A talented Jersey drag up-and-comer, can Lexie Legato become our first Diamond Diva? [Photo credit: Chavel]
Thotyssey: Lexie, hello! This is no doubt a busy time for you, but are you getting into your pumpkin spice this Spooky Season yet?
Lexie Legato: Hiya Thotyssey! It has in fact been super-duper busy over in my bubble of the world. I’m working as many hours as I possibly can at my little bakery job to be able to put together the most fantastic things for my upcoming projects for the rest of 2025. Also, yes! I’m so excited to slither my way into Spooky Season at my first Halloween gig of the year, this Thursday at QXT’s in Newark. Let’s get spooky and Sexieeeeee!
Do you watch tons of Halloween baking Reels and TikToks this time of year, or is that too much like work, lol?
Although I love a holiday and a theme, my Reel and TikTok algorithms are very niche and specific to the projects I’m working towards right now. So, I’ve got tons and tons of gaggy dance videos, fantastical sewing videos, and lots of historic, iconic pageant talent numbers to keep me inspired and motivated to keep working my butt off. I will say, that my drag sister Scissorella and I have already decked out our apartment in our ooky-spooky decor and started watching our horror movies for the season.
Are you a native New Jerseyite, and were you always into things like performing, sewing, etc.?
No actually! I’m originally from North Carolina, in a super small country town. As far as performing goes, I have been doing theatre since I was 9. I actually found my way up here to NJ because I studied musical theatre at Rider University! When it comes to sewing, the first from-scratch outfit that you’ll see from me is something that you all will be able to see very, very soon. I’m currently in the early stages of teaching myself how to sew via helpful drag sisters and YouTube, which is extremely nerve-wracking… but also so incredibly exciting!
How did you become Lexie, and how might you describe your drag today as far as looks and numbers go?
My name out of drag is Lincoln, and I thought the “L” was a fierce and super dynamic shape… so Lexie just fit the vibe, while also being bubbly and sexy! When it comes to Legato, the deep roots of that come from my musical background. I grew up singing in choirs, and Legato is a musical term that was often used to describe my voice — so Legato just felt homey and perfectly inspired. It felt even more cozy when I started drag in Jersey, and was immersed into so much Italian influence, because Legato is an Italian word! Overall, Lexie Legato is my love for Jersey and music with a big side of Broadway Baby!
I would say that my looks and numbers are consistently very intertwined with each other. Most of my numbers have lots of moving parts, with reveals, stunts, props and production, baby. My numbers can sometimes end up being relatively niche in the scene I’m in — with very specific references — which lends them to being connected to the look. For example with my last gig I had, I did a Selena Gomez mix. It was songs exclusively from her first album, I was rhinestoned head toe, and I was sprinting through the audience at full speed. I think it’s fair to say that my numbers are high energy and high impact, and I like my looks to meet that level of detail as well!
What are the joys and challenges of being a Jersey queen?
One of the main joys of Jersey drag for me is the party girl energy that the Jersey Shore brings. There is nothing like the sun setting on a tea dance by the Paradise pool while you twirl and party with your friends. However, New Jersey can be challenging to feel like you are fully part of a community because everyone that is a part of the Asbury scene — for example — isn’t necessarily from Asbury. My drag sister Scissorella and I live a whole hour from Asbury Park, but we are there multiple times a week because that is where our community is. So, there is definitely some anxiety and stress around not feeling like you are fully accepted into any scene because you don’t literally live in it.
You’ve got a lot coming up there! Tell us more about the QXT’s Halloween Month Opener show you’re performing in on Thursday, Oct. 2nd!
The show is called “Night of the Living Drag.” You’ll be seeing your staple QXT’s divas Noa Peele, Sabrina Slayer and Summer Eve, as well as a handful of other spooky, sexy performers. From what I’m seeing in our group chat so far, the numbers are gonna be campy, girly, and all around Halloweeny. I’ll for sure be doing two theatrical, dramatic, high energy, funny, dancy mixes — yes, I promise it’ll be all of those things.
And then Friday, you’ll be at Paradise with the gorge Venus Mystique and a bevy of beauties!
Yessss! I’ve been wanting to do a Friday night at Paradise for sooooo long, and I’ve known Venus for years at this point… and we’ve never gotten to do a gig together. So I’m ready to party down this weekend. The summer season is over, but Asbury drag isn’t… so come drink and bop with me this Friday!
This brings us to “Crystal Envy’s Diamond Race,” an eight week drag competition hosted by Jersey’s luminous RuGirl that begins next Wednesday, October 8th at Paradise! This one’s gonna be a big deal, and quite demanding… what made you want to sign up, and what do you think we can expect from this?
Yes! Yes! Yes! It’s literally like the only thing I can talk or think about. Big deal? Huge. Quite demanding? You don’t even know. I’m leaving a rehearsal now for a backup dancing gig that I’m doing, and then immediately started working on my jacket for my first runway with Philly’s own, Oktober Third.
The first time that I saw Crystal Envy perform in person was after I moved to New Jersey; she was judging a competition locally that was a similar style to “Diamond Race.” So, the fact that I got to see Crystal before Drag Race, watch her leave the scene and come back after filming, and then be so excited about giving her local drag the spotlight… I knew that it would be a fabulous, challenging, and professional experience. When it comes to what you should expect, I know that from me alone you can expect big productions, honest confessionals, and so many different sparkly surprises!
Anything to add?
Yes! Everyone go buy your tickets for “Crystal Envy’s Diamond Race” right now and click “Lexie Legato” at checkout, because there is at lot at stake with twists and turns happening right out of the gate.
To conclude: what’s the most essential item in your drag bag?
My handheld little fan. She keeps me cool, dries me off, and makes gluing a wig down three times faster.
Thanks, Lexie!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Lexie Legato’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkTree and TikTok.
Thotyssey 