A very new queen on the scene that big things are no doubt in store for: Amanda Tori Meating! [Cover photo: Bohenne Arreaux / YUQ Studios]
Thotyssey: Hello Amanda! How was your summer… and are you presently in New York?
Amanda Tori Meating: Thanks for having me! I’ve had a great summer, and yes I just recently moved back to NYC!
From my understanding, you’re a bicoastal gal of sorts?
Well… sorta kinda! I lived in the city pre-pandamania, and during all of the craziness I moved out to LA. The move may or may not have had something to do with a man, lol. But that’s done now, and the East Coast was calling me back… so here I am!
Where are you originally-originally from, and what were your creative interests growing up?
Originally Ohio! Growing up, I tried all kinds of artsy things like painting and drawing, playing instruments… but when I found theatre, I was immediately like, “oh baby, this is the gig!”
Is that what ultimately brought you to New York?
Completely! I did the whole BFA thing, so New York just felt like the natural next step.
How did you discover drag and then premiere Amanda?
I had always been a fan of drag. But then I toured with KinkyBoots after school, and realized that performing in drag made me feel so much more aligned and in my body than I had ever really experienced performing as a “boy.” Then moving here, I started seeing NYC drag shows and being so inspired by the numbers and the mixes, that I knew I would rather be doing it than watching it.
I love your name! Do you remember how it came to you?
It basically came from working a million survival jobs while I was pursuing performing, and I would truly just do nothing at these places, lol! So I got called in for a “mandatory meeting” one too many times, and I literally looked in a mirror and I said “oh baby, that’s the diva!”
Lol! And there are so many memes and cliches about the stupidity of work meetings… but they really are pretty damn terrible, no matter what the job is!
Completely! And I would just sit in them sketching ideas for drag looks, stealing company time… so it felt very correct for me.
How would you describe the performing and fashion styles of Amanda, and did any actual woman or queen influence her?
Fashion-wise, I basically say it’s campy cunty whore, lol. In terms of performance, I love theatricality, comedy, spoken word, singing, a cute little 5,6,7,8. I would say actual women are like Jane Krakowski, Kate McKinnon, Cameron Diaz, Lisa Kudrow… mostly funny blonde ladies! With honorable mention to some non-blondes, like Molly Shannon and Winona Ryder.
In terms of queens, the first drag show I ever saw in NYC was “The Help” when it was Pixie and Monét. That kind of show definitely inspired me and made me say “oh… this is for me.”
What have been your experiences like so far as a New stork queen? And do you have a drag mom?
So far, pretty limited! I really only got here earlier this year and went straight to “Drag Wars” at Pieces where I had a cute little winning streak, and I’m planning on doing their “All Stars” competition this fall! And nope, no, like, hands-on drag mom. But I’ve had lots of great people give me tips and tricks along the way!
“Drag Wars” is a great place to start! Don’t you miss its hostess Shequida, now that she’s left if for Vegas this summer?
I do! She’s such an icon, and constantly dropping little nuggets of wisdom.
Anything else you’re up to?
At the moment, just “Drag Wars All Stars!” But I’m definitely looking to gig a lot more around the city!
And to close, what’s been your favorite thing about drag so far… and your least favorite?
I would say my favorite thing about drag is that it makes me feel really powerful and hot, and I love giving myself permission to just revel in that energy. My least favorite part is 1000% the physical discomfort of being in drag, and how it increases exponentially with every hour I spend in geish. Which is kinda the magic of it! It’s this beautiful, powerful feeling that isn’t physically sustainable after a certain point… which is why even through the discomfort, you have to cherish the magic while it’s there.
Thank you, Amanda!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Amanda Tori Meating’s upcoming appearnaces, and follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
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