Hey Wndrby!
Hi! My friends call me Kevyn, but you can call me WNDRBY.
Growing up as a little black boy in southern Louisiana, I was often reminded of society’s expectations of me… but I never really met those expectations. I was a little too soft, too flamboyant, and wasn’t interested in the same things as most boys my age.
I used to think there was something wrong with me and that if I could just change who I was, I’d be able to fit in and be “normal” like everyone around me. But, why would I want to do that?
I kept to myself, for the most part, often hiding behind a pair of headphones. I knew that I could always find a song that resonated with how I was feeling even when I thought no one else could.
Looking backI’ve always had a love for music. In the deepest part of my heart, I quietly held on to a dream that one day I would be able to create music and share it on stages around the world. More than anything, I wanted to be seen and heard for who I knew I was instead of having to water myself down for those who thought my dreams were too big.
I almost let them talk me into majoring in Computer Science… I mean… “Can you really make money in music?” I was worried too, but I went on to graduate from LSU with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. While I’m sure my bank account would be happier with 1’s and 0’s, the binary never really worked for me…
I knew that I wouldn’t be happy unless music was a part of my everyday life.
I thought that teaching music would be close enough to living my dream while still being able to make enough money to pay the bills. I loved working with students and helping them unlock their potential, but was I living up to my potential? I heard my students talking about their dreams and aspirations and it reminded me that I was still holding back...
That quiet dream that I held in my heart was getting louder and louder and I knew that it wouldn't stop eating away at me until I did something about it.
Cue Ms. Contraire…
Laveau Contraire
Laveau Contraire is a Drag Queen Extraordinaire.
She has been putting audiences under her spell since 2015, and strives to bring magic and wonder to the hearts and minds of everyone she touches. Shortly after starting her drag journey, Laveau was crowned the winner of Tumblr’s Drag Race Cycle 7 and hosted and produced Cycle 8. Determined to translate her success to the “real world” Laveau was crowned Miss Appletini 2017 at her first pageant ever. Since then, Laveau has expanded her artistry to include hosting, producing, live singing, original music, celebrity impersonations, improv, drag mothering, drag wrestling, and is always looking to expand her horizons. Laveau is passionate about making drag accessible to audiences of all ages and often participates in Drag Queen Storytime events throughout New Orleans. Known for her non-stop shenanigans, this good witch is sure to bring down the house.
Whether she's falling from the sky or into your hearts,
Laveau won’t stop until she reaches the top!
Laveau was a dream come true. She’s fearless, tenacious, and overflowing with magic. It was almost enough to be the Clark Kent to her Superhero, but it still felt like a mask. Why did I need a wig and 3 pounds of makeup to feel like I was being 100% myself?
I decided that in order to truly live my dreams, I was going to have to take what I had learned from Laveau and apply it to the parts of me that were still afraid to be seen.