One of Long Island’s few AFAB drag performers, Kassie O’ Peia sings and dances her way into all our hearts and minds.
Thotyssey: Kassie, hi! We’re officially on spring now; will you miss winter at all?
Kassie O. Peia: I love the idea of winter… just not living in it. I am perpetually cold, and it’s definitely been pretty cold this year. So I’m excited for some warmer weather to begin!
I know you’re vacationing somewhere as we write this, but did you get a chance to watch the last Drag Race? Many of the kids are hating it, lol! I guess interpretive dance isn’t having its moment!
My hotel unfortunately does not have MTV on the TV, so I did not get to see the episode. But I can definitely get behind an interpretative dance moment! A lot of my favorite drag is the weird and unexpected.
Actually, how might you describe your brand of drag, from looks to numbers?
I love being stupid in drag. Like, some of my favorite numbers are the ones where I combine things that I think would go together. Sometimes the joke is in the look, and sometimes they go hand in hand.
Werk! Are you a Long Island native, and did you always have interests in art and performance growing up?
So I grew in Queens (specifically Breezy Point), and my family moved to Long Island in 2012. But performing has always been in my heart. I grew up a competitive Irish step dancer from the age of 9. I’d also do singing competitions, and eventually realized that I was enjoying the singing competitions more than the dancing ones!
Can you still step dance?
A little bit! In March I usually pull out some steps out when I perform “C’set La Vie” by B*Witched!
How did you you discover drag and realize that it wasn’t just for queer men… and then when did you become Kassie?
Crème Fatale was the first non cis male drag queen I had heard of, and I was like, “wait this is for me too? This is the best day of my life!” Drag was always something I had admired, but I never thought it was something I could do as well. I started playing around with makeup and discovering my look in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, and started going out in public in the fall of 2021. I feel like the essence of Kassie has always been a part of me; I was just standing in her way.
Long Island drag is a challenge: venues are few and very far in between, and many neighborhoods have grown increasingly MAGA conservative over the years. As a femme queen, all that must be doubly complicated. How do you navigate that scene?
It has definitely been a very challenging time, and I often find myself getting frustrated with a lot of it. I always describe myself as a pessimist that is very optimistic, and that has been very draining for me. As scary as everything feels right now, I’ve been trying to focus on as much joy as I can on my drag and community, and in turn try to focus on bringing that joy to others.
She’s a warrior! Actually, this coming Tuesday you’ll be in Queens—Icon Astoria specifically, as part of the cast of Eden Darkstar’s “Dirty Thirty” birthday celebration! Great lineup! Are you excited?
Oh my god I’m so excited! Literally hopping off the plane and going to the gig! I’ve got a really stupid number planned and it’s going to be so fun!
And what’s the rest of the season looking like for you?
I’ll be at “Shoot Your Shot” at Station Pub in Sayville this Saturday March 29th at 8:30pm. Next up after that is “Wig Out” in Amityville at The Warehouse on April 13th at 12:30pm, benefitting Thursday’s Child!
Looking ahead to June 1, you’re part of a cast of LI queens for a Pride Show at NuBar in Farmingdale! That should be amazing!
I am very excited! Nubar is the very first bar I performed in and I’ve known Stella Virgin, Tom Catt, Toni Homeperm and Ashley Jade since I first started going out in drag. I met Alice Noir a little after, but now she’s one of best friends. It’s definitely going to be a fun show!
As far as future plans, I have a lot of ideas that I would to bring to fruition… hopefully by this year, but we’ll have to wait and see. I do also want to give a quick shoutout to my mom, who comes to all of my shows and truly has the most fun every time!
Yay Ma’am! Okay, lastly… what’s your most essential item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
Oooh, good question! So an essential cosmetic that I use all the time is the about-face fluid eye paint in White Noise. I also have another cosmetic that I keep in my bag–a MAC mineralize skin finish in the shade Star Wonder. I don’t remember the name of the collection, but it was space-themed I believe. It is like 15 years old and I never really wear it, but it was the very first makeup item I ever purchased for myself… so I like to keep it with me.
Thanks, Kassie!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Kassie O’Peia’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
Thotyssey 