Dancer, choreographer, teacher, commentator, actor, producer, host… Julz Romell is a treasure chest of talent to discover this Spooky Season! [Cover photo: Kat Huang]
Thotyssey: Julz, hello! Thanks for chatting with us today! It’s been a mild October so far, but we’re looking at a Nor’easter on the way as of this writing! Are you a fan of sweater weather, or do you already miss the summer?
Julz Romell: Hiiiii Thotyssey ! First, thank you so much for the opportunity! I do love sweater weather… however, as it gets colder I can’t help but miss those warm, sunny days. I’m definitely more of a spring / summer type of person.
I hear that, but Lord give me layers! You’ve got some Spooky Show stuff coming up, do you have the Halloween looks down yet?
Yes, Absolutely! I always try to have multiple costumes for different events / gigs, and for fun as well!
You are quite prolific in that space where professional dance meets nightlife meets multimedia. You’ve got a YouTube show, you’re popping up in the choreo of drag pageant numbers all over the country, you’re teaching, you’re recording tracks, you’re emceeing… but it all started with dance, right?
Dance is and always will be my first love. I started my NYC experience chasing my dream to be an amazing choreographer / dancer, and I’m still on that journey collaborating with other artists, drag queens dancers, nightlife, and movers of all kinds. I still pour into that passion while working on other forms of creating as well. Once I entered the ballroom scene in 2021, learning to vogue was an easy segue into immersing myself in that community.
I found that I also had a natural gift to commentate, and I started working on that craft as well. After a while I started competing, commentating, and hosting in many different balls/ballroom events.
And yes, I have a series on YouTube called Voice of the House which is a series that sheds light on the MCs of the ballroom scene! It’s been doing really well, and I’m excited to not only continue the growth and expansion of the show, but within myself as well. I have so many lanes that I’m in, and I just want to go with the wind and where my love and creativity takes me.
Where are you from originally, by the way? Did you start dancing from a very young age?
I just got my New York state ID, so I’m officially a New Yorker, lol! I’m originally from Columbia, South Carolina. Shoutout to Columbia and Orangeburg for raising me! I started dancing because my mother was also a dancer. Seeing the love and joy she has while dancing sparked that same thing in me. I started dancing when I was just in middle school, and continued to learn as I got older; I would pretty much say all my life! I moved to NY in 2018, and have loved the city ever since. I feel as though NY really changed my life for the better. So for that, I will always be grateful.
You recently got married here, too. Is it a challenge to balance married life with nightlife?
I’s actually been four years since I got married! I’m so blessed to have such a supportive husband. Of course with our schedules being so hectic, it can sometimes be difficult. But we communicate and make adjustments where needed. I try my best to make sure my work and love life are equally balanced, But a bae-cation is definitely needed.
OMG four years, good lord! I remember like it was yesterday when I met you and Sage when you were background dancers in the local queer indie pop star scene, supporting performers like Jayse Vegas, Vegas Valentine, Jack Tracy and Marcel.
I actually started dancing with Jada Valenciaga — she was my first gig in nightlife — at Industry Bar, I believe the Alice in Wonderland [edition of weekly drag revue “QUEEN”] hosted by Holly Dae! I then met and became the choreographer for Marcel, Jayse Vegas, Vegas Valentine, Jack Tracy and many others now, in the interconnected way.
When you were starting to do those nightlife shows and drag pageant numbers, were you taking on a choreographer role at that point already, or did that come later?
When I got my first nightlife gig I started out with Jada as just a dancer and now after working with her for so many years, I became head choreographer for her show “Curtains Up.” For the other gigs it would just depend, but nine out of ten times I would start out as the choreographer and would also perform as one of the dancers if needed.
“Curtains Up” has gotta be a lot of work for everyone involved! You all are serving full Broadway caliber shows every Tuesday.
Yes, I’ve been in the show since it started four years ago, and we really have been putting in work! We even travel to Fire Island as well, outside of our Monster Bar residency.
How exactly did you discover the ballroom world, and join the Legendary Season 3 winning Iconic House of Juicy Couture?
I discovered ballroom by going to “Open to All (OTA)” on Mondays at 3 Dollar Bill! There, I gained knowledge and built relationships that eventually led to me joining houses. There are two scenes in ballroom: the Kiki scene, and the main scene. I got acquainted with the Juicys through DeVante, who was a member of the house at the time. I honestly also just put myself out there, spoke with the leaders of the house, and had to go through an induction process to showcase my talents. I was so happy when I became a Juicy, and they welcomed me with open arms. I’ve learned so much by being around then in regards to being more confident and competitive, and have developed a genuine bond with them.
In the main scene, I started out as a Babylon founded by my ballroom father Legendary Monster, and he taught me a lot as well — and continues to pour into me. I did leave the house, and I became a member of the House of Nina Oricci founded by Omari Wiles Oricci. Currently in ballroom, I am known as Julz Juicy Couture Nina Oricci.
