‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ competitor Blair St. Clair celebrated by local peers

Blair St. Clair's upcoming appearances on "RuPaul's Drag Race" will bring increased exposure to the Indianapolis drag community.

That also means heightened expectations for St. Clair's local peers.

"Our drag is going to be elevated," said Diana Thirst, a red-carpet host at Monday's "Drag Race" preview party thrown in St. Clair's honor at Metro Nightclub. "We have to step up."

A few Mass Ave. motorists directed catcalls toward drag performers gathered outside Metro, and one IndyGo driver paused on her route to offer words of encouragement.

St. Clair, also known as Indianapolis actor Drew Bryson, is one of 14 drag queens who will vie for a $100,000 prize on the 10th season of the show hosted by RuPaul Andre Charles.

The season premiere is scheduled March 22 on VH1.

Indianapolis concerts: 70 buzzworthy shows for 2018

Catt Sadler: Indiana native lands Oscar-night gig

Roxane Gay: Purdue professor Roxane Gay offers to write “Batgirl” screenplay

Thirst and Ida Kay, co-host of Monday's red carpet, previously applied to be "RuPaul's Drag Race" competitors by submitting self-produced videos of performances, interviews and wardrobe creations.

"If they like you, they call you," Kay said. "If they don't, well, here we are."

St. Clair, meanwhile, is the first Indiana resident to make the cut.

In the local drag community, Kay and St. Clair are "sisters" because they've been mentored by the same "mother," Heather Bitch.

"The way drag families work is that somebody who means something to you who already does drag takes you under their wing," Thirst said. "If you want to be a drag queen, they show you how to do it: 'Here's how you style hair,' 'Here's how you do costumes.' "

St. Clair, 22, arrived at Monday's party wearing a sleeveless orange dress accented by lace gloves.

Beck Jones, a costume designer for theatrical productions and a senior at Herron High School, created the look.

"We went with a '60s Dior theme that Blair has established as her style," Jones said.

St. Clair declined to be interviewed Monday, citing media restrictions dictated by VH1.

IndyStar subscriptions: Support local journalism

Call IndyStar reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.