A delicious king / thing for your Hot Pride Summer… the poetic Peach Bellini! [Cover photo: @humanflowerproductions]
Thotyssey: How has Pride month treated you so far, Peach?
Peach Bellini: Thankfully very busy and beautiful! I had a flurry of gigs at the top of the month, in both on-stage and support roles. Then last week I actually proposed to my partner of eight years! Feeling happy and grateful, and still basking in a gay trans glow.
Congratulations! I know it’s probably too early to ask, but do you think drag will be a part of the wedding in any way?
Lol! I think that dressing up and the spectacle / ritual / performance is a form of drag, and a lot of my chosen family have and will be supporting me throughout the process!
And there’s this legal, political element–a rejection of histories of hierarchy, power, and exclusion that marriage has embodied for marginalized people, that we get to play with… which is definitely drag. Plus, I’m excited to figure out what kind of gender bendy configuration I’ll get into that takes the parts of marriage customs I feel are worth keeping, and throwing out or reinventing the rest. Plus, my boo is considering a white suit… which is gonna eat.
Can you share a bit of your origin story: where are you from originally, have art and performance always been in your life… and how ultimately did you discover drag?
I was born and raised in Long Island. My mom was an off-Broadway actress who grew up in Queens, and she met my dad while he was a guitarist in an 80s new wave band! so my parents encouraged me from a really young age to pursue art, music, and performance. Like a lotta drag babes, I am an ex-theater kid. But I also did choir and band / marching band since I was eight, as well as some early dance training.
Coming out as queer and trans as a fifteen year old caused some rifts, especially in choir and theater where I sought to be a tenor after singing soprano for many years. During college, I gave up a lot of the live performance elements and turned to music and film as a way to express myself creatively while I medically transitioned, and learned to reconnect with my body and voice (physically and artistically).
After top surgery in 2020 (!) I started to recognize the feminine sides of myself that I pushed down to be taken seriously as a trans guy, and came out fully as genderfluid. Then I started Theydy Bedbug’s drag class online in 2021, after working with them at BAX as an intern in 2019-ish. I had tried an open mic and realized I missed performing and telling stories, and realized drag would be a great way to play with all these questions. It was something I was curious about (especially drag kings), but couldn’t fully see myself doing until I met Theydy and discovered the world of drag things specifically. And I guess the rest is history!
Do you match your drag looks to the numbers you intend to do, or is it more of a “I’m feeling like more of a This tonight,” etc.?
Good question! some tracks definitely have looks matched to the song itself (like this mix of “Honey Thighs” by Strongboi into “I Touch Myself” by Divinyls is always this transition of ingenue into domme). Whereas with some numbers, I decide how the look will be the day of! So I’d say it’s a mix.
A peach bellini sounds delicious right about now in this 100 degree weather, lol… are you a fan of the beverage?
I am, but had actually never had it before I started drag! I love it, and what it means for me: it’s sweet, fuzzy, sparkly, and Italian!
What have been some of your favorite drag or nightlife moments?
So many to choose from! My debut at Brooklyn Arts Exchange was super special, alongside the incredible Andie Sleaze, Tulle Kit, and King of Drag contestant Tuna Melt. And working door for the Cake Boys‘ t”Takes the Cake,” and seeing Xaddy Addy’s glorious victory! Speaking of Xaddy, hosting my first ever “Parfait” variety show with Themme Heals (based in Oakland now), featuring Xaddy and Cochina Divina who I still adore and am happy to call friends!
[Then there was the] “Chaotic Christmas” throuple Bjork number with Mt. Aloofa and Cochina Divina for “Freakshow” at All Night Skate! Also, injecting T on stage into a pop punk banger number for my poetry book launch in May with Shapeless Press! Oh, honorary mention to Eugene’s “Unmasced” Philly show in January, the hottest snowy evening where I really unlocked my ass shaking skills.
I love performing, but also adore producing, kittening, gogo, and helping other performers blossom and feel held; drag is hard but it’s better together.
Tell us more about that recurring show you’ve produced, “Parfait,” or any other shows you’re intending on producing in the near or distant future!
“Parfait” was (is?) a performance series I hosted alongside Themme and later Anneliza Canning-Skinner–a phenomenal actress, drag queen, and bestie! I had a variety show with drag / burlesque, comedy, poetry and live music, as well as an open set spinoff called “Fruitcup,” and a few months of a “Parfait” poetry show with queer / trans poets and an open mic! The majority of these shows acted as mutual aid fundraisers–either raising funds directly for community members or grassroots queer orgs, or with mindful booking of performers and vendors who are actively crowdfunding themselves… always prioritizing QTBIPOC folks. I wanted to get into producing as a way to bring people together and get people paid, and distribute harm reduction and other kinds of supplies / resources to build a network of care.
My next production projects will both be for Shapeless Press (a trans indie press) as their event coordinator and latest published author! Next will be a launch party for the phenomenal Hal Shrieve’s new fantasy comic, Luke’s Revenge! The Press’ editor and I are also working on a monthly reading series in the Lower East Side for Shapeless Press, which I am so excited about.
I’m still seeking a solid value-aligned space for bringing “Parfait” back, even quarterly, and I have two anime drag shows / parties cooking behind the scenes with some nerdy nightlife friends.
Speaking earlier of the new King of Drag streaming competition show… are you excited to see it play out?
I am! I had the pleasure of meeting [contestants] Pressure K and Henlo Bullfrog at the “Bragging Rights” competition, and they were such sweethearts! I gotta be Team Tuna, though.
I’m so hyped to see kings begin to get our flowers! Kings are hardworking, sexy, silly, and showstopping, and have been for decades! I’m feeling the passion to continue pushing producers to book and pay kings, especially BIPOC kings.
On Pride Saturday you’ll be at Socrates Sculpture Park as part of the massive Astoria Pride showcase!
I’m so excited, I can’t wait! I’ve lived in Astoria a bit under two years and had lived there previously–definitely a neighborhood that feels like home! and the nightlife scene here is phenomenal… I feel really lucky. It’s extra special because this’ll also be my one year old nephew’s first drag show!
And on Pride Sunday, you’re hitting the Mad Tropical gogo box for “KISS,” a special night of amazing DJs!
Yes, a perfect cap to a life-changing month. I adore Cochina Divina and Oliver Herface, and am honored and excited to gogo with them on that sweaty, sexy gay ass night with a stacked DJ lineup! Mad Tropical has a special place in my heart, and their drinks are fab.
What else is coming up for you?
Most exciting will be a big two show day on July 27: first at Boyfriend Material drag brunch hosted by Mister Right in Philly, which I am so honored to be a part of! Then joining Poison Oak at their drag poetry show “Verse4Verse” [at Dada Bar] in Ridgewood!
Excellent! Okay lastly: what’s your favorite item in your drag bag?
My thigh harness! No look is complete without it, and it helps me put the peach in Peach.
Happy Pride, Peach!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Peach Bellini’s upcoming appearances, and follow them on Instagram. Purchase their poetry book “(My)thology” here.
Thotyssey 