Indianapolis, IN

Ciara Myst is Indianapolis’ shapeshifting superstar on social media, too

Published

3 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Ciara Myst is Indianapolis’ shapeshifting superstar on social media, too

This story is part of IndyStar’s ongoing series highlighting local influencers. Got a favorite you want to see featured? Nominate them here.

In reality TV’s modern era, the end of the competition is far from the end of the game. The real work for contestants begins outside the TV bubble, phone back in hand and internet access restored.

Social media is where reality TV contestants like Ciara Myst can hit their stride. Indianapolis’ “shapeshifting superstar” finished 11^th on season 18 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” but Myst, a Purdue University graduate and Indianapolis resident with roots in Indy Drag Theater, has since parlayed deep Indy roots and momentum from the show into steady work and new projects capped with a headlining performance at this year’s Indy Pride.

Ciara Myst, 32, is a drag artist who gained a national profile as a contestant on the most recent season of “Drag Race,” the Emmy-winning reality competition show where drag performers contend for the title of America’s next drag superstar. With a lifelong love of drawing, comic books and horror movies and a background as a special effects makeup artist, Myst began experimenting with drag while still living in Atlanta. She moved to Indianapolis during the pandemic and quickly became a staple in the local drag scene, building her resume for years before getting the “Drag Race” nod.

With a lifelong love of drawing, comic books and horror movies and a background as a special-effects makeup artist, Myst first tried drag in 2019 while living in Atlanta and began pursuing it seriously in 2021. She moved to Indianapolis during the pandemic and quickly became a fixture in the local drag scene.

Since the show, Ciara Myst has ramped up her already-active Instagram account (@the_ciara_myst) and YouTube channel (@the_ciara_myst) taking fans behind the scenes of her drag. She sat down with IndyStar to dish on her “Drag Race” experience, her rules for handling online hate and why she’s sticking around in Indianapolis for a while.

This interview has been condensed and edited for length and clarity.

Question: How did you get started in drag? What were those early days like?

Answer: I started as what you might call a “bedroom queen.” I was on YouTube doing a series called “Dabbling in Drag” where I was, every month, building a look head to toe, curating and art directing a photoshoot as a way to propel my own artistry and challenge myself beyond just, “What could I do if and when I want to do this?” Having that schedule and challenging myself to do something new every month is really what built Ciara Myst aesthetically from the ground up.

It wasn’t until all of the Covid bans were lifted that we started to convene with the community here. Being a transplant from Atlanta meant we didn’t know a lot of the folks in the queer community yet, so we were eager to make those types of connections. It was through an organization called Indy Drag Theater that my partner and I auditioned for “Into the Woods.” That was the gateway for us to meet so many other artists in the community as well as for me to start my performance career here. I had been a performer on stage my whole life, so that was not something new to me. That unlocked the ability for me to engage with the community at large. Then it was performing at Almost Famous, it was hosting gigs. From there it was just sort of, “I’m really loving this. How can I continue to expand on this?”

You’re consistently active on social media, and you post plenty of behind-the-scenes content and fun extras. Where do you get the inspiration for these ideas, and do you consider yourself an influencer?

I love creating content. I’ve always loved YouTube. I’m a millennial, so YouTube was kind of the bread and butter of what we were doing with the little handi-cam, just throwing videos together. That aspect of capturing art for fun and sharing it with others was something I always enjoyed. Starting drag, I was like, “This is a place where I can do this.” It became sort of my first stage.

The title “influencer” feels a little strange to me. For folks out there who want to be an influencer, just be yourself. Any influence that I have on other folks is just a byproduct of my artistry and being who I am. I don’t want to persuade people to go and buy something.

As social media and content creation and influencing have all become these career paths, drag queen trajectory has also found itself on that path. In order to have longevity, there is now an entire digital platform that most people have to curate. Historically, it was bar performances or theater venue or cabaret or whatever. The digital audience is just a new avenue for folks to perform.

We have to talk about “Drag Race.” How was your experience on the show? Was it strange to see yourself on TV in real time?

