In just nine short months of doing drag this sparkly, funny dancing queen has accomplished quite a bit, including a new weekly show about to debut. Thotyssey is first to the table when Petti Cake is served!
Thotyssey: Petti, hello! How’s summer treating you?
Pett Cake: Hi Thotyssey! My summer has been amazing so far. I’m coming on my one year anniversary of living in the city, and I’ve been performing so much more than I ever thought I would. It almost makes living in a non-air conditioned apartment with a frequently broken elevator worth it.!
That’s the classic NYC experience!
Haha, yeah! That paired with crippling student debt.
Where are you from originally?
I’m a classy broad from Jersey.
Werk, Jersey! Were you always a performer of some sort?
Yeah! I’ve actually been a dancer since I was three. And I’ve done my fair share of musical theatre as well.
When did you discover drag?
Haha, that’s a funny question! I was working a cruise contract, and we had a TON of sea days. My friend had RuPaul’s Drag Race on her hard drive, and we would binge watch it for hours… like a whole season in a day. That was my first exposure to drag queens (obviously, I have learned since then–that there is so much more to drag than that–but who doesn’t love Alyssa Edwards?) Then I moved to New York, and decided to throw myself into it. It’s been a cute 9 months and I haven’t looked back.
So far so good! How would you describe the Petti Cake experience to anyone who hasn’t seen you yet?
Petti gives 100% to every performance she does, whether it’s in a small bar or on a stage for hundreds. She will kick her face, tap dance the house down, all while making poop jokes and trying to suck her FUPA in. Petti’s heart is honest, and you will leave wanting to have a bite of this cake.
Delicious! Would you say that your big breakthrough was your first go at the Ultimate Drag Pageant at the West End?
Oh, absolutely. I made my drag debut there, and learned so much under the tutelage of Marti Gould Cummings and Nedra Belle. That competition provided me with 16 weeks of performance experience and 16 brand new numbers to do (16 because of the All-Stars season as well). Damn, I even bartend at The West End now. I don’t even know if I can accurately say how much that competition helped me, both creatively and with the awesome people I met through it. I’m super grateful for that experience… just a little salty that I came in second both times, lol!
What was coming back for the All-Stars season like? Was there a different level of pressure about doing well?
Oh, I was ready to win. Right after my first season I competed, and was runner up for Miss West Village as well. I believed that third time was the charm. The pressure was totally internal, but I am very proud of every number I put on that stage. All of the girls were fierce competition, and I am proud to have made it to the top with Didi Cumswell.
And you turned a fierce number for the Lady Liberty Pride edition last month!
Thanks babe! I had such a great time that night. So many great people in the audience!
You have some news about Icon in Astoria for us.
I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT ICON! I actually just booked a weekly show there! Come there on Wednesdays at 10 for Whip it Wednesdays! I’m taking over for Gilda Wabbit, who I absolutely adore. They are big shoes to fill (size 11 according to her), but I’m super excited for the opportunity. I’m keeping her open stage policy, so any drag performer is welcome to show up in face and do a number!
The bar’s becoming a really important space for Queens nightlife. An original musical is actually going to have a workshop premiere there on August 1st!
Astoria draws such a good group of people, and everyone I’ve met so far has been incredibly supportive. I’m super excited about this drag musical; there are some really amazing queens that are a part of it, and I know they will turn it out.
Where can we get even more Cake?
If you want to come hang out with me, I bartend happy hours Sunday and Monday at the West End!
And lastly, what is the best piece of advice you received n your young drag career?
Oh yeah… be nice and respect everyone you work with. Other queens, bartenders, bar managers, DJs, anyone you meet.
Thanks, Petti!
Petti Cake hosts Whip It Wednesdays (10pm) at Icon. Check Thotyssey’s calendar for all upcoming appearances, https://thotyssey.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/on-point-with-beverly-leslie-sills/and follow Petti on Facebook and Instagram.
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