This is the translated version of an interview conducted in Dutch. We have tried to carefully translate this article, however, the views expressed in this interview may have an altered meaning. Please be mindful about it.
Megan Schoonbrood is a regular at many drag events and a very welcome guest in the Dutch Drag scene. When we got the news she was a candidate for Drag Race Holland, we were super excited! She is a busy bee and her calendar is overflowing, but fortunately she was willing to talk to us about her about her life, her participation in Drag Race Holland and what’s next for this already iconic queen. James van der Boon interviewed her on behalf of Dutch Drag.
You need no introduction, of course, but can you tell us a bit more about who you are?
Megan: “Well, my name is Megan. I recently turned 32 years old. I am originally from Maastricht, but now live in Rotterdam. I grew up in Amsterdam. I’ve been Megan for more half of my life – I’ve been doing this for 16 years!
Yes, I am actually the second oldest queen to participate, and also the one with the most experience. I’m originally a Pageant Queen- I’ve won 23 No. 1 titles .. – both in Holland and abroad! ”
They’re not the least of titles either; You were crowned Miss Travestitie 2014, ‘Miss Drag Queen 2014’, Hollands biggest drag show!
“Yes” she adds with a laugh, “two thousand and fourteen, come on! Well, that’s just a little passage on the way I guess” The queen doesn’t have to show false modesty, because snatching crowns is something she’s been doing non-stop for the past sixteen years. We wonder how her journey has lead her there in recent years.
“Well, I have been able to build a lot for myself these past years. I really feel like I have grown my potential the last years. I often find myself on the jury of competitions in which I previously participated as a candidate or winner.” She adds with a laugh, “I’m a welcome guest anyway!”
Do you think your experience gives you an edge in the competition?
She ponders for a bit. “Well, in what sense? I might be a bit more articulate and outspoken, and I’m more of the old-school type of: okay, come on – I’m also more of a mom for the group. I’d be like: ‘Come on, it will be alright dear darlings, don’t worry! ”
James: “You are a bit calmer under the stress because you already know a little bit about what is expected.“
Megan agrees: “Yes, that’s really nice.”
It wont be an easy fight. If it will be anything like it’s American, Brittish and Canadian predecessors, the candidates will be taken out of their comfort zones, slang into the rink of competition.
She adds “No, and of course I already knew almost all the girls, I might not know one, but in general: you already know each other, but sometimes you haven’t seen each other for years.”
Oh that would potentially be quite awkward, when you walk in for a reunion with a friend, but it’s in this competative context?
“Well, I’ve known Jayne for 12 years, I haven’t seen him for years. And that is of course quite special. Then it feels like a kind of family. ”
Ah, that might allow you to feel a bit more at home. Was it nice to see familiar faces?
“Yes and no, because you also know someone’s qualities and also someone’s inferior qualities.”
Of course she can’t give too much away about the show itself, but we’re already looking forward to seeing Jayne and Megan reunite.
How would you describe your own drag?
“Feminine, I always keep it very feminine, the evening look like, yes, and I also like a good smokey eye, often with an evening look. I have fillers in my cheeks and lips, so I kind of like to show off with that, haha. ”
Nice. If you’ve got it, flaunt it!
” Yes! They sometimes call me the Vanessa Connie Witteman of drag, so yeah, I think I’d have to agree”
Where does the name Megan Schoonbrood come from?
“Well my first name was different, my first name was Eva Pieter-Gonzales when I still worked for lellebel, that was a long time ago, way back and finally I had a premiere with Megan Fox, and then I completely transformed myself as Megan Fox . Then they said “you look a lot like it, you have to name yourself after Megan.” Well I did. Schoonbrood is just my last name. ” Megan hears our surprise and immediately responds: “I hear you laugh, and I hear people laugh more often. To keep it easy and to avoid any financial trouble, I kept my own last name. ”
Well, that makes sense: It’s a good name.
“People always think it’s a good stage name. Me too haha!”
You are now a full-time drag queen. Do you do other things for a living besides drag?
“Hahaha, yes, I am doing this full-time now. I’ve also worked as a make-up artist, but I’ve actually been a full-time drag queen for sixteen years now. I have been a makeup artist for major brands such as MAC, NYX, Loréal and Estée Lauder. ”
Well, you won’t be sent home for a botched mug in that case. What was your reaction when you heard you made it to the final ten?