“Drag Race” was some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. It sounds so cheesy, hokey pokey to say that, but I think so many people assume that you go on this TV show and you either come home a winner or you come home traumatized. For me, I was neither. It was like summer camp in the best way possible. To go no phones, which was a gift, and create art every day with a group of artists that I adore and that have become my best friends was such a special, unique experience.

When you go to “Drag Race,” you relinquish a lot of control in the challenges and what you’re doing, in how you’re going to be presented to the world and how the world is going to react to you. Those are three layers that you sacrifice control, and those things define how the world is going to receive you. It’s a very unique, liberating and challenging experience to say, “I have to be comfortable with whatever happens on this, and I have to be myself no matter what.”

“Drag Race” is an exciting opportunity, (but) it is a gig. We (the season 18 cast) approached it like, “Yes, this is a great platform. It is an exciting opportunity. It is also a job. It’s a gig.” Folks maybe assume that you go on this show and your whole life is changed and you move to New York, you move to LA, you’re in Hollywood and “Drag Race” is giving you all of these things. Those people worked to get those things. “Drag Race” was just an introduction for us.

“Drag Race” comes with a very engaged fanbase. How did you handle all the sudden attention online as your season was airing, specifically negative comments?

Indianapolis Drag queen Ciara Myst shares her top three accounts to follow

Indianapolis Drag queen Ciara Myst shares her top three accounts to follow in a video highlighting her favorite creators and influences

You have to create very intentional boundaries. And you will not do that. You will break your boundary, and then you will get your fi-fi’s hurt, and then you’re like, “That’s why I needed to create that boundary.” We’re excited by the idea of like, “Oh my gosh, I want to hear what people think about this.” There is an overwhelming amount of positive, but the loudest voices online are the ones who are passionately disgruntled, who have access to a computer and a lot of free time and need to turn in their homework.

There was an excitement when this project was coming out, and then very quickly you are exposed to the negative comments about you or anything that you do. It can be very discouraging, so a lot of us talked about ways to create digital boundaries around what types of comments could come into our feed, what types of comments we could see online, what types of websites could we access. That way, when you’re kind of lonely and you’re like, “What did people think about this?” Your internet is like, “Baby, we set the boundary months ago. You don’t need to look for this.”

I treat my internet like my house. If you want to come to my house, knock on my door and tell me, “I hate that thing that you did, and I think you’re ugly and terrible at makeup.” That’s pretty bold. Most people feel very safe to do that in a digital way. Don’t come to my house and leave hate mail. Don’t graffiti my wall. Don’t leave negativity here because I don’t have room for it.

Your drag is very intertwined with political activism. Was this always a goal for you?

In school, we were always taught to be aware of politics. It wasn’t something that I was necessarily as staunchly involved in as I am now. I think the first segue was coming into my queerness and realizing that there is an importance to your community, to your fellow people that comes being queer. A lot of that is respect for the history of where we come from and the people who fought for access to things that I can take advantage of now.

I think drag just doubled down on it. When I think about the people who were the pillars of the community or the pioneers, it is the trans people who come before us. It is the drag queens. It is the drag artists. Drag offers the community a reason to gather. When it comes to spreading information, sharing education, sharing resources, drag shows were the place to do that. I knew if I was to participate in the art form of drag, it couldn’t just be to be the most beautiful person in the room — that’s just a given. It had to be a commitment to championing the causes of queerness and being an ally to all other marginalized communities.

Reality TV contestants often move to New York or Los Angeles after their shows air in search of bigger opportunities, but you’ve remained in Indianapolis. Why?

BeelzeBabe is a fabulous king here in Indy, and he said, “They already have it in New York. They already have it in LA. Why should the people of Indiana or wherever not have access to amazing art just because they don’t live in one of those hubs?” I thought that was such an astute answer because people here crave creativity. They crave art.

