I stared at the individual painting their eyebrows in the “get ready with me”-style TikTok video illuminating my phone. They were lip-synching to an audio about drag show etiquette over an infectious and snappy beat.
Text captions appeared at the bottom of the screen for me to read.
I’ve always wanted to try drag.
Being a woman, being disabled, I noticed the lack of rep.
The video cut forward, revealing twin strokes of fuchsia red eyeshadow, artfully flared toward their temples like flames.
I’ll be the rep then.
The final shot revealed them seated in their namesake, draped head to toe in a floor length gothic red dress with embroidered black roses. Lifting their chin, they leaned back into the wheelchair and raised a middle finger high.
I’m Hot Wheelz.
It’s nice to meet you.[1]
***
Hot Wheelz is a drag artist born and raised in amiskwacîwâskahikan/Edmonton. In drag, Wheelz uses any and all pronouns. Out of drag, their name is Rain and they use he/they pronouns. Wheelz is a self-described “disabled genderqueer monster❤️🔥♿️,” and member of the “Haus of odd 👀🖤.” Cheekily, their Instagram account is listed under Wheel & Rim Repair Service.[2]
One of the first things that I noticed about Hot Wheelz is that like myself, they come from a Filipino-Canadian family. This was a big factor that drew me to interviewing them back in 2022 for my podcast, Queer in Alberta.[3] It wasn’t until the cameras were on and we hit record that I realized we were both biracial Filipino-Canadians. It’s an experience that I’ve found exceedingly rare for most of my life and the interaction we captured remains very dear to me, just like Wheelz.
This article will reference the original 2022 interview in addition to a second interview that I did with Wheelz in March 2025. It is my honour to introduce you to an unapologetically authentic drag artist whose creative labour and advocacy is helping establish Edmonton as a home for world class, accessible drag.
“Being able-bodied is temporary. . . We’re all gonna reach a point where our bodies start falling apart. I think it’s very important that we have accessibility everywhere we go because at the end of the day, we’re all going to reach a point where we need it.”
– Hot Wheelz[4]
During our time together, Wheelz told me candidly about the chronic pain and mobility differences they have experienced their whole life, including their Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) diagnosis.
“There’s this thing called Alphas in your body. They protect you from white blood cells. White blood cells protect you from anything that enters your body, but [with AAT] they won’t stop. They will begin attacking your literal lungs.”[5]
They also explained that they were an ambulatory and bi-mobile wheelchair user, terms that I was hearing for the very first time.
“My wheelchair helps me with my breathing. Almost because I’m not walking or running and dancing around the stage and I’m not having an asthma attack. My wheelchair isn’t just because I have body pain, it’s because of my entire body. I think it’s important for people to realize that there’s a huge, vast majority of different things that could be the reason someone is in a wheelchair.”[6]
Today, Hot Wheelz is widely celebrated as one of the first ambulatory wheelchair users to join the Edmonton drag scene. They’re also known for their intricately detailed makeup and deliciously macabre costuming. Wheelz’ career ignited when after only four months of performing as a drag artist, they won Pageantina, a friendly competition drag show hosted by LaDonna Stone at Evolution WonderLounge (Evo). In 2024, Wheelz brought home the title of Entertainer of the Year and rose to new heights on Canadian television, representing Edmonton on season four of CBC’s Canada’s a Drag. During our most recent interview, Wheelz highlighted the challenge of striking a balance between their ambitions and their health.
“The major aspect is trying to pace myself alongside doing this. My health has been a major aspect of my journey and trying to navigate that. Especially at a young age and trying to enter any form of labour or workplaces. It’s been incredibly difficult even in school. . . I think my biggest thing that I was pushing for when I started drag was accessibility and accommodations for those that struggle more so than able-bodied people. I’ve made this joke often: my goal is to turn the corporate ladder into a ramp.”[7]
Drag has brought Wheelz a sense of empowerment and satisfaction in being seen and received as their whole self. They seem to be the first wheelchair user regularly doing drag in Edmonton. Wheelz told me there are other layers of disabled representation out there too, though.
“There [are] a lot of performers that have invisible illnesses. Illnesses that […] they’re falling under the radar. I don’t know how to put it but it’s not as visible for other people to see.”[8]
Wheelz then told me about their friend and fellow drag performer, Romulus.
“My friend Romulus has been doing drag far before me and was so excited to see me. They’ve been waiting for someone like me and some of my friends to appear in the scene and really pioneer disability performers . . . I wasn’t expecting it at all and honestly, Romulus has been my biggest supporter and almost my mentor. They’re the reason I even got my debut show. It felt so good to have someone look out for me and guide me through this that has more experience than I do, and who is just so excited to see a wheelchair user hit the scene. It just meant the world to me.”[9]
Simply by being visible, Hot Wheelz was able to break boundaries and create representation. They continue to reshape sentiments for audiences and performers alike of what drag can be.
I closed our second interview with a question about the future.
“I’m actually planning on going to fashion school,” they gushed. They told me about how accommodating the school was willing to be with them and how much joy this new opportunity gave them. The excitement was infectious.
My last question was for younger Hot Wheelz. Gently, I asked if Rain had anything he wanted to say to her. His voice broke with audible emotion on the phone.
“Little Hot Wheelz… she’d be so happy. . . I was just this little kid that was suffering from chronic illness for 10 plus years of my life. So half of my life, facing so much adversity and pain and feeling so alone. I used to quote it as being trapped in my little tower because that’s how it felt, growing up feeling so alone. Being here and doing drag and having my own life, never thinking I’d ever move out on my own and having a career… it just literally fills me just with so much happiness. Everyday I’m more scared of my own mortality. I have a lot of health problems and I always worry, but every day means so much. I try to cherish every moment I can.”[10]
It’s no surprise that audiences across Alberta have responded to Hot Wheelz and their art as a disabled performer and wheelchair user with such fervor and enthusiasm. Armed with charisma, a flair for mischief, and their genuine heart, Hot Wheelz has continued to shape Edmonton’s drag community as a more inclusive space. Their drag is a vibrant splash of colour in Edmonton that holds true to the message at the heart of their original videos. Anyone can do drag.
[1] Hot Wheelz (@hotwheelzbaby28), “Hey I’m hot wheels!! Press some buttons for me darlings,” TikTok, March 7, 2025, https://www.tiktok.com/@hotwheelzbaby28/video/7072537134908853509
[2] Hot Wheelz (@hotwheelzbaby28), Bio, Instagram, 2025, https://www.instagram.com/hotwheelzbaby28/
[3] Hot Wheelz, “Queer in Alberta, Telus Storyhive Season One Episode 2 – Hot Wheelz,” Interview by Kels Valenzuela Delamarter. Queer in Alberta, December 22, 2022, 18:05 – 20:19, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxficvgXcPg
[4] Hot Wheelz, Phone interview with author, March 19, 2025.
[5] Hot Wheelz, Interview with author, 2022.
[6] Hot Wheelz, Interview with author, 2022.
[7] Hot Wheelz, Phone interview, 2025.
[8] Hot Wheelz, Phone interview, 2025.
[9] Hot Wheelz, Phone interview, 2025.
[10] Hot Wheelz, Phone interview, 2025.