Overcoming hardship while navigating Jersey drag, the multitalented Blake Harley is ready for her Diamond Race debut. [Cover photo: Clavel]
Thotyssey: Blake, hello! It must be a busy time with Night One of the Diamond Race pageant coming up. Are you boiling over with stress, or is it the joyful creative juices that are flowing?
Blake Harley: It’s quite honestly been very relaxing, and exactly what I needed. I was working a ton recently to prepare my place of work closing down (RIP), so I’ve been able to spend my days peacefully working on my material.
Sorry to hear about the loss of the day job, but that means you get to devote more time to Nightgworling!
Exactly! Burnout is real, and I think the universe helped me avoid it. I eat, sleep and breathe drag truly, so there won’t be too much change for now.
How might you describe what your drag is generally like today?
It definitely exists on a spectrum, but I’d say nowadays it retains being grand and powerful–especially a feminine kind of powerful. My drag is always a reflection of me, and I’ve been performing a lot more confidently lately!
I understand that Katy Perry is a big inspo for you.
Yup! Ever since those gay guys kissed in the “Firework” music video.
A milestone! And your drag name is inspired, I believe, by a Katy song combined with Taylor Swift Kelce’s ex-bestie Blake Lively.
Yes! Gossip Girl is one of my favorite shows of all time, and I used to say “it’s so hard being me, the Serena van der Woodsen of my world” to complain about stupid stuff (and I still do). So it felt fitting to name myself after Ms. Lively. I love A Simple Favor as well, and you’ll see a lot of the fashion from that movie be a huge influence on a few of my runways this season. And, of course, “Harleys in Hawaii” is a great song. Blake Harley just sounded so right when I said it.
You are a Jersey native, right?
I was born and raised in Kearny, New Jersey! It’s a very unique, diverse place to grow up, and gives you a little bit of everything. And it truly is 20 minutes away from everything, particularly New York. A lot of people ask me why I don’t take the train there and perform, and it’s truly just because I gallivanted around there as a teenager meeting celebrities too much. It will be my focus in drag eventually, though, so be prepared for me!
Did you always have an interest in fashion and performance?
They have always been big interests of mine, but more particularly through the lenses of drag and my favorite artists. I truly love dance because I was four years old watching Britney Spears on the TV, like every other gay man I know.
What have been the joys and challenges of working the Jersey drag scene over the years for you?
Oh, there have been so so many. I truly love meeting people and talking all night. The Jersey scene is only so big, so really any group of people you put together for a show will have a ki and be laughing hysterically no matter what. I, of course, love performing, and just being together to see people perform. I’ve made myself at home at all my regular places, too–so no matter if I go to Georgie’s or QXT’s to perform or hang out, I’m just genuinely smiling the entire time.
I’ve honestly just had challenges when I haven’t appreciated those things and focused on the worst of the worst, or couldn’t leave my baggage at the door. I’ve been through a lot since starting drag–and unfortunately, because of drag, too–and showing up without those wounds bleeding out has been a challenge. But that’s a life lesson I’ve understood pretty well recently.
Many people have told me over the years that they enjoy performing in drag because it gives them the power to make people forget their troubles for awhile. Does that often work for the drag performer herself as well, from your point of view?
That’s definitely what I want for the audience–but as for me, it’s truly always been the opposite. I didn’t realize it for a long time, but I was always trying to “clear my head” for a performance when my head really needs to be filled with whatever a particular performance means to me. In other words, I always mean exactly what I say. My performances are usually a direct statement dressed up in art. And sometimes that statement just has to be, “I’m sexy!”
So you’re a contestant in Season 2 of Crystal Envy’s Diamond Race, which begins a multi-week run Paradise this Wednesday! This is a very demanding and high profile competition. What made you want to try out for it?
I’ve been looking for a stepping stone for this phase of my career for a long time! I kind of aged out of [“new on the scene” drag performer pageant] Fresh Face, but I still need some polishing before Miss Paradise. I don’t have a typical drag family either, so I’ve kind of just spent the past four years being a rebel without a cause. I need a bit more direction than open stage / tip spot booking right now, and this is perfect. I met Crystal when I first started, so she has always been a standard of drag to me.
Very exciting! Do you have everything planned out as far as looks and numbers, or does this competition come with a lot of curveballs?
Everything is always planned out with me, even since Day 1. I used to put pressure on myself to have things turn out how I originally planned them, but I’m allowing the curveballs that do come from now on.
Crystal’s fellow Drag Race Season 17 alum, the notorious and brilliant Arrietty, might throw a few from the guest judge’s chair on this week’s premiere! Are you ready for her, lol?
I’m ready for her, she’s incredible! But, Paradise is definitely not ready for what I have in store for them.
Anything to add before we conclude?
Shoutout to the Katycats. Thank you to Makaya, Adrian and Brittany for staying in my corner no matter what. And free everyone at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey.
Yes, absolutely that! Okay, lastly: what’s your favorite or most essential item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
The Dior Backstage line! I’m obsessed with the Airflash Setting Spray and the Rosy Glow Powder Blushes, particularly “Guava” and “Goji.”
Thanks, Blake!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Blake Harley’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
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