This gorgeous and dynamic queen is making waves in Brooklyn, and… could she be one of the city’s first drag performesr in years who is doing two weekly shows on the same night!? Let’s get real with Slagatha! [Cover photo: @photochase_nyc]
Thotyssey: Why hello, Slagatha! Wow, it’s almost September… how did the summer treat you?
Slagatha: It’s burnt me to a crisp! But other than that, this summer has been very fun–lots of shows, and I just got back from a much-needed trip to Provincetown.
Fun! By the way, I just saw some images from what looks like a great number of yours that involved a Chef Boyardee can costume.
OMG, that’s one of my favorite numbers! I first performed it during the “Bitchfest” Season 2 finale, and I’ve loved it ever since. It involves an abandoned Chef Boyardee trying to find his way back home… and I end the number covered in a delicious, yet nutritious, serving of spaghetti–which is always a treat!
Delish! You appear to be a pretty “high concept queen,” based on your detailed looks and numbers.
My drag has many faces, literally and figuratively. I love doing super campy numbers with lots of detail…. but I love performing Ke$ha songs with a beer in my hand just as much. As long as the crowd is laughing, crying or tipping, I’m happy!
Can you tell us a bit about where your from originally, and if you were always a performer or fan of the arts while coming up?
I grew up right outside of Atlanta, and never really wanted to be a performer. I had one embarrassing junior high musical experience that kept me off the stage for most of my life. It wasn’t until I moved to Brooklyn and started going to the drag shows here that I decided to try my hand at performing seriously.
How and when did you become Slagatha? And how did your drag name come to you?
My first time ever in drag and my first time performing as Slagatha was about two and a half years ago, at “Madd Mondays.” I went the week before out of drag, and immediately decided I needed to do it the next week!
As far as the name goes, it came to me during a Love Island UK binge. On the show they’re always calling each other “slag” instead of “slut,” and the name just hit me. But I think it’s the perfect embodiment of the “slutty yet stupid” vibe I’m going for.
Magic! How might you describe the New York drag scene today?
It’s interesting, because there are so many new performers out there right now… so you would think it would be super competitive. But I think it’s just pushing people to go even bigger than ever before, which is really exciting.
Speaking of competition, you are almost about to compete with yourself, gig-wise! You’re taking on back-to-back weekly Thursday gigs in Brooklyn, starting this week: first 8pm bingo at Macri Park, then hosting a party called “And What About It?” with DJs P_A_T and Jaceound plus fellow drag performer Mambiché, down the street at sister bar Metropolitan! How did this arrangement come to pass?
So, “Drag Bingo” was the brainchild of Anna-Lisa Campos, who bartends at Macri Park. She asked me to host, and when we tested it out earlier this month it was a hit! So we’re super excited to bring it back weekly.
My good friend Mambiché has been hosting “And What About It?” weekly at Metro for the last few months, and I’ve been a guest performer from time to time. When she asked me to join the cast full time, I had to say yes! I never set out to have back-to-back weekly gigs but I’m so very grateful for the opportunity to do both shows!
And I see that this Friday you’ll also be at Sleepwalk for late August’s edition of the alt-drag party “Necropolis.”
Yes! Mr. E. Minx and Nxthing host this fabulous fashion forward party at Sleepwalk! The theme for this month is “Fetish,” and I’m in the process of putting together my look for it. We’ll also be celebrating Nxthing and [guest performer] Diana Dash’s birthdays, so it’s gonna be a fun time!
And in September, you’re on the Bushwig drag festival stage at Knockdown Center! You’ll be there on the second night, Sunday. How exciting is that!?
So exciting! Bushwig is the best time of the year to me, and has been since before I started performing. I’m still in the process of finalizing my looks and number, but I’m so looking forward to it!
What else is coming up for you?
I’m mainly just focused on “Drag Bingo” and “AWAI” for now, but I’ve got some things brewing for later this fall… so everyone should keep their eyes peeled!
Great! Lastly… what’s currently your favorite item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
I’d have to say my favorite thing always is an extra safety pin. You’ll never know when you when you or a sister will have a fashion emergency. And it can be used as a self-defense weapon if you’re walking home from gigs!
Stick it to those bitches! Thanks, Slagatha!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Slagatha’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 