From Jamestown to Tinseltown: Pandora Boxx Releases Debut Album

Pandora BoxxPhoto byDavide Laffe

Pandora Boxx, one of RuPaul’s Drag Race’s most beloved queens, is back with a sparkling new album, BOXX, showcasing her eclectic and personal journey. Known for her humor, wit, and unforgettable impersonations, the Jamestown native brings a fresh side of herself to this album, and her latest single, "Hey," is already making waves on the dance scene. BOXX is a vibrant mix of tracks that reflect both her quirky, fun-loving persona and her deeper emotional experiences.

At the heart of the album is the high-energy, colorful club track "Hey," a song produced by Electropoint. With its infectious beats and commanding presence, "Hey" invites listeners to let loose, embracing the joy and freedom of the dance floor. The single encapsulates the essence of BOXX, which is filled with tracks that are not just for entertainment but also represent Pandora’s personal growth, artistry, and resilience.

Pandora’s journey in BOXX feels especially poignant as she reveals her more personal side in her music, something fans may not have seen in her earlier releases or television appearances. In fact, the entire album is a reflection of her experiences, with every song carrying its own story. Pandora herself wrote all of the tracks. Songs are largely PG in contrast to her earlier, sometimes "dirty" releases, showing a maturity in both her music and outlook.

The first single from the album, "Dance," is a nostalgic track Pandora penned for her younger self. It tells the story of a little boy, teased mercilessly at school, who would come home, lock himself in his room, and escape through music. For Pandora, that meant turning on a Madonna CD and dancing away the day’s troubles. "Dance" speaks to the universal experience of using music to cope with adversity, and Pandora hopes the song will encourage others to find their own joy and dance like no one is watching.

Pandora BoxxPhoto byDavide Laffe

The album also contains the tracks "Stars," "Pill," "Raspberries," and "Gay," each of which draws from Pandora’s personal experiences. "Stars" is a tribute to Pandora’s childhood dreams of space and her love of Star Trek. The track is a whimsical homage to the little girl she was, dreaming of adventures beyond Earth. On the flip side, "Pill" brings a darker tone, with its rock vibe exploring some of Pandora’s real-life struggles as an adult. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, it deals with heavier themes while still maintaining Pandora’s signature quirky style.

"Raspberries," on the other hand, is a lighter and more nostalgic track, serving as an ode to Pandora’s iconic Carol Channing impersonation from RuPaul’s Drag Race. The song marks a farewell to the impersonation that helped solidify her as a fan favorite on the show. Meanwhile, "Gay" is a direct response to Governor DeSantis’ controversial “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, with Pandora using her platform to speak out against bigotry and to stand up for the LGBTQ+ community.

Pandora’s personal journey, from her childhood as Michael R. Steck in Jamestown, New York, to becoming the drag icon she is today, informs much of the album. Growing up with a supportive mother and a more complicated relationship with her father, Pandora knew from an early age that she wanted to be an artist. From winning a greeting card contest at five years old to performing a school play she wrote in the fifth grade, creativity has always been her escape. Music, too, played a significant role in helping her through tough times, with bold pop stars like Cyndi Lauper and Boy George inspiring her to embrace her uniqueness.

Photo bycourtesy Pandora Boxx

Pandora’s rise to fame began with her appearance on season two of RuPaul’s Drag Race, where she won the title of Miss Congeniality. Since then, she has appeared in multiple seasons of Drag Race All Stars and RuPaul’s Drag U, cementing her status as a beloved figure in the drag world. However, BOXX reveals a new side of Pandora, one that fans may not have fully appreciated before. As she puts it, “I think some people may realize after listening to BOXX that I am much more than the Pandora they’ve seen on television.”

Produced by Brandon James Gwinn, with additional production on "Swish" and "Hey" by Electropoint, BOXX is a testament to Pandora’s evolution as an artist. She acknowledges the support of her long-time partner, Ian, and the internal work she has been doing through therapy, which has opened her up creatively. Pandora credits this healing process with allowing her to create more meaningful and authentic music.

Dedicated to “anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t belong,” BOXX is a celebration of individuality, resilience, and the power of self-expression. Pandora Boxx’s new album, streaming now on Spotify and all major platforms, is an invitation to dance, dream, and embrace the weirdo inside us all.