© 2024 Iowa Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A Worship Leader and a Drag Queen: Chris Weaver Talks About Finding His Voice

Photo Courtesty of Chris Weaver
/
Instagram

It's been a big year for Iowans on the NBC reality singing competition "The Voice." Chris Weaver, who attended college in Pella at Central College and lived in Des Moines for the better part of a decade working as a workshop leader for Lutheran Church of Hope, is one of them. During this hour he talks with host Charity Nebbe about how he got started singing, and how he's made a career for himself working as both a workshop leader and as a performer. His drag character is named Nedra Belle. 

"It just helps me forget about what's going on in my world for a little bit," he says about dressing in drag.

"Nedra loves the Lord, but she always seems to find a little trouble," he laughs. 

During and after his appearance on The Voice, Weaver says he's received dozens of letters from parents of gay teenagers who are members of the church. He is currently working with a church in New York where last year, he organized a drag show for the holidays in the Sanctuary. He says he wants youth to feel as supported as he has. 

"If I could be a voice, and if I can be a system of support for these young people... right now I am figuring out the best capacity to do that. It's something that is really on my heart right now," he says. 

Lindsey Moon is IPR's Senior Digital Producer
Charity Nebbe is the host of IPR's Talk of Iowa