A film buff and star host at one of New York’s most dynamic venues (that’s currently having a genuine Moment), Beau Dega is the cat to watch in 2026. [Cover photo: Izzy Berdan]
Thotyssey: Beau, hello and thanks fo chatting with us! How’s March treating you so far?
Beau Dega: Hi!! Tis’ a pleasure. Ya know, sociopolitical landscape aside… March is treating me well! I just finished a run of four shows in a week, so I’m a little tired—but thrilled to be booked and busy. And it’s Awards Season, which is a very important time of year for me. Much to attend to!
Yes, awards show viewing party drag hosting is definitely its own Thing! Did you do the Grammys?
I care a little less about the Grammys than the various film awards, just because historically I don’t think the Recording Academy has done a particularly good job of actually honoring the year’s best music. Although I guess you could say the same of the Oscars…I digress. I do ususally still tune in for the Grammys! There’s always fun to be had. When the “Abracadabra” video dropped last year!? Electric! I didn’t host a viewing party this year, but I did watch with my friends. Beyond thrilled for Bad Bunny. A beautiful moment to witness; they did get it right this time! He deserves it all, and it’s so fun to watch him live out this part of his career. He’s doing it all with such panache!
I kind of struggle trying to remember what drag kings did before Bad Bunny, lol.
He really provides a wealth of inspo for our community! I try to walk that same line between “fuckboy” and “gentleman / loverboy.”
Actually, how might you describe the type of drag you like to do today as far as looks and numbers go?
So, I conceived of Beau Dega as a hunky bodega guy that was living his pop star fantasy behind the deli counter. For my debut number, I dressed as a sort of fancy deli guy (bow tie, big mustache, apron, etc.) and made a sandwich on stage while I lip synced. Got a little sexy with the baguettes…you get it. Obviously I can’t make a sandwich every time I perform, but I still do different iterations of that look/ bit every so often… and I channel that persona regardless of my look.
A lot of my looks and numbers are inspired by events and people that pique my interest in art and pop culture…I’ve portrayed Patrick from Challengers, Luigi Mangione, various male pop stars, and recently Rob Rausch from The Traitors. During the conclave this past year, I was doing a slutty Pope look / mix that someone from my hometown referred to as “sacrilegious cabaret” (accurate). I refer to Beau (myself) as “the people’s boyfriend,” and I think that kind of sums it all up!
Recently I’ve been using my natural hair for looks more often, which is big and curly and lends itself nicely to aesthetics from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Vintage suits, etc.
Where are you from originally, and what sort of art and performance did you start with?
I’m from the Philly area! I started dancing when I was three years old—my first foray into the performing arts. I trained in several different types of dance for many years, and picked up a few other creative practices / outlets along the way.
How did Beau get born, and how did you come to be a part of the Club Cumming lineup?
I was a longtime fan of drag and patron of the local scene before I ever thought about doing it myself. The name came first—my best friend and I landed on it during a phone call about how much time I seem to spend in (and my passion for) delis, corner stores, and bodegas.
Then one day about four years ago, I was blasting music and dancing around my kitchen while curating a sandwich (as I am wont to do). When the sandwich (a masterpiece) was completed, I shouted “the sandwich artist strikes again” and urgently summoned my roommates to try it. This series of events occurred frequently in that apartment… but for some reason that day, I visualized myself doing the same thing on stage, and the concept of Beau Dega crystallized. I knew who he was, I just had to bring him to life.
At the time, two of my friends and I had been producing a bi-monthly dance party at Club Cumming, for which we booked various local performers. I told them I had an idea for a number, and asked if I could perform at our upcoming Pride party; they said “go for it.” So I rehearsed that number in my kitchen about 100 times, promoted the hell out of that party, and invited everyone I knew. I am lucky to have a very loyal and supportive community of friends who turned out and packed the club. And just like that…Beau Dega was born!
That was in June 2022, and after that I started hitting the streets (the weekly drag competition circuit) to hone the craft, get reps in, etc. I made my way back home to Club Cumming via one of those competitions, and eventually pitched my monthly show—Beau’s Big Gay Trivia Show—which has now been running for over two years.
By the way, there’s also a “Beaux Dega” out there… a bearded queen! Do you sometimes get her DMs by accident, lol?
Yes, I heard about her about a year ago I think! We’ve never met, but I’m sure our paths may cross one day. Beaux – if you’re reading this – perhaps a future collab is in order? Mr. and Mrs. Dega……there’s something there I think!
Club Cumming must be an interesting place to work!
Haha absolutely, never a dull moment. We really see it all there. In all seriousness, so many incredible and unique talents have graced that stage–and still do. I am so lucky to have a home there. It’s such a good space for experimentation, and it’s a place that really means a lot to a lot of people!
We’re seeing a lot of staples in queer nightlife close these days; it’s killing me. We gotta keep ’em alive!
