The winner of “Drag Wars All Stars 8” cites an interesting drag inspiration, a surprising shaving incident and a tight nightlife family as keys to her success: meet Jayde Mugler!
Thotyssey: Jayde, hello! Thanks for chatting with us today at the end of your busy weekend: Saturday night at Metropolitan in Brooklyn for Janelle No. 5’s “Sexx Dreams,” and Sunday brunch at Kayle in the LES with you sis Spice Diamond! How did it all go?
Jayde Mugler: It was amazing! I had so much fun at “Sexx Dreams.” this week has honestly been so crazy, but amazing after winning the “Drag Wars All Stars 8” crown at Pieces. I’ve received so much love, and I’m so thankful for everything. Very thankful for this opportunity to be at “Sexx Dreams,” it’s definitely a show that I’ve been wanting to do for a while. The show was amazing; a lot of friends came to support and have fun. Me and Spice slept for only an hour, and woke up and had to get into full drag and get to the gig for brunch in the early afternoon, but it was a lot of fun definitely one of the best crowds we’ve had so far.
The “Drag Wars All-Stars” finale was a great show; you served some solid production numbers! How long did it take you to put that final package together?
From the moment I was inducted into “All-Stars,” I was already thinking about what I was going to wear for all four categories and already started talking to designers about my concept and ideas. Honestly I was still buying things for the package until the day of the finale. I had rehearsals all week for hours and hours for the categories of “Signature” and “Future.”
Alaska was a judge at the finale! Were you able to interact with her that night? She seemed very enthusiastic about the competition.
OMG, just seeing her on top with the judges panel was crazy enough, because I love her so much. She’s one of the first queens from Drag Race that really has a staple in the dragesphere, and is such an icon. You can tell she genuinely loves drag, and was there to not only judge but to support local drag… which I appreciate. I was able to get a few words in with her after I was crowned the winner,and she had told me, “amazing work, you should be proud of yourself. Keep going, and don’t ever stop being yourself.”
Can you share a bit of your origin story? Where are you from originally, what sort of creative pursuits did you have growing up, and how did drag come into your life?
I’m Puerto Rican and Brazilian and was born and raised in New York–Brooklyn and Queens. Honestly, growing up I’ve always been into art whether it was painting, making things, designing, or sculpting.
But my first introduction to drag was actually through music–Pabllo Vittar is someone I look up to so much because of her origin story in Brazil, and I fell in love with her music and style back in 2018. This was while I was in high school, and I was still in the closet. I would always watch her YouTube videos in my room, learning the choreography and lyrics to her music. I always dreamed of meeting her one day and going to one of her shows, but I knew that it was rare because she’s from Brazil and the chances of her performing in New York were slim. But in 2020 before Covid, she announced her North American tour; I was so beyond excited to finally see her, but the tour was canceled because of Covid restrictions.
Later in 2022, she announced a new North American tour and I bought my tickets immediately. Although I was not able to meet her, I showed up to the venue as early as possible to make sure I was the first one in line to enter the show. That’s exactly what I did… I made it front row, and it was literally the best day of my life finally getting to see my idol. In 2023 I was finally able to meet her in person for her Noitada tour; she told me that she loved my look and style, and was such a sweet, genuine person I’ll forever cherish in that moment.
My first episode of Drag Race was the premiere of Season 12, and I watched it because Nicki Minaj was the guest judge and one of my friends at the time made us all watch it with him. And from that episode I was hooked; I was so in love with Gigi Goode and Jaida Essence Hall, and I remember watching the lip sync battles and runways and thinking to myself, “I want to do this.”
“Drag Wars” hostess Shequida told a story about you on mic. She recounted how you were watching the girls turn it at “All Stars” just as an audience member, and told her that you were going to compete as a queen someday.
Yes! So I’ve only been performing in drag for 11 months, and when I met my Haus they were all already doing drag; I would go to support them when we became friends, and I would watch them and other talented artist, whether is was at The Ritz or “Drag Wars,” for weekly competitions. I did go up to Shequida before my debut in drag and told her I was gonna bring it… and I did probably the complete opposite, lol. I definitely was humbled, but in the best way possible; it allowed me to take some time away and perfect my craft some more before I came back.
