National Holiday
by Tamara McHatton & Evan Scott

To set the record straight…female impersonator, drag queen, and female illusionist are all terms for basically the same thing. Drag queen has taken on a more campy (old time or funny) meaning and isn't used in the pageantry systems anymore. Impersonator is for someone who impersonates and illusionist just covers it all.

So let's set the stage for this…it's Friday night, I'm behind the scenes at Heather Graham's Vampire Ball, talking with Patti Lewis, when National came strutting by. Kevin had already let me in on the secret, so I said nothing. Mary-Katie and National said hello, exchanged some small talk and went on their way. Patti and I continued our conversation. Then out of the blue she asks me, “So, have you figured out which one is Nate yet?” I chuckled and proceeded to remind her about the couple that just walked by. Patti absolutely flipped! I laughed so hard tears ran down my cheeks. Yes, National Holiday is that good.

It took a while but I caught up with National and asked about doing an interview with her. She batted long eyelashes, adjusted her corset, and agreed. We found a dark corner and the fun began.

Tamara: I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with SUITE.
National: Not a problem, it's been fun having to pick it all apart and remember some of the reasons I got into this in the first place. It's been a great couple of years and I can't wait to see where it all takes me.

Tamara: So how did you get started doing female impersonations?
National: I started doing drag at the tender age of 17 at the Rocky Horror Picture Show . I was inspired by such movies as To Wong Fu (Starring : Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo)... and Priscilla Queen of the Dessert . I first wanted to do it mostly because of my love of the stage, secondly because it was fun to fool people. Although as a performer, I am still growing as an illusionist and a make up artist, I have always done well. I started my female impersonation career when I turned 18. My first drag name was Cheyenne Foxx and I was a booger with a capital “B”. I looked just like a girl but had the appeal of a frightened mouse...which is basically what I looked like on stage. With the help of friends and family I transformed myself on my 21st birthday. I changed my name, my style, my appearance, and my reputation and I have never regretted it. On that fateful night I became National Holiday. I got this name from a typo'ed letter (my name is Nathaniel and they really butchered it) and my drag mother's last name (Karen Holiday). I have been having a ball performing in the Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus areas and hope to be having fun on stages all over Ohio for years to come.

Tamara: What range of characters do you impersonate?
National: My two big impersonations are Kelly Osborne and Liza Minnelli. I don't like bringing an impersonation onstage until I feel I have it completely right so there is no question that an impersonation is what I am doing. My personal persona is National   more >>