This LA-based comedy queen has made an instant name for herself by imitating one of politics’ and pop culture’s most curious and controversial figures… and she’s making her NYC debut this week! Thotyssey get a peak behind the pale blue contacts of Erica Qwerk, aka Lauren Banall. [Cover photo: YUQ Studios]
Thotyssey: Lauren, hello! Thanks for chatting with us today! How is the spring season treating you so far?
Lauren Banall: It’s treating me like a princess! I have a birthday this [season], and I’m gearing up for the “Turning Point U.S.GAY.” event in NYC April 16th!
You are a Cali queen! Where and when can people usually find you performing there?
I’m all around SoCal, but you can typically find me in the barrel of Idle Hour for our Bottomless Drag Brunch! I mostly perform in Weho, Palm Springs, DTLA, and San Diego.
Erica Quirk aside (we’ll get to her!), how might you describe your drag today as far as looks and numbers go?
Whatever I do, I promise it’s Banall. Usually, it’s something wonderfully silly and stunningly gorgeous at the same time.
Where are you from originally, what sort of art and performance did you grow up with, and how did you discover drag? Also, assuming you name is a play on Lauren Bacall, are you a particular classic film buff?
I’m originally from a small farming town in Utah. I grew up doing community theatre, so performing has always been a part of my story. I didn’t really discover drag until I moved to Los Angeles, but I was the kid putting turtle necks on my head and dancing around to Celine Dion in my underwear growing up… so when did the drag really start?
But, yes! Lauren Bacall is my namesake. I was really inspired by that era of Hollywood when I first started, and I was so jealous of her cool, calm demeanor. I knew I could never do it like she does. The drag community at the time was being a little nasty to me as well, saying I was just another unoriginal twink. So I thought, “hey, put it in the name.” No matter what I do, I will always be banal.
What is the drag scene like in LA these days? All the Drag Race girls are moving there, are they overcrowding the scene? Are Sherry Vine and Jackie Beat terrorizing everyone, lol?
The LA scene is as strong and vibrant as ever, despite Sherry and Jackie’s Showgirls-style sabotage! No, Sherry and Jackie are great! There are a lot of RuGirls here, but they’re not taking any of my gigs… so we’re still good. Once they start encroaching on my local-girl bookings, we’re gonna have a problem.
How about the gay bar and club scene there in general? The Abbey seems to be going strong after a change of management, but there are rumors that Precinct might be in trouble. If the WeHo scene is anything like NYC, the bars are probably still struggling to adapt to post-Covid life.
I think the scene is as resilient and lively as ever! Listen, in this economy, every single one of us in America is struggling, and our queer bars are no different. We’re adapting, rolling with the punches, and continuing doing what we always do: bringing people together to laugh, dance, and love. Gay bars aren’t going anywhere.
Let’s talk about Turning Point USA’s girlboss Erika Kirk! She’s such an… interesting figure because on one hand, there’s the tragedy and violence associated with her story. But on the other hand, she’s tailor made for drag… from her hair and wardrobe to her bizarre sound bytes to all the conspiracy theories surrounding her to the strange company she keeps to the questionable authenticity of her on-camera crying jags. How did the inspo come to you to create your parody sensation Erika Quirk?
I think it came from feeling so helpless and gaslit in this political moment. So many things feel so insane, so not-normal… and it feels like no one is addressing it. I kept seeing her over and over again in different interviews and events, and was continually bewildered by her strange behavior. Eventually I saw a TikTok where someone added the horror noise every time she squinted her icy blue eyes in a menacing manner, and it made me laugh so hard. I thought, “finally, it feels like someone sees what I see.”
I knew I could add to that conversation by using my art to expand that idea and just hold a mirror up to life. I only use her own exact quotes. I knew having her words seemingly come out of my mouth, in true drag fashion, would show how ridiculous and bizarre it is. I was also very inspired by the incredible LA drag queen, Meatball, who did a George Santos number that was absolutely hilarious. I knew I looked enough like her that I could really tackle it in a fun way.
