The divine beauty of drag star DiDi Opulence must be beheld to be believed! [Cover photo: Trey Allen]
Thotyssey: Hi DiDi, thanks for chatting with us today! How are you enjoying this weirdly pleasant February weekend?
DiDi Opulence: Girl, it’s been an interesting start of the year. Overall I’m doing pretty well… I’m just maintaining my peace and surrounding myself with my family!
That’s all we can do most days! But it must be very rewarding to be surrounded by like-minded artists in Brooklyn’s nightlife scene who “get it,” and who are supportive.
Yes! I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. On the hardest of days, it’s reassuring that I can end my night being surrounded by people who understand my art and experiences. It’s what gives me a drive in life. As cliche as it sounds… it’s true. I think cliches are okay, if it’s what means getting you through.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey: where are you from originally, and were you always into creative and performing pursuits while growing up?
So I grew up in a small humblef*ck town: Bangor, PA. There was basically no representation of queer life, let alone the lifestyle that I live now. I’ve always been quite eccentric, and tried to push my style as far as my surroundings let me–even when I didn’t know it was my queer / trans instincts. I fortunately found theatre and singing in middle school. From there, I was a part of all the musicals in my school, choir, select choir, traveling choir… anything singing or theatre thing that I could access. It gave me an outlet to express myself, even if it outed myself more.
Outside of that, I would dress up my girlfriends (platonic and not) in old vintage dresses, doing their makeup, styling their hair, and then taking their photos. I didn’t know at the time what that really was to me, but I’m grateful for those friends that allowed me to express my art through their beauty. I later went to college for theatre, which helped me get to the spot that I am in today!
How did you become DiDi, and what were some of your early experiences performing in drag like?
Omg, lol! S my first drag name was actually Ms. Lee O. Horrible. Absolutely horrible. I’m a Leo, so I thought I was doing something with that. I was painting like a clown–I mean, giant drag makeup. I got into it over the pandemic, and was determined to try every single style of painting there was. I was running with the campy clown makeup, trying to get started via IG as bars weren’t open, and I was in PA. One day–once moving back to the city–I minimized my makeup, and realized that I’m kinda puss*. On the first night where I felt that, I looked in the mirror and somehow thought to myself, “yep, it’s giving DiDi (Tommy’s mom) from the Rugrats. I wanted to keep the “O” from “Ms. Lee-O,” so Opulence came from that.
From there I did online competitions, practiced my makeup, lived in Washington state going to events as DiDi Opulence, and eventually moving back to NYC starting open sets. Actually my first performance in NYC in “drag” was as a drag king for a Pride month drag brunch, lol!
How would you describe the DiDi experience today?
60’s glamour, combined with a 90’s high whore essence. You can expect a beautiful mug and display of body, combined with a tight lip sync that evokes emotion and burlesque. I pull so much inspo from my transcestors, and try to carry their stories and style with me.
Do you incorporate singing in your drag, still?
I have sang in drag before! As of recent, not really. The sound systems aren’t always the best, and sometimes I feel out of place singing a jazz ballad in a nightclub. Being a little more confident in myself and my art now, I have thought about bringing it back. It would give my legs a rest from doing splits every other night!
You did Janelle No. 5’s “Ultimate Diva” competition recently, and I know you’ve done other big competition shows as well. Do you thrive in that competitive setting?
Yes! I honestly had one of the best nights in my drag career during “Ultimate Diva.” Competitions to me are exactly as they are: a platform to display your art, and allow a panel to judge you on it. You go in believing you can win, but knowing that your art is worthwhile regardless of the outcome. You can either take the critiques and apply them, or simply toss them away.
I have had great experiences competing, as they’ve allowed me to put a lot of focus on my art, while having a real reason to elevate myself. They’ve helped me learn a lot of drag classic lip syncs, and gave me a platform to be seen. I love the adrenaline rush, too. It’s like, I simply can’t back out… I’m backstage and I’m on a list to compete, I have no choice but to go on and do the thing. If you go in taking it too serious, it truly won’t work. I go in taking my art serious–myself, not so much–and allowing the possibilities to lead me where they shall, win or lose.
Speaking of competitions, did you catch the latest Drag Race? The doll challenge was cute, Q did a great job and deserved the win, Sapphira shouldn’t have wasted that potion cuz she was fine, and Geneva’s exit was sad, but expected! Any thoughts on the ep, or who you’re rooting for now?
Omg, now the episode is spoiled for me! Joking, lol, as you said, an expected outcome… no tea, no shade. I did not watch the most recent episode, but I am looking forward to it. Honestly, I’m really loving this season. The girls really are talented and really want to win. I’m rooting for Nymphia, or Sapphira. I think Nymphia thus far has shown the most diversity, the best execution, and is overall so refreshing. I truly would love to see her win.
You‘ve been serving fierce shows yourself, including the recurring “Double Ds” at All Night Skate which you co-host with Daniella Darling that returns February 21st! What can you tell us about that show?
Yes, “Double D’s” became our baby a few months ago! All Night is actually where Daniella and I met. There is such a magic at that bar. I can’t shoutout them enough for the love and support they have provided us. Truly, I am forever grateful for my All Night community.
“Double D’s’ is a trans extravaganza. Everyone who helps run the show is trans / GNC. The purpose is to create a trans space, a trans party, a trans community. There aren’t many of those happening enough, and we are in a time where they’re desperately needed. [This month] we are going to give you all the Valentine’s Day sex and passion and heartbreak realness. We have some really special treats in store, so you’ll just have to come to find out yourself! After all, we’re all about a tease… can’t reveal too much at once.
And looking ahead, March 22-23 you’ll be performing at Triskelion Arts in Brooklyn for Miz Jade’s curated stage event “Synthesis!”
I am so excited and honored to be a part of such a stellar cast and production. Miz Jade actually judged “GOT CXNT,” a competition run by Ginger Von Snap that I won a few months back. From there we’ve been connected, and have done a few gigs together including her judging me in another comp, and working with her for her viewing party for Drag Race with Thorgy. Miz Jade has become a huge inspo in my life, and I am learning a lot from her… even if she isn’t trying to teach me!
Honestly… I’m excited to use more of my theatre roots for this performance. I’m most definitely going to be doing a burlesque number, with choreo, sex appeal, and as always, a trans excellence. I’m not quite sure what it is yet, but when it comes, my body will know.
What else is coming up for you?
I have some shows coming up that you can find in my page! I really can’t stress enough that I’m here for love and community… we need to ask ourselves why we do nightlife. Why do we do drag? There is so much negativity in the world–an understatement, as we’re quite literally funding genocide–and we won’t get anywhere if we don’t work together. Spread love, and give each other a break. We have the power to change things, so let’s use it for good.
Well said! Thanks, DiDi!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for DiDi Opulence’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
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