A fierce young queen on the rise is ready for her takeover: ride the cool breeze of Heroine Wintour’s ascent!
Thotyssey: Hey, Heroine! It’s a gorge spring Hump Day, are you enjoying it?
Heroine Wintour: Hi, Thanks for having me! Yes, my morning and afternoon has honestly been nothing to complain about!
Last time I saw you, you were guest performing at Pieces Bar for “Frisky Fridays” with Brita Filter and Ruby Roo.
Yes, that was a very fun night. I enjoyed preforming besides them; they are legends, especially Brita! What an honor!
Where is your original hometown, and have music, fashion and performing always been a party of your life?
My original hometown is Staten Island, lol! I know, everyone looking at me sideways. But, music, fashion, and performing have always been a huge part in my life–as early as I could remember, when I was a little kid dancing naked in the living room to Kesha or Nicki Minaj, I was maybe five.
I was in drama class for about eight years, so performing and acting have been parts of my life since the sixth grade. I love the transformative ascent of acting and preforming; the way you can turn a persona on and make whatever you want come to life to entertain a crowd makes me happy.
Fashion is big to me as well. I’ve always never wanted to fit in the norm growing up; I would always do things to be different or stick out. I think that has come a long away, and is now coming across in my drag!
Have you ever ridden the Staten Island Ferry in drag?
Actually, no. I try to avoid public transportation in drag, especially with what’s going on in the climate of everyone wanting drag queens and trans people to disappear. I don’t feel comfortable and safe to. Targeting mainly POC queer people makes me angry, and I don’t want it happening to anyone in the community.
So how did your drag journey begin, and where was your first appearance / performance?
My drag journey began up in quarantine. I used to do makeup on myself as a boy just for fun; I would take a whole bunch of pictures, then wipe it all off. But then I really fell in love with the art of drag from watching the Sibling Rivalry podcast with Monet and Bob, and wanted to get into it myself. Ever since slapping that Shein wig on my head, the monster was born: Miss Heroine.
I do actually want to shout out Ginger Von Snap–she used to host this competition called “Got Cxnt” at the Rosemont. I hit her up and she gave me a spot, and from there I haven’t stopped trying to make it big in NYC with all these damn drag queens.
What was your first number?
“Don’t Ya” by Chloe and Missy Elliot. I was Top Two that night!
Speaking of “all these damn drag queens,” how challenging is it for a newer performer to navigate gigs and exposure in nightlife, when there such a girth of drag in this city?
It’s been hard, lol. I have just been grinding and putting my art out there as much as possible right now. It’s a lot of networking and building relationships with people in the scene. That’s how most girls get gigs nowadays–by who they know, and such.
I’m just vibing, though–being authentically myself, and being a good person! Doing things that makes me happy, and making the audience feel entertained. I have so many ideas and outfits and creations and plans and businesses I want to own… things I’ve never seen before. One day it will all come into my hands, I’m sure!
How might you describe the type of drag you like to do today as far as looks, numbers, themes, etc.?
That’s hard… I don’t like to put myself in a box, lol. As of recently, I’ve been into very high energy numbers. I like to do different things though, because it makes drag exciting to me! As far as looks go, I’ve been in my “sex era”: I just like to feel sexy whether I’m wearing a catsuit, gown, whatever it is–I just wanna feel sexy! I am very inspired by the 1990s with the classic silhouettes, fur, tight fit. But also, the rave girl aesthetic! I just love, love, love mixing it up.
We’ll get a chance to see all that in full effect this Thursday, when you’ll be guest performing in one of the city’s biggest and most famous weekly shows: QUEEN at Industry!
Yess, I’m super excited… and again, it’s an honor. [Showrunner] Holly Dae is an icon. I met her [at her “Open Call” weekly competition at The Ritz] last week ,and she asked me to guest spot… and who would turn that down!? It’s going to be a night to remember. It’s my Industry Bar debut, and I really couldn’t be happier seeing my name get out there and showing the people how amazing I am as a performer!
Anything else coming up for you?
I am going to be at Amor Loco on one Sunday every month, hosting with the lovely Alicia Love and Jeff Perla. It’s a fabulous brunch show. This month it’s on the 19th, so definitely come out! Besides that, follow my Instagram to see what the cuntiest super shero of NYC is doing!
Okay, lastly: what’s your favorite cosmetics item in your drag bag right now?
The One/Size white pressed powder, and the NYX lift and snatch eyebrow pen in espresso–can’t do my mug without it. And don’t forget: Wintour is always coming!
Thanks, Heroine!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Heroine Wintour’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 