In A Deeper Love: The Story of Miss Peppermint, Peppermint’s story unfolds on screen in a way that feels both accidental and inevitable. What began as a simple idea—to invite a friend with a camera to tape one of her shows—slowly transformed over the course of a decade into a full-length documentary. Originally meant to be a short film, the footage grew richer and more layered as her life and career continued to evolve, making it impossible not to keep filming. Living in her dream city, performing in clubs, meeting incredible people and experiencing the ups and downs of success and struggle, Peppermint wanted to document a journey that had always been personal, but which also held the power to resonate universally.
Audiences who know her from the stage or television will find something different here: a rawer, more vulnerable portrait. The film peels back the curtain, offering glimpses behind the spectacle of a Drag Race finale or the lights of Broadway and into the quieter, more intimate moments of her personal life. Peppermint hopes that viewers walk away understanding that the path to artistry and authenticity isn’t as effortless as it might appear, and that even in the brightest spotlight, there are shadows of challenge, perseverance and humanity.\
Although the documentary captures her life, Peppermint is quick to remind us that she wasn’t the one crafting the narrative. Directed by Oriel Pe’er—who had worked on Pep’s music videos before—alongside Sherry Vine and Josh Rosenzweig, the project grew organically, with Peppermint setting boundaries around what she was willing to share and when. She didn’t want to live under constant surveillance, so compromises were made, ensuring that the final product was not only in good taste but also respectful of her boundaries. Watching herself on screen in this way revealed something unexpected: she discovered that she might not enjoy being filmed as much as she thought.
Among the many chapters of her story, audiences will likely find the Drag Race segments especially thrilling, though Peppermint herself highlights her health care struggles and the unexpected intrusion of the COVID era as particularly poignant. These moments, unplanned yet deeply relevant, give the film an immediacy and relatability that transcend the world of performance. They also weave into the larger tapestry of her multifaceted career—music, television, Broadway and activism—all carefully tied together in a narrative that mirrors the juggling act of her real life.
For Peppermint, the emotional heartbeat of the film may vary depending on who’s watching. While she feels a deep connection to her phone call with her mother and the love and care from friends shown throughout, she knows that others might latch onto different moments. What matters most to her is that people feel the humanity beneath the glamour. And in an era where LGBTQ+ stories are often censored, erased or silenced, Peppermint views this film as both resistance and testimony. It’s a reminder that representation matters, and that stories like hers, when told authentically, can inspire others to keep going despite the challenges.
Looking back, Peppermint’s pride rests not in a specific scene, but in the fact that she made it through the process and that the film was ultimately completed. With the support of her community and the backing of producers Bob the Drag Queen and Elliot Page, Peppermint feels grateful and proud of the work. For someone who rarely reflects on her own past, the film serves as a mirror, forcing her to pause and recognize the journey she has traveled. And for those who watch, she hopes it becomes more than just a film—it becomes an invitation to see the real Peppermint: resilient, vulnerable, joyful and forever pushing forward.
INTERVIEW >>>
What inspired you to make a film about your own journey, and why did you feel now was the right time to share it?
I invited a friend with a camera to tape one of my shows and then, 10 years later, it turned into a film. I asked because originally, I wanted to document my story, I was living in my dream city, working in the clubs, meeting some awesome people and getting a chance to perform. My dreams came true in this beautiful city and I wanted to share my ups and downs. This was initially supposed to be a short film, but it was so interesting that we kept filming.
When audiences watch this movie, what do you hope they learn about the real Peppermint that they may not know from your career on stage and screen?
I hope they discover that it’s not as easy as it looks and that we’re all doing our best. I also wanted to give them a peek behind the scenes of the Drag Race finale, Broadway and some more personal moments.
Making a movie about yourself can be very vulnerable. Were there any moments or memories that were difficult for you to revisit?
Luckily, I’m not actually the one making the movie. It is a documentary about me, but it’s not really by me. The director and producer, Oriel, worked on a few of my music videos over the years and agreed to follow me around with the camera to some of my shows. It was his idea, along with Sherry Vine and our mutual friend Josh, to put together a film. It took way longer than we expected. But I figured we might as well finish what we started. There were some parts of my life that I wanted to keep to myself, I didn’t want to feel like I was on 24-hour surveillance. So we came to a compromise, ultimately. I think the film is in good taste.
How involved were you in the creative process—writing, producing, shaping the narrative?
That’s an interesting question. I’m not the actual filmmaker, so I didn’t make decisions behind the scenes. However, this whole movie is following me through my everyday life, the choices I make, where I go, what I do, etc., so I had control over certain things like if I didn’t want them to film me naked or if I wanted to invite the crew to travel with me on tour things. As far as the look and feel of the film, the overall edit and the way they craft the footage after filming, I wasn’t really involved in it.
Did you discover anything new about yourself while working on this project?
Yes! I don’t love being filmed as much as I thought I did!
Which part of your life story was the most exciting to bring to the screen, and why?
I think viewers will enjoy seeing the Drag Race stuff. I wanted to document my health care struggle, but I think the covid section will really hit home, even though we obviously didn’t plan that.
Your career has crossed so many platforms—music, television, Broadway, activism. How does this film tie all those threads together?
Very carefully! Hahaha. Being so busy, it’s not easy and cramming it all into a film, it’s probably even harder, but hopefully we get it right. I guess that’ll be up to the audience to determine.
If you could describe the emotional heartbeat of the movie in one word, what would it be?
I don’t know. I think that’s a question for someone else. I’d love to know perhaps what you think it is. I think there are things that make me emotional because they’re personal that other people might skip over. But the moment where I’m talking to my mother on the phone is very touching to me and very special. Other than that, maybe my relationships with my friends and the care that they give me over the years, which is also on film.
Representation and visibility have always been part of your mission. How do you think this movie adds to that conversation?
These days, LGBT stories are being censored, books are being banned and stories like this are being shut out, so I’m hopeful that when the time is right, the right person will be able to see this film and hopefully become inspired to keep going in the face of adversity and maybe even encourage others to do the same.
Looking back on the finished film, what do you feel most proud of—and what do you want people to carry with them after watching it?
Honestly, I feel like I’m most proud that I got through it! But seriously, I’m grateful for all the supporters and our two fabulous producers Bob the Drag Queen and Elliot Page, who recently came on board. I couldn’t be happier and more proud. Besides that, I rarely reflect on things that I’ve done and places that I’ve been. But this film sort of forces me to do that.