Can you explain to us commoners what commentating is in ballroom, and how you specifically got into that?
Commentating in the ballroom scene is basically like being the voice and the heartbeat of the function. You’re on the mic hyping up the crowd, calling out the categories, and giving the walkers that extra push to really bring it and above all else make the crowd feel it. It’s part hosting, chanting — as an MC reading the room, keeping the vibe alive, and making sure every moment feels iconic is the task at hand.
I started walking the category Commentator vs. Commentator at OTA, and have been competing since. In the category we battle to see who has the best chants, and who can overshadow the other commentator! I then started getting into actually hosting and emceeing, which I thoroughly enjoy!
You showcase your skills, and the skills of your commentator guests on a show folks can watch on your YouTube channel: Voice of the House: Commentator Cypher! what can you tell us about what happens on this show, and what motivated you to create it?
So, a lot of us in the scene, including the commentators, get together outside of balls and go to Pier 46 a lot. And while we are there, we just session and vibe — and in our case we cypher. So I go a lot of inspiration being in that environment, and also got inspiration from BET cyphers, and I was like, “we need that for the scene.”
On the show, you can get an in-depth look into what it’s like being a commentator / MC, and get to see us share our talents on there as well. We might compete and we can get catty, but we can also come together support each other… and just do what we do best together. I’m so grateful to Jayse Vegas, Kari Akin and Milliron Studios for producing the series, and to all the commentators who have been a part [of the show].
Let’s talk about some special shows and events coming up! First of all, I see you’re acting in a play by Matvey Cherry at Brooklyn Art Haus on October 15th called Mortigo! What’s this about, and have you officially acted before?
Yes, I’ve acted and have been a part of many shows, and have donemusical theatre as well. Mortigo by Matvey Cherry is such a great show, with amazing themes inside. It fits Matvey’s aesthetic, and I’m honored to not only act but be the choreographer as well. The show takes you on a journey of self-discovery, growth and pain. It is really detailed in regards to story, and I’m excited to be a part of it.
Next up, on October 18th you’ll be part of a Jayse Vegas and Josh Lumsden hosted showcase of local performers, “NYC Goes Pop,” at 3 Dollar Bill.
Yes, I’ve done the show twice so far! It’s a great show that puts artists in the forefront. This time around, I will be choreographing and dancing with an artist named Nikki Taylor Vibes! Also Voice of the House will be doing a live cypher in each segment to support “NYC Goes Pop,” and also promote the series!
You’ve recorded some commentator tracks that can be streamed across all platforms, will you also be performing those?
I do have songs out on streaming platforms: “All the Girls to the Floor” and “F. I. V. E.” I’ve performed them previously at the “NYC Goes Pop Party,” but this time I’m focusing on promoting the series and letting the MCs carry on stage, along with staying true to my dance / choreography roots.
I also have a song coming out very soon with a DJ / producer from London! I can’t share too much on it since it hasn’t been released, but I’m ready to share it with you all.
Then the big night: you’re commentating “The Scary Villains Mini-Ball 2” at Rubulad on October 26!
Now that is gonna be epic! We have many sponsors for the event, so there will be cash grand prizes and some categories are broken down between OTA and GNC. The winners of each subcategory will get a trophy and will battle for the cash grand prize.
This is my second time being the MC for The Scary Mini-Ball. It’s produced by Afrofuturist Garçon who is a staple in the GNC categories! Also, Afro is known for winning countless grand prizes in the category “Bizarre,” which means the costumes will be epic! It’s the villains edition, so everyone will be coming as their favorite villain or competing in the ball where the categories have specific villains you can choose from! It will be filmed by Kari Akin, and DJ Delish will be on the ones and twos! I won’t reveal my villain, but be prepared.
Where are you teaching dance these days?
Currently my only consistent classes are for Divadance NYC, which you can sign up for on their website. We have single drop in classes, but would love for you to join the DD community.
And what else is coming up for you?
I will be one of the MCs for the “Design of the Decades Ball” which is on November 15th, and “House of Birkin Presents: The Pokémon Kiki Ball” in December.
I’ll also be working on a mixtape / EP very soon, with more music. And Voice of the House just finished filming the next four episodes, which will be iconic.
I also joined the Milliron team as a producer, so I’m currently helping other artists bring their ideas and endeavors to life while simultaneously learning about filming and editing as well. I love the Milliron team, so shout out to y’all — and more specifically Tyler Milliron, the owner.
All amazing! Okay lastly: who is the most iconic Halloween / horror monster or killer?
The most iconic in my eyes will have to be Michael Myers, for sure! The theme song is also scary and iconic. I love it!
Thanks, Julz!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Julz Romell’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Download and stream his music across several platforms.
Thotyssey 