I performed a lot more, but at different places to gain some experience and get my feet wet. When I decided to finally come back to “Drag Wars” I won three weeks in a row, and definitely showed growth and development from when I first had came to “Drag Wars.” On Week 4, I was inducted into “Drag Wars All-Stars 8” and was so excited.
I’m grateful for my chosen family: Spice Diamond, Lolita Starr, Coco Mayumo, and Ricky. I feel we all have come a long way, and have helped each other grow so much for this past year we’ve spent together.
So the five of you are your own drag house. You’re not related to the official Haus of Mugler?
A common misconception is that I’m part of the Haus of Mugler from ballroom. I do have a special love for ballroom, and I feel so much of gay culture and lingo has originated from ballroom. But my name is more inspired by my favorite designer Thierry Mugler; I feel like his work is so unique, and is something that will forever be referenced and part of fashion history. A lot of my package for “All Stars 8” was definitely inspired by his work, but reconstructed and designed to be more my vibe and performable.
During the finale, Shequida also told another interesting story about your facial hair!
So when I started drag, I made the decision that I wasn’t going to shave my facial hair and was going to prove that I can be a sickening performer, and challenge the standard of beauty in the drag scene. I’m glad that I did, because I proved to not only myself but many others that you can be different and still be recognized for having talent.
During the category of “diversity,” you’re asked to do something you’ve never done before or perform in a style that is not what you usually perform in. So I was thinking, how I can gag everyone? And after my signature number when we went to the back to change, I shaved my facial hair off and redid my makeup. And for the reveal of the ballad, I showed everyone my new face and a lot of people were gagged. It’s taken me some time to get used to it, and I do miss it… but it’s part of a new journey. And I look even more puss now, lol.
Overall, can you describe the type of drag you like to do today as far as looks and numbers go?
I love to do a high energy mix, and it usually starts slow… and then when the beat drops, I give it my all; I’ll be bucking and somersaulting off the stage. I love to give a sexy number as well, and having fun with the crowd. Depending on the crowd, sometimes I’ll pull a lucky guy on stage if he’s cute and give him a lap dance, and the crowd always loves it… but I truly love it more, lol. I love to perform with body–adding those hips, boobs, and ass really does make a huge difference for drag appearance. My makeup process itself takes over two hours, but it’s something I love doing and is probably something that makes me stand out… because it’s always so muggy out here!
So Tuesday night at Pieces’ Hell’s Kitchen sister bar Balcon, the gigs continue! You’ll be turning it out for the new weekly Latin party “La Escuela!” What’s in store for us?
Honestly, I’m so excited to perform some Latin numbers I’ve been wanting to do for a while; I just feel as a drag performer, it’s always good to read the room and know who’s in the audience–and a lot of the times you have to perform songs that you feel people would know. The “La Escuala” crowd is mostly likely going to be majority Latin or people that like Latin music, so I’m gonna have fun performing some songs and turn the party up.
And this Friday, you’ll be in Astoria for “Vibe Check” at Fresco’s Grand Cantina!
Come for dinner stay for the Vibe. Every Friday night, enjoy pop-up performances by Spindarella and special guests, live performances by Nikael and Corey Streets and beats by DJ M. Samurai. Fresco’s party host team really know how to party and keep the Vibes going with dance competitions and celebrations!
What else is coming up for you?
I do have a few more bookings coming up in the next few weeks that I’m excited for, and I just received my new weekly every Sunday with my sister Spice: I’m her co-host at Kayle for brunch at 1pm. We’re gonna have special guests every week; honestly, it’s so much fun meeting a new crowd of people every week, and our goal for the brunch is to distract everyone a bit from life and make them laugh, and have a good time with us.
Last question: what’s your favorite item in your drag bag?
I’m gonna have to say either my lip gloss or my perfume!
Thanks Jayde, and congrats again on your crown!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Jayde Mugler’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 