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 Jehovah害羞草研究所檚 Witness church for being gay, and lost his family and friends.

害羞草研究所淲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. It害羞草研究所檚 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,害羞草研究所� 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.

害羞草研究所淲hen I first saw a drag queen, who is now a good friend of mine, I remember just thinking, 害羞草研究所榳ow,害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟 said Nordgren.

害羞草研究所淚 still remember that feeling, I was super curious about it and it害羞草研究所檚 not that I didn害羞草研究所檛 understand it. I was not exposed to it. The more I saw it, the more in love I fell with it.害羞草研究所�

Nordgren said it害羞草研究所檚 empowering and cool to completely transform.

害羞草研究所�(It害羞草研究所檚) the closest thing I could get to magic,害羞草研究所� he said.

Jenna Tellz, a tall gothic vision, drew attention through her renditions of rock害羞草研究所檔害羞草研究所檙oll and grunge songs, such as Zombie by the Cranberries.

害羞草研究所淛enna is my superhero, I was kicked out of my family and it害羞草研究所檚 how I gained a self worth again. In my eyes, Jenna is my perfect superhero. She is goth and dark,害羞草研究所� he said.

Now a thriving drag queen in Kelowna, Nordgren is about to gain national recognition in the next season of CBC害羞草研究所檚 hit web docu-series, Canada害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淚 basically started cutting out the middle men in between myself and performing. I put on my own shows because I not given opportunities wanted,害羞草研究所� 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.

害羞草研究所� I want them to come to realize it害羞草研究所檚 OK to be themselves and that they don害羞草研究所檛 have to go through depression I was going through,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚 made my ideal role model out of Jenna, she is who I want to be, with the exception that I don害羞草研究所檛 want to be a woman.害羞草研究所�

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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