Let’s take a ride with NYC drag up-and-comer Ida Rider on the road to Mx. Rockbar!
Thotyssey: Ida, hello! Thanks for chatting with us today! We’re deep into Halloween Month, are you savoring the spookiness… or are you just waiting for it all to be over, lol?
Ida Rider: Yes, I’m savoring Halloween. Going to be busy for the rest of the spooky season!
Do you prefer sexy or scary drag looks this time of year?
I do love going the sexy route for Halloween, but I would like to try a scary look this year.
In general, how might you describe your drag to those who haven’t seen you yet?
Unforgettable storytelling! I would say that my drag has definitely changed over the years. I have definitely gotten better with self-control of my movements; before, I was just literally laying around. I felt like my aesthetic is more just… Ida. Like, real humbled, you know? I love to help the girls out, but I remain true to myself. So that’s the vibe I’m trying to go with when I do my drag… because, I mean, that’s the only way. I have no choice to be [other than] just being myself and dragging out a drag.
Can you share a bit of your origin story with us? Where are you from originally, what sort of interests do you have while growing up, and how did you ultimately fall into the drag scene of New York City?
Originally I’m from Philadelphia. I really, really loved video games. Like, I still do; Mortal Kombat was my like go to as a kid, and also Tekken. I would of course play the female characters.
So things were kind of going south back back home in Philadelphia… a lot of family things happening, and me becoming homeless for for a little bit. I moved here, and I went to my first drag show in New York. I got some inspiration after a few times of going to the same show, and it kind of gave me the courage to continue my journey. I did my first competition at The Rosemont; that was my first anything [I did after] moving into New York.
Aw, RIP the Rosemont! You are well recognized in all the weekly and monthly competition shows across in the city. And you’ve been a regular at the Queer Talent Show competition that Thotyssey helps Senerio produce at Metro! Do you like competing, and do you have any favorite shows to do?
I like competing. It would be nice to win one time at something, lol! Star Search with Kizha Carr. And I started doing a show called Shoot Your Shot in Long Island… it’s very fun.
Some say that New York drag is oversaturated… do you think that’s true, and does that make the scene very hard to navigate?
I believe there’s certain things for each people. Sometimes things are just for you… sometimes it’s not. I came to realize that looking back from where I first started to now, I’m as good as my last performance.
Do you have a clear idea of what you ultimately want from the scene: a weekly show or two, a few thousand more social media followers, Drag Race, Miss Continental, world domination, etc.? Or do you just take it all day by day?
I would like a brunch or two–and the rest take it day by day, lol! I’ve been blessed with being a part of a show at All Night Skate. It’s just a trial run to see how it goes, and I just got the date: November 18th. Very excited, and very nervous! But I have wonderful sisters [in it with me] and I’m sure it will be good.
We will keep our eyes open for that! In the meantime, you’re competing in a Mx. Rockbar prelim Monday night! Are you excited?
Yes I am! Can’t wait, it’s going to be a good one.
Good luck! Okay, lastly: who is your favorite horror movie monster or killer?
Rebecca Gayheart in Urban Legend–her in that coat, and in the end how she got away with everything, was so great.
Yes! Thanks, Ida!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Ida Rider’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