The philosophical answer is that we need great art here in Indiana, and I would be humbled to be a part of that. And I’ve been so privileged to participate in amazing art here already. The practical answer is we’re just a hop skip out of “Drag Race.” People think you go on TV and you’re a millionaire. That reality is not true. We are still building and growing our work and our business. Where that takes us is to be determined, but the home right now for us is Indianapolis, and I love that. I have a drag family here. I have an amazing community here. To choose to take a chance and move on the “what if” of where we go doesn’t feel as enticing as somebody who’s in their 30s.

You’ve said you want to help revitalize the Indianapolis drag scene. Have you seen any progress, and do you think your “Drag Race” run is helping the city gain traction?

In decades’ past, we had many other avenues for drag to happen in Indianapolis. That’s simply not the case anymore.

There are so many systemic things that need to adjust in order to make Indianapolis a sustainable hub for drag artistry. We’re at such an interesting crossroads where there’s so much drag but there’s so few places for people to consume it. The younger folks who are excited about drag on TV, they’re not as excited about going out in public, or going to a bar and paying cover as they are gathering with their friends and watching it on TV. Live drag, local drag is suffering, especially under the current climate.

I was hopeful that we would see more excitement come out of my TV appearance, and we did see that. That’s the change that brought me a lot of joy. There were more folks who found pride in Indiana than maybe there were before. We saw people have that passion and enthusiasm when they knew there were Hoosiers on TV. The trick is how to capture that all the time. It’s not just the Hoosiers on TV, it’s the Hoosiers who are performing Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday at your local bar.

Fast facts: Who is @the_ciara_myst?

Name: Ciara Myst

Age: 32

Hometown: Indianapolis

Content: Drag, makeup, fashion, pop culture

Favorite Indy spots: Tsaocaa, Beauty 4 U, Monon Trail

Three local creators she recommends: Indy Drag Theater (@theindydragtheater), Haus of Diva, Pancha’s Penthaus (@penthaus69)

Advice to potential creators: Be yourself, and don’t give any energy to the negative comments.

Contact IndyStar Pop Culture Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@indystar.com. Follow her on X @hmb_1013.

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Indianapolis, IN

Businesses await next steps after Braun ends diversity program

Published

2 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Press Room

Businesses await next steps after Braun ends diversity program

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A business owner on Thursday said programs like Indiana’s now-discontinued Supplier Diversity Program get minority-owned businesses into the room.

Pierre Dunn owns DC One Connect, a construction contractor already certified as a minority-owned business by the city of Indianapolis.

Dunn says that certification helped him get a $3.5 million contract for the new IU Health patient care tower, among other projects. He said he was scheduled for an interview with the Indiana Department of Administration on Wednesday afternoon to get a state-level minority business certification. He learned early Wednesday morning that the interview was canceled.

“I gave him a call, and he said at this point, I was told to cancel all interviews,” Dunn said of his conversation with the person he was supposed to interview with. “And it was pretty quiet, and he said that’s all he could say at this point. It was shocking.”

An order from Gov. Mike Braun, issued Tuesday, backed up by an opinion from Attorney General Todd Rokita released the following day, ended Indiana’s Supplier Diversity Program in favor of a new Indiana Small Business Program, which is directed “to promote and facilitate the use of qualified Indiana small businesses in state procurement.”

Under the old program, the state had a goal of awarding 8% of state contracts to minority-owned businesses, 10% to women-owned businesses, and 3% to veteran-owned businesses.

The Indiana Department of Administration told “News 8” Indiana that it had 1,136 certified minority business enterprises and 1,509 certified women business enterprises. Certified businesses held more than $12.2 billion in state contracts. The Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council said businesses it has certified generate nearly $9.5 billion in revenue each year and support more than 32,000 jobs.

Dunn says the value of programs like the Supplier Diversity Program is that they get people like him into the conversation when it comes time to bid on projects.

“They want to walk in a room with confidence that this is where I belong, I have a shot,” Dunn said. “It speaks more to the confidence of putting your name in the hat. And that changes communities. It encourages communities.”

