Josh Glossner
Photo posted December 12, 2015 in
News by Kelsie Netzer
Lip syncing, bold browed and eccentric performers have helped define the world of drag. But to 23-year-old Bellefonte native Joshua Glossner, there's much more to being a drag queen than stepping on the stage.
"I love drag because there is no real right or wrong way to do it. There's the basic instructions to do so, but it's really all up to your own interpretation," Josh said. "You can be glamorous, artsy, comedic, or anything else you want to be. It's also about expressing your gender identity how you would like to be seen."
By day, Josh is a shift manager at Baby’s Burgers and Shakes in downtown State College. Then, a little over a year ago, Josh started performing drag under the stage name Carrie Oakey. Since then, he has performed with other queens at venues around State College and Altoona. Carrie's talents aren't limited to lip syncing shows; she also makes appearances at local karaoke nights where Josh gets to perform with his own vocals.
"I love performing and I love the stage. I used to do theatre and choir in high school and originally wanted to go to college for music performance," Josh said. "Drag is my outlet to express my creative side as well as satisfy my itch to perform."
Josh Glossner, from Bellefonte, Pa., shaves his face in his State College bathroom on Oct. 10, 2015. Josh has been performing as a drag queen for over a year in State College and occasionally Altoona. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Josh cooks salmon patties and rice while his boyfriend, Frank, and roommate play video games in their apartment on Dec. 8, 2015. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Josh waits tables at Baby's Burgers and Shakes, a diner where he is a shift manager, in downtown State College, Pa. on Dec. 11, 2015. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Makeup, faux nails and a "queen" necklace litter the makeshift vanity in Josh's bedroom in State College, Pa. Being a drag queen requires bold makeup to create the illusion of female features. To achieve certain looks, Josh will cover his eyebrows with a glue stick so foundation will cover the hair. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Josh applies makeup in his bedroom in State College, Pa. on Oct. 1, 2015. On wearing his Robin cap, Josh said, "I used to try wearing wig caps, but they never really worked for me." / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Josh applies makeup in his bedroom in State College, Pa. on Oct. 1, 2015. On wearing his Robin cap, Josh said, "I used to try wearing wig caps, but they never really worked for me." / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Josh performs as Carrie Oakey, his drag alter ego, at Chimney's Drag Karaoke event in downtown State College, Pa. on Oct. 15, 2015. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Josh uses orange powder to contrast the color of his beard stubble before applying makeup for the "2015 So You Think You Can Drag" show in the forum building at Penn State on Nov. 7, 2015. The event raised money for the True Colors Fund, a charity that helps homeless LBGTQ youth. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Josh, right, talks to fellow drag queen Belle Woods as they finalize the set of the "2015 So You Think You Can Drag" show in the forum building at Penn State on Nov. 7, 2015. The event raised money for the True Colors Fund, a charity that helps homeless LBGTQ youth. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Josh watches other drag performers at the "2015 So You Think You Can Drag" show in the forum building at Penn State on Nov. 7, 2015. The event raised money for the True Colors Fund, a charity that helps homeless LBGTQ youth. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Carrie Oakey performs at the "2015 So You Think You Can Drag" show in the forum building at Penn State on Nov. 7, 2015. The event raised money for the True Colors Fund, a charity that helps homeless LBGTQ youth. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
