'I’m really looking forward to being done with it all': Young Cork drag queen among those sitting Leaving Cert

Stephen Pierce, who is known to 80,000 followers on TikTok as Felony, will begin the State exams on Wednesday, along with twin brother Edward 

Stephen Pierce as Felony in the exam hall of Edmund Rice College in Carrigaline, Cork. Picture: Noel Sweeney

One of Ireland’s youngest drag artists is proving that even queens can’t escape the wrath of State examinations as he prepares to sit his Leaving Certificate on Wednesday.

More than 60,000 students will tackle English Paper 1 at 9.30am, the first of the State exams, which continue up to June 23. 

Among them will be Stephen Pierce, who is known to his 80,000 followers on TikTok as Felony. 

At just 16 years of age, he has already mastered the art of make-up and strutting in vertigo-inducing heels. 

However, school is a different story.

“I’m not very academic, to be honest,” he tells the Irish Examiner. 

“Art is probably my favourite subject because it’s a creative outlet. I’m really looking forward to being done with it all.” 

Staff at Edmund Rice College have been supportive of Stephen’s ambitions. Picture: Noel Sweeney

Luckily, staff at Edmund Rice College in Carrigaline, Cork, have been supportive of Stephen’s ambitions and congratulate him on his successes.

Stephen’s mum Tracey has and always be his number one fan. 

The feeling is mutual for Stephen, who heaped praise on his mum for her dedication to their family.

“When I was younger I never really understood how hard it must be to be a single mum. Once you grow up, you kind of realise how much it takes to raise a child alone, never mind twins," says Stephen. 

"My twin brother Edward will be sitting the Leaving with me and we couldn’t be more different. 

"It’s kind of funny the differences between us. We are non-identical twin brothers but the differences in our personalities are also very obvious. He likes soccer and all those kind of things and there are also so many differences in the way we present ourselves.

"We also have a two-year-old brother now named Arlo who has brought life into our house.” 

Stephen, who also has nearly 65,000 followers  on Instagram, says he will support his younger brother no matter what he wants to do in life.

Stephen is already looking past this month's Leaving Cert results and is excited about starting in Cork College of FET this September. Picture: Noe Sweeney

“I'd rather just let him do what he wants. The chances of him growing up to do drag are very slim, and I hope so, because there can't be two queens in the house.” 

Stephen, who turns 17 this month, has been interested in fashion from an early age.

“Even as a boy, I was painting myself purple and other colours. One day I did myself up to look like a clown. The writing was already on the wall when you looked at me so I think mum was just trying to figure out where I stood with some stuff. 

The most important thing to my mum was that we were happy. I have so many photos of me in the pink party wigs and princess dresses and those plastic heels you buy in pound shops. 

"Really I’ve been doing this since I was a kid — I just didn’t realise it at the time. Mum often brought me to Pride too where she would be walking me up to the queens to say hi.

“Then when I was 10 she won a competition on the radio where three drag queens came to your house and performed. Because it was covid at the time they were bringing Pride to the people. 

"That was my first time bring introduced to drag and it all kind of spiralled from there. I think I got a sense of just how creative the make-up side of it was. 

"That was what started my love for make-up because I loved the artistic element. The art of transformation is very cool. It got to a point where I was posting online and getting comments. 

Among them will be Stephen Pierce, who is known to his 80,000 followers on TikTok as Felony.  Picture: Noe Sweeney

"I'm at a point now where I'm still underage, so I can't be in the clubs performing, but I’m still enjoying the artistry side of it. 

"There are so many different types of drag and you can do it so many ways. The great thing is there is no right or wrong way to do it. I think the reason myself and other people have fallen in love with it is because you can do what you want and there are no limits.” 

Stephen is already looking past this month's Leaving Cert results and is excited about starting in Cork College of FET this September.

“I’ll be doing a creative make-up and hair course. I’d love to do special effects make-up for movies.”