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PhilEsha "Cheesesteak" DeLox 

He/Him/She/They & That Bitch

Philly gave me grit, Hell’s Kitchen gave me glitter, and together that created a menace in heels. You want it Wit or Witout? (And I ain't just talkin’ bout cheesesteaks;)

Pride Through Protest” is a reminder that my existence—in all its queer, fabulous glory—is a radical act. It means showing up, speaking out, and standing firm, even when the world says I shouldn’t. My pride is my protest—not just against a fascist government targeting our trans siblings and erasing our history, but also against the inner voice that once whispered I wasn’t enough. Protest doesn’t always look like a picket sign; sometimes it’s nails at the meeting, makeup on Monday, and the quiet power of saying without words, ‘I’m here. I’m queer. And I’m only going up.

PhilEsha gave me permission to escape—to numb, to party past the pain, to perform like everything was fine. But what once felt like freedom slowly became a trap. Competing in Royalty in Recovery marks a turning point: an invitation to step back into the spotlight with clarity, grace, and power. I’m showing up as the fully present, gender-fluid queen that I am—no substances required, just truth, glitter, and groundedness. I’m not just reclaiming my drag—I’m reclaiming my peace. Today, I handle situations that used to baffle me with a calm crown and a clear mind.💅👑✨

Recovery has completely reshaped my life—and my identity. I had to reevaluate everything: friendships, habits, my relationship with myself. All the nouns had to go. (Yes, all the nouns—lol.) But in that clearing came clarity. I’m now building something new: CoopedUP, a creative consultancy that uses storytelling to transform how companies communicate from the inside out. This isn’t just about sobriety—it’s about evolution. Not an American Revolution, but an American Evolution. And I get to show up for it—clear-headed, heart-first, and fully myself.

My first job was as Cookie Monster, The Count, Bert, and the shortest Big Bird working at Sesame Place. I once sweat off 7lbs of sweat in one day in the heat. 

The only answer is Tandi Iman Dupree - "I'm Holding Out for a Hero." OUCH! but freaking fabulous!

Strong women have always inspired me. Starting with my mother, the matriarch of my family and overall bad ass. Working as a chemists as a woman in the 80's and 90's fighting the BS sexism and overcoming all of it with secruing multiple patents. I then think about my highschool english teacher who taught us this quote "Well behaved women rarely make history." – Laurel Thatcher Ulrich