A Jersey bearded beauty who’s competing in two epic pageants this year (simultaneously), Xaya-T serves fierce, furry fearlessness. [Cover photo: Clavel]
Thotyssey: Xaya-T, hello and happy Beginning of the End of Summer! How has the season treated you?
Xaya-T: Ah, I can’t believe it’s already the end of summer already! The season has been amazing so far! I’m preparing for a lot of exciting things coming up in the near future.
Yes, it’s gonna be a truly epic month for your drag self! I also understand that by day, you are selling insurance. Do drag and insurance sales share skill sets, in your opinion?
Yes, during the day I service and sell insurance policies. Insurance definitely helps with the communication side of drag. Since I’m talking to people ten hours a day, it transfers into my drag.
Communication with folks in bars and clubs is a coveted skill in today’s drag reality! We’ve been noticing a larger population of drag performers who hide in their dressing rooms until it’s time for their number.
I’ve noticed that as well. It’s always important to bring a walk around look, especially if you don’t want people to see what you’re wearing for the first number.
How might you describe the drag you do today, aesthetically and numbers-wise?
First I’ll say, the drag I do is far from lazy. I put in a lot of effort to look the way I do. From creating my own hair, sewing my own outfits, and putting on body. Aesthetically I love to be as polished and put together as I can. Numbers-wise, it can vary. I love an emotional song that I can put my heart into, and some days I just want to feel sexy.
“Lazy” of course is a reference to comment made about bearded drag in a now infamous local podcast episode!
Oh, it is… and it kind of snowballed from there.
What does being a bearded queen mean to you?
Honestly, I started drag shaving my body from head to toe… but I’m Puerto Rican and Italian, and simply it’s too much. Bearded drag to me is pushing past the stereotypes of what drag has to be. It makes it harder, but it’s worth it.
Can you tell us a bit about where you’re from, and what some of your interests and pursuits were while growing up before drag came into the picture?
So I’m born and raised in New Jersey–originally from Somerset, but I live in Middlesex now. When I was a kid, my mom and I always did arts and crafts all the time. That really showed me you can create something beautiful from nothing. From the third grade to my senior year, I was in my school’s dance program. Also, in my early 20s I went to cosmetology school. Drag is literally just a combination of all the things I’ve done in my life, wrapped up into one amazing thing.
Do I understand correctly that your entrance to the drag world started while filming a lost media MTV reality show with Manila Luzon!?
Yes! I applied just wishing I could do drag… to being cast! It was an adult season of MTVs MADE–the original seasons started with high school kids wanting to revamp their life. This was almost 16 years ago. It was revealed that Manila Luzon was my mentor to help me get to the end goal, which was to perform on a float during NYC Pride. Back when we were filming, she helped me get through a lot; she will always hold a special place in my heart. It still blows my mind knowing that I’m her first drag daughter.
In your “Diamond Race” intro interview video, you discuss coping with anxiety (hence your namesake) as well as being HIV positive. These are manageable conditions nowadays, but both still come with certain stigmas in the community. Is part of your reasoning for being public about this having to do with wanting people who feel that these conditions are setbacks to know that they can overcome and thrive?
It’s one of the biggest reasons. Before I was diagnosed, I really didn’t know too much about HIV. When the day came of me finding out, I was in the state of shock. I felt lost; I felt like I was going to be judged for the rest of my life. Even though it’s pretty manageable with medication, it took a toll on my mental health. And with that, you have to look inward and heal yourself. By me being as vocal as I can, I want to be that person that kept another person going.
You will have many stages to inspire people throughout the upcoming days and months! First up, you’ll be joining a cast of great Jersey performers for “Beard,” Noa Peele’s birthday show, at QXT’s in Jersey City this Thursday!
Yas! It’s going to be so much fun! Such a great group of performers including my partner Paprika! This cast has been a part of my timeline of doing drag. so I’m just excited to celebrate Noa’s birthday all together.
Then Wednesday, August 12th is a big night at Paradise: the first installment of Crystal Envy’s Diamond Race Season 2, a multi-week competition modeled after RuPaul’s Drag Race, that you are partaking in! This is a massive deal with a lot of folks across the world following it via YouTube!
I’m so thrilled to be a part of Season 2, and this cast is filled with a lot of talented queens from all over. I actually wanted to apply for Season 1, and things just didn’t work out at the time… but everything happens for a reason. As soon as the application post came out for Season 2, I knew I had to apply. I’m really looking forward to showcasing and pushing my drag in every aspect.
Then the following day, you’re joining drag queen August at With Love, Valentina in Hoboken for bingo.
I am! August has been on a roll with creating her own spaces, which is amazing. Her manifesting abilities need to be studied! I love to do a little choreo moment [for bingo shows]; nothing too crazy. Last bingo I performed “Midnight Sun,” and that was so much fun.
Then looking ahead to November 13, you’ll be competing in another huge Jersey pageant: Fresh Face of Drag All-Stars, this time at the Two River Theater in Red Bank! Diamond Race will still be in full swing by then. I’d say it would seem like a crazy and over-ambitious feat to do both huge competitions at the same time… but last year Sasha Curvy did just that, and won both!
Yas! Sister Sasha… if only I could follow in her footsteps. I found Fresh Face within a month of getting diagnosed; it was my first time getting back up in drag since I stopped in my mid 20s. Fresh Face gave me the community I needed–to be able to relate to someone on that level. Of course, I had my family by my side every step of the way. But also, having my own community around me helped out tremendously. Going back to Fresh Face All Stars feels like a full circle moment; now I just need to win.
Have fun with it all! Okay, let’s end with this old chestnut: what’s your most essential item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
Setting spray: specifically One/Size Powder Melt Spray. It works wonders.
Thanks, Xaya-T!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Xaya-T’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
Thotyssey 