Check Out Phyllis Hull’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phyllis Hull.

Hi Phyllis, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In the summer of 2021, my life began to unravel. I was leaving a toxic relationship, my uncle’s brain cancer was worsening, and the lingering uncertainty of the pandemic weighed heavily on me. Everything collided in a moment of crisis that led to a major turning point: I left my job, cut ties with most people in my life, and even got rid of my smartphone. Life felt chaotic.

By the spring semester of 2022, I began to find some footing again. I took a work-study job in my college’s theatre department as a stagehand and office assistant.

But by July of that year, I realized that my campus job wasn’t enough to support me financially. I started reconnecting with my family and the few friends I’d stayed in touch with, and I picked up a job at Illegal Pete’s, a local restaurant. What I didn’t expect was that this job would spark a new passion—one that would change everything.

The Park Hill location of Illegal Pete’s hosted a weekly drag queen game night, alternating between Bingo and Trivia, hosted by the fabulous LuLu Krystals. Conveniently, Thursdays were my one consistent night off. Those game nights became my escape. I fell in love with the art of drag. I bonded with the regulars, with LuLu, and with the community that gathered there. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged—not just in Denver, but within the queer community as well.

The weekly games, the spontaneous dance-off tiebreakers—they helped me rediscover myself. One Thursday night, after a show, I sat down with the queens and shared that this was the path I felt called to pursue. Over the next seven months, I dedicated myself to developing my performance skills and crafting my drag aesthetic.

Then, on Thursday, July 20, 2023, Phyllis Hull made her debut on the open stage scene.

By November, things really began to take off. I was booked for my first official show, “Sl*t Pupz“—a showcase for emerging entertainers produced by Andrea StaxXx. I was over the moon. It felt incredible to realize that my art meant something, not just to me, but to others too. What had once been a one-person performance in the shower had become something real, something shared.

Since then, I’ve built connections with other entertainers across the city and have been getting booked more regularly. Slowly but surely, I’m building a life and a community around a form of expression that saved me—and helped me become myself again.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think there’s such a thing as a smooth road. Everyone faces struggles. We all fight internal battles that we don’t always share with others.

For me, many of those struggles revolved around not knowing who I truly was as a kid. I didn’t fit in with the boys, and I found it hard to make or keep friends. I battled depression and anxiety as a young teenager. As I started to explore and understand my identity, things became even more difficult—especially because I was attending a Christian school.

I’ll never forget my senior year. The hardest goodbye wasn’t to any classmate, but to my English teacher. Her classroom had become a sanctuary for me—a place where I felt seen and safe. Even though time has passed and that room no longer belongs to her, I still sometimes imagine myself sitting there, staring out the window overlooking the baseball field. In those moments, life feels okay again.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Here in Colorado, I’ve become known for my Taylor Swift impersonation. I love performing songs where everyone knows at least the chorus—because those are the moments when we all feel connected. Even as a kid, I knew I was destined for performance. I always imagined it would be through music, since it’s a universal language that brings people together. While I may not perform original songs, what I truly love is the ability to tell a story through them.

One of my favorite performances happened at the first show I produced last fall. As many know, life since the 2024 election has been incredibly frightening for so many people. That whole week, I had P!NK’s song “Dear Mr. President” stuck in my head. I hadn’t listened to it since high school, but it kept coming back for a reason. I decided to include it in my set—and the performance moved both the audience and the cast to tears, in the most meaningful way.

Over the past two years, I’ve achieved so much. I competed in my first state preliminary pageant and was crowned 1st Alternate for Colorado SnowQueen at Large. I’ve started hosting my own shows, drag bingo nights, and even had the honor of performing at a Drag Brunch with the Denver Broncos last summer.

Most recently, I began producing an open stage event called Level Up! at Hamburger Mary’s Denver, held every Sunday night. Level Up! is a competition-style open stage highlighting four performers each week, all showcasing their talents for the chance to return as a paid judge the following week. It’s an exciting platform for emerging artists to grow and shine.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible people who’ve helped me become the up-and-coming queen I am today. To my sisters—Addie Rall, Brenda T. StaxXx, Reina Ka$h, Sapphire StaxXx Bloomee, and Vivian Luxxx Wynters—and my drag aunties Andrea StaxXx, Faraiyah StaxXx Bloomee, Jessica L’Whor, LuLu Krystals, Minor Misdemeanor, and so many more: thank you for pushing me, inspiring me, and lifting me up.

I truly couldn’t do any of this without the support of my parents—Stephanie and Tom—and my stepparents, Frank and Julie. To my friends Cameron, Jodie, and Kebba, thank you for always being in my corner. I also want to honor my Grandpa Jim, whose love and support has been a constant in my life, and my late grandmother Phyllis—whose name inspired my drag persona, Phyllis Hull. Her memory lives on every time I step onto the stage, and I carry her strength and spirit with me in everything I do.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I never really fit in—especially not with the other boys. I was always the “weird kid” that no one wanted to be friends with. But looking back, I think some of the experiences I had—like growing up with divorced parents—caused me to mature at a different pace. I related more to adults than to kids my age, and often found myself bonding more with teachers than classmates.

I loved watching TV and playing with my dolls (like every other little gay boy!). Those were the moments I felt the most like myself. I also spent a lot of time with my mom—especially during the years when it was just the two of us. She was my world, and that time we share has shaped so much of who I am today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phyllishull.co/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/levelupsignup

Image Credits
Photos with solid white background are credited to Jay Cupcake Photography

Photo featuring other queen in green dress is Vivian Luxxx Wynters

Flyer to promote “Level Up!”

Photo featuring queens in gold and red costumes are myself and Minor Misdemeanor. Photo was taken by Brian Degenfelder.

Last photo is of myself at Drag Brunch with the Denver Broncos