Today we’d like to introduce you to Lana Luxx.
Hi Lana, 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?
My name is Landon Patterson. Everybody calls me Lana. I really got my start in the social media and activism world when I was in high school. I was the first trans woman to win homecoming queen in Missouri at Oak Park High School. I started my social and medical transition in high school, so getting that acceptance so early on and me winning homecoming queen going viral and being protested by the Westboro Baptist Church really catapulted me into the public eye.
When I was just 18 years old, I started working at Hamburger Mary’s. I started as a host and waitress. It was so amazing. I was now surrounded by so many queer people and the drag shows were amazing at the time. I was just working as a makeup artist at Sephora and going to aesthetician school to get my license, so while I was also serving there, the opportunity to perform came up, which I was hesitant about in the beginning because I never knew that trans women could do drag. As a trans woman, the last thing I wanted at the time was people to think I was a man dressing as a woman. The more I was exposed to it, though I realize there were so many trans women that did perform and have been performing, so with my cheerleading background and show choir background, I decided to do my first show, and the rest is history! I really worked my way to the top and put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to get where I am now. I can proudly say that I am a full-time entertainer, which is wild. I know I’m on cast at all our major bars in Kansas City. I have created all trans-casted events like my show Body Euphoria at Woodys KC. I have my own brunch every month in Lee Summit at Bricks Pub. I have gotten to do some of the coolest Taylor Swift events and travel to other cities and states because of my illusion as well as I am your current reigning Miss Georgia Premiere Continental. It’s crazy looking back cause performing and doing drag was just something I jumped into for fun and a hobby an it has quickly turned into my purpose and career.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has been definitely bumpy. Coming out as transgender was incredibly challenging at first, and it took a lot of time and effort to educate my family. Of course, they are now incredibly accepting and my biggest cheerleaders. My mom has come to many of my shows and competitions, and has supported me in every way possible. She has came with me to all of my gender affirming surgeries. Drag has also been a journey. I started at 19 and working my way up definitely took time. I had to perform a lot of gigs for free. As a young trans woman, I was constantly trying to prove myself, especially since I wanted to take up space in the drag industry. There weren’t many trans women in leadership roles or taken very seriously, so I made it a huge goal of mine to take up space. As I got more successful, though I feel like I’ve also gotten some hate as well or people that like to discredit me, which is normal, but it’s also hard because I try my best to make everyone happy or at least I want to I have learned though that that’s not possible and baby if you got haters, you’re doing something right! Another huge struggle for me along the way was really embracing who I am as a person and not just this perfect Barbie. It was really important for me to embrace my Japanese heritage. Especially because my grandma, Teiko, passed away right before I won homecoming queen. So she never really got to see the woman I’ve become or the performer. I am so incorporating my heritage is so important to me.Another significant challenge I faced was truly embracing my true self as a person, rather than conforming to the idealized image of a Barbie doll. It was crucial for me to honor my Japanese heritage, especially since my grandmother, Teiko, passed away just before I was crowned homecoming queen. Consequently, she never had the opportunity to witness the woman I’ve become or the performer I am today. Incorporating my heritage into my life holds immense significance for me. That’s why I am called “KC’s Japanese Barbie”.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
So now that I’m a full-time drag entertainer. I am on cast at Hamburger Marys where I host every first and third Friday and fourth Saturday. Fourth Saturday is real special for me too because it is our all Tran casted drag show. I get to do brunch there and even hard candy events where RuPaul’s drag race queens are brought in. Marys is my first home so it’s always been so special for me as they really do believe in me and my ideas so there are I have gotten to produce all of our Taylor Swift drag shows an album release parties. I work at Q bar as well where me and my good friend Kerry Grant are in charge of glitterati Fridays. It has been really fun to be part of something so new and needed for our community as well as being in a leadership role in helping book and run something that’s ours. That is every Friday so I usually will pop in when I can or go after Marys then I also am on cast at Missy B’s. That’s my other home bar. I am on the Saturday night cast, but I am also the host of Luxx Sunday, which is every Sunday! Getting to have a show that is every week is one of my favorite things and prolly something I’m so proud of an put a lot of work in to! Every month we do a themed show that is always a fun time!
Last year, I decided to finally venture into pageantry and competed for the title of Miss Continental. It was my first year ever, and I managed to make it into the top five and secure the fourth-place overall ranking. This experience has been incredibly transformative, providing me with valuable insights into myself and my aspirations. Now, I am more motivated than ever to continue pursuing my dream of becoming Miss Continental. In 2025, I am determined to return to the competition, this time I won the preliminary rounds and became the current reigning Miss Georgia Premiere Continental.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I would say for anyone just starting out whether it’s transition or drag remember it is a journey NOT a race!! So give yourself grace! Nothing is gonna happen overnight so stay present and enjoy every step along the way. When you get to the places you want to go you’ll be amazed at how long ago where you started seems! My other advice is to just be kind!! Everyone you see on the way up you’ll see on the way down a you want people to remeber you for your kindness at least!
Pricing:
- Reach out for booking info! Shows, private gigs, birthdays, bachelorettes, divorces! You name it!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landonpatterson?igsh=MXVxdG5vODQ5d2lxZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AzRppRfSF/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Twitter: https://x.com/thelanaluxx?s=21
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@landonpatterson9148?si=R6GT7hvbg1s-XPPa
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelandonpatterson?_t=ZT-8xhFmvdmIA9&_r=1
