With this Brooklyn drag up-and-comer, every season is sexy / spooky and every day is Sunday! [Cover photo: Archie.nyc]
Thotyssey: Sunday, happy Tuesday! Thanks for chatting with us today! Is Sunday a significant weekday for you, or is it just a great drag name?
Sunday: Happy Tuesday to you too! Sunday comes from the idea of Wednesday Addams, but with a bit of a sweeter side. I sort of imagine my character as being “Wednesday’s blonde sister.” I like the combination of eeriness and comfort that comes from the sound and connotations of “Sunday.” I also like to play into the religious aspect of the name, mostly coming from being a kid who grew up in church and having many experiences from that to draw from.
Sunday Best! I’d say there are equal parts glamor and ghoul in your drag aesthetic these days.
Absolutely! I often think of myself as a pageant inspired version of an alternative queen. Although I’ve never been in any pageants, the scene I started drag in was very pageant oriented, and I picked up most of my “drag basics” from that world. I’m super inspired by gore, horror and shock value… but with a glamorous twist. I’m always trying to make sure I pay attention to smaller details, while still remaining true to the alternative style I want to present.
Can you tell us a bit about where you’re from, what your early creative interests were, and how you eventually became a drag performer?
I was born and raised in Flagstaff, Arizona, and I also lived in Tucson for a few years before moving to Brooklyn. I’ve always been a very artistic person, mostly taking an interest in drawing and creative writing. I’ve also always been obsessed with beauty and transformation. I collected dolls all throughout childhood, and would create new hairstyles, outfits, and makeup looks for my dolls as a kid. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been so excited by all things glamour and femininity.
I actually started doing “drag” when I was fourteen, and by that I basically mean stealing my mom’s makeup and clothes early in the morning before she would wake up, and putting something together. I did this for about a year or so discreetly, before it became known by anyone in my family. I kept up the sort of “bedroom queen” thing until late 2020, when I started performing at my original home bar in Tucson.
Drag was always something I think I wanted to do / knew I would do, even when it was something I didn’t really know how to articulate or explain. The artistic expression I had on my dolls was ultimately something I wanted to do on myself, but I needed to wait until I figured that out.
Are your dolls still turning looks, or do you not want them to upstage you, lol?
Oh, the dolls are absolutely still turning looks! Although with the dolls I’ve purchased in my adult life, I try to leave exactly how they are so they can have resale value. Despite the love I have for them, I know Future Me will be grateful for the funds they can provide. There are definitely some I plan to keep forever, though!
How did you come to find yourself in the eclectic realm of Brooklyn drag, and how has that world been treating you so far? Have you had any highlight moments?
Ending up in Brooklyn was an amalgamation of different circumstances. One part of it was the need to get out of Arizona. I felt my purpose there had been served, and I had a desperate need to enter a new world. Due to various factors I felt deeply unhappy with my surroundings in Tucson, although I still respect the scene and people there immensely. Three of my sisters from Tucson–Erotica, Trouble, and Beatrix Bella Rouge–all felt similarly for many reasons, and we decided we would embark on a new journey together. Originally we were planning on going somewhere else… but it was ultimately Trouble who sort of took the first step in moving here, and we followed suit.
Above all of that though, I’ve always wanted to be here. I’ve felt a deep fascination with New York my whole life. I’ve always been drawn to the endless possibilities and opportunities of living here, despite not really knowing what they were. I think it’s a place that attracts a lot of queer kids from small towns based solely on the idea of what could be. There’s no guarantee on what could happen by living here, but there are a million “what ifs” that don’t present themselves in small towns.
I think one of my main highlights has been getting to be a part of a Fiona Apple tribute show, produced by Mr. E. Minx. It showed me just how different and exciting the drag and nightlife culture is here, because something like that could never really happen in Tucson. Artists here are always trying something new and something different, and not as concerned with what will be a guaranteed sell. I used to feel like I needed to conform to certain standards in Tucson, and I don’t feel that same way here. There really is something for everyone. And whatever it is you’re wanting to create will garner attention and an audience, no matter how off the wall it may be.
You’re taking part in a few spooky shows in that borough in October! First up, on October 4th is “Goosehumps” at C’mon Everybody, care of producers Soraya Sis & Evonka.
Yes I am! I’m super excited for “Goosehumps!” Myself and the rest of the cast were each given a different Goosebumps story to create a number based on. My story is “Say Cheese and Die,” which I have a few different ideas for. I’m definitely going to be leaning into my artistic obsession with death for this one, while having an element of camp that runs throughout the entire Goosebumps series! I’m excited to see what the rest of the cast does as well!
Then jumping ahead to Halloween night, Camp Classic presents “Brooklyn Horror Story” at 3 Dollar Bill featuring a large frightfest of a xcast that includes Yvie Oddly, Marcia Marcia Marcia and Jay Kay! That’s gonna be Everything!
Yes, I can’t wait for “Brooklyn Horror Story!” The fantasies and horrors of American Horror Story has always been a huge inspiration and hyper-fixation for me, and I feel honored to get to be part of “BHS!” I think the hardest part of the event will be choosing what to reference!
What else is coming up for you?
The flyer hasn’t come out yet, but I’ll also be performing at Joanne Trattoria on October 16th with Jupiter Genesis creating a new number that I’ve had in mind for a while now. I’m so excited and grateful to be exploring all things horror this Halloween season, and to get the opportunity to do so!
Excellent! Okay lastly: who is your favorite horror movie / TV monster or killer?
Oh God, this is a hard one! I truly don’t think I can narrow it down to just one, so I’ll give you a few of my favorites! The Other Mother from Coraline, The Shimmer from Annihilation, The Hårga from Midsommar, Billy The Puppet from the Saw franchise, Madison Montgomery from AHS: Coven, The Entity from It Follows, and most recently Pearl and Maxine from the X franchise. I know it’s a lot, lol, but I honestly don’t think I can pick from the ones listed above. Movie / television monsters and killers will forever hold a place in my heart!
Thanks, Sunday!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Sunday’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 