What Jackie Cox's Drag Race Run Meant For LGBTQ+ Middle Eastern Representation

By Christopher Rudolph


because the Persian princess of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12, Jackie Cox took viewers on a magic carpet ride.


The New York-based, Canadian queen was a steady competitor while in the season, holding her own against her seasoned New York sisters, including Brita Filter and Jan Sport. As soon as she never won a maxi challenge, Jackie was routinely among the top-performing queens, even winning three mini-challenges.  She won over RuPaul and the judges with her over-the-top impersonation of Real Housewives star Lisa Rinna on Snatch Game, and leaned into her Middle Eastern heritage whenever she donned a American flag-inspired hijab for the “Stars and Stripes” runway challenge.


Yet the self-proclaimed “nerdy queen” noticed herself in the bottom three times. For someone with “dad moves,” Jackie killed it while in the lip-syncs, sending Widow Von’Du packin’ and bringing the residence down with Heidi N. Closet for their epic “Kill the Lights” efficiency. Ultimately, soon after a blue-queen showdown against Crystal Methyd sent Jackie back to the Big Apple, she narrowly missed out on making it to the finale.


MTV News caught up with Jackie Cox to discuss her time on Drag Race, her New York debut, and who she’s rooting for on the initial season of Canada’s Drag Race.


MTV News: whenever you realized that you could be competing against all these other New York ladies this season, what went through your mind?


Jackie Cox: Walking into this I knew Brita and Jan. I knew a little about the other New York queens, nevertheless it was more just, "Cool. I have a very different approach to drag from the rest of those females. And I'm just excited to do my thing."


MTV News: Playing Hedwig in Hedwig and the Mad Inch was the initial time that you got into drag, and then you came up with the name Jackie in college. Although once was the opening time you performed in drag as Jackie?


Jackie: the initial time I ever did drag as Jackie was the So Think You could Drag show at New World Stages in New York.


MTV News: That was the opening time?


Jackie: the initial time. My friend convinced me to do it, and she mentioned, "Just go out there and do it." And thus I paid for a Halloween-store rock-star wig and I lip-synced to “Out Tonight” from Rent. I had abs, so why not?


MTV News: Do you have a dream musical theater role?


Jackie: If we're talking dreams, why can't I play Mary Poppins? I don't have the voice for it, nevertheless why the heck not? Realistically though, I mean, I'd love to do theater. I think that, one of the astonishing things about drag and theater, is that they're both having a new renaissance. Theater hasn't been this popular since the ‘60s and, for the past 10 years, I think it's really began to come into its own. Same with drag. So, I'm excited for, basically my two preference art forms, to be finally having their moment. If anyone wants to cast me in anything, I'm very obtainable to do so.


MTV News: What do you suggest was the hardest challenge for you on this season of Drag Race?


Jackie: The hardest challenge was certainly the one-queen show. As the parameters were so vague, and we were working with the queen of one-woman shows, Whoopi Goldberg. That was the hardest challenge. Especially for the rest of my competitors in that moment, we were all, "This is it. It's us and whichever we can make happen in front of a live audience."


MTV News: That must have been super nerve-wracking. What about the political debate challenge?


Jackie: The political debate got away from all of us. None of us really knew what we were doing. And definitely, I think [judges] Jeff [Goldblum] and Rachel [Bloom] had different ideas about what they were doing. And thus, for me in that challenge, it was just about sticking with the character that I had walked in there with, because I wasn't really sure where we were going.


MTV News: How do you feel you did in Snatch Game?


Jackie: I loved that challenge. I felt like I did well in the challenge well, in the sense that it was a celebrity impersonation that would be funny and volley off of Ru and the other females. I know that that was something that Ru was looking for. So, what's so wonderful about Lisa, is that she's such a no-nonsense, outspoken person. So, it's really fun to be her, and just sort of mention whatever's on your mind as Lisa Rinna. I had a lot of fun with that.


MTV News: Have you heard from Lisa Rinna?


Jackie: Yes. She reposted all the Snatch Game on her Instagram. And, naturally, being the smart hustler she is, with swipe-ups to purchase her items. I admire the hustle.


MTV News: Are you a Housewives fan?


Jackie: Oh, fully. Love Housewives.


MTV News: What's your preference franchise? 


Jackie: I love the escapism of Beverly Hills, because their lives are so foolish. They own really expensive things that I'll never visualize in my lifetime.


MTV News: You've mentioned how you wanted to be a role model for queer Middle Eastern kids. Have you heard from any who have been watching you?


Jackie: I hear from so several queer Middle Eastern kids, and non-queer Middle Eastern kids. I noticed that my story really resonated with so several people who never saw themselves represented on screen. It's funny because there's habitually chatter online of, "Why does Jackie keep talking about this?" And then at the same time, I get so several personalized messages saying, "Thank you for talking about this." And, I think that just goes to show how representation is still so key. And there really are still so several stories to tell on TV. I think TV is the medium where we can reach the hearts and minds of people. I'm so glad I was able to be that voice and that representation. I've had people saying, "Oh, I was able to finally show my dad or my mom what drag is. You made it okay for me to share with them things about my life," That's been so meaningful to me and probably the thing I'm proudest of this season.


MTV News: What we really desire to know is have you heard from your drag daughter, Snackie Cox?


Jackie: Snackie Cox is my bestie. We text daily. She's been so astonishing. She sent me a little bit jewelry box from Tiffany's for Mother's Day. I'm really hoping that she gets on Drag Race Season 13. She'll go straight to All-Stars. She's so amazing.


MTV News: Speaking of other Drag Race franchises, you can have been on Canada's Drag Race!


Jackie: I could have!


MTV News: Are you familiar with any of Canada's Drag Race queens?


Jackie: I know Lemon from New York. She’s so talented. I can't wait to be able to see what she does this season. I know Priyanka a little as well. I'm excited to be able to see what all of these can bring. I'm just thrilled that Canada gets its moment to shine.


MTV News: Right after you left Drag Race, did you take a break from drag?


Jackie: No. I had been working a day job until the week I left for Drag Race.


MTV News: Can you mention what the day job was?


Jackie: I was an assignment manager at a retail business. Very boring. All these khaki pants that you guys visualize on TV are literally what I wore to work day-to-day. I came back from filming and I had to create some cash, so I began doing brunch shows and becoming piece of the New York nightlife scene more. That was actually sort of fun, working with Jan more. We starred in Rent together and got to know each other more off-camera. New York is such an incredible place and I'm so excited for once things reopen and our city comes alive again.


MTV News: If New York City were to magically reopen today, where could be the initial place you'd go?


Jackie: I certainly need to get some margaritas in Hell's Kitchen.


MTV News: Going into the finale, who would you put your cash on to take the crown?


Jackie: All of these have what it takes although, because she sent me residence, I’ve got to mention Crystal. I love her point of view on drag. She's so incredible. And I'm just so excited to be able to see what she brings to this finale.