She’s got tons of talent and even a few drag champion titles for good measure… the sharpest screwdriver in the Toolbox, Ms. Mady Lopez! [Cover photo: Chara Confusion]
Thotyssey: Mady, hello! Happy July! How was your Pride?
Mady Lopez: Hey, happy July! It was wonderful–so busy and fun.
How many Prides have you celebrated in New York, now?
This is my second year celebrating as a drag queen.
Congrats! Where are you originally from, and what made you want to become a drag queen?
Well, I am an Ecuadorian princess, proudly, I come from a small and beautiful city called Babahoyo.
I started more than anything out of the need to exploit all my creativity. I want to say that I have been dancing since I was five years old, and since I can remember I have always been surrounded by art in general. But everything was enhanced when I was 18 years old and discovered a program on YouTube called La Mas Draga. My curiosity was awakened to mix my talents with drag art.
How did you become Mady, and where did she debut?
The first time I transformed, I had no name until a few days before my first outing. Completely transformed, I received not very pleasant news–one of my mothers was gone, so I took her name as a tribute to keep her always with me. My debut was in the iconic Barracuda; coincidentally the same day I debuted, I won.
What a remarkable tribute to your mom! How might you describe your drag today?
Very practical. I try to be what my gays and my theys want to see on stage: sensuality, charm, and many surprises. but I also like to teach a little Spanish because I’m Latina, and try to teach everybody a little bit of my language with a couple of songs by my Latin divas.
You have two pageant / competition titles listed in your IG profile: Shop Queen Season 2 Winner, and Miss Drag Factor 2024! What can you tell us about those wins?
I am realizing that I love to compete, and the first competition I did was “Repair the Queen,” produced by Mason Nichols at the Toolbox. It was an incredible experience, each number I presented was different and exciting to create. and the second was Drag Factor produced by Laura Martinez at the Trio Bar–a horrible experience, but I must note that in this act it was a little more personal since the number I presented at my finale was completely in Spanish and also dedicated to my mother and my origins.
Let’s hope that a new title is added, since I am participating in “Versus Drag Talent,” so exited for this new adventure.
These days you host Sexy Saturdays at the venue you won “Repair the Queen” in: Toolbox!
The palenques is full most of the time, lol! It’s very fun, the energy is high, it’s very intimate which I love, the fun is never lacking… whenever you want, I’ll invite you for some drinks!
Are you in a drag house with Penny Livonia?
I’m not part of any house, but I was part of the Drag Race viewing party at Secret Pour with Marcel the Artist and Penny Livonia; we had good chemistry working. They talked to me about forming a house, but I didn’t want to be part of something like that for the moment. But I love Marcel and Penny. I even have an upcoming project with Penny; we are going to have a brunch this coming July 13th and 27th, I am very excited for “Alm Uerzo” at Alma Cantina in Brooklyn. Let’s hope this one is regular… I love when I have to work with other artists, it’s very exciting.
What else is coming up for you?
For now only Versus Drag competition in True Colors Bar, the brunch at Alma Cantina, and hopefully more events will be added to the calendar. Stay tuned on my social media!
Let’s end with: what’s your favorite item in your drag bag, cosmetics or otherwise?
Okay, this is very difficult. Everyone says that I smell very good all the time. I think that I don’t feel like myself without my perfume… I love seeing it in a drag bag.
The sweet smell of success! Thanks, Mady!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Mady Lopez’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and YouTube.
Thotyssey 