A'keria C. Davenport says 'Drag Race' taught her to act like a fool
A'keria C. Davenport was the picture of pageant perfection before "RuPaul's Drag Race." But all that had to change.
The Dallas performer, who moved to Katy a month ago, had to learn to get silly during her time on the show. When she finally did, it resulted in one of the season's standout moments. When in doubt, just twerk.
Though she didn't clinch the crown, Davenport is already looking to the future. We spoke about her evolution and what's next.
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Welcome to Houston! What inspired you to move to the area?
Most of my closest friends are in Houston. I was traveling back and forth a lot. I was ready for a change. I was raised in Dallas. But I wasn't ready to make the big jump of coming to L.A. or something like that. I wanted to pace myself.
What's your takeaway from the "Drag Race" experience?
Looking back, I'm proud. The whole experience has made me proud of who I am. The box that I put myself in, I stepped outside of it. Going into it, there were certain things I felt like I couldn't do or certain challenges that I was scared of. But there's nothing you can't do. It's just getting out of your own way. I had to allow myself to be free and grow on the show.
What was the biggest challenge during the show?
The biggest challenge for me was to not overthink everything. I try to have a plan and have a strategy and find a formula to everything that I do. With "Drag Race," there's not really a plan or a formula to win a challenge. It's pretty much just being you and allowing yourself to be a fool in that challenge. I could not wrap my head around allowing myself to be a fool with this wig on because pageantry has taught me, "When A'keria's on, A'keria has to the queen. And a queen doesn't do this, she doesn't do that." Girl, right now the queen is gonna have to go on and twerk a little bit.
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What's something you would love viewers to know about A'keria that maybe didn't come across?
I'm probably one of the goofiest, kindhearted people that you'll ever meet. I never really have ill intent toward anyone. Also, I want the fans to know that I'm human, and I make mistakes. Everything that was presented on the show, regardless if you agree or disagree with it, allowed me to have my moment to correct my mistakes if there were any.
If you're cast on a future "All Stars" season, what would you do differently?
Well, this time, I mean, I would spend money. This time I have money to spend going into it. But really, not thinking so much on how to win it, just allowing yourself to win.
What's next for you?
You can expect some a skin care line coming out with A'keria. Y'all know I'm really big on my skin, baby. There's also some charity work. It's going to be Texas-based in the beginning. I want to do some safe havens for LGBT youth and transgender women. That's something that's very near and dear to me. Also, coming to a stage near you.
We've still never had a true Houston queen on the show. How do we get one of our own on there?
Apply. What I realized is, you know what, a lot of Texas queens see the New York girls and the L.A. girls always getting on "Drag Race," so they feel like they're not good enough. Baby, the sky's the limit. If you're told no, apply again. Some of those girls who have made it to "Drag Race" applied nine seasons. Get out your own way.
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