Known for overall gorgeousness, a good heart and taking part in many levels of NYC nightlife, Ell McCullars is one for all of us to watch. [Cover photo: David Rauch-Bautista]
Thotyssey: Hello ma’am, thanks for chatting with us today! How are you enjoying 2024 so far, lol? Is this gonna be an amazing year?
Ell McCullars: Hi Jim, I’m boo how are you? So far I’ve had a really calming start to 2024. Yes, this years is going to yield positive things for me.
On New Years Eve you ended a weekly party you were producing at Red Eye called “Sweet Tea Sunday.” What was that like?
The owners at Red Eye were super kind and supportive in providing me a space and a budget, but it wasn’t something I saw growing at the moment. I would rather step back, rethink, recreate, and produce something better. I really appreciate seeing my first vision come to life at Red Eye.
You do a lot of different stuff: media and event production, performing, and being a fun person on the scene! What do you really wanna be “known” for in 2024, if anything?
You know that’s a question I asked myself on Dec 31st, 2023 11:59pm… lol! I have an undeniable love for nightlife and social events; I’d like people to know I have talents too. I’ve been kinda afraid to pursue them… not anymore! Thankfully, I have really supportive friends who helped ease me into the performance side. I want to be known for being an entertainer.
I’ve seen recent photos of you in drag… gorge! What’s her name, and how might you describe her?
Thanks! So, It’s nice to be called “gorge.” I decided to keep it simple and stick with Ell. I’ve been doing drag since I was seven years old, sneaking and putting on my Moma’s church pumps. I would describe my drag as a mashup of gender blender, a clunky fun fashion diva that loves power ballots, and a heavy pour. My goal is to make sure people are having fun.
Can you tell us a bit about where you’re from, and what sort of interests you had while growing up?
I was born in a very small city called Salisbury in Maryland. Growing up, I loved to sing and dance. I did choir all through middle school and junior high. Performance art is something I wish I knew existed as a college career. I can sing, and dance, and would love an opportunity to act. If I don’t do it now, I might miss that opportunity to do it later.
We need a one (wo)man sho from you! How did you find yourself among the monsters of New York nightlife?
Zeta Jones, Maddelynn Hatter, Kareem McJagger were my introductory queens to NYC nightlife back in 2016, before I moved here. and throughout the last seven years, I witnessed some of those amazing performance artists go on stage and knock it out of the park. That’s given me so much energy to give it a try myself!
When you’re not gigging somewhere, what’s you’re favorite sort of thing to do?
When I’m not working, I look forward to spending time at home. I’m having a nice craft Manhattan and watching a classic.
You also occasionally host a podcast… what can you tell us about that?
“Queer Late Night” is in a rebranding stage where I want everything to come full circle. I started the podcast only to create a platform where I interview people from the LGBTQ community to share insightful stories. Podcasting is hard when you’re wearing all the hats… I’m working on new material, and it’s coming.
What else is coming up for you? And what are some big strides you’d really like to shoot for in the distant future, like a long term project or projects?
That’s a great question. I’ve learned before if I put things out there about upcoming ideas and projects, it puts much more pressure on me. You’ll have to wait and see what’s next. It’s something you haven’t seen from me yet.
Very exciting! Okay lastly: what would you rather be doing in three hours from now: drag performing, gogo dancing or hosting a party?
Drag performing of course!
Of course! Thanks, Ell!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Ell McCullars’ upcoming appearances, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Thotyssey 