Dashaun Wesley: The King of Vogue on How to Be Legendary

Anyone can demand the attention of a room, but no one can do it as effortlessly as Dashaun Wesley.

A lifelong dancer and performer, Wesley wows the crowds with his unique, vogue style and charismatic personality. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he was introduced to the underground, NYC ballroom scene while in high school and has gone on to become an icon within the circuit. They don’t call him “The King of Vogue” for nothing.

Not only is Wesley a dancer, but he is an actor who has appeared in TV shows including FX’s hit series, Pose, as Shadow Wintour. Right now, most notably, he is the host and MC of the smash, HBO Max reality competition Legendary. Exploring the world of ballroom culture, Legendary features eight voguing teams, or houses, competing at weekly balls, voguing, and walking in highly themed categories all for the chance to win $100,000 and the status of Superior House. Legendary puts the spotlight on talented artists serving face, body, and sickening fashions. 

OFM had the opportunity to catch up with Wesley and talk more about the show, how he got involved with ballroom culture, and how the scene has personally helped him grow and live an authentic life.

We just wrapped up Season Two of HBO Legendary. How much fun has it been being the MC of this show?
The fun I am having, it’s unexplainable because it is so random, but I get to dress up; I get to have fun with my friends who are judging on a panel, and I get to see my family and friends. Having the opportunity to be a platform this big and to explore that talent, it is so fun. It is such a good atmosphere. 

For those who have not watched, why is Legendary worth checking out?
It’s worth checking out because it is such a community. It has been seen for so many years, and now, we have an opportunity to get a directive of where its origin came from and where people get some of that inspiration. I know we have seen a lot on social media platforms like YouTube, and maybe Instagram and TikTok, but now, we are reaching in places that are unspeakable at these moments. It’s only in due time that it happened now. 

You are known as the “King of Vogue.” How did you initially get involved with ballroom culture?
I started my career exploring as a young teenager trying to find his way in a world where, during that time, there was no understanding about being an openly Black, gay man in New York City. I found a place and a standing in a community of family and friends by going to Christopher Street in the West Village, and from there, I grew a family and received the opportunity to learn this dance style. I was intrigued and kept learning from that day forward. From the first time I saw it at the age of 14, I kept going since then. 

What is something about ballroom that not many people know about?
Everyone knows that the ballroom scene is a little bit shady, but at the same time, I think people are getting the misconception that ballroom is only for a specific background or person. The scene is for everyone. As long as you come in and follow the lines of what we say when you participate in a category, anybody can walk. When people see people of color, yes, we own this community because we started this where we came from, but we will open the doors for anyone else who wants to come in. This is our community, but if you come in and follow our lines as well, you will be great.

You are also a former member of the House of Lanvin. I heard you were starting your own house. Can you tell us more about that?
Yes! At this moment, I have been a part of this scene and under the same kind of leadership for 20 years. When you learn a lot, you want to share that knowledge with others, and I believe I have enough knowledge from those who I have been under and learned from to now be able to start my own legacy and continue what I have learned. It’s only right! “The King of Vogue” is starting his own house, baby!

Do you believe shows like Legendary and Pose are boosting respect for the ballroom community and making it become more mainstream?
Definitely. Like I said, people are getting the opportunity to see us. We get chances to perform behind artists and do dance shows, but sometimes, people still never know who the individual is. Now, we have opportunities to pinpoint things and have chances to tell our stories so people can understand the origins. We watch Pose, and we are seeing what took place back in the 1980s. In our culture, we are used to that. These are things we hear every day, but to the naked eye, you never knew that there was a community who went through this just to be understood. These stories can happen and be told today because we are now in such a great place to have these conversations.

Have you always been an outgoing and extroverted person?
Definitely. I have always been outgoing, sometimes too outgoing [laughs]. I’ve always had this background of caring. I am a nurturing person, so when it comes to a lot of people around me, I care about what they do and how they feel. I was always like that growing up. 

How has ballroom helped with your self-confidence?
Number one, immediately, we are involved when you decide to participate and walk. If you ever do it for the first time, your life is shaking. I know your body is shaking and your hands are shaking, but your life shakes at that moment. You have to make a choice whether you are going to walk and face this fear or stand back and allow this opportunity to overcome you. We definitely have those chances. Still to this moment, if I walk, I still get scared, but I know what it is to overcome that moment, to get to that spot, to get what I want. As a performer, you have to have that. 

How would you say ballroom helps one’s sex appeal, body confidence, and image?
In the scene, we always try to promote; we have categories specific about what people can do and what they cannot do. One thing that we are definitely doing on this platform is letting people know that we are always about body positivity. Yes, we look for specific directives, but at the same time, if you feel that you are confident enough, and no one can tell you anything, and you can walk out there and be as confident as the person we already know who can do so well, you may have a good chance of winning. Again, if your look is together, your confidence is there, and you have the attitude and presence, you can just take the grand prize. It has happened before.

What would you say is your sexiest feature?
Oh my God, there are a few things. I love my body. I appreciate my body, that I am fit and toned, but I also love my nose. I love my smile; I love my high cheekbones. The things I feel people are talking about, I appreciate as well.

You are also an actor and recording artist. Do you have any upcoming works we should be on the lookout for?
I am actually working on some music right now. I am in the studio writing some things and making sure I am taking full ownership of what I have. I know I am doing this independently, but I still want to make sure that what I release is something that I have been working on, which I have, and is going to speak to what I want to say.

I loved seeing you as Shadow Wintour in Pose. What was your experience like playing that character?
Oh! That was like playing the character I would love to be in a ballroom scene. I had the opportunity to create this character and step up to be this person. They don’t give you the character and say, ‘You got to do this; here’s your lines; create this man.’ So, I created this man about something I don’t do in the scene. I am not a rowdy, jump-in-your-face, grab-him-up kind of person, but I am open and free to do that while being Shadow Wintour.

What more do you hope to accomplish with your platform?
One thing I always say is, when I was growing up, I didn’t have anyone who looked like me. An open figure to the public and world you can see moving in a positive light. Growing up, there was a lot of stigma going down to openly Black, gay men out there. I’m not saying just openly Black, gay men, but the LGBTQ all over the world, but for me, I did not see someone out there in the world who I could look up to. 

Now, I can be a figure for someone out there. Some little kid out there who sees that there is something that I can do better for myself by being yourself. I want to say that to a lot of youth and young adults that I know, because I used to work in the prevention field as well. I just want to be positive moving forward in life, and you can always get what you want if you go for it.

Stay connected with Wesley by following him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or visit his official website.

Photos Courtesy of Nino Munoz/CPi Syndication