SJUPride and Hawk Hill Productions (HHP) hosted their annual Drag Show in The Perch April 19. About 250 students, faculty and staff gathered to watch performances by Mo Heart and Missshell, hosted by Taylor Cromer ’24, who also performed. 

Mo Heart, best known for competing in the tenth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Missshell, a New Jersey-based queen, did everything from lip sync performances and original songs to stand up routines and working the crowd. 

Cromer, who performed using the stage name of Jill T. Pleasure, said while she has done dance all her life, the feeling of the night’s performance was a special one. 

“It’s just pure joy going through the entire room,” Cromer said. “It makes this a community even though it’s just a performance. You all went through that experience together, that freeness of expression. I think everybody should go to a drag show sometime in their life, because it is an amazing feeling to be in a room like that and just be free.”

Dehlyla Hernandez ’25, president of SJUPride, said the drag show is a popular event that is  educational, entertaining and well-supported.

“My favorite part is seeing the queens all dressed up and looking so fantastic every single time,” Hernandez said. “We had a lot of professors coming out tonight, reaching out to us, [and] hopefully the SJU community continues to see everything that we do.” 

Caleb Datto ’26, secretary of SJUPride, said the event showed that everyone’s identities can always be explored and expressed in a fun way. 

“By having drag queens, especially drag queens of color, be welcome and performing on campus, I hope that it’s showing that St. Joe’s is really open to different expressions of sexuality and gender,” Datto said. “I hope that St. Joe’s continues to reaffirm its commitment to breaking down the gender binary and being more accepting of different sexualities.”

Attendee Caitlin Curran ’27, who had never attended a drag show before, said the event emphasized the Jesuit value of “cura personalis,” meaning care for the whole person. 

“This is part of being a Jesuit university, making sure that everyone feels represented and everyone feels seen and everyone feels heard,” Curran said. “I think that is diversity. Seeing what makes other people who they are, and embracing that and being a part of it.”

The event was open for everyone in the St. Joe’s community to attend. While there was no admission fee, Hernandez said the event was also fundraising for the Colours Organization, a Philly-based nonprofit that supports LGBTQIA+ people, by selling SJU Pride T-shirts and stickers. 

“I want people to learn who they are. [Colours is] an organization centered in Philly, they help marginalized LGBT groups,” Hernandez said. “So, hopefully, [people] get to learn a little bit more.”

Another attendee, Aidan Murray ’26, said the show was an opportunity for him and everyone attending to explore different facets of life, society and people. 

“It demonstrates that we are a place where people can find belonging, and can find acceptance and progression,” Murray said. “If we can really foster that inclusive community, we’re doing something right, and we’re making sure that we’re making progress in this world.”

Mo Heart concluded her last performance with the overarching message of “Live your truth.” These words emphasized self-expression and the importance of identity.

“It’s so good to see queerness free,” Mo Heart told attendees.

This was inspirational to be a part of for people like Curran.

“Is this something I would be brave enough to do? No. But I want to see other people do it, and if I can be a part of that, in even just a small way, it’s going to help open my mind up, [and] I’m always down to do that,” Curran said.