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On an ordinary Sunday, in his home town of Baton Rouge, La., Jaden Woods would likely spend his morning watching Netflix in bed.
But today, he was in Chicago. And he put on his first pair of heels to go to the Chicago Pride Parade as Amazara Deity.
The 15-year-old came to town to participate in a Second City improvisation program and, just as importantly, to make his debut in drag. Before the highlight, Woods was talking about his childhood in Louisiana, how he had changed his life and his expectations for Chicago Pride in the arty Avondale loft where his aunt and partner live.
As Woods applied the foundation in front of a mirror, he said his family told him to "do nothing girlie" during his trip to Chicago.
"But now, I'm putting on makeup," said Woods, who identifies himself as gay and relies on any pronoun as long as "you do it with respect."
"My dream is to go out, slide and maybe become famous," Woods said.
For the parade, Woods was going for a more natural look. His inspiration was BeBe Zahara Benet, the first winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race" who made a comeback in "All Stars 3" with his character "Jungle Kitty".
The first episodes of "Drag Race" marked the first time Woods has seen men slip.
"I was kind, why do these men dress?" Said Woods. "Later in life, I finally figured out what it really was, and I was kind, it's pretty cool." It may be something that I want to do one day. "
But, said Woods, "I was afraid to venture into this part of my life."
Today, most of Woods' heroes are former queens of "Drag Race": Shea Coulee of Chicago, Queen of New Orleans and the winner of season 6 Bianca Del Rio, and Jinkx Monsoon, the winner of the fifth season.
"It kind of changed my life," Woods said of the series.
But, at least for the moment, he would prefer to be judge rather than candidate.
"I've always liked to see everything unfold before me," Woods said. "And then I can sit near RuPaul."
MORE COVERAGE: For parade lovers, Pride is a day to enjoy unity, speak for equality "
Now that Woods is trying and creating his own drag character, he said that a weight has taken him off.
And he believes that he has found the perfect pair of heels.
"My aunt was like, maybe you should get a thicker heel so you do not fall," said Woods.
As he mixed his outline and shifted to a pearly eyeshadow, Woods said, "I feel free."
A few days ago, Woods did a trail test on a bus, wearing a wig, leotard and cloak.
"I was afraid of what people would say," Woods said. "I've had a lot of love at first sight."
When he returns to Louisiana in July, Woods does not know who he will share his Chicago stories with. His best friend, definitely. His cousins, probably. His mother, maybe.
"It's a Gemini."
Woods does not think that he will bring Divinity in all his glory to Baton Rouge – at least not now.
"I'm going to lower my tone because I have to hide it from everyone," Woods said. "I could never do that in Louisiana."
Still, Woods said that he would encourage all the other kids who saw some of themselves in the world of drag to dive in.
"I would tell them that if you really see yourself in the game or if you like to do it or if you feel like you can do it, you should shoot it, and when you can, you should go and see it. that it brings life for you, "Woods said. "See what that brings."
Just before leaving for the parade, Woods turned a college kid into a blue T-shirt and jeans in Amazara Deity, a queen in a curly wig called "Tammy" wearing false nails inspired by unicorns and the patent high-heeled leather heels.
She entered the kitchen. And she smiled.
At the parade, Divinity had planned to watch from the sidelines. Shortly after the start of the parade, she snuck in with the walkers.
If you were there and saw a radiant child in a fabulous mermaid tail skirt with eyelashes for days, you may have seen Divinity Amazara.
As she swam down Broadway, amidst a sea of all the colors of the rainbow, a spectator who seemed to be a fan opened her arms and gave a giant hug to the young queen.
Twitter @morgreene
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