Combining the fashion, movements and attitude of drag and burlesque, the uniquely gorgeous Antonio Amor is carving out a name for himself in both worlds… with the crowns to prove it! [Cover photo: Trade Photography]
Thotyssey: Hi Antonio, Happy 4th! I see you performed at Paradise yesterday, how did that go?
Antonio Amor: Hi there! Happy 4th Weekend! It was a great time at Paradise, my first time performing at their legendary tea dance party… and I was feeling the poolside fantasy!
It seems like every garment you own is so magnificently stoned… did you stone your bikini for the pool, lol?
I certainly love my rhinestones, but yesterday I decided to wear a look that lent itself to the ballroom track I performed. The black Matrix look you saw during the “Tournament of Champions,” actually!
Gorgeous! Do you basically make everything you wear?
I try my best to make as many of my outfits as I can, but my big rule is: if the fabric is expensive enough for me to not be okay with messing up, then I leave it to a pro. I love collaborating with designers, as my ideas often exceed my skillset at the moment. I try to produce at least a new outfit every month, if not more. It’s a constant push to keep innovating!
I would say your looks and performances are as much burlesque as they are drag… is that accurate?
Very accurate. Burlesque and drag both heavily inspire my art, and their histories are so intertwined that I love trying to find the places where they can meet… and bringing those to a high caliber of entertainment.
Tell us a bit of your origin story, if you will! Where are you from originally, and what were your early creative interests growing up?
I’d be happy to. I’m originally from Poth, Texas, a small farm town south of San Antonio. I grew up as an army brat, so we moved a lot as kids… but returned to my hometown by grade 6. I was trained as an orchestral musician for flute and piccolo for many years, but was drawn back to the world of the theatre in my senior year of high school; it became my reason for moving to NYC at 18. But I was always theatrical from a young age through community theatre, and self-producing performances in my living room as FAB characters that often were gorgeous, magical creatures… and Disney villains.
What kind of roles were you playing pre-drag here in NYC?
I was doing film and television work on CBS’ FBI, Pose, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and a few other projects. I was part of projects at Atlantic Theatre, along with Vital Theatre Company.
How and when did Antonio Amor the draglesque performer come to be?
Antonio Amor is a Covid queen! Prior to the pandemic, I was starting to work full-time as an actor here in NYC, and when we all went into lockdown I reassessed how I wanted to take creative authority over my art. I found myself doing my research into the art of drag and burlesque, and finding inspiration that helped me create during a time when it was just me and my thoughts. I loved for the first time getting to be the performer, creator, director, producer, makeup artist, designer, and all the other hats we nightlife performers wear!
So when you got into nightlife performance, were your first gigs in burlesque or drag?
I found myself doing burlesque in drag spaces, and I didn’t have much of a connection to the burlesque community yet. But once things got going, I found myself booked in burlesque more as my drag was evolving. It was very far from traditional drag, and what most people or producers are looking to hire for their shows.
One of your early Big Moments since emerging in the scene was winning the first season of Maddelynn Hatter’s “Mother” competition at Hush!
I enjoyed the whole experience! Maddelynn creates such a supportive and safe environment for all artists, where I was able to not only compete but learn, adapt, and grow in my own drag. I also love to compete, so that environment fosters a challenge for me that I love to let drive me forward.
On top of being sashed Mx. Panama Burlesque 2023, you also did a great job in the recent, prior-mentioned drag competition at Hush–“Tournament of Champions,” that Janae SaisQuoi hosted–making it to the finals. Is it easy or challenging to balance sisterhood with competitiveness when your doing these big stakes competitions?
I’m a very focused performer, even outside of a competition. My drag is my art, and as a business that cap I always have on… so finding just room to breathe and trying to provide grounding energy for myself and those around is what I always strive for. I believe kindness can always be paid forward, and it’s a sisterhood and drag community–a competition shouldn’t derail that. But make no mistake, when it’s showtime it’s game time, and I’m taking no prisoners.
And then came your big win just last week–a major national pageant prelim!
Yes, I’m the newly crowned Empire State Entertainer of The Year! It was such a jocular moment of accomplishment in my drag–to be celebrated for something I feel I do very well, which is provide stellar entertainment! I also put a lot of time, energy, and money into my package, and seeing it come to life was a dream come true that has only just begun. The National Entertainer of the Year Pageant takes place July 21-23 in Louisville, KY where I’ll be competing for the title of 2023 National Entertainer of the Year!
Stunning, congrats and break a leg!
Thank you very much!
So, you’re currently a proud member of the Haus of Sumony, right?
That would be correct–the only son in the Haus of Sumony. Even if my drag is feminine presenting, I still like to retain that title.
It’s your edge! I understand that we can find you Sundays at Someday Bar in Brooklyn… tell us more!
“Antonio’s Bubbly Brunch” happens weekly at Someday Bar in Brooklyn on Sundays, with first and third Sundays being bingo and second and fourth Sundays being a brunch show with a very special guest! Someday is a great place with great food and good company. And when I’m out of the office for my worldwide travels, I have some delightful guests coming in from all around New York and New Jersey to give shows!
Busy busy busy! Is there anything else coming up for you?
This week I fly out to Denver for the Colorado Burlesque Festival; I’m performing in it. And soon, I will be back in Cleveland for a special burlesque engagement. In the meantime, folks can follow and support me across all my socials. and if they want to contribute to my National EOY package they can tip me across all payment platforms, all under @theantonioamor.
Great! To close, who is winning Drag Race All-Stars Season 8!?
While I love me some Jessica Wild, my Latina Sister…I think I see a clear victory for miss Jimbo!
I believe you’re correct! Thanks, Antonio!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Antonio Amor’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Thotyssey 