Leah Fantasy (they/them) is a nonbinary drag performer who started their Drag Career on the theatre stage in 2022 as a working actor in Kinky Boots with Venice Theatre where they played the Referee Angel. Leah holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance from Southern Illinois University. Their first show in Southern Illinois was in September 2023 at the Varsity Theater in Carbondale, on the same stage they were later crowned Mx. Southern IL Pride after winning every category of the pride pageant presented by Pride in Action in June of 2024. Since being crowned they have even gotten to work with 2 contestants from Rupaul’s Drag Race, Milk from Season 6 & All-Stars 3, and Widow Von’Du from Season 12. These accomplishments and so many more opportunities were helped by our wonderful community we have in Southern Illinois and especially by Korra DeVil who adopted Leah into her drag family and provided so much essential coaching and booking opportunities. 

Leah’s defines drag as “the art of queer possibility”. Drag to them isn’t about impersonation or disguising what is there, but instead revealing all of the possibilities a person can be. People are fluid and capable of dramatic changes. Drag is allowing ourselves freedom of choice and creating a space where we are free from gender norms to express every queer possibility we possess. This uninhibited space is what Leah refers to as “the fantasy” (it is so important to them that they made it their name!)

When coming to a Leah Fantasy show, you can expect Live Singing, Splits, Dancing, Sequins, and Larger than life makeup and costumes. Leah has many specialties up their sleeve, they have played live Trumpet in drag for Skyline Creek’s yearly production of Rocky Horror Picture Show Live for 3 years. Officiated a wedding, and even performed with a choir of over 50 queer individuals! They thrive on the stage no matter if it’s in a 3000-seat auditorium or a dive bar, and they are so happy to see you at their next show!