Ada Vox
By Denny Patterson
Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Ada Vox is an accomplished vocalist, songwriter, and drag queen who found tremendous success by pushing boundaries as a contestant on hit singing competition series. In 2018, she became the first drag performer to land a spot in the Top 10 on American Idol, and, most recently, she competed on World of Wonder’s Queen of the Universe, the first-ever drag queen singing competition. Although she did not win the crown, she did win the hearts of fans worldwide.
With a powerful voice and dynamic stage presence, Vox continues to stun crowds with her live performances, and she has sparked several conversations about LGBTQA+ representation and the readiness to see a drag performer on a mainstream television program. Cultivating a resounding sense of self-love, acceptance, and community in everything she does, Vox lends her voice to numerous fundraisers and charity events including the Human Rights Campaign and San Antonio AIDS Foundation.
Vox took some time to answer some questions for OutClique.
Denny Patterson: I would like to begin by talking more about your appearance on World of Wonder’s singing competition, Queen of the Universe. How incredible was that experience for you, and what did you take away from it?
Ada Vox: Truly, the experience on Queen of the Universe was everything that I wanted it to be and more. Just the fact that I had always dreamt of a platform where I could do what I do as a singer, which of course now includes being Ada as my artist presentation, I had been waiting for this platform to come along, and I never knew if it would. Suddenly, I heard about this competition, and I said, this is going to be my new home. As soon as I got to London to film, that’s exactly what I felt.I felt at home every step of the way.
DP: I read that your spot on Queen of the Universe offered you a chance to get the redemption you were seeking. What redemption is that?
AV: I felt like I didn’t get to really prove everything that I had while competing on American Idol, and this was an opportunity for me to show this fully developed version of what I do and who I am as an artist, both visually and musically. I actually got to be proud of what I did for the very first time in a very long time. So, the redemption I was seeking was the opportunity to say I wasn’t done yet and there’s more to me. I feel like I got to show that on Queen of the Universe.
DP: Have you always had a passion for singing?
AV: Yes! Singing has always been what I do. I was raised by a mom who had a passion for singing, and my grandma was always singing. I was raised with 8-tracks and CDs being played to absolute death, to the point where they would not play anymore because they were worn out. I was constantly surrounded by the positive influence of music and the feelings that it brought, and all of that led me to not just singing, but pursue it as a professional career later down the line.
DP: When did drag come into play?
AV: Drag came into play seven years ago just after my 21st birthday. My birthday is May 17, and my first show was June 1. That was Ada’s birth, and drag came into play because it offered me new opportunities to sing and share my music in front of new audiences. It also allowed me to be understood and represent the LGBTQ community as a leader. I was like, I think I found my power. It’s not something that I was ever lacking internally, but it was something that I couldn’t see a lot of the time. It made me put this powerful diva to the forefront, and it allowed me to give a real life personification to this diva.
DP: You skyrocketed to fame by competing on American Idol in 2018. This was your 13th time auditioning?
AV: Yes, and that wasn’t the only show I auditioned for either. As of 2021, I officially hit 13 times as well for America’s Got Talent and The Voice. I’ve tried out for The X Factor, The Glee Project, Rising Star – every single show that there has been that has offered a platform for singers, I have auditioned for it. I’ve even submitted auditions overseas for shows like Britain’s Got Talent and such. I don’t give up.
DP: What made you audition for American Idol as Ada?
AV: I have auditioned so many times as me, and I have been doing drag for about three years or so at the time, I kind of felt comfortable enough to say, maybe this is what’s going to turn the dial a little bit. I was never told anything like you’re not a good enough singer or you’re not talented enough. However, I was always told you’re not attractive enough, you’re not marketable enough, we don’t know what to do with your sound because it doesn’t match the way you look. I was like, if I go in drag, they cannot turn me away. I’m a great singer, that’s never been in question, but now that would have a storyline, and shows cannot turn down a storyline! I told myself, I’m going to make it if I go in drag, but am I ready for this? I was used to being me, but being Ada on this public of a platform, am I ready for this? I had in mind the things I would be told and the things I would be presented with, but after assessing everything, I was ready. I could do this. First time as Ada, let’s make it to the top!
DP: It clearly paid off because you became the first drag performer to advance to the show’s finals, making the Top 10 of your season. How significant and meaningful was that for you?
AV: That landmark in itself, with or without Ada, was a dream of mine from the show’s inception. I can’t even explain the sense of accomplishment that I felt upon finally hearing my name, or Ada’s name, being announced. I finally felt like I was on the right track to achieve dreams that I had been working on for so long.
DP: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
AV: My thing with creating Ada was the idea that I could create a personification of the diva that I had within, so my biggest influences have always been the divas. The Patti LaBelles, the Aretha Franklins, the Melba Moores, all those divas out there that are known for being powerful and vocally slaying. The Mariahs, the Christinas, just because they’re so fearlessly using their voices to be incredible and to spread a message. I don’t think there’s anything more that I could have ever hoped for other than to become Ada and pay tribute to those divas who have inspired me.
DP: You have already released three singles. Do you have any music projects in the works?
AV: I actually have so much music written, but I’m just waiting for the right moment, the right resources, and the right team for us to be able to put it out into the world and make it as big and impactful as possible. These next steps are going to be some of the most important in mapping out the rest of my career. We’re taking this very seriously and very carefully so that we know exactly what road we’re going to take. I have a good roadmap of where I want to go and a lot of music is ready, but it’s just a matter of making it happen. We’re working on it slowly but surely.
DP: Will you be performing in South Florida anytime soon?
AV: Off the top of my head, I don’t know if there are any tentative dates. However, I am hoping so. I have done Florida quite a few times, so I’d say there’s a 100 percent chance of me being back this year. Maybe twice.
DP: Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you would like to mention or plug?
AV: I do have some expected release dates, so stay tuned to my socials and my website, and I’ll make sure to post everything all the time!
Stay up-to-date and connect with Vox by following her on Twitter @#TheVoiceOfDrag, Instagram and TikTok @AdaVox, or visit her website, AdaVoxOfficial.com.
