This trans Latina activist and daughter of Inita D is also a New York drag star on the rise… and she’s got the big gigs to prove it. Behold the summer of Sorayah D! [Cover photo: @visualzby_gabriel]
Thotyssey: Hello Sorayah, thanks for chatting with us today!
Sorayah D: Hello Thotyssey! Of course, I’ve been looking forward to this since I started drag, so thank you so much for reaching out!
Our pleasure! You were just at Sandy Jack’s in Brooklyn on Thursday for a Pride kickoff kiki. What was that show, and that venue, like?
It was a “doll Pride show.” When I was coordinating with the owner, Michael, I had asked him if we could make it an all trans cast and show, just to celebrate and also pay homage to our Transestors that started the queer liberation movement. I had Nani Tsunami and Daniella Darling as my guests, and we just made the show all about love and celebrating and uplifting trans voices and artistry. I feel now more than ever, it’s so important to showcase and create space for trans artists to be heard and seen–not just for our art, but for who we are as people. I loved the atmosphere that Michael was able to create for us at Sandy Jacks, even with our small but incredibly mighty and amazing audience!
We were graced with some good news today: a judge in Tennessee ruled that state’s attempt at a “drag ban” unconstitutional! Hopefully these other states with their similar idiotic proposals will meet the same fate. Obviously those queerphobic proposals were meant to push trans folks out of the picture as well as drag performers. Do you think we’ll all be back to “normal” soon without having to worry about this crap again?
To be quite honest, I hope not. The “normal” that existed before didn’t leave enough room for us to simply just be trans. Spaces weren’t creating enough of a safe, inclusive and visible space for trans people. Thankfully that judge had common sense, but most people don’t. We as a community need to uplift and support our trans siblings even more with the current climate. I feel that we’re finally starting to create that change, space, visibility and safety!
So where is your own hometown… and were art and performance always parts of your life growing up?
I was born in Bayside, Queens and moved to Orlando, Florida (unfortunately, lol) with my family for high school, and then I went to college in Miami. Performance and art have been a HUGE part of my entire life. I started out in gymnastics and then I quickly transitioned into cheerleading, and absolutely fell in love with it. I also was in musical theatre and chorus like almost ever queer person, lol.
Did you move back to New York for potential showbiz life?
Believe it or not, no. I originally had a plan / dream to become a celebrity makeup artist. I moved back to New York to go to makeup school, and I wound up doing so during the pandemic. Makeup was amazing and so fun, but I’ve always had a love for drag… so naturally, I wanted back in the spotlight.
How did Sorayah make her debut… and is there a story behind her name?
So, okay… oh goodness! Well, this has been at least a year and a half to two years in the making of talking about doing drag. At the beginning of this year, I was laid off from my job. Any other time this has ever happened to me, I’ve literally freaked out and started stressing immediately. This time was different, though. I felt calm, determined– and like, the universe was forging a path for me. About two to three weeks later, I signed up for Yasmeen’s “Get Schooled” competition [at VERS], and made it to the final two lip sync. Unfortunately it wasn’t my night, but I was super proud, and also knew I was meant to be a performer and born to do drag. I went back the next week and won, and my drag career has honestly just taken off ever since. I feel truly blessed and grateful.
NOW… for the even longer story of my name, lol! I wanted my name to start with the letter “S.” I’m a bit of a spiritualist, and I believe the letter “S” represents symmetry and your journey through life of having peaks and valleys… and it’s also half of an infinity sign. I also knew that I wanted to keep Latin roots in my name, because I’m very proud to be a Latina! It was between Sofia and Sorayah, but I always told myself I wanted to name my first daughter Sofia. I then looked up the meaning of the name Sorayah, and it means “queen”–so I thought it was a no brainer. I had to be Sorayah.
What are your performances like now, as far as types of numbers you do and looks you serve?
