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300. Magenta
The swordplay that Magenta displayed on the Bushwig stage this year reminded us that no matter how short her sleeves might be, they are filled as fuck with tricks we have yet to see. The longtime dancer and showgirl is often found hosting and performing in Rosemont parties like “Fake Nudes,” and for much of the year was a key part of Macri Park’s Friday night “Queer Kids Next Door” party with Frida Nipple and Bermuda.
299. Jamie CD
Well known as an athletic dancer on the drag stage and an in demand fashion model on the runway, Jamie the Cross Dresser is a popular choice for a show guest in Manhattan and beyond. She co-hosted “Balcon’s Angels” at the titular Balcon in Hell’s Kitchen for several months, as well as an exotic brunch on Gitano Island over the summer.
298. Athena
The Queens native and recent Best Dance Performer is a ferocious entertainer with an ever growing fanbase. This year she hosted a weekly with fellow dance diva Essence at Balcon and a monthly at Fresco’s Grand Cantina, and was an essential addition to a ton of large cast Brooklyn shows.
297. Lola Latte
A relative newcomer to drag with a significantly impressive arsenal of looks and numbers, party girl Lola landed her first solo weekly hosting gig,”ThursDate” at Pieces in the West Village, in May. She also started producing and starring in shows in Brooklyn’s C’mon Everybody towards the year’s end.
296. Susan Levine
One of Fire Island’s favorite DJs, Susan returned for another season of keeping the kids moving to her beats at Cherry’s on the Bay. She also got the girls dancing in NYC proper throughout the year, largely at Stonewall, Rise and Rebar.
295. Robin Rose Quartz
Whether its through drag performance or paint on the canvas, Robin is one of NYC’s true art queens. In 2024 she became the resident show queen of Cauldron NYC’s new Flatiron location, hosted the Queer Arts Summerfest at 3 Dollar Bill, and over the summer was even able to combine drag and painting for a a unique Pride gig at Astoria’s Bohemian Hall Beer Garden.
294. Kimmy Sumony
One of New Jersey’s busiest and most prolific drag performers, the gorgeous Kimmy rarely comes to our side of the river save for an occasional Stonewall Invasion cameo or two. But it’s a short trip to Jersey City’s Six 26 where you can see her killing it nearly every Friday night and for monthly Saturday brunch shows. She’s also at Paradise and Club Feathers with regularity, and is constantly showing up at various restaurants and clubs in Jersey for special shows as well.
293. Maljo Blu
Blu is the warmest color when it comes to this new rising star of Brooklyn drag, who happens to be Maddelynn Hatter’s Goblin Princess child. Maljo lent her comedic, dramatic, sultry and spooky drag chops to tons of C’mon Everybody and Purgatory shows this year, and was a popular act at Bushwig as well.
292. Pierretta Viktori
One of New York’s most talented and in-demand designers for local nightlife performers, out of town in-the-knowers and Drag Race stars alike, Pierretta’s skill level continues to the boggle the mind. They even get a chance to turn a unique show number every so often, as they did on the Bushwig stage this year.
291. Miss Woman the Woman
Sometimes Brooklyn drag takes itself entirely too seriously; other times, it’s Miss Woman the Woman. Infusing a much needed jolt of goofy yet creative comedy into the scene, Miss Woman took part in a good chunk of Brooklyn drag in 2024, be it as a cast member of large 3 Dollar Bill and C’mon Everybody shows, or as a DJ to other shows, or as a producer and creator of growingly popular recurring events (usually with co-producing sis Mx. Ology) like “Womanology” at Pink Metal and “Shart Tank” at C’mon Everybody. She even made it to the Mx. Rockbar semifinals!
290. DiDi Opulence
An absolute stunner of a showgirl, DiDi’s beauty and dance artistry have become important assets to many Brooklyn productions. She competed in the “Are You The Ultimate Diva All-Stars” pageant in November, and can be found monthly at All Night Skate co-hosting “Double Ds” with fellow beauty Daniella Darling.
