Bringing ballroom dance diva vibes to a stage near you, Reggina Backwards is rocketing to the front of the drag star class. [Cover photo: Charlie Silver]
Thotyssey: Reggina, hello! I see you participated in the Shady Lip Sync All Star Battle at Phoenix last night, how did that go?
Reggina Backwards: Hey! Yes, I did compete… and I think it was probably the best Shady Lip Sync so far! The rules changed, the battles were chosen by us, and the audience also got to choose the songs we battled to as well.
Fun! Do you, in general, enjoy the weekly / monthly competition scene in NYC? Is there a favorite of yours? Or do you prefer guest spots or open stages?
For the most part, I definitely enjoy the competition scene–especially when it comes to crowd favorites, because I’ll be in the audience screaming for my fave queens and kings as well. I love guest spots because you get to connect and form friendships with who is on the list to perform as well. My favorite weekly competition show is Drag Wars, because the energy you get from the audience is amazing there. Open Call at Balcon is another one of my favorites, too.
How might you describe your drag today, as far as looks and numbers go?
I’d say my drag is leaning more towards sultry, but high energy at the same time. My look is all inspiration looks from my aunts who do drag as well. Once I learned how to contour, it was like taking the training wheels off of a bike. As far as numbers, I love to perform anything Michael Jackson, Rihanna, or Beyonce.
Who are your drag aunties?
Lanyé Armön, Bonnie Bonfiya, and Sheneeda Dickson. When I first debuted into the drag scene, it was actually at Lanyè’s competition at Playhouse.
You recently added a second “g” to the first part of your drag name to make the pun pop a little more obviously. It’s very classic drag, but do you ever get a surprising reaction from fellow queens, people in the room, people online, etc. when they suddenly figure it out?
LMFAO, yes–the reactions I get makes me cackle! Because when I first tell people my name they’re like, “wait why Backwards?” Then someone spells it out in their head, or my twin Amaya Dabaddest is always close by and she blurts it out. Lanyè actually gave me that name because I was like, “I want a name that would make people do a double take.” I’ve had people hit me up saying my name is the funniest they’ve heard; I’ve had queens put me in their shows just for people to hear it, and it garners the same reaction every time. It never gets old.
Where are you from originally, and did you always have a background or interests in things like performance and fashion?
I’m originally from Queens! Raised in Far Rockaway. I’m actually in the ballroom scene, so I’ve seen drag queens walk a ball–but it’s different when you get into the drag scene itself. Iv’e always loved designing clothes or upcycling for a new look. I walk a category in the ballroom scene called Bizzare, and depending on what the category calls for is how you design your outfit or effect. I used to be on a dance team as well. So this is like every week I feel like I’m a celebrity performing for my fans, with the best outfits and my lip sync on point!
Are you in a particular ballroom house?
I’m a 007 at the moment, meaning I’m not in a house just yet! But if I had my way, I’d love to be in the House of Juicy Couture.
Do you feel like the ballroom and bar drag worlds are very different vibes that you have to navigate in uniquely separate ways? When you you started doing bar drag were you like “oh, I have to do things completely differently here?”
Well, ballroom was birthed from drag queens. Miss Crystal LaBeija is the exact reason why we have ballroom now, because she walked drag balls and her frustration of the racial bias is what gave us what ballroom and drag is for queer POC today. In my opinion, I’d say with doing drag you get a lot more support and positive feedback than the ballroom scene. But both are home to me.
When I started drag, I was so scared, lol. You definitely have to do things different when it comes to drag. Everyone wants to win, everyone wants to be in that photo posted as that week’s winner. But losing makes you rethink what you did, and how you can do it better. You can literally come back and perform the same song you lost with, but if you try a different approach… you never know, you might win that next week. That’s what happened when I won Drag Wars for the first time.
You are a frequent performer at Sandy Jack’s in Brooklyn (which just had its fifth anniversary), including your own headlining monthly show Tip Me Backwards! What can you tell us about both this venue and the show?
Sandy Jack’s is by far my favorite bar (even with the distance, lol). My very first time going to Sandy Jack’s, I immediately loved it because, one, that AC is lovely, okay!? Also two, they have a pool table, and I love to play pool. My very first show I did there was Drama Club with Venus, and she’s one of the sweetest queens out of Brooklyn… I love her!
Tip Me Backwards is my tip spot that myself and [bar owner] Mike created because after performing with Venus and she handed me the mic after my number, it’s like something clicked for me. I had the audience’s attention; they laughed and smiled, so it was honestly a eureka moment for me. One thing I wanted to do different from other tip spots I’ve performed at is, I wanted to have a theme each month… or at least try to. My first kick off show was May 29th, and what better way to celebrate Pride than to have a queer prom night at Tip Me Backwards? I was genuinely nervous, but I had the support of my sista Amaya Dabaddest. She’s my co-host for the show as well.
So far for Tip Me Backwards I’ve done queer prom night, and a back to school theme where Sandy Jack’s partnered with Camp Friendship and we all donated school supplies and even queer affirming clothes (tucking panties, gaffs, chest binders) for the youth as well. My next installment of Tip Me Backwards is this coming Friday (September 4th) and that theme is “Beyoncè Takeover.” It’s also a best dressed contest, too. I want to see the audience dress in their best Beyonce attire.
You will also be one of many open stage performers at Icon Astoria on September 7, in a show hosted by Eden DarkStar and Matzah Belle Soup.
I love performing at Icon! I’ve performed there so many times with Matzah and Eden; I think this will be my fifth or sixth time performing at Icon with them, I lost count. Every time I go, it’s always the best time… and Marcelo be on point with the drinks! Eden and Matzah Belle are hilarious together; it’s like watching a married couple go at it!
What else is coming up for you?
I’ve actually wanted to sign up for the Queer Talent Show! My dad Poppy J. Snacks [and host of Shady Lip Sync Battle] just won last week, and I wanted to try it out as well! I’m new to Metro, so I wanna start expanding my talents to more bars and boroughs. As far as the rest of my week, I’ll be at Pieces for Drag Wars [on Monday], and Industry for Star Search [on Tuesday] too! Then I’ll be preparing for my tip spot on Friday.
I co-produce Queer Talent Show at Metro with Senerio, we’d love to have you! Okay, lastly: what’s your favorite item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
Oof, that’s a tough question! I think my most essential items are Got2b spray because if you don’t have setting spray, Got2b works in a pinch! And a good heel, and even greater eyelashes… because what’s drag without your stacked lashes?
What indeed!? Thanks, Reggina!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Reggina Backwards’ upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 