I center my drag around my transness; I do a lot of very hyper feminine, high energy numbers. I also do quite a few of what we dolls like to call “tranny anthems” as well. I also love to slut it up. I truly don’t know what comes over me when I perform, but I just love throwing my puss everywhere! I use a lot of my cheerleading background in my performances as well, so expect some flips and splits fa’ ya nerves! I don’t really have particular “looks” per se. I know this is gonna sound so simple, but I just love to look and feel pretty and feminine AF!
You’ve been regularly hosting Saturday brunch shows at VERS for these past few months.
Honestly, it’s still so surreal. It’s such a huge full circle moment, because VERS is where I started my drag career on January 18th, and then fast forward two months and I’m hosting my very own brunch. My brunch is also the very first ever of its kind, with an all trans cast of performers each brunch! It’s been such an amazing opportunity, platform and huge blessing. I truly feel an immense amount of gratitude and humility to have the space to be seen, visible, respected and appreciated not just for my artistry, but also who I am as a trans woman.
You’ll be part of another VERS show this week.
I actually have an insane week coming up because it’s my birthday week! I’m finally turning thirty on Tuesday. Tuesday the 6th, my good sister Miss Nani Tsunami is throwing me a birthday show at VERS.
And Thursday, you’re co-producing a queer latin showcase called “Ese Cora” at 3 Dollar Bill in Brooklyn! Tell us more!
Yes! I’m super excited as this is the first event I’m not only performing in, but also producing–and at 3DB at that. Again, I can’t express the amount of gratitude I have for the blessings I continue to receive in drag.
My co-producer for my brunch, Jonny Mol and I were talking about producing something for Pride, but we didn’t know what exactly to do. As I’ve said before, I am immensely proud to be a Latina regardless of the tumultuous relationship they have with our beautiful queer community. After brainstorming for a few, we decided we wanted to do a Latinx Pride celebration and when we connected with 3DB, they were on board. So naturally, I went to work booking the talent, creating the flyers and brainstorming how we’re gonna create this beautiful show full of amazing Latinx performers. This is also the first time I’m producing something that isn’t centered around being a doll, so I’m really excited because this lineup is really gonna give!
Yay, birthday shows!
To close out the week of birthday celebrations, I’m hosting / performing at Playhouse on Saturday, which I’m really excited about because it’ll be my first time performing there.
And then Monday, June 12th, you’ll be at Industry with the Leg Up On Life team for the “Queens Call to Action” benefit for the Tennessee ACLU. Just because that ruling passed doesn’t mean the organization doesn’t need to keep fighting for the queer community there.
You are absolutely right! The fight doesn’t stop until we all have protections, rights and access to lifesaving gender affirming care.
Leg Up on Life showcases are usually dance and choreo-centric; are you gonna turn it out?
I was actually in the first “Queens Call to Action” and I performed a ballad. Being the only trans representation on the cast, I wanted to do something that represented my transness, and also send a message about creating true inclusivity and change! So this time around, I’m really excited to say that you’ll be seeing a completely different side, performance style and aesthetic from Sorayah D than you’ve ever seen before. I may even have some backup dancers, too!
What else is coming up for you?
I have quite a few other things brewing that I’m excited to share when the time is right! You’ll just have to follow along with my stories to see when those things are announced. I’m also still working on firmly planting my feet in the drag scene and creating more shows / parties, and making this work out as my full time career.
Have amazing shows! Lastly, if you’ve been following it…. Drag Race! Were you shocked at who went home, and how it happened?
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to watch the episode yet because I had to head to Fire Island for my Cherry’s on the Bay debut at my drag mother Inita D’s brunch “D Brunch.” But… I heard the tea about what happened a couple weeks ago before this even happened so I knew it was coming. I’m not surprised. They kept playing on Heidi’s face, and she was over it lol. It’s clearly The Kandy and Jimbo Show (not that I’m complaining, ’cause they’re both fab), and production is making it very clear that none of the other girls stand a chance. So I completely understand why Heidi decided to leave. I would’ve done the same thing, had it been me. I’m very sweet and loving, but don’t play with me, lol!
Take note, everyone! And thanks, Sorayah!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Sorayah D’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
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