An emerging star of New York drag, Haitian born Bonnie Bonfiya is blazing towards Pride season with big gigs… and a potential new title!
Thotyssey: Bonnie, hello! Thanks for chatting with us tonight! I understand you’re preparing for a gig at The Ritz as we speak…. how long it your Get Ready Time usually these days?
Bonnie Bonfiya: Hey Jim, thank you for reaching out. I won’t be too busy to do this interview, I love your work. I’m new to the art of drag as far as performing at various venues and clubs that are all over NYC, so the time I take depends on travel time. For example, I go to the Ritz in HK often and perform with my mom, aunt, and sometimes grandz (Lanyé Armön, Queenlee Stars, Octavia Anyae) which is a travel time of about an hour from where I am in Sunset Park. I would plan to be ready at least three hours before call time. As we all know, drag queens like to take their time… and sometimes we take too much time.
For other locations that are in Brooklyn or less travel time, I would take my time because I’ve studied the way I do my makeup well enough to know what I can focus on–like my eyes, which are becoming a signature of mine. Overall, three hours for mug and hair and an about an hour for travel.
Sounds like you’ve got it down to a science! What do you love about doing drag in 2026, and what is a big challenge in that world for you today?
Firstly, as a kid, all I knew I wanted to be was a creative person with a presence that invites and entertains. In Haiti that wasn’t a common dream to have, especially as a little boy growing up in the church where there’re limited career choices that will make people proud of how you turned out. I could’ve, and still can, do them: lawyer, doctor, engineer, even teaching. But when my mom said, “you want to be a superstar?” almost sarcastically after seeing how my artistic talents have been manifesting more and more… that clicked! I started singing in the church. When I came to America, I was part of a choir at my local church. Soon musical theatre would enter my life in my late elementary years up until high school, academically and as an extracurricular.
The art form of drag found me in the theatre when I was more liberal with my self-expression. I chose the female impersonation route due to my pop star divas that I started studying shortly after learning English in 2010. Seeing the way they commanded a stage with their catchy songs, flashy outfits, impressive performances and relatable backgrounds… I knew I wanted to be just like them.
Drag has given me the chance to connect with so many people in such a short time. Entertaining audiences with niche music and concepts with a fashion sense that could put a few fashion houses out of business is my favorite part. Learning that we get money for this, I was even more sold on the idea of being an elevated version of myself that people enjoy and also pay a few bills… and possibly take it to national television, Rupaul’s Drag Race.
The biggest challenge for me right now is getting my foot into the doors that will give me opportunities to keep spreading my wings and audience so that I can grow as big–if not bigger–than some of the NYC talents and personalities we have all been inspired by for so long. There are also economic challenges where some venues and bars are still recovering from The Plague of 2020. As a business, you can only pay for what I’m bringing in revenue… and If the people aren’t spending money they can’t pay their nightlife entertainers, That’s why we can’t stress enough to tip your bartenders 20% or more, especially if y’all want to continue enjoying great services with some shows on the side. Who wouldn’t need a show right about now?
You do the competition show circuit often. Do you enjoy competing, or is it like a necessary evil for you? And are you in it to win always, or is it sometimes more about sisterhood, exposure, networking, test running new stuff, etc.?
One of the first stages I found due to a tragedy, the passing of O’Shea Sibely, was ballroom. I saw the way they expressed themselves and made way for new people like myself, at the time, and was very intrigued. Without much previous knowledge of the format of what ballroom was, I was invited to spectate a ball.
Ballroom has a history of a competition format that was used back then as a form of survival with some of those categories being different breakdowns of “Realness” –usually where the people that got jobs before the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was enacted, and many more. Later on, the creative categories started joining in. Based on what you produced, it could possibly help you get a step ahead in the “real” world with different opportunities that could help them get of the situations they were in. Through that history is how I look at competition: putting your best foot forward is an occasion; it’s a requirement.
Whether you are walking a ball or competing in a local competition such as Drag Wars All-Stars, it is beneficial to expose yourself to different spaces and have those networking conversations with people who have been at the start before, and can possibly help you get to a better place or position in your art. Winning isn’t everything, but I’d be lying if I said people don’t pay more attention to those results and how you got there.
How might you describe your drag today?
