This West Coast transplant is certainly living up to her name: long live DaQueen! [Cover photo: Syra Sparkle].
Thotyssey: Hello Miss DaQueen! Summer is almost over… are you counting the days ’til Halloween, or are you Not That Bitch, lol?
DaQueen: Hey hey! Halloween is my fave time of year… not because of dressing up (although every year I plan my costume), but because of the change of tone. Love when the weather gets cooler and my apartment is saturated with pumpkin odor, lol!
Remember when we all mocked pumpkin spice stuff for being basic? I think we’ve all surrendered to it’s power in recent years.
Iv’e always been a loyal fan of pumpkin spice… I didn’t want to conform, lol!
Every day is Halloween for the proper New York queen. how long have you been doing drag now?
It’s been a very fun and educating journey of seven years!
Excellent! Do I see that you were originally a West Coast girl?
Yes, I got my start back home in the suburbs of Los Angeles, at a local bar that had a weekly competition–and then eventually gained my own weekly show at another local bar, up until the pandemic hit.
Miss Rona flipped the script on all of us.
She really did, for the good and the bad!
What made you want to come to New York?
Oh my gosh, so many things made me dream of being a New Yorker since I was little. I watched Sex and the City since it aired back in ’98 when I was just three years old, attached to my mother’s hips as she watched the show. It really made me love the city of New York. And of course, growing up doing musical theatre throughout school made me love Broadway and aspire to be in that environment.
My local bar that I had my show at had no plans to return anytime soon–even when bars were allowed to fully operate again in LA. So, I didn’t want to wait any longer as that was truly the only thing keeping me in California. Sure, all my family and friends and life as I knew it was in California–but I truly didn’t feel complete nor happy. On top of that, I was dealing with a shattered heart that really pushed me to settle for a new change. I arrived in the spring of 2021, and have loved every moment of it! I don’t regret one bit of it.
Can you describe your drag for us a bit, as far as the looks and numbers you like to serve?
My drag is a love letter to all the divas, icons, legends, pop superstars and Broadway powerhouses; I love paying tribute to the women that have molded my life. I love dancing, and dance is definitely my strength in my performances. I love a theatrical number, as if you were coming to a sold out world tour of mine.
And do you remember the moment the name “DaQueen” came to you?
My drag name actually wasn’t thought out. I was asked my name for my first competition, and when [the host] asked what name I used, I realized I hadn’t come up with one. I decided “DaQueen” because when I was younger, I was obsessed with Alexander McQueen and what he did for Lady Gaga. So my Facebook name at the time was Michael DaQueen, because my real last name is Davila and I took out the “-vila” and put Queen… and now it’s DaQueen. it’s very silly, but everyone uses that as my nickname even out of drag.
How do you see New York drag differing from LA drag?
It is so much different, but primarily because my drag scene was more inland and away from DTLA or WeHo. LA county is so scattered, so the drag scenes are also scattered. I definitely have seen much more variety and versions of drag here in NYC. LA has variety, but I would say it is more condensed.
That makes sense! Also, all the big name Drag Race girls are living in LA Proper nowadays; you must have run into some!
A few are from my scene, like Morgan, Mayhem, Raja, Adore, and Raven. Raven was actually the hostess at the competition I started in. So I definitely have been in the same room or shows with people like Ongina, Mariah, and Raven every week since she was a host.
Do you have your own Drag Race aspirations?
It definitely hasn’t been something on my radar; I love drag the way I have it right now. I think maybe down the line as I get more invested in the NYC scene, it’ll push me to want to reach that high. I love what the show has done for drag in culture, and the fact that people are actively seeking a drag show more than usual.
Have you had any favorite onstage moments, or places to perform, in NYC?
I’ve had many fun moments! However, my favorite moment thus far has been getting the chance to do “Night of 1000 Britneys” at 3 Dollar Bill. It was such an amazing feeling being up there with the crowd’s insane energy and paying tribute to Britney, who I regard as the ultimate inspiration behind my drag.
You’ll be back for another of Nicky O’s Night of 1000s on September 28… this time in tribute to the Mother Sheep herself, Mariah Carey! How excited are you for this… and how big of a Mariah stan are you?
Oh my gosh, I am so excited. Mariah is my favorite vocalist of all time. I am definitely a true Lamb; I’ve seen her six times in concert. She is just the best, and I know the lambs will come out for this show.
Werk! Okay, lastly: what’s your favorite, and your least favorite, things about drag?
I love the freedom it gives me, and the chance to be something otherworldly. My least favorite thing is the politics within the community–but that’s a different conversation.
Amen! Thanks, DaQueen!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for DaQueen’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Thotyssey 