From Character to King: How Jo Found Her Drag Persona

New to Drag Kinging? Discover how Jo found her confidence by switching from a character to a King. Learn how finding the right persona can change everything.

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From Character to King: How Jo Found Her Drag Persona

When Jo first joined Kings of Joy, she was excited but unsure. Like many queer people drawn to Drag Kinging, she was curious about expressing masculinity through performance but didn’t know where to begin.

She had a name. She had a theme. She even had a solid look. But something didn’t feel quite right.

Jo had chosen a Drag King name that was steeped in mystery and meaning. She'd aligned with "The Wise Sage" archetype—a King known for being mystical, intentional, and deeply knowing. It made sense on paper. But when Jo stepped into rehearsals and began to embody the persona, something was off.

She felt like she was playing a character.

And that wasn't the point.

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Why Masculinity Needs to Be Yours

One of the myths about Drag Kinging is that you have to "act like a man." But Kings of Joy is not about mimicking someone else's idea of masculinity. It's about finding the version that feels right in your body. Your story. Your skin.

For Jo, the turning point came during a coaching session where we explored the Drag King Archetypes. Instead of focusing on what sounded impressive or polished, we turned inward.

What made her feel grounded?

What made her feel like herself?

That’s when we landed on a different archetype: The Everyday King.

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The Everyday King: Campy, Relatable, and Real

This archetype isn’t about grand gestures or esoteric wisdom. The Everyday King is full of heart. He's the mate at the pub, the guy helping you move house, the loveable goof who dances like no one's watching. And when Jo tried him on?

Everything clicked.

The tension in her shoulders dropped. Her face softened into a grin. She started to move with confidence, and most importantly, with joy.

When she performed as The Everyday King, Jo wasn’t pretending. She was present. 

She chose a new name - Bad Boy Cameo and invented a Drag King persona who as an aspiring actor constantly overdelivers at auditions. Hilarious. 

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How Do You Know You've Found Your King?

You stop performing and start embodying. You move from thinking, "What should I do?" to "This feels like me."

That’s what happened for Jo. And it’s available to you too.

Maybe you’ve downloaded the Step Into Your King guide and you’re exploring names. Maybe you’ve browsed the archetypes. But if you’re still unsure, here’s the truth:

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

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Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you live in Sydney and want to explore your Drag King persona in a supportive, joy-filled community, you’re invited to register your interest for Kings of Joy Gold Stars—our signature program for first-time Kings.

Join the Gold Stars Interest List

Not in Sydney? You can still start your journey from anywhere in the world. Get the free guide that started it all:

Download the Step Into Your King Guide

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You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start.

And if you’re starting here, you’re in the right place.

Xx

Danica Lani

The King Coach

Hello handsome, 🌈 I'm Danica Lani, also known as The King Coach. I'm here to empower you in your exploration of gender, sexuality, and performance. I have proudly mentored and choreographed 138 first-time Drag Kings since December 2020. Welcome to the joyous community of Kings of Joy, where we uplift and celebrate each other every step of the way! 🎉🤩 Let's embark on this Drag King journey together! 🤗💖 #KingsOfJoy