A diverse drag performer who can serve you family friendly shows in the local park as easily as a sexy, spooky moment on a bar stage, Damien Demise is truly here to slay!
Thotyssey: Happy Halloween Month, Damien! What’s your favorite horror movie?
Damien Demise: Hey! Hmm… it has to be Noroi, The Grudge or The Ring (1998)–Japanese versions of all.
That’s a whole vibe! How long have you been a drag performer now?
For about a year and some change.
Can you tell us a little about you’re origin story, and early interests?
Well, I’m from NYC. I’ve traveled around, though; I like to say NYC, specifically Harlem and LES, is home. I’ve personally always been interested in performing; I’ve been creative and performing since I was a child. I come from a family of creatives, artists and activists, so my artistry was always fortunately supported. I also was in the ballroom scene, and dance, and other forms of performing mediums that gave me the tools to work around a stage. Alongside that, I’ve always had a love for being a makeup artist, doing makeup transformations and special effects since primary school.
One summer my friend OM3N (who’s also a drag artist, funny enough–we went to school together) was in this show which now I’m a part of: the collective Lil’ Park Drag Show. It peaked an interest in me wanting to take a shot at performing, and I asked him how I could get into it. He sent me the information, I filled out a form, and my first performance was the fairytale show at Lil’ Park Drag Show. And my next time performing, I was hosting!
And then the third booking was my dive into the draglesque scene; I’ve been going at it ever since. Though I’ve been in nightlife since I was 15, and have been in ballroom, gogo-ing, stripping, etc.
Was if scary to be part of a scene like that when you were so young?
At that age, everything is fun… though yes, I was super vigilant as I could be about my safety. But for any person that age in that scene, it’s harmful and scary and not something I’m neither boastful nor regretful about; though now in my adulthood I wish I made different decisions. I definitely learned from it, though I wouldn’t want someone that age in my position at all.
What inspired your drag name?
My name comes from the novel Demian by Herman Hesse, which is a novel about a man that goes through life again through his childhood, and experiences something that changes his views and optics of it. That’s why I added “Demise.” And that’s why I always state when I’m introducing myself that I’m not a man or woman, but an experience. My whole name is based off of the experience of livelihood, and how obscure people have their view on it. And unfortunately life and society are a living hell, hence “Demise.”
But I want people to experience through my performance what form of feeling of life you feel from it, and does my performance make you feel a change or inspire a change? That’s why Damien’s a “drag thing,” or as I like to say, “entity.” Because Damien is a feeling of what life can lead up to, or that the anticipation of your feeling of “demise” is not exactly a thing, but a feeling (or as I like to say, experience).
I of course changed the spelling, as I wanted a more androgynous / genderfuck name since my drag look is inherently “feminine” to the public. I wanted to confuse the public a little, so that they think “are they a queen? Wait, are they a king?” In reality, I’m neither.
What have been some of your favorite moments on stage as Damien so far?
Performing and hosting a big show with my partner-in-crime and drag sib, Supernova; [we’re always] taking chances. And honestly, just surprising myself sometimes at my own body’s ability on stage as I wholeheartedly cannot see anything. Not only do I basically black out and just get in the zone as if I’m in a music video, but I honestly can’t see. I have terrible vision, I’m partially blind… and wearing lashes and having hair and lights in my face doesn’t help. So I just allow my body to take its lead to the music and the space.
But I think performing with Supernova and creating our lil’ duo was the best moment, since I feel we both helped our drag career a little more. Now we get booked together, have our own production team together, and emcee and host shows together. So that I would say was my best moment, because I was able to meet through performing one of my best friends and best work partners.
Tell us more about what those Lil’ Park Drag Shows are like.
When I started with Lil’ Park Drag Show, it was a show to bring drag to the public in a park. In its new growth, it has become one of the most beautiful spaces for queer joy, excellence and love. It’s an all ages drag show geared to be “family friendly,” but most importantly it’s a show to bring the art of drag to everyone and anyone who’s not able to enter a bar; it creates a safe space for new drag talent to be birthed from it. It’s every summer and nothing but fun, love and joy, and one of the most wholeheartedly wholesome times. It’s produced by Double, and I was grateful enough to be a part of the show’s team to help build more of them.
