Current reigning Polish the Queen champ Priestess Lolita leads us all ito worship this July.
Thotyssey: Hello Priestess! How was your Pride Weekend?
Priestess Lolita: It was well-balanced! I took time between gigs and partying to rest and recharge. Ridgewood Pride with Nicky O and Jo Disco was an absolute blast to start the weekend off Friday right. And then ending with my girls Furina Dior and Rhea Mezzanine at the Ritz Bar felt right.
Gorge! What’s your drag like, for the uninitiated?
Looks-wise it’s giving “money can’t buy class, but it sure can make a whore happy.” No, seriously… I’m more of a final girl, gothic, vampy aesthetic. I can be very glamorous or very raunchy, depending on my tides.
With numbers, you will always get a lesson in how to exist in the cuntosphere–talent always on display whether it’s live vocals, high drama or stunts and shenanigans. I pull a lot of inspiration from Lana Del Rey and her soft, sensual way of demanding attention. So no matter what I’m doing, prepare to be seduced.
Where are you from originally, and how did you go begin as a performer?
I’m from a town in southwest Georgia called Thomasville. I started singing there in church choir and then eventually competitive solo, competitive choir, show choir, musical theatre, weddings, funerals, divorces, etc. I’ve always been quite melodramatic, so being on stage came naturally. And I’ve been blessed with a gift that I’m grateful for, and love to share with those who care to listen.
How did you become Priestess Lolita… and do you have a church or cult we can join?
As a trans woman I got to choose my preferred name, so I figured picking another one just for the stage was silly. But “Priestess” came about as a way to communicate what I’m about–and my aesthetic–more to the audience. But it goes deeper than that. As someone who grew up trans and religious, there is a part of me that rejects Christianity in the way it’s being fed to us today. So I use the religious symbolism and sayings, and flip them on their head. And now instead of praying to a God that Man has made in his image, you can pray to the Priestess that made herself in her image.
We’re certainly in weird times now with the changing nightlife habits of young people, an oversaturation of drag performers in the city, and dark political times that threaten everything. But it’s still hard to top a good NYC drag show! How have you enjoyed navigating all this?
I agree! I mean, coming here from the Florida scene, the biggest differences to me are really just space at the clubs. But the competitions I’ve been able to do here have been fierce, and have pushed my drag much more than the South.
It’s been fun navigating the different boroughs though, and seeing what different neighborhoods respond to. Nothing beats the people of NYC; the people in this scene lift each other up in ways I’ve never seen before. The amount of love I’ve received from other queens that were total strangers is very special and important to me. I hold many queens here in high regard for being graceful and kind, while seeing their favorite shows and venues literally die in front of their eyes.
Weird times indeed. You were the big winner of the last season of the Polish the Queen competition at G Lounge last June! What was that whole experience like?
Honestly, it feels all like a dream or premonition I had. I qualified the week before the finale, and had to prepare and execute the finale the following week. I had to go with my gut for concepts, because there couldn’t be any second guessing. Myself and my drag partner-in-crime Poison Oak took 4-5 days to nail it all down, make the looks and mixes, and rehearse what we could. What ended up on the stage was me at my most authentic, but maybe not at my best. But sometimes, authenticity shines the brightest.
You and Poison Oak have been hosting a RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing party at The Tiny Cupboard in Brooklyn since Season 17 a few months ago.
Absolutely we have, and thanks to generous community members we have been able to give away some fantastic prizes along the way!
What did you think of Myki Meeks‘ win that season?
I love Myki! I’ve done a show or two at Southern Nights in Orlando with her hosting. She’s an absolute gem, and incredibly warm. She really is a drag ingenue, and deserving of the win. I was happy to see the crown go home to a community that I hold dear to my heart.
How about your thoughts on the current season of Drag Race All-Stars, which is heading towards the finish line? Do you like the “brackets and badges” format? And did anyone stand out to you as a fierce competitor in the season? Who’s winning?
I’d like to say I’m enjoying the brackets, but I don’t really know. Honestly I just wish casting was more balanced for All-Stars. Heavy hitters should be competing against other heavy hitters, while early outs and girls that need redemptions should be doing their own thing. This season almost feels like another Jimbo / Jinkx / Ginger situation where it’s pretty clear who production wants at the end, so redemptions feel less satisfying and growth seems just par for the course instead of an accomplishment.
As far as winners.. I mean I’ll always have a soft spot for Kennedy Davenport and Silky Ganache.
Agreed! What’s Tiny Cupboard like?
It’s a really cute venue with a comedy club in the front and a game room in the back, joined by a lovely outdoor patio. We project drag race in the game room on the wall behind our lovely bartender, Jamie. The owners Amy and Matt are amazing, and have curated a lovely space for anyone to come and have a laugh.
What else is coming up for you?
Well, I’ve been considering really stepping into pageantry… but I feel like I’d be more confident stepping into that scene with a mother to show me how things are done. So if anyone out there is interested in expanding their family, DM a girl!
But continue to come out on Fridays to Tiny Cupboard at 8pm. Poison and I aren’t stopping at Drag Race, so stay tuned to see what we do next!
Great! Lastly, in light of celebrate Confessions II’s release this weekend, do you have an all-time favorite Madonna moment–musically or otherwise?
Well, I’m 27… so Madonna wasn’t necessarily a huge impact on me while growing up. I do remember hearing “You Must Love Me” from Evita and absolutely weeping as a child. Still a favorite of mine to sing.
But my favorite Madonna moment is right now! She’s showing women all around the world yet again that you don’t have to listen to a single expectation of who people think you are or should be. Just live and love and be powerful.
Well said! Have a great summer, Lolita!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Priestess Lolita’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and YouTube.
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