Braun administration officials have said most minority-owned businesses will likely be eligible for the new small business program and, unlike the previous program, will have the opportunity to serve as prime contractors on state projects rather than subcontractors. The governor on Wednesday said his order aligns the state with recent Supreme Court rulings.

“I think this gives more freedom for anyone at the end of the scale, where you’re a small business, to be able to now be in a place to benefit from it,” he said. “It’s just getting us into a place where we won’t be handicapped by something that got confusing and no longer, probably, has currency.”

Dunn said the governor’s order reflects someone who has not had the same lived experiences as a minority business owner. He said he thinks the new small business program sounds good in theory and probably will still lead to state contracts for minority-owned businesses, but the governor will have to market the new program to minority-owned businesses.

“He could always come to my office, and we can go to those outreaches together and see how that participation, that campaign works out,” he said. “Let’s roll it out and see. It sounds great in theory, but practically, does it work? What he needs to understand is that it’s effective. When minority businesses are given the opportunities with a local, other local businesses, it changes our community.”

The governor’s order suspends all active and pending certifications but leaves state contracts in effect. Agencies are directed to continue to follow the terms of those contracts.

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Indianapolis, IN

See ‘The Odyssey’ as Nolan intended at one Indiana IMAX theater

Published

14 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Press Room

See ‘The Odyssey’ as Nolan intended at one Indiana IMAX theater

“The Odyssey” director Christopher Nolan has long been an advocate for IMAX 70mm film, advising movie buffs to get the best viewing experience possible in special IMAX theaters.

Very few locations around the world are capable of projecting the film, however, with just 25 U.S. theaters airing Nolan’s newest movie in the special format.

Luckily, Indianapolis is among the locations where fans can see “The Odyssey” in 70mm at one IMAX location.

What is ‘The Odyssey’ about?

Based on Homer’s epic poem, the three-hour saga (in theaters July 17) follows Greek king Odysseus (Matt Damon) on his 10-year journey back to Ithaca to reunite with his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and son, Telemachus (Tom Holland). Throughout his journey Odysseus faces off against sirens, giants and sea gods.

What is a 70mm film projection?

70mm film projection is a wide high-resolution film gauge for motion picture photography, according to Indiewire. It is a process of projecting movies onto a big screen using a film print that is 70mm wide, which is about twice the size of regular 35mm film.

Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is the first major studio movie to ever be filmed completely with IMAX cameras, as they are notoriously costly, loud and bulky to operate, according to USA TODAY.

Why does Christopher Nolan prefer 70 mm film projection?

Nolan previously told the Associated Press he is a longtime fan of the filming method, creating other films like “Dunkirk” and “Tenet” with the large format film stock as well.

He explained that viewers are getting the feeling of 3D without the glasses, adding that the sharpness and clarity of the cameras immerse them in the world of the film.

“You rarely get the chance to really talk to moviegoers directly about why you love a particular format and why if they can find an IMAX screen to see the film on that’s great,” Nolan said. “We put a lot of effort into shooting the film in a way that we can get it out on these large format screens. It really is just a great way of giving people an experience that they can’t possibly get in the home.”

Where can you see ‘The Odyssey’ on 70mm film in Indiana?

Moviegoers can see “The Odyssey” in 15 perf/70mm film in the IMAX Theatre at the Indiana State Museum. As of Wednesday, July 15, some showings for opening weekend already were sold out.

Where are all 25 IMAX 70mm theaters showing ‘The Odyssey?’

Here’s where to see it in IMAX:

