Coming into a stacked week of gigs, this Brooklyn based queen is here to serve fascinatingly fringy fun… Soraya Sis! [Cover photo: @tay.emilyy]
Thotyssey: Hi Soraya, thanks for chatting today! So how was your Pride month?
Soraya Sis: Hey Thotyssey, thank you for having me! Pride was absolutely thrilling (and honestly, still doesn’t feel like it’s over just yet)! This has been my first working Pride since this time last year when I was just starting drag, so I’m feeling extremely grateful for the opportunities and very excited for what else is in store.
Congrats on a great first drag year! You Also started the month of July with an interesting show at C’mon Everybody last night… a tribute to COBRAH, who is kind of on the fascinating fringe for drag tribute subjects! How did that show go?
“On the fascinating fringe” is the perfect way to describe where I want my drag, haha! It was a phenomenal show! It was the first time co-producing alongside my work wife Daniella Darling, and we cast my work husband, Maxx Love. So innately there was love, and cxnt in the air! It was also so lovely seeing COBRAH fans pour in, dance and appreciate the tribute.
Can you tell us a bit of your origin story? Where are you from, and what were interests, skill sets and maybe personal experiences you had that led you to this Drag Year?
Well I’m a true and through New Yorker (born, bred and breeding). I was raised in Brooklyn and I’m Puerto Rican–which may explain why I love to talk shit. I’ll actually be doing a borough reveal to expose what borough I was born in for a show coming up in August, so keep an eye out for that!
I studied film and television production in college, which really helped channel my love for storytelling and dreaming up worlds and characters to captivate an audience. A college internship landed me on the wardrobe team for a show on Comedy Central, which then led to a decade long career in the fashion industry as a wardrobe stylist and personal shopper.
Thankfully, that background wound up mixing with my experiences in competitive dancing, theater acting, and reading my friends, which helps in drag… a lot.
Now how I got exposed to drag – that’s the tea.
Oh, do spill!
So I definitely have to give flowers to great loves of my life that have shared the world of drag to me on so many levels. More on that later.
Way before drag was up close and personal, the first drag performer I had ever seen in any capacity was Willam on her YouTube series The Beatdown around 2012, where she would read people on the internet (relatable). And my first experience at a drag show was at a restaurant a few years later called Times Scare for The Sinful Cabaret, which featured renowned trans icons Maddelynn Hatter and Charlene Incarnate!
Aside from a happy hour at the Ritz where I saw some of the “do I have something on my face?” episode from Drag Race, I hadn’t watched a full episode of Drag Race until a partner of mine introduced me to it during the pandemic. We binged every season (twice) and I fell in love with the art form as a viewer. I hadn’t even imagined at the time that was something I could possibly do.
My next relationship brought drag into my daily life very quickly, since they are a full-time professional drag queen. (No, I won’t be dropping any names…for free). We fell in love, traveled together and worked on so many exciting projects. They’re a superstar and sweetheart, so it was so easy to support and uplift them as they chased their dream. Still, I couldn’t imagine that I could step in those heels and do what they did. They put me in makeup for the first time for my birthday, and I remember feeling so liberated and excited.
My home bar (C’mon Everybody) hosts a drag competition called “Bitch Fest” with a rotating monthly cast pre-selected by their host, La Zavaleta. After attending two cycles, she announced an open-set style competition for Pride month. The winner of every week’s theme was casted for the month of July. My second time in drag, I won Week 2: Hell’s Kitchen – where I did a ballad in a gown in tribute to Jasmin Van Wales, and hit the ground running to compete for my place in the Grand Finale!
An epic tale! Regarding your name… is psoriasis a condition you’re dealing with in real life?
I sure am! My psoriasis used to be a huge insecurity of mine. I used it as an excuse for a long time to avoid makeup–“my skin is gonna hate it. I don’t want it to trigger anything.” I later realized that I was using this as an excuse to avoid exploring expression, gender, art and performance. I had a lot to unpack. Now something that used keep me locked in the house is what brings me out with a smile.
Do you and another local queen on the rise, Sorayah D, get DMs meant for each other by mistake?
We definitely occasionally get tagged in each other’s stuff. I actually recently cast her for a drag spin on Desperate Housewives, where we played rival housewives! Picture it: competing for the same man and name! Haha, she’s a sweetheart… and that was such a fun show!
How might you describe your drag today?
I always want my drag to reflect a core element of fun. I want people at a Soraya Sis show to enjoy themselves! So in my looks and performances I love intertwining shock value, wild humor and a production. Whether it’s bringing a life-size CeraVe bottle on stage or staying in Elmo character voice the entire night, I want the audience to be entertained and happy to be there.
In drag I’ve been called a Miami Housewife, a business woman and a goofy ass bitch – and honestly, that all tracks. I’d like to think my drag persona is way more versatile than I am out of drag.