289. Serena Tea
Perhaps known the world over as a high fashion glamor girl, Serena is always on the move and her NYC stage performances made for a rare a treat. Having said that, weekly shows at Boxers HK with Venus Mystique began in January ’25.
288. Xana Whoria
Known for bringing high levels of creativity and a Mexican folklore flare to a sensuous and / or gruesome drag presentation, Xana makes for a fascinating brunch show co-host (with Daniella Darling at Branded Saloon in Brooklyn) and a very deserving winner of Untitled Queen’s “(Untitled) Art Star” competition in October.
287. Mx. Ology
With both queer art and healthcare in jeopardy during these coming years, perhaps there are few people we should celebrate more in life than a drag dentist! Mx. Ology is here to both make you smile and keep you that way. Projecting a wonderfully wacky style that draws heavily from improv, they’ve participated in a lot of Brooklyn shows with fellow up-and-comers in the scene, and looks to play an important role with where things are headed. As a co-producer of several shows with Miss Woman the Woman (they’re now a Glam nominated pair for January’s Awards show) , the elaborately improvised “Shark Tank” series at Purgatory appears to be a particular hit. Make an appointment to see this performer!
286. David Michael
New York gay bar DJs’ favorite gay bar DJ, David continues to make dance floor-worthy remixes of both giant pop hits and local queer artist tracks alike, all while livestreaming sets and maintaining in-house gigs at Monster, Stonewall and Balcon.
285. Lady Doll Heirs
This endearing performer was a previous winner of Yasmeen Kennedy’s “Get Schooled” competition at VERS, and in 2024 took part in Icon’s “Pantheon” competition, 3 Dollar Bill’s “Are You The Ultimate Diva All-Stars” pageant and Bushwig. Since March, Lady has been co-hosting the Wednesday weekly “212” at Hardware in Manhattan with Essence.
284. The Illustrious Blacks
The popular Afrofuturistic Disco Duo (both on stage and in life) Monstahblack and Manchildblack–original music makers, DJs and event producers–spent much of 2024 on a world tour sharing their fabulousness on a global scale. They served up a few great local gigs as well, including several parties at C’mon Everybody, the Fire Island IndepenDANCE and parties with fellow DJ legends David Morales and Danny Krivit.
283. Novaczar
One thing’s for certain–no one compares to this Musical Theater Queen From Outer Space! Queen of the Universe Season 1 alum Novaczar hosts the weekly cabaret “Unseen” at The Duplex, serves as Rise Bar’s weekend shot girl, and hosted karaoke at Rise’s sadly short lived sister bar The Spot. She also happens to have one of the most visually stunning Insta spreads this side of the Cyberverse.
282. Michelle Dowdy
The Broadway and cabaret spitfire sensation celebrated the tenth anniversary of her jazzy standards album A Brass Act via epic concert shows at Red Eye and the Ice Palace, co-hosted Red Eye’s popular “Red Idol” singing competition in September and October, and starred in a spooktacular Halloween show with fiancé Jordan Wolfe at Chelsea Table & Stage.
281. Rocket
The popular and adorbs Brooklyn party DJ took to the booth for some of the borough’s countless Brat blowouts this year, and frequently joined the lineup of kikis like “Ty Tea” at 3 Dollar Bill and “ZOO” at The Rosemont.
280. Christine Dior
Brie Bordeaux’s “Halftime Show” weekly co-host at Boxers HK, this gorgeous and highly talented dancing queen starred in her own “Quarter Life Crisis” birthday show at Red Eye in June, turned numbers for a Jersey City Pride party, and was one third of The Spot’s popular “Cruel Intentions” drag revue earlier this year.
279. Thee Suburbia
Whether she’s live singing / screaming hard rock, turning out numbers with Drag Race stars like Mistress Isabelle Brooks or Latrice Royale, paying tribute to pop culture moments like Mean Girls and American Horror Story via large cast revues, delighting the Stella 34 brunchgoers with showstoppers, or winning Miss Ice Palace two years in a row at the Miss Fire Island pageant, the Mother of the Haus of Thee does whatever the damn hell she wants when she wants to do it… much like the edgiest drag performers of yore.
