Representing the fabulousness of Philly drag and the most recent season of “Dragula,” spooky siren Onyx Ondyx returns to NYC this month for an epic, combustible showcase. [Cover photo: Joe Mac]
Thotyssey: Hi Onyx, thanks so much for chatting today! How has the month of April been treating you so far?
Onyx Ondyx: Busy boots! But I love that, because busy means $$$$!
You are Philadelphia based, a city that has a rich and creative drag scene. Does your beautiful monster aesthetic “fit in” well with what that Philly has to offer, or did you have to hustle to find a place for what you do in the beginning?
Well yes, and also no, to be honest. I stand out in any lineup, but that’s not always a bad thing. I’ve gained a reputation for ether pulling a stunt or a look, so crowds know that they need to stick around for me. Unfortunately I do often get pigeonholed into only being “spooky,” so I often get over looked for more conventional shows. Their loss!
When you’re in Philadelphia, are there any shows or venues where folks might be most likely to find you performing or hosting… or thotting around out of drag?
Yes gawd! You can find me every Friday at Fabrika hosting and performing, as well as Franky Bradley’s. Franky’s I consider my home bar, and that’s where I produce two monthly burlesque shows, as well as hosting and producing a monthly fashion competition called “Seam Queen.” Recently, if I’m out of drag… then I’m out of sight, lol. Maybe thotting around my PlayStation…
Your stage numbers often have pyro elements to them. Pretty much every part of drag is flammable, lol! Does that freak you out, or is fire no big deal for you?
I love fire; it’s powerful and so impactful! But fire manipulation is an ancient art form that must be respected. Play with fire and you will be burned. I’m currently nursing a second degree burn on back of my neck due to a last minute dumb idea I had. Always practice a stunt before the show, folks! Fortunately I’ve never had issues with my costumes igniting, but I do dress like a whore… my lashes sometimes catch and that’s terrifying, but you can still see!
Who or what have been some strong aesthetic inspirations for your looks?
I’ve heavily inspired by burlesque and Vegas showgirls. I love the opulence and the “more is more” vibe while also being sexy and skimpy. Aesthetically Dita Von Teese’s current Vegas show utilizing vintage Bob Mackey costumes comes to mind. On a different note, while I love some rhinestones and feather… I also love horror and gore. I’m heavily influenced by horror movies like Hellraiser and The Cell. There are just so many textures the human body can provide!
Growing up, were you always into art and / or performance… and was a flavor for the macabre and the unusual always there?
Oh yes. I was always a spooky-ooky little attention whore freak. Music and theater were my first introduction to the stage, and video games were my first intro into horror and gore. I remember collecting bones as a kid, and making little houses out of them for fairies.
There must be a lot of pressure on you to look perfect on Halloween… do you have to plan those looks year round? And, are you designing and constructing many of your looks, or do you work with multiple folks to achieve what you want?
I always try to plan at least one or two big looks for the Halloween season–but on the actual date of Halloween, I end up being my charming self, lol (covered in blood and naked). I’m spooky year round, so mama gets to be basic if she wants! I make 90% of all my looks, but am fortunate that Philly has such an amazing and diverse group of artists. If I need help, there’s also someone to collab with!
We didn’t get to see as much of you as we would’ve liked on The Boulet Bros.’ Dragula Season 5… you were the first girl out, sadly! Obviously that came with its fair share of disappointment, but did being a part of that platform change your life in a huge way?
Ya know I’d rather be missed than overstay my welcome… like some! It broke my heart when it happened, but to be honest, it did expose my art to a huge platform of people. So I’d say it worked out! Also maybe the Boulets did spill a little bit when they said I was a little all over the place…
You were eaten by dolls in your “death” scene! Was that fitting, or should Onyx have met her maker in a different way?
I loved my death in the season! Who wouldn’t want their throat ripped out by a tiny Throb Zombie? Of course if I had to pick, I’d like to be drawn and quartered or burned at the stake–something really medieval and graphic.
What were some favorite backstage memories you’ll always have of Dragula?
I’ll always remember bumming Orkgotik’s cigarettes and waking up Satanna at 2pm to watch Modern Family with her.
Do you still keep in touch with your fellow castmates?
Off and on, yes–some more than others. But I consider everyone lifelong friends who I’ll be forever connected to through trauma, horror, filth and glamour.
How about NYC’s own Jay Kay, who didn’t seem to have an easy go of it on your season?
Jay certainly didn’t have an easy go… and rightfully so, they looked terrible! All jokes aside, I love Jay so much. Definitely my closest ghoul friend from my season.
Right about when you were filming your season of Dragula, your fellow Philly girl Sapphira Cristal was shooting Drag Race S16 and ultimately winding up in second place! Do you two know each other well, and was it amazing to learn that you were both on these big shows at the same time?
Oh yes, I love me some Sapphira Cristal! She was the first Philly queen to ever compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race, and truly I cannot think of better representation. Our filming schedules were back to back, so unfortunately Sapphira and I robbed a large group of Philly creatives of sleep for a whole summer.
You just dropped a new episode of your podcast Perfect G-List Celebrity earlier this month! What inspired you to get into that studio, and what’s it about?
Oh bitch, you did your research! Truly Franco (my best friend and co-host) and I just did it for shits and giggles one day, and turns out we enjoy it! I always say it’s about nothing and everything at the same time, but recently we’ve started interviewing Philly drag celebrities. We’ve even had some Dragula special guests like Auntie Heroine and Season 666 winner Asia Consent!
Speaking earlier of Halloween, you did a bunch of October 2024 shows in New York. Do you have any favorite girls to twirl with here, or any favorite venues to twirl at?
Love me some Sherry Poppins, Venus, MissMa’amShe, Andrew Barret Cox… and I guess Jay Kay counts! C’mon Everybody is pussy, and Andrew Barret Cox’s show at Balcon was one of the best cabarets I’ve ever seen.
You’ll return to NYC on Saturday, May 17th for a very special showcase at 3 Dollar Bill in Brooklyn: “Dollapalooza,” hosted by Drag Race’s Amanda Tori Meating and featuring a huge cast of trans drag performers and showgirls including Drag Race’s Aja, Amethyst and Jasmine Kennedie, fellow Dragula alums Satanna and Maddelynn Hatter, and many local talents! So how excited are you for this show… and as a trans woman and performer living in this moment, how important is it for all of us to be supporting and celebrating all the dolls?
OMG, I think I’m gonna literally shit my pants, cry and throw up all at the same time, I’m so excited! To be honest, I’m still trying to figure out what to do! This cast is so stacked, I gotta stunt… but how!?
In today’s climate, it’s mandatory to support the dolls! It’s sad that being yourself also opens you up to aggression and hate. We need cis people who aren’t afraid to do things like correct a relative, use [the correct] pronouns or simply state that trans people exist. Also as someone who lives in a state that doesn’t have the best support for trans people, it’s expensive AF! Give the dolls ya money!
What else do the children need to know about?
Diva, Philly pumps out the talent! Allyria Everlasting and Vudu Thee Dahl are going places, so keep your eyes peeled for those divas. Also, we can’t forget about our kings: Henlo Bullfrog, Javier El Jugador, and Cyrus K Stratton are some of my favs!
And finally: who is a horror monster or killer that you would most likely hook up with?
But there’s so many horror hunks! Hm, the fact that I know Bill Skarsgård is under Pennywise and Count Orlok doesn’t help. But if I had to pick one… Pyramid Head. I am on all fours, and I’m ready to serve.
Thanks, Onyx!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Onyx Ondyx’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram, LinkTree and TikTok.
Thotyssey 