![\"headshot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Sting-Dion-headshot.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t“2026 is going to be the year I just take this whole wild thing as far as I can,” says Sting Dion.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t“2026 is going to be the year I just take this whole wild thing as far as I can,” says Sting Dion.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Sting Dion photo<\/p>\n
To call Sting Dion\u2019s multifarious lives extraordinary would be among the most unfabulous understatements of all time. Less than a decade ago, the future drag<\/a> icon, armed with an environmental science degree, was out doing grassroots organizing around climate justice<\/a> and the impact of environmental policy on marginalized communities. By 2025, she was taking home the Miss Wynwood Pride title and setting her sights on the Miss Continental Newcomer pageant in Chicago this spring, representing Miami in one of the most prestigious competitions in Greater Dragdom.<\/p>\n \u201cGoing from environmental science to being a drag queen on stages all over the world was definitely not what I originally expected from life at all,\u201d Dion tells New Times, \u201cbut I\u2019m really glad it\u2019s what turned out to be on my Bingo card.\u201d<\/p>\n These callings are not as disparate as they might initially seem: Both involve standing with the underdogs against dominant paradigms.\u00a0 \u201cIf you look at the history of queer resistance, there\u2019s always been trans people and drag queens on the frontlines,\u201d Dion says. \u201cThis line of work is inherently political \u2014 especially here in Florida<\/a>, where you have the state constantly attacking folks. As drag performers, we have a platform whether we like it or not, and it\u2019s our job to educate as well as entertain. Whether it\u2019s sexuality, gender identity, or anything else, we\u2019re here to inspire and empower everyone to express themselves in the fullest way possible \u2014 and to make sure they feel safe doing so.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Dion first embraced drag in 2018. The vibe? Very fait accompli: She had two friends who had already begun performing \u2014 Morphine Love Dion, who would eventually place fifth on Season 16 of RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race, and South Florida drag royalty FKA Twink \u2014 and a background in competitive cheerleading and theater. She signed up for a talent competition on a whim\u2026and won. She went back the next week and won again. And then, again, the week after that.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought, \u2018Okay, so this might be something I\u2019m good at,\u2019\u201d Dion says. \u201cAnd the more I do it, the more love that I have for it.\u201d That is, in part, because for Dion it is about much more than outside validation. \u201cI have never had any interest in abiding by standard gender roles,\u201d she says. \u201cGrowing up, that was always a struggle. So, to have his art form where you\u2019re able to dive deep into yourself and be whoever you are feels really special and affirming\u2026And then also you have people throwing money at you, which feels pretty good, too.\u201d<\/p>\n