In celebration of #Pride, I see no better fit for our #WomenWednesday feature than the fabulous Chloe Jacobs.
By day, Evan Jacobs is a successful hairdresser in Little Rock — but he's more commonly known as Chloe Jacobs, a stunning drag queen and Miss Gay Arkansas America 2018.
Having watched and admired her for years, I decided to have a long-overdue talk with my senior prom date to hear and share Chloe's story.
Chloe's Story
Q: Where are you from?
A: I grew up in Brinkley, a small town in the Arkansas Delta, but I've called Little Rock "home" for over 10 years now.
Q: What was your first experience in drag?
A: It was a turnabout fundraiser for the Diamond State Rodeo Association, where a group of guys dressed in drag to raise money for the cause — I knew I was meant to be a queen the moment I put on those heels and performed to Laura Bell Bundy. It just came naturally, and the crowd loved it.
This led me to start performing at various talent nights, and before I knew it I was crowned Miss Gay Northwest Arkansas and on my way to the Miss Gay Arkansas pageant.
Q: Tell me more about your pageant career...
A: Pageants came second nature for me — the moment I stepped on stage, I was immediately poised and confident, flawlessly gliding in 6” heels like it was nothing.
Only seven months into my career, I was 1st Alternate to Miss Gay Arkansas America. Then, after placing as a top alternate for the third time in 2014, I decided to take a break from pageants to focus on being more involved in the community and figuring out who Chloe really was.
I returned to pageants in 2017 determined to win — I was back and better than ever. I had a custom-fitted dress, hand-stoned by yours truly, with my own original talent, and that was the year I was crowned Miss Gay Arkansas America 2018.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about performing?
A: I love making people smile, breaking boundaries, opening people’s eyes to the world around them, and proving stereotypes and negative opinions wrong.
It’s also built a confidence in me that I wouldn’t have otherwise; I no longer care what others think of me or let people have control or influence over my life.
Q: What is it like for you as a member of the LGBTQ+ community living in the South?
A: It was hard growing up in a small, southern town feeling I needed to hide my true self to protect what others would say or think of me. I’ve experienced critical and hurtful comments from Arkansas politicians, among others, for my work while Miss Gay Arkansas. Ironically, their statements only helped further my reach and support throughout Arkansas.
That said, I feel that the LGBTQ+ community is no longer in the dark –– we are seen and heard as our true authentic selves. I only hope that what I do can empower others to be whatever they want to be and let them know they are not alone.
Q: How can someone be an ally for the LGBTQ+ community?
A: Be a friend — be present, and have their back to others. Get involved — celebrate with them, educate others who don’t understand or pass judgement. Ask questions — don’t assume. Treat them equally — because we are all equally beautiful.
Q: Where can we watch you perform?
A: Discovery Nightclub is my home bar in Little Rock, but I perform all over. You can follow my Facebook where I always share my upcoming shows.
Pride Ally
As Pride Month comes to an end, I want to reiterate Chloe’s advice to supporting the LGBTQ+ community in our everyday lives –– by being a friend, getting involved, educating ourselves and others, and, most importantly, remembering we are all equally beautiful in our own way.
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