One of the world’s best known and most celebrated drag kings, Tenderoni (you can hear that name inspiration dropped right in the beginning of Michael Jackson’s “PYT“) was just featured on TV’s first king competition… and is about to return to NYC for a major show. [Cover photo: Adam Ouahmane]
Thotyssey: Tenderoni, hello! Thanks for chatting today! Are you currently in your home base of Chicago?
Tenderoni: Hi! Thanks for interviewing me! I am currently in Chicago — so happy the heatwave is over.
This must have been one of your most epic summers ever; you’ve been traveling to, hosting and performing at King of Drag viewing parties during the show’s much publicized premiere season, where you served as judge! Was it exciting to see yourself on TV in that capacity?
This summer truly was epic! So much fun celebrating drag kings and performing in shows with so many new people. Seeing myself on TV was a really surreal experience. I’d never done TV before, so I was really nervous about how I would come across on the show. I’m still getting used to it, but it was a really cool feeling to be a part of such a groundbreaking show. The most exciting part is the spotlight the show put on drag kings.
How far along was KoD in the production process when you became involved as a judge?
I was asked to be a judge pretty early on, before the call for submissions. The only details about production that I knew were that the show was being hosted by the iconic Murray Hill, and that one of my co-judges would be Sasha Velour. I was so excited to be working with such respected names in the drag industry.
Is being a judge on a competition show challenging? Were you worried about hurt feelings, making wrong decisions, etc.?
Yes, it was actually really hard for me to judge! When the cast was revealed, I realized that I had worked with almost all of them. I consider them to be my peers, so I wanted to make sure my feedback came across as constructive and from a big brother / mentor type of perspective. I’m glad I was there for all the episodes, because I got to see the kings grow and bond with each other. I was kind of jealous ’cause I wanted to bro out with all of them, too! But also at the end of the day I am a diva, so I had to do my job, lol!
Besides the contestants, you mixed it up with some great featured and guest judges: besides Sasha there was famed comedy writer / director Paul Feig, Murray’s fellow cast members from Somebody Somewhere, OMG Lisa Rinna! Did you all kiki on the set? Was anyone a diva, lol?
The guest judges were so fun! Paul Feig was one of my faves because his feedback was great, and he has amazing energy. He hung out with everyone, and even came to our premiere in LA. Jeff Hiller and Kathleen Hannah were also amazingly funny and sweet too. I was a little starstruck by Lisa Rinna, but she was so chill and down to earth; I love that she showed up in a suit and slicked back hair; I was calling her Harry Hamlin on set.
How fun was performing at the KoD finale viewing party at 3 Dollar Bill at the end of July? Did the finale results surprise you? Did they film multiple possible results, as commonly done with RuPaul’s Drag Race finales?
The finale viewing party at 3DB was so amazing. It was the first time most of the cast and Murray were back together again since filming, and it was like a mini-family reunion. The event was so packed, and the energy was like nothing I’ve ever been a part of before. I think we all got a little emotional seeing the response to the finale.
The finale results did surprise me! We filmed multiple crownings, and I didn’t know what the outcome was gonna be!
Any tea on plans for the show to return?
I have no tea about what the future holds for more seasons!
Can you tell us a bit about your own drag journey? Where are you from originally, what was your own background in performance and fashion prior to drag, and how did you enter the drag world yourself?
I’m originally from Springfield, MA. I come from a very supportive and loud Puerto Rican family, lol! My parents had me when they were teenagers, so I grew up with their young music taste like 80’s freestyle and 90s hip hop and house music. My house was never quiet growing up; we always had TV or music playing at all times. My fave movies growing up were The Birdcage and To Wong Foo. I was also obsessed with Michael Jackson, and used to perform his music in my high school cafeteria or school talent shows. When I moved to Chicago as an adult, that was the first time I saw a drag king… and the rest is history! I started drag when I was 28, so that’s a message to everyone out there that it’s never too late to start doing drag!
I saw you / heard you on Delta Work’s podcast discussing the challenges of interpreting modern male popstars in drag today because they’re… eek… kinda boring, as far as fashion and swagger go. In the olden days we had Michael Jackson, Prince, George Michael, Freddy Mercury, David Bowie… it’s weird how deflated the male popstar has become! I guess this is why Bad Bunny is so popular with the kings, right?
Bring back the Razzle Dazzle male popstars! Stop being so boring! Bad Bunny really is one of my biggest inspirations right now. I’m also very into Paco Amaroso and Ca7triel.
The first time many people learned about you outside of Chicago is when you won Alaska’s “Drag Queen of the Year” competition back in 2021, a title which perfectly displays just how far drag has come! Was that win a life-changing moment?
Winning that competition was a life-changing and career-changing moment. Because the event was live streamed and during quarantine, there was a huge amount of viewers. There are so many people who still come up to me to this day to tell me about it. It gave so many people in different locations access to see drag in a different capacity. So grateful for Alaska and Lola [LeCroix] for creating that platform for all types of performers to compete against each other. The prize money was also nice, lol!
Another bit of Tenderoni Trivia is that you were the first drag king to perform at Lollapalooza! When was that, and in what capacity?
Lolla was great! In 2021 the organizers put together a drag show to showcase different types of drag all day at different time slots. The crowd was amazing, and the energy was electric. That year it was on a small side stage, and I’ve done it a couple times again since. I actually got be a part of The Blessed Madonna’s set this year that was streamed live ( I wore a giant Lego head mask, lol)! Very cool feeling, to be a part of an iconic Chicago experience!
Your co-judge Sasha Velour is presenting several installments of her famous multimedia dragstravaganza “Nightgowns” for its tenth anniversary at La Mama this month! You will be joining her onstage there on August 31st and September 1st alongside three local greats: Sweaty Eddie, Julie J and Miz Jade!
“Nightgowns” is my favorite drag show ever. I’ve been watching Sasha’s videos on YouTube since before I started doing drag. I still can’t believe I have done it! I am so honored and excited to be a part of it again, with an amazing cast for the tenth anniversary! I always get super nervous before shows, but I’m extra nervous for this one! You might see some MJ or Bad Bunny hop out for this edition.
Finally: as the king who is known for having everything he wears and holds on stage rhinestoned, what is the strangest thing you’ve bedazzled?
First of all, my girlfriend Natasha is the true diva behind stoning all of my looks. Hahaha! I think the weirdest thing I have is a fully stoned Willy Wonka Bar costume that reveals into a golden ticket. That’s drag, baby!
Many thanks, Tenderoni!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Tenderoni’s upcoming area appearances, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
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