On Point With: Essa Noche

We last spoke to this queen when she was quite new to drag and had a different name. Now that she’s become one of the city’s most popular and busy drag performers and is currently a multiple Glam award nominee, it’s definitely time to catch up with Essa Noche! [Cover photo: Davide Laffe]

Thotyssey: Essa, hello! Happy holiday season! Are you a Festive Queen, or do you find the holidays stressful? And, do you have a favorite Christmas number to perform?

Essa Noche: Hahaha, it all depends! And I rarely perform them.

So I last interviewed you a million years ago when you first showed up on the scene… you were known as Mary Con at the time! Do you remember what made you want to change you name… and how else have you changed since then, as far as your overall looks and numbers go?

It was definitely more about evolving and elevating as a drag artist. I was starting to find love and passion in different genres and styles. Also, Mary Con was more of a name I enjoyed amongst friends… it’s riff off a slur (y’all already know), so I didn’t feel as special when I started to perform in non-drag venues.

You’ve certainly come a long way since! As Essa Noche, you are one of NYC’s busiest and most favorite queens. How might you describe what makes your drag so special and unique today?

It’s serious but completely unserious at the same time. And of course, there’s the butt! I just headlined at Joe’s Pub recently, and my crowd work is something so special. I’m a funny, gorgeous diva.

And a multiple Glam nominated diva, including for Entertainer of the Year! How excited are you for that?

I’m so shocked at getting three noms this year! I’m so excited to be with my friends, peers and NYC community. I just love seeing everyone getting dolled up and appreciating each other.

Might we see you turn a number on stage at Sony Hall on awards night?

OMG I would love to! Is that an option!?

Dear Glam Awards producer Cherry Jubilee: we need this!

I wanna talk a little about each of your current gigs, starting with “HUMP” at Oberon, your weekly Wednesday night show! That’s a newer hotspot in Brooklyn that everyone says is beautiful.

Oberon is so gorgeous and chic! She is becoming one of the Williamsburg divas! The perfect place to sit down and just enjoy a fab drink with the divas. “HUMP” starts at 10pm with me, and spotlighting NYC’s best and most unique. Y’all know I love a mic and performing alongside my besties.

“BBL (Beauty Body Legs)” at Playhouse on Thursday nights is your longest running show. Venus Mystique and Mo’Riah are your current costars, but Drag Race star Lana Ja’Rae was an OG alum. Is it still fun doing it?

Truly the most fun you’ll see! It’s giving three highly talented and different divas coming together for the befores, durings and afters! It’s very engaging! Definitely every show is different from the last.

Then Sundays you’re at Hardware with Hanukah Lewinsky for “Total Roulette Live!” What’s that like?

Completely unhinged, wacky and unforgettable! It’s like Broadway meets Broadway Junction! Guests get to choose our numbers by means of a wheel with a whole bunch artists, genres or vibes. Hanukah is one of my favorite performers and closest diva sisters, so we always have a lot to catch up and recap on our week, and all at Hardware.

There’s a few fun special events also coming up, including two shows at G Lounge: “Naughty Santa” on Tuesday the 23rd with Felipe Ocampo and Janelle No. 5, and then a special post-Christmas brunch show on Sunday the 28th with Beaujangless, Venus Mystique and Boyish Charm! Always fun to watch queens turn numbers out on that little twin box stage, lol! And those are great folks to be doing shows with.

Absolutely, so excited! I’ve loved performing at G Lounge recently. The vibes are great and staff is so friendly, and they go off with the decorations! It’s so gaggy.

And of course you’ll be busy when RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 premieres in January, along with all the scheduled viewing parties across the city! You’ll be hosting the Luis Fernando-produced premiere episode viewing party on January 2 at Market Hotel alongside the one and only Valentina and this season’s sole NYC representative DD Fuego. Then later on January 23rd, you’ll be screening the season’s fourth episode with Dawn and Alaska at 3 Dollar Bill! Both will great times for sure… are you excited for the new season?

Totally! I’m excited to see what everyone will bring… or not bring!

And do you have your eyes set on being part of a future season of Drag Race yourself?

Every drag artist should want more for themselves, and that includes me!