Representing one of New Jersey drag’s most celebrated pageant families, Cristal Sky Martinez is ready for a coveted new crown.
Thotyssey: Cristal, hello! How’s your month so far?
Cristal Sky Martinez: February is going great–a bit busy, since I’m getting ready for a pageant.
Yes, Miss Paradise! Very exciting! Have you done this one before?
No, this is the first year I will be competing for this pageant. I am very excited to represent my trans Latina community.
You’ve done a several other pageants over the years.
Yes, I have. Just to name a few: Miss Universo Latina USA, The Den, Miss NJ Continental, etc.
Incredible! And of course, the Skys are a major pageant family. I bet between all of you, you have like a hundred crowns!
Yes, we are a pageant family. Each of us have a few crowns under our belts.
Tell us a bit of your origin story if you will! Where are you from originally, and how did you discover drag?
I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on September 9th, 1986–second of seven brothers and sisters. I moved to the US when I was 18. I discovered drag when I met Nikky Sky Blake, my mother, and she quickly threw me to compete for a pageant; that’s when I fell in love with the art form of drags and pageants. Now I have 17 crowns from pageantry.
Wow! Have you had a favorite moment performing, either just a regular gig or a pageant?
My favorite moment was performing a gig at XL Lounge in Newark, NJ. I performed to Sia’s “Titanium,” and I felt that was when I truly found out who Cristal Sky was.
Do you have any favorite numbers you like to do the most today?
I love performing to Kelly Rowland’s ” Down for Whatever.” It’s my go-to song.
Jersey drag is fierce: so much pageantry, but also great performers in general! What makes Jersey drag so amazing… is it something in the water, lol?
I doubt it’s in the water… you might find a hand [in there], lol! What make Jersey drag amazing is they’re all unique in their own way. You have your ballad queens, dancing queens, extraordinary queens with their makeup… and every day there is a new one born. Jersey queens are more than okay. We are extraordinary individuals.
That’s a good segue, lol! Have you enjoyed Drag Race this season? It’s gotten some mixed responses, mostly in regards to the shorter run time.
Yes, I have been watching it. It’s a pretty good season. Great competitors.
Good luck with Miss Paradise, which is this Sunday!
Thank you so much.
Is there anything about your presentation that you can spoil?
“Big,” and lots of rhinestones, lol.
Glorious! Anything to add?
I just want to thank you for the opportunity for this mini-interview. It was lots of help to get me ready for Sunday’s interview at Miss Paradise.
You will slay the Q & A! Lastly: if you caught Rihanna’s halftime show last night, did you have any thoughts?
I liked her performance; it was something different from past halftime. I love all the dancers she had.
Thanks Cristal, have fun on Sunday!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Cristal Sky Martinez’s upcoming gigs, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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