This goateed goddess has come a long way in a short time, currently hosting a live sung weekly with her amazing drag family: let’s hear it for Melisma! [Cover photo: John Lagucki / Gem Annai]
Thotyssey: Melisma, hello! How is May treating you so far?
Melisma: Helloooo diva love! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me!
Well, May is so busy with my day job and being the goateed lady of the night–I consider that a blessing. I woke up today, and that is a win for me.
Well done! Speaking of goatees, there’s a whole thriving mini-community of facial haired queens in NYC now.
There is! It’s about time the facial haired baddies rise up from the shadows.
Are you all in a group text, lol?
If there isn’t a group chat, there definitely should be. I’ll get the petition started. But if there is, then the feeling of FOMO is all too real! It honestly feels so surreal to be part of an amazing drag community, especially in NYC. I’ve only been here eight months, and they’ve welcomed me with such open arms.
You’re originally a Boston girlie, right?
Yes I am! That is where little Meli was born. I lived there for a little over three years; I was actually born and raised in South Florida, but didn’t officially start drag until I lived up north. It’s probably for the better, because even with the cold air up here, I still somehow sweat all of my makeup off.
She’s also a live vocals queen! When did you start as a musical performer, pre-drag? And what / who were your early inspirations in music and performance?
I’ve been singing since I could talk; I always knew that music was my first passion. There’s just something about the way that the power of words in music can make a positive impact on audiences that fuels a fire in my spirit. You name it, I’ve done it all: band, musical theatre, choir. I even did a cappella at Berklee College of Music (Pitch Slapped) with many people in that group who have gone on to be great success stories like Matt Sallee from Pentatonix, Lizzy McAlpine… hopefully one day, myself included.
I draw a lot of my inspirations from pop and r&b artists like Jennifer Hudson, Sza, Jazmine Sullivan, Fantasia, Tori Kelly, Lauryn Hill, Ariana Grande and countless baddies of the past.
But the one person who was my all time biggest inspiration was my mother. She pushed me to always be my best, and supported me since I was a little child. She saw the sparkle in me since day one–both the gay sparkle and the performing one, if we’re being so real. She’s the reason why I started drag; it’s a love letter to her, and the promise I made that I’d always keep shining my star. Melisma, in a way, is a constant reminder that even when I’m having a bad day, I know she’s there to pick me back up like she used to.
How would you describe your overall vibe as a queen today… and what’s it been like to establish yourself as a NYC girl over time?
I’ve always been drawn to the alternative style of drag. Not just because it’s cool, cute and quirky–because trust, I do love serving a Y2K looook. There’s just something about darker colors and vibes that I’m drawn to, like the colors of a bruise… purple, red, black, as crazy as that sounds. But when you think about it, bruises hurt; they’re painful, but they heal and you become stronger–much like myself in the course of my life. I think there lies a beautiful meaning to the grotesqueness.
My drag is all about resilience, and bouncing back. I fought so hard to be in this city, to finally feel like I’m a part of it. The Boston scene was very vicious and cruel, and they made me feel like I wasn’t one of them. It did hurt, but I never let that stop me. It lit a fire under me to quit my job, take out my savings and move here on a whim… and it’s the best decision I ever made.
Now I’m in an amazing drag family with the most loving mother Castrata, who graciously took me under her wing. I’m grateful for how fast everything happened in these past eight months: from being adopted, to feeling seen and appreciated, to also having my first weekly show at Red Eye! It’s been such a dream, sometimes I feel like it’s not even real!
It was the “Red Idol” singing competition at Red Eye that brought you all together! Castrata co-hosted that with Michelle Dowdy, you were a contestant, and Norma Tears was the first season’s winner! What was that whole original “Red Idol” experience like?
It was so crazy. I’ve known about Castrata for years, and when I had the green light to move to New York I reached out and she told me to audition. Throughout the course of the competition, we’ve grown super close… and before you know it, I was at the finale in the Top 4 of the season. Although I didn’t win, I’m so proud of how far I’ve made it considering I had just moved. My original goal wasn’t to win the competition. I even manifested far before moving that Castrata was going to be my drag mother, and on that same night after the season one finale she sent me the text asking me to be a part of her family. I cried so hard on that train ride home because in my heart, I did win a drag family, and that’s something much more valuable to me than a crown.
And now you’ve got a family business! “Tres Leches Live” is a weekly Monday show at Red Eye that started up last month, starring yourself with mother Castrata and sister Norma!
Yes! A family affair, if you will. It’s been absolutely amazing! Like, pinch me, I’m dreaming. We’re bringing live vocals back into the [drag] mainstream for the first since Stephanie’s Child. We wanted to recreate that star quality trio of a group and give it that “Latina familia flare.” We wanted to bring the girl group fantasy back! A lot of people give drag singers a hard time because we’re not always doing the flips and dips. But trust, we do flip, dip and run… with our vocals! It’s time to wake up the fact that we are artists too, and deserve our time in the spotlight. Our resurgence is coming.
Also, I will say that being thrown right fresh into a weekly show setting has been very overwhelming… but it’s been something I’ve always wanted since starting this drag journey of mine. Getting to do it with people I love and I’m comfortable with definitely helps with the stress. And it gives also me the chance to show off my “melismas,” every Monday night at 9pm.
The “Red Idol” extended family has reunited a few times for a live diva worship series called “Idolatry.” That will happen again at Red Eye on Thursday for a Cher edition, which you will partake in!
Yes yes yes! This Thursday, May 22nd at Red Eye! You will definitely wanna get your tickets for that, because we will be giving vocals down with a live band. We’re bringing all of the Cher classics back to life for a one night only celebration… and who knows, maybe we’ll be back to bring it somewhere more hot! But for now, expect some “Dark Lady” from this dark and grungy lady.
Anything else to mention?
Besides coming to see “Tres Leches” every Monday at 9pm at Red Eye, they can also find me on my IG! When I’m not out back by the dumpsters giving free “singing lessons.” Totally kidding… I’m just being a silly girly!
She’s always giving! Okay, lastly: what’s your favorite, most essential item in your drag bag?
If you’re not carrying your signature fragrance, then are you truly doing drag? I kid, I kid… but I always have to have my perfume on hand at all times. I can’t be pretty and stinky; I can only handle one struggle at a time. I want them flocking toward me, not running away and gagging from the smell!
I only detect the sweet smell of success! Thanks, Melisma!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Melisma’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and LinkTree.
Thotyssey 