Harkins Arizona Mills 25 & IMAX – Tempe, Arizona
Regal LA Live & IMAX – Los Angeles, CA
AMC Metreon 16 & IMAX – San Francisco, California
Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood & IMAX – Universal City, California
TCL Chinese Theater IMAX – Hollywood, California
Regal Edwards Ontario Palace & IMAX – Ontario, Canada
Regal Irvine Spectrum 21 + IMAX – Irvine, California
Esquire IMAX – Sacramento, California
Regal Hacienda Crossings & IMAX – Dublin, California
Cinemark Carefree Circle & IMAX – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Regal Colorado Center 9 & IMAX – Denver, Colorado
AutoNation IMAX, Museum of Discovery & Science – Fort Lauderdale
Regal Mall of Georgia & IMAX – Buford, Georgia
Cinemark Seven Bridges & IMAX – Woodridge, Illinois
IMAX Theatre at Indiana State Museum – Indianapolis, Indiana
Celebration! Cinema Grand Rapids North & IMAX – Grand Rapids, Michigan
Brenden Palms 14 & IMAX – Las Vegas, Nevada
AMC Lincoln Square 13 & IMAX – New York, New York
Cinemark Tinseltown Rochester & IMAX – Rochester, New York
Regal UA King of Prussia & IMAX – King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Apple Cinemas Providence Place & IMAX – Providence, Rhode Island
IMAX at the Tennessee Aquarium – Chattanooga, Tennessee
Regal Opry Mills & IMAX – Nashville, Tennessee
AMC Rivercenter 11 & IMAX – San Antonio, Texas
Cinemark Dallas & IMAX – Dallas, Texas

CONTRIBUTING: Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY

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Indianapolis, IN

NFL Trade Rumor: Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers emerge as top landing spots for $4M Cleveland Browns’ QB

Published

1 day ago

July 15, 2026

Press Room

The Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has found his name regularly among trade speculations as the team reportedly received calls from rivals about him, ahead of the new season. Though the Cleveland Browns are seemingly not looking to trade him soon, the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as potential landing spots.

The Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has found his name regularly among trade speculations as the team reportedly received calls from rivals about him. Though the Cleveland Browns are seemingly not looking to trade him soon, the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as potential landing spots.

Category	Details
Player	Shedeur Sanders
Current Team	Cleveland Browns
Rumored Teams	Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals
Contract Status	3 Years Remaining (Signed through 2028; UFA in 2029)
Salary Cap Hit (New Team)	Highly Affordable ($1.005 Million base salary for the 2026 season)
Trade Likelihood	Moderate (Driven by front office tension over the training camp QB1 battle)
Latest Insider Update	Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as potential landing spots.
Potential Return	Mid-to-late round draft capital (Projected at a 2027 4th-round draft pick)

Which teams are interested in Shedeur Sanders?

Over the last three weeks, as ESPN insiders confirmed that the Cleveland Browns have been speaking to team about Shedeur Sanders, the New York Jets, the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccanners have been linked to him.

What are insiders saying about the rumors?

Recently, NFL insider Michael Moraitis of the Big Lead noted in a recent report, “The Cardinals figured to go into the 2026 season with Jacoby Brissett as their starter, but the veteran is holding out and now his future is uncertain. General manager Monti Ossenfort is on the hot seat and cannot afford to turn the ball over to Gardner Minshew, and there’s no telling when Carson Beck will be ready. Sanders is no sure thing, but he at least offers the upside Minshew doesn’t, and the starting experience Beck doesn’t have.” NFL insider Michael Moraitis of the Big Lead added, “The Bucs and Baker Mayfield are in a contract standoff, and while the veteran is not going to hold out, he will be a free agent in 2027 if nothing changes. If Mayfield isn’t re-signed, the Bucs would be in the market for a new starting quarterback without any semblance of a potential long-term solution on the roster behind Mayfield.”

Contract details and salary cap implications

The rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is currently on a 4-year, $4.647 million rookie contract with the team.For the team that trades for him, Shedeur Sanders would have a $1.005 million base salary in 2026.As per reports, trading Shedeur Sanders would instantly clear $781,310 in immediate 2026 cap space for the Cleveland Browns as the team takes a $335,535 dead cap hit from his accelerated signing bonus.

How will the trade affect the teams?

For the Indianapolis Colts, trading for Shedeur Sanders remains very affordable as he could be a $1.005 million insurance policy to push or backup Anthony Richardson.For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, trading for Shedeur Sanders makes him a low cost backup quarterback ready to become the starter if Baker Mayfield leaves.

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