Navouny Divinne
Navouny Divinne's Story
What's your preferred name?
Navouny Divinne
What are your pronouns?
She/It
Please share with us how you identify and how you came to that understanding of yourself.
I identify as a Trans and Two-Spirit Woman. I've come to know the multitudes of me through over a decade of reflection, expression, and exploration among myself, my culture, and others. I take great pride in my cultures as a Black and Indigenous person as I develop my understanding of self through my ancestors and cultural past, present, and future.
Tell us about how your self-expression has helped you grow.
It is who I am meant to be, a human embodiment of trial, tribulation, growth, and excellence.
Where did you grow up? What was a formative experience you had in childhood that led you to where you are today?
I grew up on the lands of the Duwamish, Suquamish, and Muckleshoot peoples, colloquially known as the greater Seattle area. I grew up dancing and playing in the Salish Sea and Puget Sound waters. I grew up playing with dolls, paint, toy cars, dirt, bugs, and other animals, which all gave me the encouragement to explore and be curious, which is how I found my love for color change and expression through physical adornment.
What is a life goal that you are working on or have achieved? How has working toward this goal helped you understand yourself as an individual?
I am working on becoming a Drag Race and Dragula album. It allowed me to understand how much I love the art form of Drag, and if I play my cards right, I'll be able to be well off as an artist, which is my dream.
Who is someone who inspired you to be your true self? What was their influence on you?
Grace Jones, her ability to mix and match numerous genres and energies is a huge inspiration to how I've developed as a Drag Artist and an artist overall.
What's something that you worry about?
Being homeless and not having basic needs met overall.
What gives you hope?
The possibility of life
If you had a message for your younger self, what would you say?
Practice your art even more and take dance classes.
What's a piece of wisdom you've learned that has helped you?
Focus on your art, do the work, enjoy yourself, and stay out of drama at all costs. The people who care about you will show you time, love, care, and understanding. Always be open to learning; there are many things out of our control in this world, but you have to be good with you.
What is something you wish other people would know or understand?
I am not perfect, but I learn and am always changing. I am a human being just like you, struggling under Capitalism.