A unique Brooklyn queen on the rise, Talia Fortune is paying tribute to two trans artists this September; the tea leaves are also telling us that big things are happening for her down the road as well!
Thotyssey: Talia, hello! Thanks for chatting! How’s September so far?
Talia Fortune: Hi! September has been pretty good for me so far; I can’t make any complaints.
You’re coming off an epic August… you competed in the “Ultimate Diva” competition that Janelle No. 5 hosted! How did you like that experience, and the competition scene in general?
I loved doing “Ultimate Diva!” It was certainly draining physically and financially, but it was all worth it. I’ve done many NYC competitions since I started performing, and don’t have the best track record with them. What made the “Ultimate Diva” pageant different is the fact that we each got to show our drag in four different categories, and deliver an all-encompassing package to the judges and the audience. That aspect of being able to be multi-faceted and have all of it taken into account for your score is why I imagine that I did better in this competition than previous others.
How actually might you describe your drag today?
When I get asked to describe my drag, I always find it hard to come up with a one sentence answer. When it comes to conceptualizing a look or a number, it always just comes from the top of my head and what I might find to be inspiring at that given moment. The overall tenets of my drag thus far have been beauty, pain, and sadness.
What someone could expect to see from a Talia Fortune show is something fashionable and enamoring to look at, juxtaposed by a freaky and potentially uncomfortable performance.
Amazing! Can you tell us a bit about where you’re from, and if you were always into performance and fashion?
I was born and raised in Maryland, in an area pretty much equidistant from DC and Baltimore. I didn’t grow up with any kind of performance background–in high school I did a few theater productions, but even then I didn’t feel like that was my “thing.”
Also in high school is when I discovered fashion design; I went to an arts school, so we had all kinds of specialized electives. I chose to do fashion design and illustration. That’s when I felt like I had started to discover the path to my calling; I would always look forward to that class and eat lunch in the fashion studio every day, too. Then I would take my projects home and continue working on them to go and show my teacher my progress the next day. It was in that class I discovered my ticket to NYC would be going to fashion school, and I could study what I love and live in the city I always wanted to.
How did Talia get born, and what inspired the name?
In high school when I started learning about fashion design I also was experimenting with makeup and wigs at home, and was a bedroom queen who would do these “looks” (if we want to call them that) and post them on Instagram. At first I just called myself a makeup artist or designer, but over time it just turned into full on drag… and I realized that was the direction I wanted to continue growing into. My aesthetic then was very inspired by boho fashion and witchy spiritual goddesses, so my name actually came to me pretty instantly: “Tell-your-fortune,” or Talia Fortune as people know me. I came up with that when I first started experimenting, and it just stuck… and I’ve never changed it!
What’s it like being a largely Brooklyn-centric drag performer?
The scene in Brooklyn is very interesting. I almost feel like any given artist in Brooklyn has a different view of the community depending on which places they perform in, who they consider family, and which places they party in. I’m not a person who particularly goes to bars / clubs for fun, because I’m just a deeply introverted person who prefers to stay in and have some quiet time… which can lead to feeling disconnected from the community on occasion. However, because of my drag family I found the part of the Brooklyn puzzle that I feel comfortable in, and parties that I can enjoy being at whether it be a gig I’m working or just a place to have a good time.
You’ve also produced some parties and shows, with Maliboo.
Maliboo and I had a monthly show at C’mon Everybody from October of last year until this past June, and now we’re on a little hiatus and working on our own things. I’m very proud of how those shows went, and how we were lucky enough to have so many amazing guests be a part of them.
We came up with our ideas by figuring out what hypothetical drag show we would love to watch and buy a ticket to that nobody else was doing at the moment. We had some inspired by cartoons, musical artists, throwback eras in time, anything we were really into. Because of that experience and learning how all the moving parts work in producing a drag show / party, I finally feel ready to produce my first solo show in October!
Exciting! But before that, there are a few tribute shows in Brooklyn you’ll be a part of in September. First up: September 12, you’ll be at C’mon Everybody for an Ethel Caine show! What can you tell us about the show, and your feelings about Ethel?
There truly could not be a more perfect show for me to be a part of. MissMa’amShe told me about this show many months ago, and I’ve been waiting eagerly ever since. Ethel Cain is my absolute favorite artist, and her music is a staple in my performing repertoire. I discovered her music at the start of 2022, when I was going through the worst period of my life to date. Her music is heart wrenchingly gruesome and painful, and at the time it felt like she was reaching into my head and taking all my thoughts and putting them into her songs. Upon realizing that she is also transgender, it made sense on why everything she makes just clicks with me. I got to see her live later that year with my mother, and actually met her after the show and talked on a personal level. That will always be my most cherished memory.
You are celebrating another trans music icon, the late great SOPHIE, for two consecutive days near the end of the month, around the same time her fans will be enjoying a newly released collection of music. First up is Rify Royalty’s “Sophie” at C’mon on September 26.
Yes, I can’t wait! It should be extra special because at midnight we’ll be streaming SOPHIE’S brand new album that I have been anticipating for years!
And then that energy carries into the “SOPHIE SOPHIE SOPHIE” edition of Blue and Rayne’s “BFF Party” at 3 Dollar Bill the very next day.
That one will be extra special because it’s hosted by family. I also got to be a part of the last “BFF Party” for Charli XCX’s BRAT album release, and that was one of the most fun gigs I’ve ever done! At the SOPHIE edition you can expect the same fun party girl energy, especially because I’ll be the closing DJ playing fan favorite deep cut and unreleased SOPHIE tracks!
Tell us about what else is coming up for you, including the show you’re producing in October!
In October for my first solo produced show I want it to be everyone’s Halloween pregame. It’s going to focus on the overlap of sexiness and pure horror. You can expect to be frightened and turned on all at the same time! Keep your eyes out for the lineup; I have some really fierce guests who will be giving shows.
I also have a huge project underway this fall that I can’t spoil quite yet, but I can just say my pageant days are far from over…
All very exciting! Okay lastly, my new favorite drag interview closer: what is your favorite item in your drag bag?
Recently I have not been able to live without my handheld, motorized fan. I always thought queens were being dramatic when they would walk around holding their fans up to their face… but I’ve come to find out that is the only way for me to get through this summer weather and not sweat my face off.
And as a bonus item, I would say nail glue. I’m not always wearing nails, but someone in the show will be… and there’s a 50% chance they forgot their nail glue. So having it in your bag always makes you their savior.
You’re saving us all! Thanks, Talia!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Talia Fortune’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
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