Are you surprised about how profoundly Erika Kirk has taken over the zeitgeist, and then also how popular your own drag portrayal of her has become?
I’ve been surprised by all of it! I was not expecting any of this. I’m just doing what I’ve always done… but it suddenly feels like everyone’s watching. I’ve been most surprised by the positivity of the response. Even potential haters from the right liked my performance and thought it was funny. There’s been so little hate that it’s really proven to me how ridiculous the “right” has become. How much we all need some catharsis at this moment.
What’s your favorite part about Erika, and what’s the biggest challenge? I’m guessing that straining to see through those crazy sky blue contact lenses might be part of the latter!
The contacts are definitely the worst part! I’ve never worn contacts before… and I am struggling, let me tell ya. Honestly, the biggest challenge is having to watch so much Erika to get the material for my numbers. It’s hours and hours of watching her, and I’ve had enough. I think we’ve all about had enough.
If you were a fly on the wall during that closed door “meeting” between Erika and her now archnemesis Candace Owens (who has been spreading crazy theories that Erika had her husband murdered and that she’s a French government assassin and that she’s in a cult that worships bees), what do you think you might have heard them say to each other?
I’m pretty sure they’re both laughing all the way to the bank… so they probably did a cheers of virgin blood and signed off on all their evil schemes/ I don’t know. lol.
What was your first thought when you saw Nicki Minaj walk out onstage with Erika at that conference? Was it “OMG this bitch betrayed us” or “OMG I can’t wait to team up with a Nicki queen and recreate this?”
My first thought was just like so many of my reactions to Republican buffoonery. I was shocked and horrified, and yet somehow not surprised. Added her to the DO NOT PLAY list and kept it pushing.
Have you become more political since Erika came into your life, or do feel that you just want to keep Mrs. Kirk as a silly and strange drag character?
I’m not quitting what I do to become an Erika impersonator… an Erika impersonation is part of what I do. Drag has always been political, it’s always been a protest, it’s always challenged societal norms. Coming from somewhere as conservative as Utah, that’s what drew me to it in the first place. Drag has become very mainstream lately — but the root of any drag performance calls into question expectations or standards, and also reflects culture back to us. I think any modern art should reflect the culture of the times. And if the far right is determined to own American culture, we’re going to reflect it right back. It’s not my fault if they don’t like what they see in that reflection.
Have you ever been to New York before, for fun or gigs?
I’ve only been to NYC once in college, and I wasn’t even old enough to drink! I’m so excited to finally perform and explore out there!
You’ve already done big shows in LA as Erika alongside other drag performers portraying various other sordid characters in the crazy Magaverse. But you’re about to do it for the first time in New York on April 16th, care of Flipphone Events‘ “Turning Point U.S. Gay: I Want You” showcase! I think the New York queers have been craving a show like this for the longest time. You’re gonna be joined by the likes of Brita Filter, Plasma and Marti Cummings, and figures like Nicki, Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Melania Trump and even our former mayor Eric Adams are gonna get the drag parody treatment! How excited are you for this?
BEYOND. I have never felt energy in a room like when we did it in LA, so I cannot wait to see how NYC goes wild! I’m proud to say we’ve raised over $10k for the American Civil Liberties Union already, and I know New York is gonna put some money down! I’m a drag queen; I’m not going to be the one to fight this administration in the courts, but I can use my art to raise money for those who can. The ACLU is an organization that champions for the rights of marginalized and persecuted minorities, including the transgender and wider LGBTQ+ community and immigrants. They also have their Defense of Drag Fund, so it was a no-brainer to help them help us and other minorities that conservatives are trying to legislate away.
What else is coming up for you?
I’m working on bringing “Turning Point U.S.GAY” all around this fine nation, so stay tuned! Other than that, keep up to date by following me on my socials.
And finally… um… who are you gonna play on Snatch Game someday? I bet they won’t let you be Erika!
You’re probably right. I guess I have to be Charlie!
Thanks, Lauren!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Lauren Banall’s upcoming area appearances, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram (also Erika Qwerk), TikTok, YouTube, LinkTree and Twitch.
Thotyssey 