Werq! We need to talk about something very serious now: BAGELS! You’re starring in a drag tribute to this sacred food item with a show called “Schmear” at Brooklyn’s Purgatory on a Monday! What can you tell us about this show… and what is your own personal favorite bagel order?
Oh, yes! Myself and my dear friends (the co-producers of “Schmear,” Mx. Ology and Selena Surreal) were in Bagelsmith until 7am after the gig one night with a bunch of our divas, where the concept was birthed! We will be giving you very much the late night/early AM hours of ordering while inebriated, delusional comedy, and “divas being (very, very) fierce” – Vena Cava
As a carb connoisseur, I’m excited to give you Poppy Seed realness.
My order, however, is a toasted everything bagel with bacon, over easy egg and cheddar cheese. Here’s what you’ve got to do to finesse it, though: add a hash brown inside, and avocado. Some pepper and ketchup sprinkled on top and boom–an entire breakfast packed in a bagel. With a lemon Joe’s Tea (if you know, you know).
A divine show. And sandwich!
I know! I’m a bit hungry now.
Next up, on Tuesday you’ll be a guest for I’m Baby’s show “Dyke Drag” at Ginger’s Bar!
I’m super excited for “Dyke Drag’s Latina Diva!” I’m Baby and I have been plotting on doing a latine show together for the longest, so I’m very grateful to join the cast.
Fun fact: Years back, Ginger’s Bar wound up being the after party for my (straight/ally) cousin’s college graduation party. So we brought my mom, grandparents, aunts and uncles (the whole fam!) to this vibrant, lesbian neighborhood bar… and they had the time of their lives! It was the first time most, if not all, of them had been in a queer space, and they were extremely respectful and danced all night. I’m excited to continue to make memories there.
Then Wednesday, you’ll be co-hosting a mixer night called “Poly Pocket” at Dromedary, with A Drag Queen Named Darius.
Oh yes! It’s a packed week. At 8pm we kick off a mix and mingle, which has been the most interactive drag show I’ve personally ever hosted! A Drag Queen Named Darius and I have backgrounds in comedy, so there’s a lot of jokes! We play fun games with the audience, and get to know one another. And what better place for a poly show than Bushwick!?
And, though we’re definitely making space for the open, poly and queer communities – we’re inclusive and welcoming of all walks of life. It’s really a safe space to get to make new friends, laugh, flirt, watch drag shows and enjoy Dromedary’s all-night food and drink happy hour. If you happen to leave with a gorgeous couple – that’s just an added bonus!
On Saturday, you’ll be taking part in a benefit showcase for Palestine on the 8th floor of 26 Broadway in Lower Manhattan. What more can you tell us about that?
I’m super excited to be organizing this fundraiser with my dear friend N-Ma! This will be the second fundraiser we’ve produced for emergency relief in Palestine and after our success with the first (“Three Queens Day”) we decided to go bigger! A bigger venue, bigger cast of performers, and aiming towards an even bigger goal! We’ll be partnering with MADRE who is doing extremely important work with local partners in Palestine.
We’ve secured ASL interpretation thanks to Fingers Crossed Interpreting ran by fellow performer and lovely human-being Anne J. Tifah (the “J” is for community), vendors who will be tabling artwork, and a cocktail bar. It’s all fun to create in the name of art, but coming together when we’re being forced to be pushed apart is crucial… and using our voices, platforms and money for human rights is absolutely necessary!
We plan to run several fundraisers throughout the year as part of a “United For:” series to raise money for communities in need.
I see another show of yours at C’mon Everybody has just been announced as well.
Oh yes! The next “Good Sis” production: “Gooney Tunes!” July 20th, 8pm. After the success of “Powerpuff Gworls” and “Sisame Street,” we’re keeping the nostalgia alive and bringing some of your favorite cartoon characters to life.
And looking ahead to Saturday, July 27 at C’mon Everybody: “TooCxntFoo!” That’s gonna be a drag tribute to To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar care of Cxnty Creations, featuring a great cast including you!
Yes, on my birthday! Bringing in my 30s with a comedic tribute to one of the classics!
Happy birthday! To Wong Foo is a cult film that’s finding a resurgence these past few years with the Young Gays.
It sure is making a resurgence, and it’s refreshing to put some of the younger crowd on to the drag representation we had growing up (even if the actors are all cis and straight) while bringing a modern, cxnty twist to it. Spindarella is also a brilliant performer and a beloved sister of mine, so to share the stage with her and this stellar cast is gonna be everything! I will also being going full camp with being a sheriff for this one.
Anything else?
There’s also a sequel to the “West Boro Bad B*tch Church” show (co-produced with RuAfza) in the works for August! So keep an eye out for that announcement towards the end of July!
All very exciting! Okay, lastly: what’s your favorite item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
Oh, do I have to pick just one!? I can definitely narrow it down to a tie at least! My YSL Libre perfume and Listerine strips… ’cause looking good is fierce, but smelling good secures the booking!
Words to live by! Thanks, Soraya!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Soraya Sis’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Thotyssey 