278. William Francis
The red hot DJ has always been the one to help you get your freak on while dancing your ass off, and these days he has the perfect vehicle for just that: “LeSportsSac,” a sexy monthly underwear party at C’mon Everybody. William was also a regular beatmaster at Jupiter Disco, Animal and the Pines Pavilion this year.
277. Rude Polaroids
In a digital world where images are transient, heavily edited and easily disposable, it’s great to see someone producing physical media that’s rude, lewd, crude… and deeply exciting. If you see this Glam-nominated photographer during a night out, get him take your pic… maybe it’ll wind up in of his print collections one day, alongside other grainy and gritty displays of kink and nightlife glamor.
276. Kristy Blaze
A longtime favorite and frequent performer in all of Jersey’s major queer venues, Kristy also returned to hosting the latest incarnation of Phil Chanel’s “Polish the Queen” competition–now “Polish HK,” a monthly-ish affair at Red Eye.
275. Jovanotti
The sexy Columbian-born DJ has graced the booths of several venues in ’24, including The Ritz, Balcon, Playhouse and Fresco’s Grand Cantina. He’s also a go-to resident of Diogo Ambrosio’s frequent Brazilian parties at Rebar.
274. Crystal Hart
The quirky Brooklyn performer is known for collaborating with local artists, vendors and flea market enthusiasts in many of her shows and events. Crystal currently hosts a weekly game night at Brooklyn’s All Night Skate with Alex the Meh, and a monthly at show with Isaac Miss Isaac at another Brooklyn venue, Happyfun Hideaway.
273. Tammy Spanx
One of our nation’s great comedy queens was once a long term New York resident, but no longer likes to stay in one place for too long (and who can blame her?). This year we got a pretty healthy portion of Tammy Time, as she headlined some shows at Balcon, Hardware and Playhouse before returning to her Cherry’s on the Bay residency in the summer. Also super fun: some installments of “C*nty Fair,” a country music hillbilly hullabaloo at Red Eye she co-hosted with sis Bootsie LeFaris.
272. Funky Reggae House Party
Trinidadian born duo Captain Dymond and Visuallocs aka Bri form this queer DJ collective, specializing in vibrant, throbbing Caribbean beats that captivate dancers in parties they present like “Hard Fete” and The Bush’s “Julie Mango.” They also frequently support Amber Valentine at her “Misster” at The Woods and pop in many Brooklyn spaces. Watch their socials for updates on a venue of their own that they intend to open soon!
271. Dinahfire
As she becomes more of a traveling talent, New Yorker’s must cherish the DJ Dinah moments that we can get. She lends her Jersey club / House sound to several dancefloors and promotes drag shows at Balcon, Pieces, VERS and Metro among other places, and in September she dropped debut crunchy club banger “sen•si•tive.”
270. Mx. LeStrange
The now-longtime host of Albatross’ monthly show “Astoria’s Kingdom” has given a stage and platform to a number of fellow drag king and thing up-and-comers. This year he naturally evolved into an even larger nightlife producing role, with Rockbar’s new monthly kinkfest “Strapon” and several events at the recently expanded Duplex that will likely return in some capacity in 2025.
269. Lindsay Blowhan
One of many Brooklyn queens with roots in SUNY Purchase, Sherry Poppins’ daughter has been doing the drag thing since 2017. Lindsay’s had a noteworthy glow-up with a growing fanbase these past few years as the latest co-producer of the Glam-winning “STR8 to DVD” show, and as the co-host with Sherry of the hilarious monthly “Cocaine Milkshake,” both at C’mon Everybody. Her Bushwig number also memorably slayed, BTW.
268. Virginia Thicc
A queen who makes being stunning look effortless, the Best Dressed Glam nominee shines on the Balcon stage every Sunday for “Cox-Tail” with co-host Frida Cox.
267. Lee Soulja
The Founder and Overall Father of the House of Soulja, Lee is both a vital queer advocate and truly New York nightlife royalty who oversees a number of major events in the scene–including the annual Black Pride celebration, an ever expanding series of important functions including the Heritage Awards. He also currently produces “Harlem Funday Sunday” at 4West Lounge, a fun weekly with resident DJ icon Frankie Paradise.
