttes/Time Out Bangkok
How did you start out in the business?
I was actually very young. I would usually hang out with girls so I wasn’t used to socializing with the LGBT community. I feared that people wouldn't like me or that I would rub someone the wrong way, so I came off as shy and lacking in self-confidence. My mentors gave me advice that made me believe in myself. They were always happy for me and my successes. It felt like we were family and I really came to love this family in the end.
What would you say are the benefits of starting work at such a young age?
For me, it’s all about gaining experiences and using these experiences to improve myself. You can never stop learning in order to progress both in life and professionally. It might be scary at
first, but you need to always believe in your goals and yourself. I believe that every obstacle that came my way was there for me to push myself to get to where I want to be, which is where I am right now.
"Always be yourself and be true to what you believe in"
What are your goals as a drag queen?
I never thought I’d end up doing drag. I always knew I wanted to be a dancer, but I never would’ve imagined this. Once I got the opportunity to sing, I knew I could do bigger things so I decided to give Drag Race a go. After this win, I feel like I’ve made it. I have shows in Singapore and Malaysia lined up so I really want to cherish this time and maybe even tour all over the world in the future. I also want to go to Drag Con and maybe even try acting.
Was it difficult coming out to your family?
I have to admit I did not have the best childhood growing up. My parents would fight a lot. They separated, and my dad started a new family and I stayed with my mom. Then my mom passed away due to cancer so I had to move in with my dad. It was hard. I did not like his new girlfriend so I acted out a lot and was very problematic. After I broke up with my first boyfriend, I lost all my care in the world. I started growing my hair and became openly feminine. Then I got a job at karaoke bar which my dad did not approve of—he would always beg me to come home. Since Drag Race, he has become more understanding of what I do and who I am. He always reminds me to be a good person and is proud of everything I have achieved.
Sereechai Puttes/Time Out Bangkok
As the winner of Drag Race Thailand, how would you would like to help improve the situation of the LGBT community?
I have so many ideas and plans that involve advocating for equality. If speaking from a legal standpoint, we still want marriage equality and honorific-changing rights. Other countries that are not as open-minded as Thailand provide legal support for their LGBT communities, so I don’t understand why we can’t do the same for the LGBT community here.
Do you think that there’s still a stigma against transgenders in the country?
It seems like we’re second-tier people. I don’t know why some people treat us differently. For example, some bars do not allow transgenders to enter. We’re all just trying to have a good time and sometimes it’s uncomfortable for us because we feel like other people think they’re superior. I want people to understand that we should have the same rights as everyone else. Anyone can be whoever they want and that’s that.
What would you like to say to younger transgenders?
Always be yourself and be true to what you believe in. You shouldn’t care about what others think. Just be happy and have fun. If you want to put makeup on, put makeup on. If you want to do your hair, do your hair. If you want to be feminine and carefree, do it. Just remember to always be a good person and don’t cause harm to others. Be yourself and no one can touch you because you are your own armor.
Sereechai Puttes/Time Out Bangkok
