Having already won an important drag pageant for up-and-comers, artist and performer Crystal Marie Tyler had an army of fans cheering her on at Stonewall as she won a second important title. And this weekend, she returns to the scene of that great moment for an all new showcase!
Thotyssey: Hi Crystal! How is Pride Month treating you so far?
Crystal Marie Tyler: Good so far! Miss Stonewall was a great start.
You won fan favorite! A big crowd came out for you; were these all friends, fans, colleagues, etc.?
Friends and family for sure–a lot of people I met through drag, but I met a lot of new people as well!
What made you want to enter the pageant… and did winning that category totally surprise you?
I first learned about Miss Stonewall in 2019 when I performed live in FIT’s Drag Pageant. My grandparents had their wedding reception at Stonewall, so I was sentimental about it for that reason, too. I first competed last year when it first came back after Covid. This was my second year in. I put a lot of heart into my package, so it was an honor that the crowd enjoyed what I did and it let me know I was doing my job right. It was definitely a surprise because I knew all the girls were talented; it could’ve been anyone.
You incorporated paintings into your presentation. Have you always been an artist?
Yes, I majored in Fine Arts at FIT. Even though I specialized in sculpture, painting was always a strong and financially beneficial medium for me as drag was throughout college.
You actually won Mx FIT in 2022! Drag Race alum Jasmine Kennedie was a former crown holder there as well.
Jasmime actually came back to host the night I won; it was an honor having her a part of it. I first met her when she was stepping down in 2019, and there were a lot of interruptions with productions due to Covid after that–so I was part of the first wave of girls to compete in a virtual format on Vimeo. My predecessor Mannie Quinn, who won in 2020, was the one that had it rebranded as “Mx FIT” after being “Miss FIT” for so long.
So after I won in 2022, I got the first “Mx FIT” sash. And throughout my year I wanted to bring the hype for drag at FIT back, now that we were back in-person on campus. I worked as a student tour guide leader and got to work closely with the Student Activities Board & LGBTQ Alliance for Pride events of campus, including the drag pageant. I got to represent FIT at SUNY Pride and the SUNY fair at the Javits Center. I got to perform at Lips, and I started performing at Pink Metal.
At the end of my year, I had the honor of crowning the first AFAB Mx FIT, Scarlet Foxx, and after this past year with Elle Lusty’s win I think the hype for FIT Drag Pageant is back; students know they have this event to look forward to every year now. It honestly got me through college, and being a part of it and getting to see it survive Covid was surreal. In the end, I made so many friends and drag family that I’m grateful for. They sent me out on my way to have the best drag career I can, as they’re doing for a lot of artists right now.
You are from Staten Island! That borough’s like a little red state within a blue state—probably not the easiest place for a queer kid to grow up.
Oh, hell no. An article about me on SI Live just talked about it. But I’m not the only queer that experienced that, especially because anywhere in the world can have that type of not-so-friendly accepting environment. But SI is definitely its own experience.
If you can’t find safe spaces, then make them. I did drag for the first time as a stunt when I was a sophomore in high school, became president of the GSA as a junior, then got a massive trans flag hung up at the school when I was a senior. I graduated Tottenville high school in 2017, and then did my first show in New York Summer Fest 2017 with other queer Staten Island teenagers. Lots of power and healing in having a community.
Growing up after that, I don’t think older queer people in SI who offered “safe space” really had the best intentions for queer youth, and I felt preyed on and taken advantage of a lot because of how outwardly queer I was. But I’m fortunate to have found better avenues to explore my identity and opportunities to heal.
Can you tell us a bit about the sort of ideas and feelings you want to convey as a drag artist?
I believe in staying true to the core of advocating for Pride. If we have a platform to say what we can for those who need it, drag is a beautiful medium to find your voice. My last show at Stonewall before the pageant, I talked about BPD for Mental Health Awareness month, and performed “Borderline” by Tove Lo.
I also love storytelling and I love referencing different stories and fairy tales, and I believe in creative freedom and artistic expression with drag and art in general. So that’s why there’s a lot of paint and paint splatter. I also always often have a sparkle or a shimmer or a crystal, or any type of shine, because it’s in the name and I’ve grown to love it.
Are you designing and / or making your own looks? Also, I see you often wear glasses in drag… are those prescription or just costume?
Yep, they’re my prescription glasses; I usually have them on. Another tribute to my grandma because by the time I had to wear them when I was little, I was excited–as she made me so comfortable with them. I’m trying to get used to performing more without them though, but whenever I can I have them on.
I’m very beginner at sewing, but I’ll design and customize everything I do. I do a lot of painting and stoning.
This Sunday, you’re already returning to Stonewall… this time as the guest performer of newly crowned Miss Stonewall Inita D! Runner up Cherry Poppins will be with you as well.
I’m so excited and I’m honored to be on stage with them again! I wanna bring some numbers I’ve done before, with some new twists. From me, you could definitely see my love of Disney and fairy tales–specifically the princesses and the villains. Apart from that, I’m gonna have a number to tribute my love of art, paint and queer icons to celebrate this lovely Pride month.
Also, I see that you’re part of a New Jersey based crew that does Rock Horror shadow casts?
Yes, I’ll be performing at Teaneck Cinemas as Frank on June 28th, and Chatham Hickory Cinema on June 29th. By the time it’s done it’ll be my 25th birthday, and I’ll be doing a drag preshow to celebrate Pride.
What else is coming up for you?
I’ll be wrapping up another season of my virtual competition, “Dragging Faery Tales.” I’m mostly seen at Pink Metal in Brooklyn for the open stage show with a rotating cast hosted by Miss Bussy and Xaddy Addy, as well as Rocky Horror in New Jersey. I can sometimes be seen twirling in “Polished” Season 11 at Red Eye. And stay tuned long enough, hopefully a Miss Stonewall crown!
Gotcha! Okay lastly… what’s your favorite cosmetics item in your drag bag?
Fluide Glitter line. Pyrite and Magma are my two favorites.
Thanks Crystal, Happy Pride!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Crystal Marie Tyler’s upcoming appearances, and follow her Instagram.
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