Manic Pixie Nightmare Woman, Mistress of Puppets, Hot Mess All-Star and your favorite multi-borough queen of the season: take us to Koko Momo!
Thotyssey: Hiya Koko, happy May! Are you ready for mid-Spring madness in New York nightlife?
Koko Momo: Hey! Thank you! My seasonal depression has lifted, I’m soakin’ up the sun and ready to frolic in the flowers on the way to some cute gigs.
And she’s busy, too! How long have you been doing drag now?
Oooh, I’m trying to be busy! I just celebrated my two year anniversary this past February.
Congrats! Where are you from originally, and were performance and fashion always a part of your life?
I’m originally from Albany, NY. When it comes to performance, I connected to theater at a very young age. I love performing in musicals, and that grew into a love for musical improv once I moved to the city. I never really loved the energy in musical theater audition rooms, so I left that behind and focused on performing on a musical house team at the Magnet Theater in Chelsea. Now when it comes to fashion… I don’t know her, or she doesn’t know me!
Lol! So then how might you describe Koko today?
Koko is a manic pixie nightmare woman! Wildly emotionally stunted, friends with puppets, very influenced by Pee-Wee, Y2K and being a goofy lil’ troll. In almost all of my performances, I try and give you some sort of narrative in a dumb / fun way.
How has NYC drag been treating you? It can be pretty cutthroat out there, and also… there’s a lot of it!
Honestly, I had such a weird start. My first time in drag I co-hosted a matchmaking show with my very good friend Karmen. From there I did [the drag competition] “Pantheon” at Icon in Astoria, and performing every week within the challenges helped expand my drag / character perspective. I also loved the pressure!
So I live in Harlem and a lot of my first opportunities have been in Astoria. I’ve now been meeting a whole new group of amazing performers in Brooklyn. As I have been expanding, I’m finding more performers to be obsessed with.
Speaking of Brooklyn, you won an All-Stars edition of the “Hot Mess” drag competition at House of Yes that Zalika Parsons hosts! Was that a fun experience?
Holy shit, yes! It was an absolute blast. That space was a dream to perform in, I met so many amazing performers, and Zalika is such a talented host.
And recently, you performed for the Reefer Madness shadowcast at Icon! How did that go?
It fulfilled all of my nostalgic musical theater rehearsal memories! I’ve always loved the movie musical, and was so happy to have been cast. Angela Mansberry and Avant Garbage of Midnight@6 did the damn thing. We rehearsed many Saturdays, worked on choreography and staging, and I was just so happy with how it came out. It gave me that senior year last show before we graduate vibe.
You also slay live vocals! Do you try to sing in every show?
Oh well thank you! I try and mix it up a lot: some singing, some lip sync, some puppets, and who knows what else. But David Puck and I have a new monthly show at Dromedary where we harness our musical improv skills to drive the show. So if you like wacky live singing, come to Bushwick the first Friday of every month.
That show is called “PucKoko’s Fever Dream,” and it’s returning this Friday!
Then next Thursday, you’ll be back in Astoria for Gigi St. Croix’s monthly “ZODIAQ” at Albatross! What’s your sign?
Yes, yes yes, you are on top of it! I’m so excited to be performing in ZODIAQ in Taurus season since I very much am a Taurus. My birthday was this past Monday!
Then the very next day (Friday) you’ll be performing for Temple Grande’s birthday show at Rockbar.
Yes, a fellow Taurus! The cast is stacked: Gigi, Mizzaddy and my Reefer Madness cuties Lacy Stoner, Boxa Crayonz, Harriet Tugsmen and Cunning Stunt. I’m wildly excited.
What else is coming up for you?
Nothing specific yet, but I have some exciting things in the works for June. Also, maybe I’ll birth some new puppets before then! If you give me a cute lil’ follow on Insta you can keep updated.
Okay lastly: Drag Race All Stars is almost upon us already! Who in the newly announced cast are you excited to see?
As someone who recently watched most of Drag U, I’m most excited to see Shannel. Though I’m also looking forward to wowie-worthy looks from Gottmik and Plastique. Also,I loved Vanjie’s dating show… so excited to see her too.
Thanks, Koko!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Koko Momo’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 