From film student to rising New York drag star, Haus of Zawtuhs’ Lolita Starr is shining brighter and brighter. [Cover photo: Leyda Luz]
Thotyssey: Lolita, hello! Have you started, or finished, or your holiday shopping yet lol?
Lolita Starr: Hey! Thank you for having me, and no I have not started at all. I’m always late to holiday shopping; it stresses me out, lol. I always turn it out at the end and get my family / friends gifts they love. But just thinking about picking gifts for everyone individually gives me a little anxiety because everyone is so different, and I want to make sure they love their gift. Regardless, I’m excited for the holidays this year….. I always am.
Same! Speaking of excitement, we finally had an official cast announcement for Drag Race Season 17!
OMG, I’m always so invested when Drag Race teases their new season. As you can imagine, drag has literally changed my life–and I now work in nightlife because of my love for drag. I’ve been watching Rupaul’s Drag Race since Season 8, and have been hooked ever since. So every year when a new batch of girls come through, it’s always so exciting to see what they bring. This new season’s promo was so sickening and refreshing: the looks, the makeup, the hair, the girls, the everything. I’m obviously Team New York, but honestly may the best drag queen win.
Where are you from originally, and what were some interests and pursuits you had growing up that may have ultimately put you on this path?
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY in a Mexican household in the middle of Sunset Park, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. That neighborhood raised me. I went to school in the area from pre-K to high school, so I literally grew up with a lot of the same people. Even my siblings went to the same schools, so everything always felt safe and close to home.
I had a pretty good childhood, and was good kid. I knew I was gay at a very young age and tried to hide it, but kids would clock it so easily and always ask the question. I never really liked hanging out with the boys, but I loved playing with the girls and that seemed to bother a lot of the boys because “I was gay.”
Besides being interested in the more “girly” things, I was always so captivated by movies. My mom would take me and my sisters bi-weekly, and even sometimes weekly, to the city and take us shopping, to eat, and of course to the movies. I became so infatuated with idea of reality and fantasy in movies, and how none of it was real.
The curiosity got so real that I would then beg my dad to buy me DVD movies of all genres so that I could watch at any time and watch the deleted scenes, behind the scenes, directors cut, etc. It’s crazy to think my favorite genre of movies at the age of six was horror. I just knew it wasn’t real.
I then started theater in middle school, and I did it in high school too–so you can just imagine how it all ties together. I’m actually in college for film production, but I took some time off because I think I fell out of love for it. I’m now focusing on drag for the moment. Film production is so different from being on stage and being the star, so I think that’s where the love for filmmaking went downhill. I guess I would rather be in front of the screen then behind it, lol.
I was also very into fashion growing up, and I had my sisters and mother who were the main reason behind that–and for that I’m grateful. So finding drag was literally life-changing for me. It’s everything I love all in one.
How exactly did you break into drag?
I was a sophomore in high school, and I remember one day after school randomly stumbling upon the Pitch Perfect challenge of Season 8 on YouTube… and I was very much confused, but drawn to it. I then went into a rabbit hole of Drag Race and quickly and secretly became a fan of the show. Secretly because I was not out to family / friends, and even to myself. I didn’t want people knowing I watched drag queens, lol.
I remember thinking to myself if I would ever do drag myself, and I absolutely would say no, every time. I just got so hooked on Drag Race over time that I thought to myself “I could definitely do this,” and I started thinking of what I would do in the runways, challenges, what my drag name would be, what my aesthetic would be, etc. I turned 21 and I started going out to Hell’s Kitchen by myself. My friends were always unavailable, and I didn’t want to wait around… so I would go to parties, drag shows, and events alone for quite sometime.
On my 22nd birthday, I went out to Hush–with, finally, some friends lol–and I met PleaseRy that same night. We followed each other on Instagram, and quickly became friends. I would go to her drag shows and support her; I saw the star power she had, and I think at the time she was also starting out in the NYC drag scene, so I was instantly a supporter.
I then had a final project for one of my documentary film classes, and the professor gave us freedom to make a mini-documentary on any topic. I wanted to capture and shed more light on drag queens, so I hit PleaseRy up to see if she was up for filming and interviewing her while getting in drag–and she agreed. We filmed, and we then spoke about how I wanted to start drag… but I was too scared, and didn’t know how to start. I think after speaking with her, it really helped me throw myself into the scene and start drag. I had no friends in nightlife, and no experience whatsoever, but I started a few weeks after.
