Miss Stonewall Fan Favorite for two years running, musical theater mistress and drag queen Nashley Tisdale finally gets the top billing she deserves. [Cover photo: Jeremy & Camillo / Emily Hope Downey / Lauren Aviram]
Thotyssey: Nashley, hello! How has summer been treating you?
Nashley Tisdale: It’s been very busy! June was packed full of goodies, but July has been a nice restbit for vacation; I’m currently in Oregon! I’m coming back Monday, and jumping right back into work and costuming a show Off-Broadway.
Excellent! Can you tell us anything about the show, and how long you’ve been in that field?
It’s called Elves Rebel: A Christmas Comedy and it’s directed by Christopher Carver, who directed the production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella I did back in 2024! But I started sewing in 2020 during the pandemic while working at Jo-Ann Fabrics.
Amazing, have a great time on the show! It’s a pretty weird time for the theater industry though, right?
Oh it’s always a weird time, and I feel a lot more people are examining it closer with the unexpected closure announcement of Cats: The Jellicle Ball. I mean, it’s been a conversation that has dominated the industry for the past number of years–with the industry being more about profit than it is about taking risks and uplifting new and innovative works. I hope it’s a conversation that becomes productive and turns the industry for the better, and can take more chances and risks!
Who knows, you could be part of a show now that helps turn it all around!
I see you’ve done several drag shows in Rochester, is that your place of origin?
Yes! I started my drag legs in Rochester when I was attending Nazareth University for Musical Theatre. I still return there from time to time to do shows with my sister, Morticia Monroe.
How did Nashley get born, and what were your early performing experiences like?
I was a Rocky Horror kid and started shadowcasting when I was 16, so it kinda naturally progressed from there to me being a lil’ too cocky when my college was looking for student performers for their spring drag show. I had a lot of love around me coming up in Rochester, with the help of many of my drag aunties and drag grandma. From there, I have fully meshed with the musical theater world in my drag… and it’s always been a very important creative factor for me.
Regarding your namesake and the most important news story of 2026: are you Team Ashley, or Team Hilary Duff’s Toxic Mom Group, lol?
Oh no, I fear I am not informed enough about this situation to comment! But I always have to follow my namesake, I suppose (don’t cancel me internet, plz)!
It’s quite the rabbit hole to fall down in, when you get the chance! By the way, have you caught this recent season of Drag Race All-Stars, which just concluded last week?
I honestly have lost touch with a lot of Drag Race–it feels just too manufactured nowadays, and I don’t feel it’s really about drag anymore. But I did see that Crystal took the win, and she’s who I felt should’ve taken it in her season anyway. So that did make me very happy, as that was probably the last season I watched in full except All Stars 8– that’s only because my Aunties Kasha and Darienne were there.
What has been your history with the Miss Stonewall pageant?
I first ran in 2025, just trying to keep ahead to build that platform that I love so much: speaking up for the LGBTQ community, and bringing awareness to and fighting for those with HIV/AIDS. And after running for Miss Hell’s Kitchen, it felt like a step in the same platform. I have now been reigning as Miss Stonewall Fan-Favorite for 2025 and now 2026!
And you’re returning to Stonewall this coming Sunday, July 26th, to headline your very own Invasion! Queen David and Crystal Marie Tyler will be joining you as guest performers. What can the folks expect?
Some musical theatre, lots of laughs, and live singing! I think it’s gonna be a great time!
What else is coming up for you?
I have a movie premiere coming up in August, [screening at] the Bellmore Playhouse in Long Island! Me and Queen David, who will be at my Invasion, filmed a movie in the summer of ‘25 (if I remember correctly). It’s called It’s All About Me, and we are featured in a drag pageant sequence. And I’m also looking forward to returning to the Finger Lakes in the fall to host The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Smith Opera House!
Exciting! And finally, what’s the most essential item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
I’ve really been using the Kim Chi Gem Eye Shadows a lot! A friend gifted me the Ruby, Diamond, and Sapphire ones, and the colors and glitters are soooo rich and bright. And I always have the Color Pop Hocus Pocus glitter pot in my on the go bag!
Thanks, Nashley!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Nashley Tisdale’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and her website.
Thotyssey 