(Chelazon Leroux/Submitted)

By Libby Giesbrecht/650 CKOM News

Saskatchewan drag queen to appear on Canada’s Drag Race

Jun 17, 2022 | 1:28 PM

Growing up in small-town Saskatchewan in First Nations communities, Layten Byhette didn’t see anyone who looked like them.

“This was something I had wanted since I was a teenager watching … RuPaul’s Drag Race,” said Byhette, who now goes by the performer name Chelazon Leroux.

“I saw other queer individuals who were celebrating theirselves and their queerness.”

That was something Leroux wanted to portray too — even at age 14.

Now 22, Leroux will be proudly representing the Indigenous and Two-Spirit communities as a contestant on the upcoming third season of Canada’s Drag Race.

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In what started out as an expression of themselves through theatre in high school and evolved into the drag artform — which they showcase on their popular TikTok account, boasting almost 500,000 followers — Leroux is excited to be a Saskatoon contestant on the new season of the show, premiering July 14.

“I just ran onto set one day,” Leroux joked when asked about making it onto the show.

In all seriousness, they shared there was a lengthy application process involved to make it on as a contestant. Finding out they’d be on television was an experience too.

“It was basically like an ambush,” said Leroux, noting they’d been told there were some complications with their application and were asked to join a Zoom call.

Leroux was worried and jumped on the call. After a few confirmatory questions, show officials asked Leroux if they’d like to be on the show.

“For a second, I was like, ‘I’ll think about it,’ ” they joked. “Then I was like, ‘I’ll do it!’ ”

They called the moment “surreal” and “very exciting” before noting that the real work is still ahead.

“I was so happy to give my young self that small sample of approval,” they said about making it onto the show as a contestant.

As part of their persona on the show, Leroux will showcase their Indigenous heritage, as seen in the costuming for their promotional shots that have already been shared. In the photos, Leroux wears long braids and beaded earrings, and holds a pink shawl fringed with ribbon.

“It is who I am,” Leroux said. “I knew I wanted to represent Indigeneity in every form, whether that’s an outfit … comedy or a performance or just being me.”

They said the humour, visuals and regalia from their Indigenous culture will be prominent throughout their time on the show — intentional, because of their lived experience and cultural upbringing.

Leroux is excited to be part of this season’s cast of queens and showcasing their strengths in the “artform of drag.”