A recent winner of Brooklyn’s “Queer Talent Show,” Succubus is ready to serve a Christmas slay.
Thotyssey: Succubus, hello! How are the holidays treating you so far?
Succubus: Hi! The holidays have been great so far. Very cold, which I like considering I claim myself to be the Slavic Doll of NYC. But I enjoy the cold weather.
Layers rule! The last time we saw you was at the end of October, when you won the “Queer Talent Show” at Metro, which Senerio produced and I did a live Q&A for. That was a fun night!
Yes, so much fun! I really enjoyed seeing so many different talents, and it was great to share my experiences during the Q&A. I think the best part was obviously winning, but it went beyond that for me. It was me continuing my mission of using my drag as a love letter for trans women out there.
So you recently co-hosted a viewing party for the latest season of Drag Race UK. Any overall thoughts about the season? I understand that fans had, um, very strong opinions about it!
Yes, it was great hosting the viewing parties for Drag Race UK. I thought the season had pretty good talents. I wasn’t entirely impressed as it went on as they continued to eliminate strong contenders for the crown. It was becoming clearer that Bones was going to take the crown, which I did see her as winner material from the beginning… but I guess more so predictable.
Any thoughts on the recent cast announcement of American Drag Race’s 18th Season? And is there anything you specifically want to see happen on the show?
I’m excited because I know of a lot of the queens on the cast. I’m especially excited for Juicy Love Dion; I’m a firm believer that she’ll be the shows best lip syncher / performer yet! Truly such a talent. As far as what I’d like to see on the show…I’d like to see me on the show next! I think that’s what it’s missing.
Can you a share a bit of the Slavic Doll’s origin story? Where’s your original hometown, and what’s your history with dance and performance?
So the origin story I’d say started from just me taking my Russian roots from my father. Both my parents immigrated here from Europe, so I wanted to claim those roots. I was born in Brooklyn and raised in Jersey, but danced in Jersey and New York. I had started dancing from a very young age and fell love with ballet, but I always had a calling for the stage. Something about those lights and the attention really does me some good. I guess you could call me an attention whore.
You’re in the right business! How did you discover nightlife and become Succubus?
I discovered the nightlife I’d say early on; even as a teenager, I was always out later than I should’ve been. That became no exception when I could finally get into the clubs I no longer needed to sneak into them, too. I was happy to be surrounded by community and other trans people who fueled what later became my drag persona. Also, what heavily influenced Succubus was other drag queens like Sasha Colby and Bosco. But even things such as video games that just had so many different women who were always better than the main character — who usually is a boring man.
You and Nolani have made Doublè in Brooklyn your home base, where you hosted that Drag Race UK viewing party as well as weekly Sunday brunches. How did that all come about, and what’s it like working there?
We first started with a show that was hosted by a promoting company known as Scissor Sessions, and they had asked us to be a part of an act after a line of DJ sets and gogo dancers. After that show, me and Nolani went to talk to Jill, who runs the bar. Funny enough, she loves drag and wanted to do something like this at the bar for some time. It made things easier, considering Nolani worked at the bar previously.
Tell us about the Christmas pageant you have coming up there.
The Christmas pageant will be on December 20th; it will be hosted by me and Nolani at Doublé, and will consist of a lineup of drag performers fight for their lives and the grand prize.
What else is coming up for you?
As far as our journey, me and Nolani want to expand our roots to more venues, and host more events at other bars. I will continue expanding my pursuit to take over NYC each day, with more incredible numbers and even bigger numbers planned into the coming new year.
Finally, what’s your favorite item in your drag bag?
I’d say it’s a tie between lipstick, because I have so many (it’s a little psychotic), and a good pair of lashes. I don’t feel complete without the most nasty, fluffed up, coked out pair of lashes that are hanging on for dear life.
Thanks, Succubus!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Succubus’ upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 