VERS Bar’s “Get Schooled” winner, this secret agent queen is busting into the headquarters of your mind and stealing all your secrets… the stealthy and sublime Espi O’Najj!
Thotyssey: Hi Espi, thanks for chatting with us on this ungodly hot day! How is your summer so far?
Espi O’Najj: Hello, hello! Thank you for chatting with me on this ungodly hot day! My summer has been amazing so far! Lots of travel and lots of love. Definitely the best Pride month I’ve had, too! I was running all over the city every weekend for Pride Month. I performed with a couple of friends for their birthdays, did my first booked brunch shows in the city, and ended the month with Levi’s Pride!
Oh yes, how did that go? Did you get any freebies, lol?
Levi’s Pride was everything. I got to perform with some of the most dynamic performers, be with community, and received a whole custom costume provided by Rodrigo Bunton! But the best freebie had to be getting to see Inside Out 2 in drag with the cast, lol.
Werk! Which Emotion Character are you?
Ooh, that’s a good question! I would love to be Disgust, but I think I’d be lying if I didn’t say I saw myself in Anxiety, haha!
We are definitely all Anxiety these days!
Truly!
So, where you from originally, and did you always have a background in performance?
I like to say I’m from the global south: born in Tennessee, raised in Texas, and found a home in South Carolina. I was always a theatrical kid, so I grew up in dance and theatre primarily. I went to school for Performing Arts, then moved to NC and started drag!
You recently shared a Reel of who I must assume is Little Espi with the Queen Bey herself! How did this meeting happen?
Yes! So I am a cancer survivor, and have always been a huge Beyoncé fan. So like the little queer kid I was, when asked about a Make-A-Wish, I knew Disney wasn’t enough. I needed to meet my idol, and luckily I was able to. I got to talk to her for like, ten minutes, sing to her… it was definitely the best moment of my life.
That’s beautiful! She literally gave you life! Your drag name is cute… how did it come to you?
I am a huge nerd for a multitude of things–for my drag name it’s big words, video games and culture. My favorite Sonic the Hedgehog character is a chameleon named Espio, my favorite overall video game character is a witch named Bayonetta, and a lot of my childhood friends had apostrophes and double letters in their names. So I combined
Espi (Espio), O (BayOnetta) and ‘Najj (childhood friends)… and thus the secret agent was born!
I met you as a co-judge for the “Get Schooled” drag competition’s season finale at VERS Bar that Yasmeen Kennedy hosted some time ago. You were it’s winner the cycle prior! Winning that title must’ve been a great experience.
Oh yes! I had just moved to New York about six months prior, and was told about “Get Schooled.” It was one of the most unique competitions I’ve done in the city, and I owe Yasmeen Kennedy and VERS so much for creating such a safe space. I got to meet so many performers and icons in the scene, and kickstart my drag journey here.
How might you describe your drag today, for the uninformed, as far as looks and numbers go?
If I could use one word to describe my drag, I would say tantalizing. A lot of people tell me I remind them of Ciara or Janet (the highest honor), so most people would probably say I’m a dancer, because it’s my go-to–given it’s my background. But being in New York has pushed me to do more ballads and quirky mixes. I can go from Beyoncé to Gorillaz to Sade. I’m usually a tight, leather girly, but lately I’ve been embracing my southern pride–so my looks have been very Wild West inspired.
She’s versatile! Have you been keeping up with Drag Race All-Stars?
I have! It’s been my favorite All-Stars season in a long time. It is stiff competition, and I love what Plastique and Gottmik have served on the runway, but… you can’t read the doll! My winner is the doll herself, Roxxxy Andrews.
It is a great cast, but how can Roxxxy not win?
Exactly! You get it!
You’re going to be winning us all over big time this Sunday, as a guest performer in Rayne’s Stonewall Invasion!
Yes! It definitely will be a night to remember, I actually got to finally meet Rayne last month at a mutual friend’s birthday show, so it means a lot to be able to perform with her again! I’ve also never been to Stonewall (which should be a crime, I know), so I’m excited to not only be there for the first time, but also make my debut!
And looking ahead to August 16, you will be competing in the second preliminary round of the Mx Nobody pageant at Purgatory! Are you excited to get back into a big competition?
I am so excited! I haven’t done a competition in a while, so I’ve had time to really get creative and prepare. The competitors are all so unique and incredible, but I am very excited to show a different side of Espi.
What else is coming up for you?
Stay tuned into the Espi O’Najj Experience, because she is slowly but surely making a name for herself… and will definitely be on a stage near you!
We are all tuned in! Okay lastly: what’s your favorite, most essential item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
This might be a weird answer, but either of these apps on my phone: “Plants vs Zombies” or the “Word Search” game. Whenever I’m nervous or overstimulated in the club, I go in a corner, play one of those, and then hop right onstage!
Makes sense to me! Thanks, Espi!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Espi O’Najj’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 