266. Lucifer
An Air Force veteran and Boxers bar staffer who evolved into the host of that venue’s Saturday night party “Rush,” Lucifer is now also the producer of Balcon’s Friday night “NØ RSTXXXN.” Both that latter party and Lucifer themself are recent Glam nominees.
265. The Ritz
An early December post on the bar’s Instagram read “Hey Ritz Family!! Just letting everyone know that The Ritz is NOT closing!!! BIG NEWS COMING SOON!!!” Soon wasn’t soon enough at the time of this writing, where everyone we’ve spoken to seems to be in the dark regarding what could’ve possibly saved the classic Hells’ Kitchen venue from the chopping block considering how well-publicized the physical property’s For Sale status was this past spring, and how prominent the rumors were regarding its state of disrepair.
Truth be told, NYC’s queer bar scene has overall been on life support since Covid with oversaturation, changing consumer behavior, creative staleness and lack of necessity for queer-only spaces all cited as culprits. As far as oversaturation goes, Hell’s Kitchen as a neighborhood is no doubt the biggest offender… but The Ritz Bar & Lounge was THE place to be for eighteen years. Many DJs and drag queens broke through in that space, and the legendary “Our Lady of Saliva” anything goes drag clusterfuck there no doubt inspired what would become the Brooklyn scene. Even as recently as 2024, The Ritz’s “Papito Tuesdays” remained a rare early week hit for HK. But with the loss of the venue’s long present drag hostesses and some signature parties, a stark decline of promotion (including a complete disappearance of vital on site photography), and zero visible effort by management to try new things… the writing wasn’t just on the wall, it was visible from Space. Let’s hope the Ritz has, in fact, gotten the connection it needs and will have a Renaissance. It’s a two floor club with a nice sound system, after all; that makes it a unique and valuable space.
264. Aquaria
Our girl was just starting to make her mark as a fierce, multifaceted and super young local NYC drag star when Drag Race snatched her up and crowned her the winner of Season 10 in 2018. Since than it’s been a non-stop whirlwind of international appearances, fashion editorials, red carpets, social media influence, a song, and a burgeoning DJ career which has brought her back to New York kikis like “Ty Tea” and “On Top.” Don’t forget that Aquaria’s still a fierce performer, though; at a 3 Dollar Bill show that saw her filling in last minute as the headliner for a weather-delayed Roxxxy Andrews, she brought the house all the way fucking down.
263. Beargazer
Dropping sexy bass for popular big boy parties like “Bear Milk” and “HEFT,” Beargazer is also currently a resident at Good Judy in Brooklyn where you can find him every Sunday and for the monthly “Le Slurp Saturdays.”
262. Angel
The charming two time Best Gogo Boy Glam winner famously has assets for days, designs gorgeous and sexy costumes for his shows, and can be perhaps most commonly found dancing at Metro’s Saturday “Sexx Dreams” party.
261. I’m Baby
The Dreamy Lesbian Princess of Drag offers a uniquely playful, sexy, sapphic approach to the genre–primarily as the host and producer of Ginger’s Bar’s monthly “Dyke Drag” which recently won her a Best Show Host Glam nomination.
260. Anne J. Tifah
Staunch social justice activism and goofy, fun, weird stage antics may seem like a weird combo for some. But it’s pretty “of the moment” when it comes to Brooklyn drag, and Anne is leading the pack with a bullhorn and a toilet harness. This year she took part in several C’mon Everybody shows like the improv-centric “Celebrity Debate Club,” competed in “(Untitled) Art Star” and “Mx. Cantina,” premiered one monthly show with Soraya Sis at Pink Metal and another with Afrosephone Applegate at Sandy Jack’s, and turned out a Bushwig number.
259. Cunning Stunt
Beginning drag in Taipei of all places, Cunning has since become one of New York’s fastest rising kings. Currently hosting bingo nights at Lucky 13 Saloon in Brooklyn and Club Cumming in the East Village as well as a monthly showcase “Throne” that’s hopped around a few different venues, Mr. Stunt is currently a Glam nominee who’s spreading all the suave joy.
