Flight attendant by day, the original Fresh Face of Drag dives with Pride into Toms River this weekend. Make some noise for Mona Little! [Cover photo: Privilege]
Thotyssey: Mona, hello! I understand that you were at Georgie’s for Jersey Pride last night, how did it go?
Mona Little: It went really well! A lot of people, great crowd, and a bunch of amazing performers I got to share the stage with!
That’s glorious! We can all use a bit of community these days. And we have a long Pride month ahead of us! The Tonys are also in the news today… do you follow Broadway stuff?
So even though I went to school for vocal and theater, I don’t really follow Broadway news all that much. I do love a good Broadway show though; I just never really followed it that closely.
Understandable!
Can you share a bit more of your origin story with us?
So I’m born and raised in Central NJ, grew up in Lakewood, NJ and then moved to Toms River, NJ where I live with family. I went to a performing arts high school for all four years of high school, and majored in Vocal. Our school also had dance, acting, and audio engineering classes as well. So, we were exposed to all aspects of performance and theater productions. It definitely helped shape me as the performer I am today.
There’s another performer in the Asbury / NJ scene that graduated from the same school as me, and we knew each other before either one of us did drag. So it’s cool to also know someone with the same background.
I understand you’re also a flight attendant. For some reason, drag and the airlines seem to go well together! How do you enjoy working the skies?
It was always a dream job for me, ever since I was a kid. I didn’t think I could do it, just cause it’s so much traveling and being away from home. So when I turned 18, I went into the car business for eight years. I bounced between multiple different dealerships and positions, and a bunch of people including my friends — once they heard that I want to be a flight attendant — told me I should do it.
So, one day I put in an application for an airline, and got accepted. I went through the whole interview process and got offered a spot in training. The company took almost a year to give me a training date, so I applied at another airline (the one that I’m at now). I also got accepted at that airline, and they gave me a training date way faster… so I decided to go with them. I completed the six and a half weeks of rigorous training and became a flight attendant and followed my dreams!
The job definitely has its good days and bad days. I’ve been able to see some amazing places, but I’ve also spent many nights alone and extremely stressed. This job has a ton of flexibility, and has allowed me to perform in places I never thought I would, and have experiences I never thought I could have. I’ve met so many amazing people all around the country and the globe!
It’s kind of a crazy time for both your day and night jobs, thanks to You Know Who in the White House! Travel and the airline industry are facing hardship thanks to understaffing and fuel prices among other things… and drag has been a MAGA culture war target for a few years now.
It really is. As much as it can be stressful, I definitely just take things one day at a time. I can become easily over-stressed, so taking it one day at a time, and finding the fun in any situation I can really helps me get through and enjoy both these things that I love to do.
Very important question: which airline has the best flight attendant uniforms?
Ooh… that’s a good question. I mean, I think I look good in my uniform (I like to think so), but I do like Delta’s gray uniforms as well! The most comfortable one though is definitely Southwest. They can wear a Polo and shorts and sneakers! I wish I could do that!
So how might you describe the type of drag you like to do today, as far as looks and numbers go?
My drag is very glam — a lot of dancing, with a little bit of sexiness to it. I like to do a lot of Ariana, Pussycat Dolls, etc. But at the same time, don’t be surprised if I pull out a good dance number and costume! I love pageants, and plan to do some very soon as well.
You were actually the first winner of the Fresh Face of Drag pageant back in 2016! What drew your to compete in that, and what was that experience like?
So, I was friends with my now drag mother, Rhedd Rhumm. She told me about a pageant she was putting together, and asked if I’d be interested in competing. I’ve never done drag, nor really knew much about it… but with the chance to win [a large cash prize]… Hell yeah, I’ll do it! So I went for it and said yes. We did the show, and with the help of a few queens (Rhedd Rhumm, Jolina Jasmine, Victoria Courtez, Lady Marisa, Kinsey Spectrum, Lady Celestina and Holly Girlington) I went out there and gave it my all… and ended up winning!
Each year, I love coming back to perform as a Former to help with crowning the new winner each year, and to help out all the contestants throughout the process! I know so many performers that started out with this pageant, and to see their growth and how far they’ve come and how much they’ve accomplished since is absolutely amazing to see
Fresh Face returns for its 10th anniversary All-Stars edition to the Two River Theater in Red Bank on November 13th. But things kick off this Wednesday with a special event at Paradise! Do you know what that’s about?
As long as my work trip I’m on doesn’t fall apart (this is aviation after all), I will be there in support! It’s a great event to meet the Fresh Face All Stars and get a taste at what they can do, and what you can expect to see from them at the pageant in November!
On Saturday you’re taking part in a Toms River Pride show on Washington Street hosted by Desiree Moonshine! What can we expect from that?
You can expect a lot of dancing, a lot of fun, and most of all, a lot of celebrating the love and community we have here in NJ!
What else is on the horizon for you?
So, I am lucky enough to be performing for not one, but two events for my airline! We have a program known as the Wings Foundation, which helps FA’s in need financially. My airline hosts a Lip Sync Revue in multiple cities each year to raise money, and this year I was lucky enough to be asked to do two of them: one in Philadelphia (where I’m based), and one in Charlotte!
Have great shows! Okay lastly: what’s the most essential item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
Oooh, that’s a great question! I’d say my hairdryer because when I glue down my lace and such, it’s needed. But, it also doubles as a powerful fan to cool off after doing a six minute dance number in the humid, Jersey summers!
Thanks, Mona!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Mona Little’s upcoming area appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
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