Queen of the Month!
QUEEN OF THE MONTH
Jackel doll
Hard work, focus and determination, all wrapped together in jackel’s signature polish. It’s not often a queen makes waves as large as jackel has over her time in sydney.
From a legendary childhood debut in New Zealand at 8 years old as a pint-sized drag king (think Brock from Pokémon!) to becoming the newest powerhouse on Oxford Street, Jackel Doll was born for the stage. For years, she perfected her craft as a diploma-qualified makeup artist, transforming performers for their drag brunch gigs. Her own drag queen journey truly began just two years ago, when she stepped into the spotlight for Universal's 'Slay 2 Stay' competition.
Since then, Jackel Doll has exploded onto the scene, quickly becoming a celebrated artist known for her boundless creativity. A true boundary-breaker, she masterfully blends the art of drag with daring burlesque and circus stunts like fire breathing and angle grinding – proving that drag has no rules! Her undeniable talent has earned her top honors, including 1st place at ‘The Crown’ Drag Pageant at Universal 2025, 1st Place in the Professional Division of ‘Stage Queen’ 2024, and 2nd place finishes in Universal and Poof Doof's annual competitions, but has also made her a prominent figure in the Sydney Mardi Gras, where she was a hero character on the official Mardi Gras float for both 2024 and 2025, and a featured performer at the 2024 Community Show After Party.
A fierce advocate for self-expression and a testament to hard work and dedication to her craft, Jackel Doll embodies the confidence and vibrant spirit of our incredible community.
We sat down and got an insight into the enigma that is Jackel DolL!
Hey Jackel! Thanks for making the time to chat to us, I know you’ve been busy lately! Before you were performing on the street, what drew you to drag?
I feel like Drag was calling my name from birth! My very first show was a mall talent quest back in Christchurch, New Zealand, when I was only eight. I was in full drag king mode as Brock from Pokémon, singing about Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny – and yes, I even had a hair reveal! I've always been into drama, plays, and improv acting at high school, and I even went to a private drama school during my early teenage years, so the theatrical bug bit deep and early.
Then, for years, I was behind the scenes as a diploma-qualified makeup artist, painting faces for fabulous queers and queens every weekend and was labelled Sydney's GO-TO Makeup artist for the gay community by Sydney Morning Herald. I was also interviewed by Sydney Herald two years in a row for Mardi Gras Makeup trends!
Seeing the magic I could help create, and watching my friend Mitchell in 'The Dollz,' just pulled me deeper. After another one of the members of 'The Dollz' got injured, I helped step in to cover for a few events and the rest if herstory! But there was this one specific moment: I was 25, at Arq, and I saw Coco Jumbo performing. I just thought, 'Oh, I wish I could do that!' I felt like I could be a great queen, but honestly, I didn't even know girls could do it at the time! It wasn't until later, seeing 'Slay 2 Stay' happen at Universal at age 32, that it truly ignited the spark and showed me the path.
How would you describe your drag style?
My drag style is a vibrant mix of everything I've learned and loved over the years! I take my background in drama and improv, then inject it into circus stunts like fire breathing and angle grinding. You'll definitely see that classic showgirl flair, all brought to life with my camp, theatrical lip-syncing. Making people laugh and smile is always a huge goal for me, so I love weaving in comedy and audience participation wherever I can. Ultimately, my style is a fun balance of high-energy camp and glamour.
Who are some of your biggest drag inspirations?
My biggest inspirations are queens who dare to be different, who challenge expectations and story tellers. I'm drawn to queens who command the stage with both glamour and comedy, pushing the boundaries of what drag can be. Jimbo, Sasha Colby, Shae Couleé, Bob the Drag Queen, Sia Tequila and Eli Crawford. Artists who blend visuals with dance, talent, acting etc.
Do you find queer spaces do enough to welcome women into them?
That's a really important question, and honestly, yes, we're always evolving. I've seen first hand how queer spaces are growing and it's exciting to see. While there's always more room to welcome everyone fully, I believe my presence, and the support I've received from my queer male friends and the wider community, helps open up that conversation. It's about showing that queer spaces are for all queer people, and that inclusivity makes us stronger, more vibrant, and even more fabulous. We are all in this together!
You recently won The Crown! How was that process?
Winning The Crown was absolutely wild! I was always prepared to earn my stripes through trial and error in the public eye, and trust me, the Universal competitions are a masterclass in trusting your visions! Every moment was about pushing myself, taking risks, and finding out who I am as a drag artist. But honestly, it was the most incredibly validating experience. To be recognised by the community, especially as a CIS woman taking home a drag title, was beyond anything I could have imagined. I am very grateful.
What do you plan to do with your $5k?
UNIVERSAL EXCLUSIVE!
The prize money is a huge boost for my very first full-scale independent production, 'Diablo's Bordello,' coming to the Sydney Fringe Festival. This immersive theatrical cabaret is a blend of all the incredible communities I'm a part of – a chance to push my talented friends in the community into different areas and give them a bigger platform to be seen by a brand new crowd, giving us all a push into the mainstream. There is just so much raw talent in the clubs and cabarets that I've been blessed to be a part of, and this money helps me showcase it on a grander scale. It's all about raising the bar and bringing everyone with me into a more stunning, immersive experiences to the stages of Sydney. The photoshoot, postering and behind the scenes work has been created already I am just waiting for the green light from Fringe in July to start selling tickets! The way I see it, If I win - we all win.
When we go to a Jackel Show what can we expect?
When you step into a Jackel Doll show,, you're not just buying a ticket – you're buying an experience. I like to create worlds around me and welcome people into my thoughts. Expect an immersive, high-energy spectacle that blurs the lines between performer and audience. It's visually stunning, packed with unexpected reveals and moments.
And What is next for Jackel?