Megan takes a deep breath. “Actually, if I’m quite honest, a bit like this: I thought, well, okay.. I was in a dark place, in the middle of my relationship ending, so it was actually a bit of a difficult time for me. On the one hand I felt like I had to be happy, but on the other it was one of the darker times in my life because I could not share it with anyone.
Yeah, it is understanbable that you can not fully enjoy it
“Exactly, I mean I was really excited, trust me, but it was just kind of like: ‘Yeah, alright.. what now? What are we going to do and where to even start? Others were screaming in excitement and I was just like.. ‘Well, alright, I made it to the final ten’. With me, the ‘screaming’ actually started a bit later, I think around a month or so after I heard it, after all the adversity subsided, it suddenly hit me I was really in. Well, I sure started screaming too, haha!”
It’s very good to hear that you could eventually enjoy it! You’re incredibly busy, you were just had a facebook live, your social media is blowing up, the whole world wants you. WOW and Videoland just announced the show and your canidacy, how do you feel about all this media exposure?
“Well, coincidentally, we (the cast) were all in a videochat together tonight at like 1:30pm and we were all like: wow, this is a lot. You know, it’s so overwhelming. Like, you get reactions from previous contestants. I got a lot of e-mails, for example from Rupaul saying ‘Welcome to the family!’
She sighs and continues: “And you know what, it ís overwhelming. I got messages, like really sweet ones from Lemon for example, and from queens from Canada and the UK, and from some girls from the American show, season 5 and 13. There were so many sweet messages and I have been asked to play in a videoclip from one of the American girls.”
You’re flooded by the oppurtunities that are suddenly coming your way?
“Yeah, but it is very strange, because you are still enjoying one thing, and the next thing is already around the corner. You can not fully enjoy everything because the next thing is already at the door.”
It’s a precarious balance to handle all the attention i’m getting- and making sure i also give everything the attention needed. I’m getting a ‘heeey!’ from Asia, and from Indonesia a whole story that’s like ‘We love you!’ I am half-Indonesian myself so it is a place very dear to my heart, and I love hearing it, but a second later its Brazil calling, and then another outlet wanting my attention.”
It sounds like a very challenging and intense time for you. If you look back at the show as a whole, what do you think is the biggest lesson learned for you?
“Enjoy every moment because before you know it it’s too late!” Megan unswervingly replies. We ask how we should interpret this answer, but she corrects our assumptions: “You know- it’s like, it goes for the whole show- it could be the finale too. What I am trying to say is really simple though: Enjoy every single moment! I have seen girls cry!”
You wouldn’t want to look back with any regrets of course.
“Exactly, like it’s not only about myself, but I have genuinely seen people cry, and you hear them say things. When people then ask you if you enjoyed it, I can wholeheartedly say: ‘Yaaaas girl!’ So really, yeah, enjoy it because you don’t get a do-over.”
Now, we have heard some rumors about the outfits- is it true that you had to sew them yourselves?
“Oh my god, girl it was so dramatic! I had to make my own outfits for the first time in my whole life! Production basically told us: ‘There are some Corona-related budget cuts.. ‘ ” – she pauzes and continues.. “Well, I was like: shit!”
Get what you can get girl! So how did you do? Did you manage to stitch nice outfits?
“Well, let’s just say that I was skilled at stitching in a different way if you catch my drift-” We brst out laughing. “Well, that is really all I can say right now. You will see!”
That is sure, we will be glued to our screens. We’re very curious but we completely understand Megan does not want to give away too much.
“I am really fucking proud of what I made. I am happy that my outfits and costumes are still- well very glamourous costumes, and from my own making. The challenges you get are very specific off course, so that’s a wee bit testing, haha. But it would not be fun if I share any spoilers, I mean it is much more fun if it is a surprise!”
We remark that this season is highly anticipated, and Megan says it’s rightfully so, as the standards for the level of quality and execution are very high this season. The show certainly lives up to it’s predecessors.
Was it a big production?
“Well, yes and no I think. You know, I have done and seen things that I have never done in my life. I have been secure for the last 16 years, and in my comfort zone, and I had to do things that had me like: What the fuck?”
We are very hyped for September 18th, when the show will air. We are really curious about all the things this season will bring. We thank Megan that she was willing to talk to us and make some time in her extremely busy schedule. We ask her if there is anything she wants to say to our readers.
“Well, let them know I am single and ready to mingle!”
And with this last iconic quote we will have to do it for now. Drag Race Holland will e aired on WOW and Videoland from September 18th. Tune in!