Hosting Call Me Mother is a perfect gig for Dallas Dixon, who has returned for the sophomore season of the drag reality TV competition series. For one thing, he’s a lifelong fan of the art of drag, who fondly recalls escaping his small town to go visit drag shows in Toronto, where he found himself fascinated by the artistry on display. But it also takes a lot of charisma and energy to stand out among a group of drag queens, but fortunately Dallas has a seemingly endless supply of both.
For those initiated with the OutTV series, up-and-coming drag queens and kings compete for the title of “First Child of Drag”, but to do so they first have to earn their spot in one of the drag houses led by three icons of drag: Peppermint (House of Dulcet), Crystal (House of Glass), and Barbada de Barbades (House of Harmonie), who each mentor the queens they select to join their families.
The kings and queens are put through a series of challenges showcasing and elevating their particular art form. But since this is a competition, there are winners as well as participants who must leave the competition — and announcing the latter is the hardest part of the gig, Dixon tells PRIDE. But the joy of being front row for seeing the contestants who excel and those who grow makes it all worth it. He opened up to PRIDE about what makes season two different, why he’s so passionate about drag, and which house he would join if he were suddenly in the cast.
How are you feeling going into this one versus the original season?
Season one was a lot of us figuring out exactly what this show was going to be and what our roles were in the show. And I feel like season two has taken things to the next level. Watching it, I was blown away. First and foremost, it looks great. It looks big. And beyond that. We have so many incredible drag artists this season. And that’s no shade to season one. But oh my gosh, season two, just taking things to the next level.
There are other drag competition series out there — even in Canada itself. How does Call Me Mother stand out from the other ones?
I’m a big fan of the other ones as well. I love drag. I love anything that brings the queer community together. But with that said, I think Call Me Mother stands out from the other drag competition series because it has so much heart, it really, really does.
It’s all about lifting these drag artists up. We’re not here to make scandalous television, [but] of course there are moments where people may fight. We have those moments because that is natural when people are in a competition. There are those moments, but we don’t play on those moments. We want everyone to feel loved, supported, and just as excited as we are about this show.
It’s all about love. We have three icons, as mothers, like literally Miss Peppermint, Crystal, Barbades. These are icons, and they are there to really take these drag artists to the next level.
What is it about the art of drag that really speaks to you?
Ever since I was a younger queer myself, I would travel to Toronto, I lived in a smaller town. And I have always been fascinated by the art form of drag. I remember even when I was studying journalism and college, I did a story on drag and what drag does for the community.
I think drag is just such a powerful representation of the queer community and they are the champions of the queer community. I am just completely blown away every single time I see somebody hit a stage and do what they do because it takes a certain type of person to do that, to lay yourself out on that stage. And beyond that just watching them transform. It’s an art, baby.
I just think drag is so powerful. And I think we’ve seen how powerful it is in the last decade and how it is bringing so many people together, no matter who you are. There are so many people who I respect and love and connect with drag, and I’m one of them.
I’m convinced that’s why they have become targets of the Right, because they’re so powerful. When you hear a drag queen’s story, you can’t help but connect to it!
Yeah, they are so powerful.
I’m always amazed to see their creativity. How is it for you to get to be right there, front and center?
Watching them transform, watching them come up with such creative ideas, and bringing those creative ideas to fruition on a stage. It literally blows me away, I feel so incredibly lucky to just be part of the show.
But there is the other side, which is having to tell them that their time on the show is over. Is there a moment where that gets real for you?
That’s the worst part of the job... because I’m the person who quite often is delivering the not-so-great news. And I know how much being part of Call Me Mother means that each of these drag artists. I know how connected these mothers get to their drag children. So it’s difficult, it really is, that I’ve left a few times and I’ve had to go back to my hotel room and you know, process at all. Because the emotions are high, baby.
OK, I’m down to the last couple of questions. And I just have a couple of fun ones for you. Do you have a drag name?
I think Dallas Dixon is already a drag name. But I used to joke back in the day, I can’t even remember it. And there might already be a drag artist named this. I’ve never actually looked into it. Lez B. Honest. [Laughs]
Now I’m gonna ask you the hard-hitting question, Lez B. Honest. Which house do you want to join?
Oh shit, that’s a really hard one. And I have thought about this. I respect all of them so very much, and I see what each of them brings to the show. But I think my vibe if we’re going off vibes, House of Glass, baby!
Call Me Mother is airing now on OUTtv. Watch PRIDE's full interview with Dallas Dixon below.
Rachel Shatto chats with Dallas all about season 2 of Out TV's …
Call Me Mother is available to stream on OUTtv and The Roku Channel.
Call Me Mother is streaming on the OUTtv Amazon Channel in Canada.
