Ballroom Interview: Sheldon Khan

It’s Friday and I have just entered Union Station on my way home, and I’m looking for a place to sit, and then it happens. I see this young guy with a familiar face, but I have never met this guy, for a second I stand there looking really strange trying to place a face with a name. Then it hits me, its Sheldon Khan, the guy who I have seen Vogue Fem at the Evisu Ball, Inauguration Ball, and the House of Starr Ball. After introducing myself, and seeing that Sheldon Khan is really a nice guy I ask him if I can interview him for my blog, to which he agrees. What occurred first was a guarded conversation that becomes increasingly more candid about status, his house, life, and of course the Ballroom scene in general.

Sheldon first learned about the ballroom scene and voguing when he was active in SMYAL, a group dedicated to helping sexual minority youth. After some friends taught him the elements, duck walking, cat walking, hands, dips, and spins, Sheldon was hooked on learning, and mastering the category called Vogue Fem. In 2004, he made his debut at the Ebony Ball, and was unceremoniously chopped. But after that, he decided to come back and slay. Slaying has been what Sheldon has done to the competition ever since his first ball, earning the status of Statement, one step away from Legendary.

There is a peaceful and scene nature that surrounds Sheldon who when I met him was on his way to hang out with a few friends in Baltimore, which is a rare vibe to get from any 22 year old. It could be attributed to the fact that by his own admonishment Sheldon isn’t one for ballroom politics. “People think I’m shady, because when I come to a ball I’m there to compete”, unlike some people who use the ballroom scene to get vindication. When asked if he has any kids, or is the child of anyone in the ballroom scene, a deadpanned faced Sheldon responds succinctly “No”, which may be a reason why people really think he’s shady.

But being allegedly shady does not stop people from approaching him and talking to him. In a quasi-celebrity state Sheldon resides, where he has met the likes of Nicole Ray, Eve from "BET’s You’ve got Style", and Janet Jackson. Those who are involved in the ballroom scene as competitors or spectators will come and speak, sometimes to talk about the ballroom scene, Vogue Fem, but then there are also the times where allegedly straight men come and speak, about what well one can only imagine.

Throughout the conversation Sheldon came across as not necessarily a loner, but very independent, and treats the Ballroom scene as a gay hobby, which made me ask him, why did he become a Khan, why not just say a free agent? “It felt right, I fit what they were looking for, and fits me basically”, but that did not mean that at first some of his own house members didn’t see him, and he had to prove himself to them. Which he has done by being consistent, and bringing it to every battle, unfortunately the more he improved the more people that he had as friends, started to turn their backs. Some accused Sheldon of changing, others were jealous he was getting as much attention as he was, and other relationships just ran its course as they have a tendency to do in life.

What to expect from Sheldon Khan, think POCC. To keep anticipation high, I will not reveal Sheldon’s performance, but I promise from what he tells me, his competitors really need to step up their game. Sheldon is coming to provide the crowd something that people are yearning to see, creativity, and synergy. To close out the interview Sheldon and I played word association that was neither scripted nor edited.



Tim Tim Milan..................................................... Not too fond of the performance

Ayanna Khan...................................................... Beautiful

Realness with a Twist....................................... Anthony Balenciaga, he’s cool cool

Shade................................................................Derrick Allure

Judges Panel.....................................................Rigged

Deshaun Evisu.................................................Thumbs Up

POCC Ball.........................................................Fantastic

Living in DC.....................................................Getting old

Here are examples of the Shelton Khan's performance