By Sydney Morton

After losing everything, Grayson Nordgren found himself and his alter ego, Jenna Telz.

Three years ago, Nordgren was kicked out of the Jehovah91裸聊视频檚 Witness church for being gay, and lost his family and friends.

91裸聊视频淲hen I first got kicked out, I lost everything, I lost my faith, friends, family, my goals, dreams, and where I was going in life. It91裸聊视频檚 hard to sit back and think about that all. Through drag I found my place again and I feel like this is what saved me from a really dark time in my life,91裸聊视频� said Nordgren.

Growing up, Nordgren describes himself as sheltered. If anything that referenced the LGBTQ+ community came on the TV his parents would change the channel. It was his curiosity after being exiled that led him to drag.

91裸聊视频淲hen I first saw a drag queen, who is now a good friend of mine, I remember just thinking, 91裸聊视频榳ow,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� said Nordgren.

91裸聊视频淚 still remember that feeling, I was super curious about it and it91裸聊视频檚 not that I didn91裸聊视频檛 understand it. I was not exposed to it. The more I saw it, the more in love I fell with it.91裸聊视频�

Nordgren said it91裸聊视频檚 empowering and cool to completely transform.

91裸聊视频�(It91裸聊视频檚) the closest thing I could get to magic,91裸聊视频� he said.

Jenna Tellz, a tall gothic vision, drew attention through her renditions of rock91裸聊视频檔91裸聊视频檙oll and grunge songs, such as Zombie by the Cranberries.

91裸聊视频淛enna is my superhero, I was kicked out of my family and it91裸聊视频檚 how I gained a self worth again. In my eyes, Jenna is my perfect superhero. She is goth and dark,91裸聊视频� he said.

Now a thriving drag queen in Kelowna, Nordgren is about to gain national recognition in the next season of CBC91裸聊视频檚 hit web docu-series, Canada91裸聊视频檚 a Drag.

For the past 10 months, Nordgren has been able to sustain himself by performing as Jenna Tellz. Booking his own shows and venues.

91裸聊视频淚 basically started cutting out the middle men in between myself and performing. I put on my own shows because I not given opportunities wanted,91裸聊视频� he said.

RELATED: Kelowna Drag King rocks out into the spotlight

Nordgren also travels to schools throughout the Okanagan sharing his story to help youth find their voice and give them advice.

91裸聊视频� I want them to come to realize it91裸聊视频檚 OK to be themselves and that they don91裸聊视频檛 have to go through depression I was going through,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 made my ideal role model out of Jenna, she is who I want to be, with the exception that I don91裸聊视频檛 want to be a woman.91裸聊视频�

Production is scheduled for Dec. 15 at Munnins Post during his Naughtymare Before Christmas double-feature performance.

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sydney.morton@kelownacapnews.com
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