Rising Stars: Meet Betty Swallows Alnite of Denver, CO

Today we’d like to introduce you to Betty Swallows Alnite

Hi Betty Swallows, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Before drag found me, I was a musical theater kid growing up in a deeply conservative, religious cult. From a young age, I always knew something about me was different. As I got older, it became clear that I wasn’t going to fit into the life that was laid out for me by my family and the church. After years of conversion therapy and trying to “fix” what they saw as a problem, I was asked to leave. That was the turning point in my life.

When I was finally on my own, I found myself in Philadelphia, trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted out of life. I was working at a nightclub, admiring the drag queens around me, but never imagining that I could be one of them. Drag was this larger-than-life thing, and I was in awe of the power and confidence the performers embodied. It wasn’t until one of those queens, who eventually became my drag mother, convinced me to try drag for myself that everything clicked.

The first time I saw myself in drag, I was stunned. Betty Swallows Stratton was born, and she changed everything. Drag gave me a voice and a purpose when I was at one of my lowest points. I felt powerful, beautiful, and alive in a way that I hadn’t for years. It was more than makeup and wigs; it was about reclaiming my identity and creating a new future for myself.

Since then, I’ve grown into my drag career, competing and winning titles like Miss Boston Pride 2017, Miss Gay Colorado USofA Newcomer, Miss Gay New Mexico USofA Newcomer, and Colorado SnowQueen. I’ve created and produced my own drag competition, So You Think You Can Drag, which is now a staple in Denver’s drag scene. But perhaps more importantly, Betty helped me realize that I didn’t need to rely on her to feel worthy. Today, Betty and I share the stage, but I’ve also come into my own as Jeremy—an out and proud gay man who’s finally comfortable in his own skin.

Drag saved me when I was at my lowest, and now it’s my mission to give that gift back to others, whether they’re on stage performing or in the audience watching. It’s been a wild journey, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey into drag and beyond has been marked by significant struggles, both personal and professional.

The biggest challenge came early in life, being raised in a deeply religious cult where I was constantly told that who I was—specifically as a queer person—was inherently wrong. For years, I endured conversion therapy, trying to “fix” something that was never broken, and ultimately, I was expelled from my community because I couldn’t conform to their rigid expectations. That moment of rejection, especially by my own family, was devastating and left me in a state of deep uncertainty. I had no support system, no direction, and no idea where I belonged in the world.

When I finally found drag, it was in a moment of survival. I was in a dark place, feeling completely lost after being kicked out of my home, forced to drop out of college, and living in unsafe conditions in North Philadelphia. Drag became my saving grace, a way to express myself creatively after being stifled for so long. But even then, there were struggles. I had to learn the art of drag while navigating the nightlife world, which, like any community, comes with its own challenges. I was a newcomer, and with that comes the challenge of proving yourself, honing your craft, and finding your place within an already established scene.

Beyond the external struggles, there were also the internal battles—learning to see myself as worthy, valuable, and capable of being loved. Drag helped me reclaim a sense of power and confidence, but it took time for me to realize that I didn’t need to rely on my drag persona to feel like I mattered. That personal growth—moving from survival to thriving—was one of the hardest but most rewarding parts of the journey.

Now, as a producer and host of my own drag competition, So You Think You Can Drag, I continue to face the challenges of building something new, staying relevant in an ever-evolving art form, and balancing the demands of the drag world with my personal life. But all of those struggles have made me stronger, and they’ve shaped me into the performer and person I am today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I wear a lot of hats, but everything I do is rooted in creativity, community, and lifting others up. I’m a drag performer, producer, pageant promoter, witch, medium, and paranormal investigator. Each of these roles has allowed me to connect with people in unique ways and build something special.

In the world of drag, I’ve found a calling not only on the stage but behind the scenes. One of my proudest accomplishments is being a pioneer for bringing new national pageantry systems to Colorado. In 2023, I was appointed Colorado SnowQueen and competed at the National Pageant, where I placed First Alternate (Second Place). That experience pushed me to give back even more to the community, so I went on to purchase and promote Colorado SnowQueen Pageantry, which now provides opportunities for local entertainers to compete on the national stage. In August 2024, I proudly crowned our first Colorado SnowCourt and helped qualify eight entertainers to compete at the national level—an achievement that means so much to me because I know how transformative the pageant world can be.

Outside of pageantry, I co-host Colorado’s Drag Royale, a reality show now in its third season on YouTube, alongside one of my best drag sisters, Minerva. The show is a local version of Drag Race, and it’s been incredible to create a platform where we can showcase the immense talent of our community. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of Ghost Hunty TV, a YouTube series featuring drag queens doing paranormal investigations. As a witch and medium, that project is an amazing blend of my love for the paranormal and my drag persona, allowing me to share my spiritual journey with the world.

What sets me apart is my dedication to not only performing but creating spaces for others to thrive. My background in theater has helped me produce shows and pageants that lift other entertainers up and give them the chance to shine. Whether through pageantry, competition shows, or paranormal investigations, I’m proud to be a part of a community that celebrates individuality, resilience, and the power of self-expression.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is that you’re nothing without the people you meet along the way. Every step of my path—from my early struggles to my triumphs in drag and pageantry—has been shaped by the support, mentorship, and collaboration of others. Drag, by its nature, is a communal art form. While it may seem like an individual performance, the truth is that you’re constantly influenced by the people around you: your drag family, fellow performers, mentors, and the audiences that cheer you on.

Whether it was my drag mother who put me in her show for the first time, the community in Colorado that welcomed me with open arms, or the incredible entertainers who inspire me every day, I’ve come to realize that none of my success would be possible without them. It’s the relationships I’ve built that have made my journey not only meaningful but possible. That sense of community, collaboration, and lifting each other up is what keeps me going and drives everything I do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @bettyswallowsalnite
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.haig
• Twitter: @BetttySwallows
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bettyswallowsalnite

Image Credits
Scotty Kirby (photo in the blue gown)
Brian Degenfelder (fantasy looking photo)

rest are personal photos