Harnessing her experience as a back stage wig and makeup handler for major productions, Sierra La Puerta just won a big drag competition in Queens… which paved the way for her to partake in an even bigger one!
Thotyssey: Sierra, hello! Thanks for chatting with us today! How was your Pride?
Sierra La Puerta: An absolute whirlwind. I traveled all around and worked my ass off, and had so much fun doing so. Hope your pride was a ki!!
Twas! There’s nothing like the joy of a full June calendar! Did you catch any of that recent online discourse where the girls were making fun of queens who list their “private gigs” bookings on their Pride schedules? Selma Nilla and Vicky Vee served up that hot topic on their podcast!
It’s a joke I hope never dies. I remember when I first saw people doing it… I always saw it [as a way] to let people who were interested in booking them know that they’d be busy that day. But looking back at it, it really just makes you look like a tool to do it genuinely. Though the posts of people making fun of it are hilarious! I posted a Pride schedule with all private gigs but one single event: Mar-a-lago Pride. In my head the perfect event for George Santos to headline!
How might you describe the sort of drag you do today?
I like to think of myself as the COC–the Chronically Online Chanteuse. I’ll do a mix so funny and full of memes and concepts dug up from the best parts of the internet, then pick up a microphone and belt out a fierce power ballad.
As far as my looks, I feel like I’ve developed a glamorous look with campy elements. I love a rhinestone. I feel like when I started drag I wanted to be this campy clown, but as my drag has evolved I’ve gravitated towards more elegant and flashy pieces. I never expected people to call me beautiful (maybe that’s just my own insecurity), but these days I’ve never felt more gorgeous in my drag! I even got private straight men accounts in my DMs nowadays. Who would have guessed?
The chasers are sliding in! Can you share a bit of your origin story with us? Where are you from originally, and how did you begin as a performer?
My origin is very original and unique for the average NYC drag queen. I loved musical theater and had big Broadway dreams… an origin story never been done before! But seriously, I grew up in Maryland right outside of Washington DC bouncing around three specific towns: Rockville, Silver Spring, and Bethesda. My mom’s side of the family were performers, so it only made sense for me to get the itch too. I started doing musicals at school, and before I knew it I was graduating high school with a one way ticket to New York. This was around when I learned what drag was. RuPaul’s Drag Race became one of my escapism shows that I binged in between rehearsals. Eventually I moved to New York for college.
I understand you worked in a fun off-Broadway show that Alaska Thunderfuck co-created, Drag: The Musical, which I enjoyed thoroughly!
Thank you! I was the hair and makeup supervisor. My job was upkeep and keeping track of all wigs in the show, running wig changes during the show, and supplying the queens with the makeup needed for the show. The battle was finding the fine line between drag and theater, which in the end we were pretty successful with!
My job out of drag is working in hair departments on Broadway and off Broadway shows. I’d lead hair departments in the past… but with the added drag elements, this show truly felt like my Everest. In the end I learned so much from the show, and learned to trust myself in the face of adversity. Also the heaviest of shoutouts to my lovely assistant Zack for coming along for the ride and tackling everything thrown at us–we truly did our big one on this project–and of course, the incredibly talented cast and crew!
How exactly Sierra get born, and did anyone or anything in particular inspire the name?
Sierra was born at a drag competition in college, but my name was something I came up with my brother at my cousin’s wedding. I overheard someone telling a little kid to close the door in Spanish, cierra la puerta, and the name dawned on me. When my straight brother laughed at the name, I knew it had to stay. I love comedy and I’m half Latina, so I figured a Spanish pun would be the perfect name for me. I’ve had a few dumb names that I’ve workshopped before I ever even put makeup on my face: Anita Onedance, Valerie Terracotta, Bundulla Styxx, etc. Sierra La Puerta just fit the best.
You just won Icon Astoria’s Coliseum, a one-off competition at that landed you a spot in the upcoming Pantheon cycle with a more extended pageant format. Congrats! What was that show like?
Thank you! It was so much fun after the fact. To be completely honest though, I was so nervous just walking into the bar. I was just in my head and comparing myself to everyone, almost as if I felt myself giving up before it even started. But some advice I once told a baby queen starting out was to shake the nerves off whatever expectations you may think people have of you and just let loose (hi Loosey) on that stage. And if I could tell other people that, why aren’t I doing that myself? So with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust, plus getting the ability to choose the song each round, I was able to snatch that trophy!
And now that you’ve moved on to the main event, what can you tell us about what Pantheon has in store for us?
A mortician never reveals his secrets… or whatever Confucius said. I feel like I have an added advantage of having extra time to think about what to do seeing as I have a confirmed spot… which could either be really good or really bad for me. But keeping a positive outlook has done me well thus far, so I’m excited for what I have in store!
What else is coming up for you?
I’m only gonna be in NYC from July 5th-15th, because on the 16th I’m flying to Orlando for something fun TBA. So for now, catch me at “Brag Drunch” hosted by Giardia the Parasite on July 5th at 3pm at Branded Saloon, at Icon’s iconic Open Set hosted by Eden DarkStar and Matzah Belle Soup on July 6th at 9:30, and at VERS‘ “Grrl on GWORL” hosted by Nani Tsunami and Vanity LaVain on July 14th at 10pm!
For the divas that wore their favorites wigs out, I’m offering wig revival services as low as $75 for a simply detangle / recurl and as low as $125 for a full wash and reset. I also have open wig commissions… so if you’re looking to get a some new styles or want to refurbish your own, I’m your girl!
And lastly, thank you all for supporting queer businesses during Pride Month. Let’s keep that energy all twelve months to keep our community alive and thriving!
Amen! Okay, in closing: what is your favorite / most essential item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
Any of my Kim Chi Chic Beauty products have become must-haves for me. When I worked on Drag: The Musical, they were one of our makeup sponsers… and I supplied so many great products for the queens in the cast, and found which products I needed for my own kit. Their The Most concealer in Solid White is incredible, as well as their eyeshadow palettes. All sit on the perfect [balance] of being super pigmented but, easily blendable. And their Stage Proof setting spray kept my makeup on from a brunch in Baltimore, a nap on the Amtrak, a show back in New York City and a kiki at the afters. I think I got home at 3am and the makeup was set!
Inspirational! Thanks, Sierra!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Sierra La Puerta’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram, TikTok and LinkTree.
Thotyssey 