Melinda Verga snatches hearts | Stories

As the first Edmonton queen on Canada’s Drag Race, Melinda Verga left viewers gooped and gagged by her charismatic performances, unique quips, nervy resilience and all-around talent.

“My job was to show Edmonton’s passion, Edmonton’s heart,” she says. “We know what kind of gems we have in the city for talent, for artistry, for intellect—and that’s not really showcased enough on a grander scale. Not much is talked about Edmonton outside of Edmonton.”

But Verga’s Drag Race adventure didn’t start quite the way she had planned. Her partner, Scott Green, suffered a stroke months before the fourth season began filming in Hamilton. Once there, she was dragged for her basic looks and lack of polish and almost didn’t make it past the series premiere. (Lucky for her, it was a non-elimination episode!)

Courtesy of Bell Media.

Never underestimate an Edmontonian, though.

Verga turned her fortunes around with her energy, meme-worthy sayings (such as “Feeling my goats!” or “With gratitude”) and knack for comedy, including an inspired impersonation of boxer Manny Pacquiao on The Snatch Game. She also wasn’t afraid to show her vulnerability—especially when Green surprised her on the show and she had to dress him in drag as part of a makeover challenge.

“You know what? It’s not always about the polish, but the heart that you bring,” says Verga.

“Edmontonians are not afraid to let their hair down and I think that’s what people really, really responded to and I’m just so happy I was able to show a lot of that. We’re not worried about how we sound or what we look like, but what we do care about is working hard and playing hard.”

While Verga ended up placing fifth in her season, she became a fan favourite. She has performed across Canada, hosted a viewing party in Chicago and performed at RuPaul’s DragCon in Los Angeles. Verga was even namechecked in a Rusical, a musical theatre challenge, in the second season of Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. The World.

“I can confidently say that my life has changed for the better,” she says. “My dreams have literally come true—from being able to travel across the country to meeting people from different cities to performing everywhere. And I can’t be more grateful for the opportunity that the show has given me.”

Verga also credits Edmonton for helping her get to where she is today. She grew up in the Philippines and moved here with her family when she was 16 years old. About a decade later, she moved to Toronto to attend fashion school.

“While I was there, I mainly got involved in pageants—making gowns, dressing girls for pageants,” she says. “When I moved back to Edmonton, there wasn’t the same pageant scene. So I thought: ‘I’m going to try drag, I’m going to try putting makeup on.’ I started watching YouTube tutorials and just kept practicing.”

Verga made her drag debut in November 2015 at Evolution Wonderlounge. Since then, she’s won several local competitions, including Mz. Gay Edmonton in 2017 and Edmonton Drag Idol in 2018.

A man, wearing an Oilers jersey, smiles as he rests his chin in his hand in a café.

Out of drag, Melinda Verga is known as Mike Derrada.

“Edmonton, our drag scene, our community is probably one of the most inclusive places in this country and on this continent,” says Verga. ”We definitely are very welcoming to new artists. Yes, we provide space for the people that have already established themselves, but we also provide space for people that are up ‘n’ coming, wanting to explore their queerness. That inclusiveness and welcoming spirit is why I’m so proud of being an Edmontonian, being queer in Edmonton. I’m just so proud to represent Edmonton anywhere I go.”

A man holds a microphone in front of a drag queen.

City of Edmonton employee Kellen Taniguchi, left, conducts a quick interview with Melinda Verga at the Edmonton Drag Festival in Churchill Square in June 2024.

Verga isn’t content to feel her goats, she also wants to create opportunities for others. She already hosts Pinay Pie, a series of showcases for the queer Filipino community, and she’s about to launch another set of events highlighting the city’s queer Asian community. “It’s time to build a bigger table and include more people,” she says.

Verga’s tips for new drag performers?

“Have fun with your art now,” she says. “Not when your makeup skills get better, not when you get better drag, but now. Take every opportunity you get to touch people, evoke something in them, because you never know when the opportunities will dry up. Live your best life now and have fun with it. Otherwise, what’s the point?”