258. Jupiter Genesis
The cosmic, comedic beauty is a major player in Brooklyn drag as the choreographer and cast member of Baby Love’s elaborately staged “Fagtasia” shows, as well as a frequent hostess and performer at Rosemont’s ever popular “ZOO.” She’s also the star attraction in the hit “Drag Me to Joanne’s,” a weekly drag show at Joanne Trattoria near Lincoln Center owned in part by Joe Germanotta, the father of queer superstar Lady Gaga (Joe has some really interesting ideas about how to best publicize his support for both her and his business, but we digress). Jupiter continues to be a rising star both in nightlife and beyond, even appearing in a recent episode of HBO Max’s acclaimed series Penguin.
257. Qhrist Almighty
Not only has this punky queen been a host and co-producer of the popular and recently Glam-winning drag monthly “STR8 to DVD” for eight years, but in 2024 they also got a monthly showcase of their own: “Heavenly” at Good Judy.
256. Crystal Envy
2022’s Miss Paradise continues the surprisingly rich tradition of winners getting on Drag Race (see Honey Davenport, Olivia Lux and Sapphira Cristal); we look forward to seeing how the Jersey-based Crystal’s luxurious beauty and commanding presence psyche out her fellow Season 17 contestants in January.
255. Ivenchy
The Rosemont’s DJ for “DiscoTea,” “ByLatinQueers” and “Princess Crush” (which he co-created), music maker and stylist Ivenchy also brings his sound to places like Metro, Macri Park and C’mon Everybody.
254. Long Island Drag
Holding court and finding audiences far outside the city’s gayborhoods is no easy task, especially during these increasingly anti-queer times (what percentage of that MSG Trump rally was made up of Long Islanders, after all?). So the drag performers and entertainers of Long Island are not only finding financial and artistic success in said realm, they’re also providing important visibility and showing the strength of their community. Which isn’t to say it’s all doom and gloom–there are plenty of straight allies enjoying and supporting the various drag brunches, bingos and show of Long Island–and now with Oceanside’s recent acquisition of gay bar Halo, there’s even a new safe space for people to come enjoy it. Hopefully we’ll continue to see growth and acceptance in the area, but for now let’s give props to the queens and kings of the Island including Toni Homeperm and Tom Catt (whose Golden Girls‘ Dorothy & Sophia act has proven a big hit across the Island and in NYC as well), Bella Noche, Ruby Slay, Annie Manildoo (whose “Shoot You Shot” open stage at Sayville’s Station Pub has become another important drag hub), LaBelle, Ivy Stalls, Makon Mayhem, Eden DarkStar (recent winner of Icon Astoria’s “Pantheon competition), Awhora Borealis, Syn and Kassie O. Peia among others.
253. Steven Cunningham
If you like your dance parties on the manly side and fused with sexy rock and disco, Steven is your guy. When he’s in town, you can find him doing his thing at his longtime homebase The Eagle, or for his monthlies “Crisco Disco” (redubbed the “Sunday Butt Blast”) and “Rock the Rockbar” at Rockbar.
252. Yamil X
The sexy, Glam-nominated veteran producer and party host was busy throughout 2024 with parties at the Blue Midtown and the 420 Bar, Jake Resnicow’s “M.E.A.T.” parties in Brooklyn, and perhaps most notably “Papito Tuesdays” at The Ritz.
251. Ten Yards
The increasingly prominent local fashion designer and genius behind Ten Yards Clothing, Sam Branman is behind much of the glamor served on local drag stages. He even provided on camera looks for three NYC-based Drag Race S16 contestants this year. Meanwhile as DJ Ten Yards, he’s best known as a driving force behind the popular C’mon Everybody monthly drag event “STR8 To DVD.”
Intro
#500-451 | #450-401 | #400-351
#350-301 | #300-251 | #250-201
#200-151 | #150-101 | #100-51
#50-1 | Previous tHOTlists
Thotyssey 