I can proudly say I picked up makeup pretty quickly, and styling as well. My drag debut was in June 2023 at “Mommas House” at Hush hosted by Maddelynn Hatter, and I have not stopped performing ever since.
What are the joys and challenges of being a young drag performer at this moment in NYC?
I met an amazing and lovely group of friends who are now my drag family, Haus of Zawtah. We are all drag orphans with no drag mother, so we decided it would be funny to be a Haus with no mother and just be daughters, aka “Zawtahs.” It may bother some people because we don’t have a mother–and having a mother in a Haus is fundamental–but we have each other, and that’s what matters. We’re always supporting one another in every way possible. We’re all so close, we’re our chosen family. I truly love them. Everyone knows nightlife is so competitive, and the fact that we found each other is pretty insane.
Besides that, I think I have grown a lot this past year as a drag artist and still want to grow more. My hard work and dedication has paid off as I made Top 3 in “Drag Wars All Stars 7.” I’ve been a guest on some shows with people I look up to, and I’m currently working with Shequida Hall for her “Balcon Rouge” show, weekly. That’s what has been bringing me joy to my life as of now.
I think a challenge has been my commute to Hell’s Kitchen, lol. I live in Staten Island now, so my commute is usually an hour and half when I go to the gigs and I’m out. I’ve learned to enjoy the ride and not really think about it. I guess also trying to support my drag, as we know drag can be so expensive. I work on the side of course, but it can be challenging when you have a late night gig and then a shift at 9am the following day. It’s the only way I can support my drag at the moment.
You are part of the “Balcon Rouge” cast all this month with guest hostess and Drag Race alum Robin Fierce (while Shequida is having her Voss Events holiday moment)! That’s a sexy, fun Sunday show at–where else–Balcon.
Yes! I’ve actually been casted since August, and then my “lease” was extended for another month so I was there for September as well. I finished those two months, and then got called back again a few weeks ago for November, and now another month for December. My experience has been amazing, to be fully honest. When I first got the invite, I was not expecting it at all. I had seen the show a few times and knew the rundown, but never expected to be cast. I was very nervous my first week, and I think I did okay… but I just knew I had to let loose. Shequida is such a legend and a person I look up to, as she has taught me and the girls so much about being professional. It definitely has helped me as a drag artist, and for me to want to be my best at all times. The show in itself is so much fun! It’s a drag cabaret, so we always try to keep it sexy and raunchy.
Lolita is sexy, and I always try to bring something new. I’ve had some really good moments on stage, and I’ve also grown so much as a performer. I’m so grateful for this opportunity; I don’t think Shequida knows how much I love her, lol. Like, that’s Mother. The other girls have also helped me so much, and have made me feel comfortable; it’s always ki.
The Haus of Zawtuhs (which includes Spice Diamond, Jayde Mugler, St. Leemur and Coco Mayumo) will perform together at Fresco’s Grand Cantina in Astoria on Saturday, December 14th.
We’re so excited we got this opportunity! This is definitely the chance to give it, and show the diversity in our Haus. We’re all so similar yet so different, and I think that’s what we love about each other. We have different aesthetics and songs we perform, so it’s going to be fun putting this show together to show we’re a power haus. You can definitely expect all the tricks, kicks, flips, and dips with the company of really good food and drinks. It’s going to be OVAAA.
What else is coming up for you?
I’m just going with the flow, and open to anything good that nightlife and the world has to offer. There are so many things I would love to do if given the opportunity, and competitions I want to compete in–so next year will definitely be a very interesting year for me. I have achieved a lot in the short time I have started drag and I’m very proud, but I know I can give more. I’m going to focus on the things I need to grow on, and we will see from there… can’t wait to see what happens.
Beautiful! To close, what do you want for Christmas?
That’s a hard question. I have a cute list of things I want. I think I’ll mostly get gifted things for Boy Me….for Leo. I’ve invested a lot for Lolita in the past year, and sometimes I forget about me. I recently was talking to my friends that I didn’t remember when was the last time I had bought something for Boy Me. If only I could get gifts for both me and Lolita, lol.
Santa’s on the way! Thanks, Lolita!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Lolita Starr’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 