Get your doll heirs out for the Lady who’s been slaying the competition circuit and is now making her way as a featured queen: Lady Doll Heirs! [Cover photo: LØ / ZO Photo]
Thotyssey: Hello Lady, happy summer! Actually, here’s a good first question: what do your sisters call you for short? Lady? Doll?
Lady Doll Heirs: For short, my sisters call me Lady.
Gotcha! So how has your summer been, and your Pride?
It’s been good. I’ve been able to focus full time on drag, and it’s been paying off tremendously. Pride month started off busy, but towards the end I was very free… so it gave me more time to go out and support other performers.
Do you still enjoy watching drag shows as much as you did before you started doing them yourself?
Honestly, I love drag so much. I always have. I remember being 17 years old, sneaking into bars to watch drag shows. The first queen I ever saw was Marti Gould Cummings, and I still love drag shows as much as I did then.
I think that because I do drag now, my expectations of drag shows has increased. I still love seeing drag shows, and I think there is something to learn from every performer. However, if you have a consistent booking, I expect it to be a killer show every time. Too many girls, myself included, are trying their best to make a name for themselves… so it’s a bit frustrating when I see more established performers taking their stage for granted.
Are you a native New Yorker, by the way?
Yes, born and raised.
What is the drag origin story of Lady Doll Heirs?
I began drag during quarantine. At the time I was dating a fierce makeup artist, and he taught me how to paint a fishy mug; he gave me, like, a “drag makeup starter kit.” He turned out to be really toxic, but I will forever be grateful for what he showed me.
I did my first drag competition in Jersey City because Jersey nightlife was open, while NYC was still shut down. Once NYC opened up, I made my drag debut at Pieces for “Drag Wars” the Monday following Pride Weekend. I came Top 3 in the competition. I even had Shangela (one of my biggest drag inspirations) video me, post me on her story, and tell me to never stop doing drag because I was made for it. Those words, along with [competition hostess] Shequida’s constant support, really pushed me to keep doing it.
How would you describe the style of drag you like to do today, as far as looks and numbers go?
I like to infuse fishy glam, comedy, the art of seduction, and my Afro Latino culture into every number I do. I am super inspired by burlesque, another type of show I use to sneak out to see. I call my drag “hood burlesque”; I’m always gonna have a reveal of some sort, or I’m gonna gag you in a way you didn’t expect.
Have you had a favorite onstage moment yet?
I love every moment that I’m on stage. There’s something so exhilarating about performing for me. One of my favorites has got to be when I did “STR8 to DVD” with Sherry Poppins and her whole crew at C’mon Everybody. That was by far one of my favorite experiences on stage! Another moment I felt really powerful was when I competed in “Mother” last season with Maddelynn Hatter, and I won doing one of the first mixes I ever made. Thought I didn’t make it past the semifinals, it was a full circle moment for me.
When you see how much joy drag can bring, doesn’t the backlash against it from the Far Right seem even more bizarre and upsetting?
People are afraid of what they do not understand. I think the backlash stems from transphobia, which is a much bigger and deeper rooted problem.
Absolutely. Well the best a performer can do at these times is to keep on performing, and you’ve been doing a great job of that! It looks like the next time we’ll see you is Thursday at 3 Dollar Bill for Nicky O’s massive “Night of 1000 Arianas!”
I cannot wait! This is my biggest event to perform at to date! I am so grateful to Nicky O for giving me this platform. It’s going to be epic.
What else is coming up for you?
Not too sure! I’m definitely competing in “Mother’s House” again this season. But other than that, I’m just going to do more competitions to continue getting my name out there.
Break a leg! Lastly… what’s been your favorite go-to cosmetics product so far?
My top 3 products are:
- LA Girl pro concealer – super cheap, last forever, and very good hold ;
- Laura Mercier Neutral Honey setting powder
- Fenti Gold Highlighter
Thank you, Lady!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Lady Doll Heirs’ upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 