You’re gonna be part of another big drag event soon, as you’ll be competing in the second season of the “Pantheon” competition at Astoria’s Icon Bar hosted by Audrey Phoenix, premiering October 22!
I’m definitely excited–a little nervous, but who isn’t about these things? It’s definitely something new, since I said I wasn’t going to be a competition girly anymore… but here we are! I have things prepared and all the stops, so folks can be not only gooped, but gagged, too.
You’ve also got some spooky season shows coming up as well, such as the Halloween edition of “Parfait” with Themme and Peach Bellini at Starr Bar on Friday, October 20! What’s going down there?
What you can expect from me is your most hopeless romantic of Transylvania, which is a hint for what I’m doing. I’m performing with more drag family–it’s also being produced by my fairy drag parent, and a great ol’ time it should be. It’s definitely going to be a little bit of fun for me, and a breath of fresh air since that weekend is the first week of “Pantheon.” I definitely need a cute, spoopy-laced show!
There is also a Rocky Horror shadowcast you’re starring in at Purgatory on October 26th! Are you a big Rocky fan?
Yes! I love performing for the Rocky Horror shadowcast hosted by Oliver Herface. It’s a great show, and all primarily BIPOC and trans cast. I have always loved Rocky; I’ve never been the biggest fan of musicals or theatre, except Rocky… because I’m also a goth. It has an obscurity that always made me wanna rewatch it, and it’s not that showtune-type of theatre either, in my opinion. Also, while growing up Rocky heavily impacted my gender identity journey… especially when it comes to how I express myself. So Rocky will always be a favorite in my heart, always.
And on the 27th, you’ll be at The Grassy Noll in Brooklyn for a Halloween edition of “High Drag” with Daddy Stallion and Heaven Ender!
Yes! it will be my first time doing two numbers that are ten minutes long, though there’s always a first for everything.
Anything else coming up you wanna plug, or anything at all you want to mention or discuss before I ask the closer?
Then Supernova, you and other members of your drag family the Haus of Divinity will be performing in another spooky show in Brooklyn!
Yes! I’ll be co-hosting a show at Fathers Knows Best with Adra Quartz on the 28th. We’re going to have a cute costume contest, raffle prizes… and of course, come enjoy some great shows, great food and great drinks!
What else is going on with you?
The Glam Awards! I’m going for consideration to be nominated for Best Breakthrough Artist, Best Dancer, and with my partner in crime Supernova Best Duo. So nominate me and Nova… we’ve busted our asses off this year together, and even just being nominated with my bestie would mean a lot to me.
Also, head to the Aux Gallery on 628 Metropolitan Ave to view an exhibition of Lil’ Park Drag Show, where many others and I are featured.
I also want people to book and commission my talented partner Charlotte Harlot; a lot of the Damien Demise artistry wouldn’t be elevated without her. And even nominate her for Best Burlesque in the Glam Awards while your at it.
And lastly, I wanted to plug that I’m a community worker / public health worker in the day time for LGBTQ+ youth underfunded. Give a us lil’ follow; we’ve been working hard to bring safe and affirming spaces to LGBTQ+ youth that don’ have substances, and to promote harm reduction–and my baby the Trans GEM workshop, which is a makeup workshop to bring and teach gender affirming makeup to TGNC folks.
Wonderful! Okay lastly: what’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about the art or business of drag since you started?
That community and collaboration are important, because time wasn’t built in a day. So whatever you think your drag will be, surrounding yourself with folks who not only love your drag but also support you. That is vital, and [what they tell you will] not always be what you wanna hear… it may be some advice you weren’t hoping for. But it’s not that your drag is any less valid, it’s to develop your drag more. I’ve learned to never settle for less, but also don’t inflate your ego too much and always stay humble. You’ll get booked more when you’re just genuinely being you, and authentically you, unapologetically. And that’s coming from someone who’s hyper-independent. I had to teach myself that it’s okay to ask for help, and to take criticism with a grain of salt.
Thanks, Damien!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Damien Demise’s upcoming appearances, and follow them on Instagram.
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