Agreed. Your boss Alan Cumming is certainly too busy to make many appearances at his bar these days, but no doubt CC was the place in NYC to watch his massive Emmy-winning hit reality competition The Traitors this season! You’ve already mentioned winner Rob Rausch–what were some of your “overall” thoughts a on this season? And Alan’s amazing fashions, lol?
Hahaha beautiful work on that overall pun! Now that I’ve donned the overalls myself, I gotta say… Rob is kind of onto something there. I might make them a more regular part of my wardrobe.
Anyway, yes! Alan is very booked and busy… but whether he and the cast are attending the viewing party or not, The Traitors fans really turn out! It’s like watching a sports playoff game at a bar in the team’s hometown. I hosted the pregame party for the finale at the Club, and then we all viewed the finale and reunion. The energy in the bar was wild; everyone was on edge and screaming (myself included). That finale will enter the reality TV canon. Miss Maura… God bless her. She really learned something. Or maybe not, I guess… it’s too soon to tell. Either way, I’m inspired by her bounce-back, I gotta say. The Traitors is fascinating, in large part because of the ways in which the castle always becomes a microcosm of reality—this season more so than ever, I think.
And of course, a huge part of the appeal is the fashion. 75% of that show is understanding the assignment, which is to serve looks. Alan’s incredible wardrobe has been deservingly celebrated, and we’ve gotten some incredible looks (and also flops) from the contestants over the years. Lisa (Rinna) and Candiace (Dillard Bassett) might not have won the game, but the fits were correct—good for them.
I see that the long awaited Club Cumming docuseries is coming out on WoW Presents Plus soon!
Yes! So excited to my Club Cumming fam on screen.
Destination TV! Tell us more about your own monthly (first Thursdays) trivia night at the Club.
So! It’s a drag trivia extravaganza for film, tv, music, and pop culture nerds of all kinds. The premise is: we seek to find the “biggest, most rotted gay brains” in the room (first place). I also award prizes to the “Bicons” (second place) and “Miss Congenality” (might have flopped but had a good vibe). There’s two rounds of opened ended questions, an audio round, and a visual round. My guest performer gives shows in between rounds while I’m scoring, I perform after Round 4, and to conclude: a member of each of the top scoring teams comes to the stage to lip sync for the win.
There is an also an “ally segment” where I invite the straight boyfriends of bi girls in the room to come to the stage and try to answer some pressing questions like: “who is mother?” It is an educational event, first and foremost. This past week I taught three straight men about the Khia Asylum and Carly Rae Jepson’s critically acclaimed album E•Mo•tion.
I think what makes the show special is that I write all of the questions myself. No AI here, now or ever. I work very hard on them. Writing them and scoring / reading everyone’s answers myself allows me to rif with the audience throughout the show, and really include them in the bit. The first two rounds always include a question or two with no factually correct answer, to which I award points arbitrarily. For these I call upon the audience to exercise their big rotted gay brains and make me laugh, and they always deliver. Clearly, the other thing that makes the show special is my fab audience.
Now onto the big night: Oscar Sunday! You and Sissy Bloom are hosting the March 15 viewing party at Club Cumming! What can we expect from your party… and in general, what might you be looking to see with the actual Oscars as far as big winners, big losers, weird moments, etc.?
Yes! We are so excited. Sissy’s a film nerd too, so to our fellow cinephiles: you’re in good hands with us. In the hour leading up to the show, people can fill out their ballots and Sissy and I will do numbers inspired by the nominees (and maybe by the snubs). We’ll have a red carpet set up for people to take photos (and the actual red carpet live streaming on a projector). Then we’ll lock in for the show at 7pm sharp. We’ll do some trivia and games during commercial breaks, too!
As for the actual awards show: I’m so excited for that, too! I think this is my favorite year in film since 2017. We have some real races this year – several of the big categories aren’t locked! I hope a wide spread of films are represented in the wins – sweeps aren’t quite as fun to watch, even when you’re rooting for one. I like when they spread the love at least a little!
Will Conan have a “Timothee versus opera and ballet” joke?
Timmy… damn, he really fumbled. That stupid ballet / opera comment pissed me all the way off. I’m a fan of his, and I do hope to see him get a little gold man one day. We all say stupid things that we regret sometimes, but I hope this little saga and this Oscar race humbles him a bit. I’m routing for MBJ and Wagner Moura in that category – let’s give it to one of them.
That being said, I really care much more about Best Actress–a lock for Jessie Buckley this year, who deserves it and absolutely blew me (and everyone) away. Love to Rose Byrne too, who can do anything. Stream SPY (2015) if you’re ever feeling down, always helps.
Anything else you want to mention?
Come through on Sunday, even if you don’t usually watch the Oscars! Trivia on April 2nd (and the first Thursday of all subsequent months)! And stay tuned for updates on upcoming dance parties–I have some exciting stuff cooking with DJ Julian Church (who also manages Club Cumming) and other collaborators.
Lastly: BOOK DRAG KINGS
Amen! And finally: who should play Beau in the docuseries of his own life?
Oh, I’d play myself.
Great casting–thanks, Beau!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Beau Dega’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram.
Thotyssey 