In every generation of NYC drag there comes a handful of queens who make their mark by slaying competitions week after week, and now this fierce new recurring champion already earned a show of her own. There’s no bad seat in the house with Rhea Mezzanine!
Thotyssey: Rhea, hello! Thanks for chatting today! So I understand you just won a winners’ circle round of the Holly Dae’s “Open Call” competition at Balcon Friday. Tell us about how it went down!
Rhea Mezzanine: Hey! It was a whirlwind of a day: making sure the costume was right, the hair was right, everything! Thankfully my drag family was there to help me.
How long have you been a queen now?
On and off for about five to six years.
Can you tell us a bit of your origin story? Where are you from originally, what were some of your early creative pursuits, and how did you discover drag? I feel like with your name, you must have a theatrical background!
I do! I started as a child actor, then took a break from performing to really focus on training. Then I went back into performing at 18.
As far as drag, I was living in Washington DC at the time and was doing musicals out there. I became friends with some queens in DC, and would assist them from time to time; I then became their makeup artist! They would ask me when I would start doing drag (especially because of my performance background), and I would always say that I was “too nervous” or “I wouldn’t be good.” But they would always push me to do it. One queen booked me for a private event, and I did drag for the first time that night. I loved it!
What brought you to New York, and how does NYC drag differ from DC drag?
I first moved to New York right after I graduated school at 17. I made a PowerPoint presentation to my parents about how it would be good for me in the long run, and they were on board! I moved to DC and was there from 18 to 21 years old, and then came back up to New York. I’ve been here ever since.
NY drag and DC drag differ in style more than anything… to me, at least. DC drag has closer ties to Southern pageant / old school drag, which I have a deep love and appreciation for. NY drag is much more focused on comedy and crowd work, I’ve found. The level of talent and creativity is the same, but the way that it’s executed are beautifully different.
How might you describe what your own drag is like today, as far as looks and numbers go?
Thought out, bold and polished. My biggest inspirations are entertainers like Lola Falana, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson and Diana Ross. I love utilizing looks from fashion designers like Halston and McQueen, and street style from the 2000s!
You and sister queen Alestaria currently host a prime time Wednesday show at Rebar: “Unleashed,” with support from DJ Steve Sidewalk! How did that show come about, and what’s it like?
“Unleashed” came about after my fourth “Open Call” win. I knew that Rebar was the perfect place to build a level of trust–not only with audiences, but with bar owners. Rebar has been the perfect home for us; they’ve been so supportive and encouraging from the beginning, giving us full confidence on whatever we wanted our show to be.
As far as the show, we knew we wanted to showcase our dancing skills and our ability to interpret a song through “characters”–so we have a theme for the last two numbers that changes every week. It keeps the show fresh, fun and interesting. It’s been great, and we both love doing it!
You’re also returning to guest co-host “Ruby Tuesdays” this week at Balcon’s sister bar Playhouse, with Ruby Roo! That’s a good time, right?
Oh, absolutely! I love Ruby and love that night!
Have great shows! Anything to add?
I just wanna say thank you to my drag family! My sisters, The A Girlz, and my drag mother, Lita Desire Valenciaga and the whole Valenciaga Family!
Hey queens! Okay, lastly: Drag Race 17! Who’s winning this?
For me, it’s between Onya Nerve and Sam Star!
Thanks, Rhea!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Rhea Mezzanine’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 