New Jersey’s number one bearded beauty is bringing a birthday showcase to her homebase… three cheers for Noa Peele!
Thotyssey: Noa, hello! How’s your summer?
Noa Peele: Thank you for having me, darling! Summer has been hot, sweaty, and busy! Which is also the future title of my autobiography.
Time for us to get a library card! You’re a busy Jersey Queen… when you’re not performing or doing some drag related activity, how are you likely spending your time?
Lying by a swimming pool eating a Caesar salad, drinking a double bottle of the cheapest Pinot Grig. Or squeezing all the benefits out of my AMC A-List Membership.
What’s been a good movie you saw this summer?
Bring Her Back! Traumatic and spooky!
We gotta see that!
Can you tell us a bit of your origin story… are you a Jersey native, and were you always into art, performing, etc.?
Jersey born and raised! I was always a creative little kid. I loved drawingm and writing horror movie scripts and performing all the characters for my parents… and enhancing my Barbie’s makeup and hair. I lost that a bit in my teen years, but it all came back when I discovered drag.
How and when exactly did drag come into your life?
I started during lockdown, and the rest was history! Season 12 of Drag Race was airing, and Crystal Methyd was a huge inspo for starting my drag journey. I practiced my makeup and wig “styling,” and would post a new “look” every night. If you could call it a look at all. It kept me and my followers entertained, at least!
How might you describe your drag today, as far as looks and numbers go?
My main objective is to make the audience laugh and be as silly as possible! As far as looks go, you can catch me in a floofy babydoll dress and a Mary Jane platform.
These days Jersey has more drag venues, more drag performers, more drag aesthetics and genres than in decades prior. Is this a moment?
A huge moment! It’s so exciting to see and to be a part of. In our current political climate, more drag is a good thing! We need to stand together as a community and make room for one another. Creating new shows / spaces for us is important, too. Business owners should take notes — drag is lucrative!
Speaking of business, tell us what it’s like to be a queen in residence at QXT’s in Newark!
It’s a dream come true. What every queen wants is job security, easy communication with their venue, and good pay. We’re lucky to have that, and then some. They treat us like family, and we’re so grateful to them.
You will be hosting your birthday showcase “Night of 1000 Noas” there on Thursday, featuring several QXTs regulars in the cast. Happy Birthday! What can you tell us about the show… and what does a girl need to do to be a proper Noa?
Thank you! Happy to be turning 25 again. Everyone must be on their silliest behavior, with a strong drink in hand. That’s mandatory! Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; I’m expecting beards, back hair, and lots of falling down on stage… intentionally or otherwise.
What else is coming up for you? Are you partaking in any Jersey City Pride events this month, for instance?
I’ll definitely be in attendance, but as far as performing I’m taking the month to myself! Rest, relaxation, and more of that cheap wine I mentioned.
Heavenly! Okay, lastly: what’s the most essential item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
Gum! And I’m always happy to give out a piece — especially to the girls who talk toooo close
Well done! Thanks, Noa!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Noa Peele’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 