She not just gorge, she’s Boy Gorge… Brooklyn drag’s newest karma chameleon.
Thotyssey: Hello… BG? Actually here’s a good first question, what do the girls call you for short? Boy? Gorge?
Boy Gorge: That’s such a great question to lead with! Brava! It honestly depends on what it is I’m serving; what I pride myself off off most is being versatile. I think my sisters and fellow entertainers call me Gorge; it’s just fun to say!
It is. Are you a particular fan or student of the original Boy George? There’s a biopic in the works, you know!
Oh, now we’re getting into the deep cuts! I should preface this with… I’m a bit of a space cadet, meaning I’m pretty aloof! I have a drag sister named Beau Tox, and I recall wanting something punny like hers. I almost chose the drag name “Abominable”; it felt very radical and queer. Then I thought about my inspirations… Christina Aguilera, Nicole Scherzinger, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Solange, Janelle Monae… strong, powerful woman.
When I started, I wanted to do more burlesque / circusy stuff. I vividly remember landing on the name Boy Gorge and was texting my best friends Rya,n and just sent him “BOY GORGE! Boy Gorge is gonna be my drag name.” He replied with, “like Boy George?” I then replied with… “who!?” (I’d like to advocate for myself again and say I fully know about Culture Club and Boy George). In the manic spiral that was figuring out my drag name, it had truly, completely escaped me. I’d say Gaga probably inspired me more than Boy George. Sorry, Boy George!
Do I see that you were previously an Indiana queen?
I’m originally from Kentucky. But in terms of my drag career, it started in Indianapolis, IN on January 22, 2015 at a Bar called Zonies Closet on Indy’s East Side–formally ran by a lovely lesbian couple named Lori and Denise. Sadly, it’s closed now!
Indy’s drag scene is more rooted in “traditional” drag–very much about the glitz and glamour of it all. I, at the time, was for sure a lot more Boy and a lot less Gorge. I wanted to do something different and authentic to myself. Another vivid memory is having two queens I looked up to pulling me aside and telling me to “pick a gender,” to which I respectfully declined and then thanked them for their input. That story kinda gives you a taste of what the drag scene was like. I like to think I cracked some windows in the Indy scene for none traditional drag styles, which are thriving in Indianapolis. In the Midwest I’ve worked in Dayton, OH; Louisville, KY; Chicago, IL… and I believe that’s it.
What brought you to New York?
I lived in Kentucky for 14 years, and ran away from home. I had family in Indiana I lived with until college, and got thrown out. My grandmother took me in; she taught me a lot of the things I missed out on learning, being a teen / young adult who was simply trying to survive. Sadly, she ended up passing away in 2018. It was at that point I knew I wanted to–needed to–get outta Indiana. I’d juggled the idea of moving to Chicago; then the pandemic happened.
Right before the pandemic, I’d met my good friend Pam Wiz on the Kesha Cruise. The September of 2019 she flew me out for a mutual friend’s birthday, and I fell in love with the city (I’d been here once before, and was a bit overwhelmed). Something about being here and seeing and experiencing the rich queer culture just drew me in. Being in NYC for me has been about starting my life and not being in survival mode, which is wild to say… but has been my truth, the past two years of being here.
That’s quite a journey! Here in New York, you did a bunch of competition shows–even “Drag Wars All Stars” recently! How do you like competing in that scene?
I’ve been running around doing all kinds of competitions. “Drag Wars” at Pieces (Mondays), “Mother” at Hush (Tuesdays), “Star Search” at Barracuda (Thursdays), “Open Call” at the Ritz (Friday), and “Polish” at Red Eye (Sundays). It’s a great way to practice and grow into your craft, and get a taste of the scene and meet other queens. It’s been challenging and fun. My favorite is being a Pieces on a Monday night in the dressing room, getting painted and kiki-ing with everyone.
With all that said… it’s intimidating. I say it all the time: I couldn’t imagine being a baby queen and having to compete as my “debut” in drag; Baby Gorge may not have been able to cut it. I have so much respect for the girlies who have come up here. Meanwhile, I’m trying to play catch up!
How might you describe your drag today?
CVNTY! I think that’s the goal in my head! I’ve done things with my makeup and tried being more colorful with my costuming. My sketches of looks I want are absolutely incredible! I think I’m pushing myself; although I’m pretty cunty, I’m not the cuntiest. I’m like the sweet girl in the mean girl group. What’s the phrase… “looks like a cinnamon roll could kill you!” That’s me! I think realistically and outta my de-Lu-Lu, I’m kind of a hybrid of Pageantry, Campy, and CVNT!
On Friday, you’ll be joining Aimee Amour and Paris Filter at Sandy Jacks for their recurring show, “Extra Extra!”
I had the pleasure of working with them for an “Extra! Extra!” Pride kickoff event at Pianos on the LES beginning of June. I’ve know Amiee and met Paris at the Pride kickoff event; the vibes are just so right with those two. I admire the vision and drag aesthetics of each of them, collectively and individually.
What else is coming up for you down the road?
I’m working on producing some shows around the city! I want to give myself and my sisters the opportunity to twirl outside of the competition arena.
I moved to NY because of the rich queer heritage of the city, and I feel like a part of that has been lost in the hustle and bustle of NYC. I’d love to be educating queer people and non-queer identifying people about the cultural relevance of being queer in NYC. I take a great deal of inspo from Janelle No. 5 and Julie J; I’d eventually like to join their ranks in producing shows and events that give back. The true pinnacle of my journey will be putting on events and shows to benefit queer people all across NYC. I got a taste when I put on a fundraiser “It’s Glam to Fundraise,” a partnership of MAC Cosmetics and Viva Glam, at the Stonewall Inn. I loved it, it fed my soul in so many ways!
Excellent! Okay, my closing question to all drag divas these days: what’s your favorite item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
I love this question! And it comes down to what holds sentimental value. I try my hardest to get physical flyers of gigs I do; I want one day for my kids to find a trunk full of my drag things and realize that their mom was hot!
I also owe three custom costumes my late brother Joshua Crowe / Satine St Claire made me: Sarah Sanderson from Hocus Pocus, Daphne from Scooby Doo, and Debbie from Addams Family Values. We used to tear up this costume contest at a gay campground in Indian called Camp Buckwood. I’d usually, drunkenly, come up with the Halloween theme for the upcoming year, and she’d tirelessly thrift, research, and sew together each look down to screen accuracy. Such a talented diva! RIP Joshua Crowe / Satine St Claire, my brother, my sister!
Lovely! Thank you, Gorge!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Boy Gorge’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 