I’m inspired by the women in my life. My introduction to fashion was my parents; they would never leave the house without looking presentable and smelling good. Those genes were definitely passed down, without a doubt. Out of drag, I take on a school boy youthful look taking after my father. In drag, I am a grande dame–especially when it comes to competitions, where you must be polished–taking after my mother.
Since the competitions I’ve participated in are usually fast paced, it’s not always easy or smart to do that type of silhouette every day… especially when I have things for specific occasions. I usually blend my parents style together to get either a slutty school girl or a preppy school girl. Those looks are very pedestrian, but they work for the bars that have horny men that wanna hoot and holler for you to win.
That’s the genesis of my relationship with fashion, but I can’t leave out the Drag Race girls that have influenced styling and branding for me! I’m a lip sync assassin in the making… with the outfits to show it!
You made it to the finals of Drag Wars All-Stars at Pieces, hosted by Shequida! What’s been your overall impression of doing Drag Wars, how were you approached for All-Stars, and how excited are you for the finale on the 25th?
This All-Stars experience has been like nothing I’ve ever been a part of; it has taught me to sharpen my skills, simplify my ideas, and enjoy the art of drag. The roots of drag runs so deep, and Shequida is our proof of that at Pieces Bar, lol. She reminds us who made it possible for all of us to have that stage every Monday to perform our little padded asses off.
The format of regular Drag Wars is something I particularly enjoy: having the queens all come to the venue get ready together, ki and chit chat while putting on their mugs and everything else before they perform keeps the history of Drag in NYC alive… even if it is a competition, and stakes are as high as we believe them to be. Wise words were given to us after all the All-Stars were announced, reassuring us queens–whether starting out or established in some way–that we do not need a huge budget to win. A story and clean concept from start to finish while looking presentable is the goal in life.
I see you’re also going to compete in another drag battle on May 31st: Lip Service at Red Eye, hosted by Nani Tsunami and Vanity LaVain, with an All Things Aguilera theme. That should be a night of gorgeousness!
Yes, it’s not my first lip sync smackdown… it is a format of show that I typically enjoy doing. Christina Aguilera is not an artist that I’ve always listened to growing up, but I feel like I can turn it out because her songs are very drag. Nani Tsunami is my God Mom in the drag world and Christina is her girl, so I can’t let her down. She has a personality that I’ve grown very close with in the past few months; it’s always laughs, and there are teachable moments which comes with experience from years in the game. I couldn’t be more proud to have her by my side, guiding me alongside my family.
Vanity is a beauty that I cherish. The way she performs is unlike any other: her look is so polished, her mug is always sitting in inequality. Both of them share being an amazing host. Half of the job is looking at the part and performing the part, but you must also know your way around a microphone, entertaining a crowd, and being a host. I’m excited to be a part of this show with my sisters.
You’re also going to be one of Sorayah D’s birthday roasters at Sandy Jack’s on June 5th! are you gonna burn the whole place down, or will your barbs be gentle, lol?
My relationship with Sorayah D grew to be a little sister and big sister bond from a coming of age movie. We read and roast each other all the time, so this won’t be anything new for us. Trust, if someone come for me, she’s letting the claws out. She’s also giving me the opportunity to be one of the permanent open set diva of her show Trans Joy, only at Sandy Jack’s. It’s going to be a great time, and the other girls definitely have some reads for that Gemini.
What else is coming up for you, or is there anything else you want to mention or discuss?
I’m an entertainer that is hungry for success, which means I don’t sit down. When I get up and participate in a show or competition, it’s something to build my brand and overall likeness. There are a few balls happening that I will participating in starting this summer–one of them being the Pokemon Kiki Ball Vol. 1 (presented by Evie 007, CJ Birkin and Eman Birkin), which I will be judging / on panel for the first time in my ballroom career… which is pretty exciting. It’s usually house leaders and / or people with legendary or iconic status, which I’m gunning for within these few years. It’s going to take a lot, and I’m ready to put in more work.
In the drag world, I’m a rotating open set girl if I’m not participating in a competition. My goal is to be either a part of an already established show or have my own show… whether its happy hour, brunch, or late night at some of my favorite venues around the city. I’ve been sharpening my skills on and off the floor to become a better promoter, performer and personality. All in due time.
No doubt! Thanks, Bonnie!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Bonnie Bonfiya’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 