Pandora Boxx’s new dance album, BOXX, is her most personal work ever, depicting some of the struggles she has experienced in life
BY JOHN STEIN
Pandora Boxx will be at Drag Con LA this month on July 19 to promote her new dance album, BOXX, releasing Monday, July 15.
The album is her most personal work ever, depicting some of the struggles she has experienced in life. The album’s first single “Dance,” is a song she penned for the little boy she was: mercilessly picked on at school, who would come home, lock his bedroom door, flip on a Madonna cd and dance his troubles away. Pandora will perform “Dance” at Drag Con.
(For more info on Drag Con visit: www.rupaulsdragcon.com).
“I have loved music since I was a kid. It was often my escape from the world,” reveals Boxx in an interview with THE FIGHT. “Sometimes the world becomes too much and too cruel. When I was younger, it was bold and fabulous pop stars like Cyndi Lauper and Boy George who made me think being different was not just ok but something to cherish.”
Born Michael R. Steck in Jamestown, NY, she grew up with her mom, dad and younger sister and recalls her childhood being a mixed bag of nuts. “My mom was wonderful. My father, not so much.”
Michael recalls always creating and dreaming. After the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, he knew he was supposed to be on the show. “It was just a strong gut feeling. I had interviewed RuPaul years before Drag Race and at the end of the interview Ru said, ‘I hope I come across you in my travels.’ In my head, I said, oh you definitely will.” For season two, Michael, as Pandora, made the best audition video she could and it worked.
Pandora Boxx placed fifth in the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, winning the title of Miss Congeniality. She subsequently returned for the first and sixth seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Boxx has also appeared in all three seasons of the show’s spin-off series, RuPaul’s Drag U.
“I think some people may realize after listening to BOXX that I am much more than the Pandora that they’ve seen on television,” the artist reflects. “The first show aired in 2010, and I’m not even the same person I was then. Back then, I didn’t talk about my relationship because he didn’t sign up for all that. We’ve been together for almost 19 years and he’s always been there for me. Ian is my rock.”
“I think I’m at a point where I’m ready to branch out and try new things and other avenues,” Pandora continues. She has also been doing some internal work and therapy. “I think healing yourself can make your mind more open to create better artistry. I try to be more thankful of opportunities I have enjoyed and not focus on what other people have. This album has been a journey and I’m excited for people to listen to it.”
Pandora Boxx’s BOXX will be available on streaming platforms on July 15, along with its first single “Dance.” The “Dance” music video will be on Youtube.
For more info visit www.pandoraboxx.com. Follow Pandora Boxx on Instagram @pandoraboxx.
