This Philadelphia firebrand is no stranger to Brooklyn drag, and is currently slaying an epic new Jersey drag competition: Allyria Everlasting! [Cover photo: Chavel]
Thotyssey: Allyria, hello! I know you are in pageant prelim recovery mode and we’ll get to how that went in a bit. But generally, how do you like Spooky Season Drag?
Allyria Everlasting: I have always loved and appreciated this time of year! This is when the pop princesses put in their red contacts and do Paramore (me, haha), and the alternative entertainers push their means and gives high conceptual art which I live for!
Amen! I did want to ask you about a gig you did last month: opening for Violet Chachki and Gottmik during the Atlantic City stop of their “Knockout” tour! Was that fun, or were they monsters, lol?
It was fun! At the end of the day, they were professionals. They are running a crazy tour with many moving parts, so although my sisters and I may not have gotten to “kiki” with them, I’m still in awe of the production and honored to have been selected to open for them.
You are a Philadelphia-based queen who often also performs in New York and New Jersey, which is a pretty wide canvas! Do you ever catch yourself getting confused about where you are or where you’re going?
All the time! When traveling to New York, I actively call my sisters up there so they can help me figure out the subway!
I lived here my whole life and I still haven’t figured it out.
Are you a Philly native, and did you grow up with an interest or background in performance, art, fashion, etc?
I moved around so much as a kid. However, I am Jersey born… but sadly, Florida raised me! Which would explain the lack of brain cells, haha! I moved to Philly for college in 2019, where I actually studied theatre and acting… which I’ve been involved since 2015. Me and performing go hand in hand!
The rare Florida success story, lol! How did drag come into your life, and what inspired your name?
During the pandemic, I wasn’t feeling my love and passion for theatre anymore. I always dabbled in drag for funsies, but as Drag Race was airing Season 13, that made me realize that I could do this professionally. However, Season 8 of the show was what made me fall in love with the art form, and inspired me to do more research for drag artists outside of the show.
My name stems from a song cycle called “Illyria,” but I wanted to keep an “A” name. Everlasting tacked on at the end gave it those ethereal vibes, but also made a statement!
Love! How might you describe your drag today, as far as looks and numbers go?
My looks are always evolving, though I’m always going to give body and show off these legs! I want to show everyone how well the hormones are working! For numbers I’m always going to tell a story, whether that’s in a thirteen minute Pussycat Doll megamix or a four minute ballad. I’m giving levels! Comedy, mixed with drama mixed with just a touch of grace. Sexy, goofy and encapsulating… that’s my drag!
There are a few Philly queens such as Little Piece, Avery Goodname and yourself who frequently mix it up with the Brooklyn drag folks. Is there any sort of similarity between the Philly and Brooklyn drag scenes?
The Philly/ Brooklyn pipeline is such a sacred bond! The biggest similarity for me is that there’s one value that holds true with both scenes: authenticity. What you see is what you get, and both of the scenes put their hearts in their performances and truly uplift and push any and all genre of drag artists.
On Thursday October 16, you’ll be returning to Brooklyn’s C’mon Everybody to guest in MissMa’amShe’s popular monthly, “Mall Drag!” Little Piece, Mojo Carter, Neutral Gena and Athena will join you! What can folks expect this time around?
Expect some transgender shenanigans! My girls and I will be celebrating our sister, MissMa’amShe’s birthday! I’m pulling out the juicy couture track suit, and serving up realness with an entree dish of pure camp and comedy!
Now let’s talk about “Crystal Envy’s Diamond Race.” This is a major multi-week drag competition hosted by the titular RuGirl at Paradise in Asbury Park, modeled somewhat after Drag Race. What inspired you to sign up for this?
I’m no stranger to live weekly drag competitions! I competed in the notorious drag competition, “Snatcherella3000,” in Philly! I was runner up for Season 4, and Top 5 for All Stars! At that time, I was so new to drag and was still finding myself. Now I know who I am more than ever, both in drag but especially out of drag! That is the driving force behind why I wanted to throw my hat in the ring this time around.
The first round of “Diamond Race” happened Wednesday. Tell us everything about what went down, and how you’re enjoying the process so far.
It was fab! Crystal Envy has created an environment that makes all of us as contestants feel safe, seen and loved… which made me want to push myself even more! The judges: Mancie Mandell, Tastie and Venus Mystique, just enriched the environment and helped make the space feel fun! Especially considering this was opening night and we all felt the pressure, because this is a fierce group of divas competing! I landed safe, which is amazing! I know I started on the right foot and did what I wanted to do, which was showcase my personality first!
The next installment is October 22nd. Any spoilers?
The performance is that we have to do numbers based on horror / Halloween icons. I have been tasked with embodying Frankenstein! I will not say much, other than I shall be painting myself green and will be very silly!
You have a delightful track that folks can stream on all platforms called “Big Vagina!” When did you drop that, what was the inspiration behind it, and might there be more music from you down the road?
“Big Vagina” dropped on March 28th of this year. I have always wanted to record a funny track because I’m not a very serious person… but I love music! When the opportunity presented itself to work with Kevin JZ Prodigy and my good friend / amazing music producer Drootrax, I knew what we would make would be magic. As far as more music: if — and it’s a big IF — I was to make more music, I would lean more into the comedy genre. Maybe do a whole album collab with some fierce drag, ballroom, burlesque etc. stars all over the nation! That would be fierce!
Indeed! What else is coming up for you?
If anyone wants to catch me in Philly: this month, catch me on the last Sunday of the month at “Seam Queen!” I am the stage manger of the competition and we are having our Halloween Ball with special guest judges: the iconic Susanne Bartsch, Amanda Lepore and Lola Von Rox! With the iconic “On Top” party following soon after!
Also, every third Thursday I host a male revue show called “West Wolves,” and am a part of the illustrious “Franky’s Angels” on that same third Thursday. All at the lovely venue, Franky Bradley’s!
Have great shows! Lastly: what is the best and worst Halloween candy?
The best Halloween candy is anything Nerds! The worst is… candy corn.😭
Thanks, Allyria!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Allyria Everlasting’s upcoming area appearances, and follow her on Instagram and TikTok. Download and stream her music across multiple platforms.
Thotyssey 