A magical r&b fairy of the Brooklyn drag scene, Dyonne L’Hommie is preparing for a J train runway and a competition to be the queen of the drag Pantheon.
Thotyssey: Hello Dyonne, thanks for chatting today! We’re totes in Spooky Season now, is this a Happy Place for you?
Dyonne L’Hommie: Hello! Honestly, yeah… from a young age I found such a freedom to this time of year. I felt like Halloween was one of the few times in my childhood I got to dress exactly how I wanted to. Of course, it was shielded in the style of a costume.
And now, it’s a living!
Very that!
How might you describe the sort of drag you like to do today?
I would say my drag aesthetic is if Tinkerbell were to have grown up on Destiny’s Child.
It’s very ethereal and fairy-like… with an inspiration of r&b.
Can you tell us a bit about where you’re from, and what you’re interests were that may have put you on the drag path?
I was born in Astoria, and then moved out to Long Island for a moment… and just clawed my way back. Now I’m in Brooklyn! I just have always been surrounded by the arts–performative and physical–my whole life, and I feel like when I found drag it kinda melded all of the talents I had into one outlet… and inspired them to be pushed to their most authentic and most heightened. It’s honestly been a beautiful journey that I feel like is truly just getting started.
How exactly did you fall into the world of drag?
It was my 21st birthday, and I decided I wanted to get all dolled up and perform for everyone, I had already had a tradition of performing on my birthday, but this was the first time makeup and the full look was involved. I performed to “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga, and it is still a highlight for me. Ever since then, I dabbled more in makeup… and a year later, I started doing drag out on Fire Island.
And then how did you become the drag daughter of Paris L’Hommie?
I had moved into an apartment called Queerfield in 2023 that Paris was living in. I met so many beautiful people in that time, and Paris and I clicked right away. I never thought I’d have a drag mother, especially after having two self-proclaimed drag mothers–but Paris and I had always had a great artistic collaborative relationship. It was undeniable.
What have been some of the joys and challenges of being an NYC drag performer over time? And aside from maybe that first “Just Dance,” have you had an all time greatest drag moment?
Honestly, a big joy would be the saturation, abundance and diversity of the drag scene in New York. We truly are so spoiled. As far as challenges, it would probably be just the blatant homophobia and transphobia we face in the everyday just showing up as ourselves. We live in a world where not only is it easy for people to get away with it, but it is supported by people of power.
As far as my all time greatest drag moment… oof, there’s too many to count.
Performing for PJ Adzima’s Stage Time show at The Slipper Room was so unreal. And performing with Paris at our co-produced show Late Night with L’Hommies at The Foundry in Massachusetts was a staple. Marrying myself in 2024 was a beautiful and full circle moment.
I remember that! You were ahead of your time, folks are self-marrying all over now! Were you worried that you would say no when you proposed to yourself, lol?
You know, if really caught me off guard! But it was during Pride, under the Washington Square Park Monument, in the pouring rain. I just couldn’t say no. It all was so perfect.
Was there a philosophy behind that choice? Carrie Bradshaw announced she was marrying herself so that her asshole friend would replace her expensive shoes, lol.
LMAO! Well, as much as I wish it was as glamorous as that… I just had been feeling like my two worlds, “Dyonne” and “Michael” had been feeling so separate. So me marrying myself was me unifying the two, and not seeing one as a character and fully recognizing both as myself… for me, and for the people in my life. I was just ready for them all to meld, and having people I’ve met at different walks of life all together to witness and be a part of it… it was just so special, and I was so grateful.
And I understand that there’s been a documentary film about you in the works for the past two years! How did this come about?
I had met Molly Weinberg back in 2024, as she was in a six week program at NYFA. The goal was to create a short film based off someone who catches the eye. She made a 9 minute short film of me named Off To the Races, and it was so so special. It went on to get accepted into ten film festivals. Now she has been following me since filming me at shows, getting ready, paint nights and car rides. We expect to be finished filming later this year with “Pantheon.” Within that time, I also started transitioning. So it has also caught the beginning of my trans journey, which I think is beautiful.
A very exciting time! Before we discuss Pantheon, let’s highlight Siobhan the Third’s monthly Freakshow, which returns for a special edition this Thursday to Brooklyn’s All Night Skate! That’s one of your home bases.
All Night Skate has been home now for almost four years. Between the atmosphere, the community that patrons there, the staff and the incredible shows that are produced there, All Night Skate really has such a beautiful energy to it. And yes, I’ll be there this Thursday for Siobhan’s four year anniversary of their show. And we’re gonna be giving a roast of Siobhan! So it’ll be giving tricks, reads and shade.
And I understand that this weekend, you will be turning looks on the subway?
Ou yeah! This Friday, I’m walking my first runway on the J train. It is a collection by a dear friend of mine HotBlue–Jess Heaven! They’re such a light, and an amazing producer. I performed at their last subway fashion shows afte party at Deluxx Fluxx! So now I’m excited to get on the runway myself.
And this time the afterparty is at Sleepwalk!
Season 5 of Panrheon starts this Sunday at Icon. That’s a challenging, multi-faceted six week drag competition hosted by Suddenly Audrey. This won’t be your first time at that rodeo. What inspired you to revisit this?
Well I was born in Astoria, and it always feels like home regardless of where I go–so I wanted to be able to perform there. I did submit and get accepted into last year’s season where I placed top every week… until I had an incident that lead me to not be able to perform for a couple of months. So I had to drop out during the semifinals.
I submitted again this year to get my redemption; as a Leo, I hate not seeing things through! So I’m excited to get to know a whole nother batch of artists, and to share the stage with creative geniuses again.
Break a leg! Okay lastly, tiz the spooky season… so, who is your favorite horror movie monster / killer?
Honestly my favorite horror movie monster would probably have to be the Hex Girls from Scooby-Doo. They really take it for me.
They’re gonna put a spell on you! Thanks, Dyonne!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Dyonne L’Hommie’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
