This as-told-to essay is predicated on a dialog with Princey, a wrestler who performs beneath the identify “Completely Plastic” Pha’Nesse and did drag beneath drag mom and “Canada’s Drag Race” winner Priyanka on the HBO sequence “We’re Right here,” which is presently streaming on Max. The dialog was edited for size and readability.
I first received into wrestling once I was in diapers.
I grew up the youngest of two older brothers. Wrestling has at all times been round in my life, ever since I used to be a child. I keep in mind having the motion figures, the video video games, and the whole lot — I used to be simply obsessed.
I sort of misplaced curiosity slightly bit rising up, after which I received again into it once I was 18 or so. My mother handed away once I was 23 and I used to be simply sort of depressed, unhappy, and I used to be flipping via the channels and noticed that “Monday Night time RAW” was on. I used to be with some pals watching it and one thing simply clicked in my head: “Why aren’t I doing this?”
Rising up in Murfreesboro, being this out, proud homosexual Black man was sort of simply frowned upon. To guard myself from getting insulted or attacked, I sort of simply coated it up. And Princey was simply sort of this quiet particular person who by no means actually went round an excessive amount of, and simply did my very own little factor.
After I first began out in wrestling, I used to be so quiet and timid. And so they have been like, “You possibly can’t try this right here. You are alleged to be your self occasions 100.” And so I used to be like, “Okay. I simply received to shake off the whole lot that I held in.”
I lastly discovered my wrestling identification as ‘Completely Plastic’ Pha’Nesse
I got here throughout the Crux Wrestling coaching middle with my coach Brian Maxwell and Kerry Terrible, and got here to a category in Maxwell’s yard. I used to be simply rolling round and doing stuff and so they have been like, “You are a pure.” And I used to be like, “I’m? What?”
I simply saved coming again and studying issues each weekend. That was the principle factor taking my thoughts off the whole lot occurring up to now with my mother. I had this secure place the place I might simply be myself.
Greg Endries/HBO
I went to a present on the TWE enviornment and met all people, and simply felt an immediate connection. I used to be taking a look at their social media, and the very first thing — which is so uncommon within the South — was them being on the mic saying that TWE doesn’t condone homophobia or racism. I used to be like, “I’ve to be right here. I will work my butt off to be right here.”
After I was rising up and wrestling, I used to be so captivated by the ladies wrestlers. I simply felt like they have been wonderful, and so they might inform these wonderful tales in most likely lower than 5 minutes. I simply noticed a lot pageantry there, and a lot charisma, and I used to be like, “That is sort of drag.”
I assumed my wrestling identify was going to be “Princey,” however my coaches have been like, “Nah, not likely.” Then, my identify was going to be “The Pha’Nesse,” and I used to be like, “I like Pha’Nesse, I do not wish to eliminate that. I will drop the ‘the.'”
“Completely Plastic” was alleged to be this imply, bitchy gimmick. My coaches thought I used to be going to be a nasty man. However my first match I had in Alabama, the second I hit the stage, the group was similar to “Woooo!” And so I used to be like, “I am unable to be a nasty man. I like the group an excessive amount of. That is superior.”
So Completely Plastic stayed, nevertheless it’s extra simply this actually flamboyant character that simply loves all people.
Greg Endries/HBO
I discovered new confidence via drag and sharing my story on HBO’s ‘We’re Right here’
I used to be so nervous to do “We’re Right here.”
I did not know what the present was at first. The casting director was similar to, “That is only a docuseries that is documenting individuals from totally different walks of life.” I had no concept it will be on HBO, or any such platform!
After I discovered that this was a well-liked present, I used to be like, “Ought to I do that?” I did not inform most of my household. I feel I instructed my aunt, and I instructed my pals, and so they have been like, “Do it. I really feel such as you’re one of many individuals who do have a narrative to inform about simply the whole lot you’ve got been via in life. Perhaps you’ll be able to encourage any person who sees you, who grew up in your scenario.”
I felt like I wished to do this, as a result of it introduced me again to watching the divas and wrestling. They impressed me rising up, so I wished to be that individual for any person.
I discovered the choreography for the efficiency in three days, and once I noticed my outfit and my wig, I used to be like, “That is going to be superior. I’m within the Home of Priyanka, I am unable to look unhealthy.” She’s an superior dancer, and so I used to be like, “Okay, I received to actually get into the gig.”
And so I handled it sort of similar to a wrestling match: I do know my spots, I do know what I am alleged to right here. Priyanka was an enormous assist. It was sort of like having a wrestling coach, nevertheless it was simply my drag mother.
Now, I really feel like Princey is Pha’Nesse.
I can converse up about conditions I do not like, and I really feel like that is Pha’Nesse, that is simply me coming into my true kind. I am so glad I did it, as a result of I really feel like I by no means would have gained this form of confidence — being round these superior individuals who have been like, “You are this superior individual.”
To be trustworthy, I by no means actually believed I used to be this particular individual. However should you’re the one one doubting your self, and all these individuals say you are unsuitable, possibly you should look within the mirror.
