NYC drag’s latest glamour ghoul on the rise is here to serve the deadliest sins: Se7en! [Cover photo: @kadejoyphotography]
Thotyssey: Se7en, hello and thanks for chatting today! How was your Pride, and how is your summer treating you in general?
Se7en: Hey! Thank you so much for having me! Pride was amazing and summer feels like it’s flying by!
It sure does. Any plans to see concerts or other big events during the remainder of this season?
I’m going to Chicago to see some friends and go to Lallapalooza, which I’m super excited about!
Oh fun! So your more of a Lallapalooza Gworl and than a Coachella Rat?
Yeah I’d say so, lol! But I’m not huge on music festivals in general. I’m just really into Valencia Grace and Haute and Freddy right now, who are both playing at Lollapalooza this year.
As far as your own self, how might you describe your drag today as far as looks and numbers go?
My drag is very pop punk, 80s glam inspired. I love looking like a punk rock clown with pops of neon! Lots of leather, fishnets, and spikes. I’m also very inspired by kink aesthetic. Other artists that inspire my look are David Bowie and Pater Sato. My numbers range from girly pop to classic rock. I love a clever mix with a theme, and some spoken word moments. Sometimes I like to just rage with the crowd, too. I recently did a Slayyyter mix at a Pride party, and we all screamed “Crank” together. I would do anything to relive that.
Can you share some of your origin story with us? Where’s your original hometown, and what were the inspirations in your life that ultimately brought you to pop punk drag?
I grew up in a small beach town in the Panhandle of Florida. Fort Walton Beach, it’s close to Destin if you’ve heard of that, lol. I have a gymnastics and musical theatre background. I always wanted to perform, but I wasn’t sure what avenue I would end up using. I was performing in musicals professionally for a while before Covid, but I didn’t really vibe with the roles I was being cast in. I went back to school and did some research on gender theory and performed with my college circus for two years. Then I finally moved to New York, and started creating my drag persona.
Since I feel more nonbinary / masculine in my everyday life, Se7en is my expression of the powerful feminine. I’ve always had that side of me, but drag has been the best outlet for me to express it in a way that people can see it though my personal lens.
The music and aesthetic I use comes from the artists I loved and admired as a kid, but was sort of discouraged from emulating back then. They were too sexy, bold, rebellious. I was a very obedient kid; I always followed the rules. Now I’m a rebellious adult!
The 90s Fincher film starring Gwyneth Paltrow’s severed head in a box was also called Se7en in some of its marketing! Are you a fan?
Haha, I’ve never seen it! My name comes from my birthday, 7/27/97. Seven is just my lucky number; I see it as angel numbers everywhere! Thanks for the recommendation, though. [I know that movie is based on the] seven deadly sins. I vibe with that because my Catholic upbringing was so strong, and now I’m like going against all those rules.
You competed in Drag Wars All Stars recently at Pieces! How did you enjoy that experience, and how do you like the competition scene in general?
I love Drag Wars! [Hostess] Shequida is the best! I’ve done two rounds of All-Stars now, and I really enjoy conceptualizing numbers for the categories. The crowd at Pieces is always so welcoming. I’m looking to break out of the competition scene for a bit and produce some of my own stuff!
We’re gonna see some of that in a few weeks! But first, you’ll be with with Vanity LaVain and a cast of great performers at Paradise in Asbury Park this Friday.
OMG yes, I’m so excited! Vanity styled one of my wigs for Drag Wars, that’s how we linked up. I can’t wait to perform at Paradise, my New Jersey debut!
And then the big show is “BITE ME” at Starr Bar in Brooklyn on Thursday, July 23! You’re co-hosting and co-producing that with the lovely Trey Jolly. How did this come about, and what will be going down there?
Oh y’all better expect crazy bitch energy from me and Trey! It’s a monthly show at Starr Bar in Bushwick. “BITE ME!” is the raw sapphic rager for bitches who bite. All your favorite glam rock / pop / punk favs in one gorgeous show with a nasty edge. It’s not like “bite me” to the audience, but rather we are all collectively saying “BITE ME!” to the people that think they can fuck with us.
What else is coming up for you?
I’ll celebrate my birthday this month, so I would love to see everyone at the show to celebrate! I also have benefit show for Mollie Guac coming up. Love to support a sister in need with some other drag weirdos!
Happy birthday! So finally: what your favorite / most essential item in your drag bag?
Oh, that’s a fun one! I think it’s gotta be black eyeliner! I love the NYX Inked black gel liner. It just ties my look together so severely! I use it on my brows, eyes, and lips. Truly I cannot get in drag without it.
Thanks, Se7en!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Se7en’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 