A fun post-lockdown addition to NYC drag who’s a country girl at heart, Moxy Cillin is currently living the sweet life at Suite Bar! [Cover photo: FD Photo Studio NY]
Thotyssey: Hi Moxy, thanks for chatting with us! How Is February treating you so far?
Moxy Cillin: Why, hello Thotyssey! Thank you for chatting with me! February has been jam packed and busy so far, but I’m blessed to have these opportunities!
Happy birthday! How are you celebrating?
I’m enjoying some southern food prepared by my good friend: collard greens, butter beans, cornbread, etc… and wearing PJ’s, not doin’ anything!
Delish! Are you a native Southerner?
Truthfully I am a Chicago-to-New York transplant, but per my tinder bio: “I’m from Chicago, but my heart’s from Tennessee.” I was raised in a family with southern values, and I have family all over the south (Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky). So at heart, yes I am! I mean my apartment is Dolly Parton, cow, and chicken themed.
When you were growing up, were you into performing, fashion, music, etc.? All the drag skills?
Growing up, I traveled the Midwest with my country grandparents in their camper singing at bluegrass festivals; they were a part of a bluegrass group that made CDs and everything! They would have me on stage to sing old gospel bluegrass hymns, while my sister would clog on the side.
I am a theatre kid at heart; I performed in over 40 community theatre shows from age 7 to 18. I was a competitive dancer at the time, performing in all styles–tap being my strongest! Wigs and costumes always sparked my interest during these years as well. I used to put on my sister’s old dance costumes and Halloween wigs, and put on performances as Tracy Turnblad in our play room. At 13 years old, I had one of the fiercest feather boa collections you couldn’t even imagine! I’ve been a performing diva my whole life!
That’s fascinating! By the way, are you excited about Beyoncé’s foray into country?
Oh, am I ever! One of my favorite Beyoncé moments in history is her performing with The Chicks at the Country Music Awards in 2016!
That was quite a moment! A beautiful performance, although they got some dirty looks from the good ole boys in the audience! Also, are you familiar with Flamy Grant, the queen who is charting big time with rural Gospel music?
I was actually just recently introduced to Miss Grant! A beautiful voice… and such strength that one has.
How did your own drag journey begin?
When I was two years old, my dad put me in my first pair of heels; the diva has been strutting ever since! Moxy Cillin was created during Covid quarantine; Rupaul’s Drag Race was doing a drive-in-drag show across the country that allowed people to enjoy drag outside. I decided I was going to go in drag! I played with names for a a few days but landed on “Moxy Cillin” because it’s the one medicine from my childhood I remember loving the taste of. And pharmaceutical names are just so darn fabulous!
I made my official performance debut after years and years of playing with wigs and makeup in the Chicago suburbs where my family lives, and it changed my world forever. After moving to NYC to pursue musical theatre, I did drag virtually and won a few competitions! I immediately booked my first regional theatre job out of graduation from AMDA doing KinkyBoots in Florida where I got to mash my two worlds together. And that, was just the beginning!
How would you describe the drag you like to do today?
I like to think of myself as “The Full Experience Queen.” The type of drag you will find at a show serves humor, drama, camp, and glamour with a side of Grit(z). I love showcasing my southern upbringing through my drag, while simultaneously being able to click “next” and serve a Cheryl Lynn disco number from the 70’s. My goal in life is to be the Dolly Parton of drag, leaving audiences moved with giggles, and allowing them to leave the outside world for an hour of their day!
Your drag mom is Amanda Pörq; she’s a great comedy pageant queen!
Yes! She’s been so supportive of me, and is such an amazing friend / mentor.
These days we can find you a few nights a week at Suite Bar uptown. That’s a venue I rarely get to talk about here; a favorite of Colombia University kids! You’ve been doing a weekly there called “Thirsty Thursdays.”
Thirsty Thursdays at the Suite Bar started October 26th, with my first special guest Bianca Star and the show has been thriving ever since! We’ve created such a community on Thursday nights uptown, with the patrons of Suite Bar and UWS locals; it’s been a blast! The history of the Suite Bar and the legacy of the queens who have come through–such as Honey Davenport, Miz Cracker, Brenda Dharling, and Pattaya Hart–makes me feel so honored every week to keep the drag legacy going uptown! The owner Ivan and my weekly bartender Luis have shown me so much love and support, I couldn’t do it without them! The show is done variety style, showcasing all kinds of numbers from comedy to ballads to live belting from myself! The show also features a special guest every week.
And while Suite’s usual karaoke hostess Victoria Chase is taking a little break, you are also hosting filling in for her throughout the week!
Yes, I’ve been filling in a bunch for karaoke! Suite Bar hosts drag karaoke Wednesdays and Sundays 9:30-2:00am, and Friday and Saturdays 9:30-3:00am.
What’re your go-to karaoke numbers?
“Suspicious Minds” by Elvis! I also love doing “You’re Lookin’ at Country” by Loretta Lynn… or on Drag Race Fridays, “Supermodel” by RuPaul!
What else is coming up for you?
Nothing brand new coming up just yet; my current weekly booking is “Thirsty Thursdays!” My shows are all on Instagram, so be on the lookout!
Okay lastly, as mentioned earlier: Drag Race! Who would you be on “Snatch Game”… and who are you rooting for in this post-Megami run of the current season?
Patti LuPone… immediately Patti LuPone. I just love her, and have so many ideas what I would do! Of the queens remaining, I gotta say I’m loving what Miss Nymphia is serving! Her looks are to die for, and the viewers haven’t seen her do what I’ve seen her do yet… and that’s a kick ass lip sync! She’s a force, for sure!
Thanks, Moxy!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Moxy Cillin’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Thotyssey 