The queen of E.V.E. and a NY born lady of beauty and mystery (well, not THAT much mystery): Enigma is your Brooklyn Baby this weekend. [Cover photo: Seek Axiom]
Thotyssey: Enigma, hello! How is Cool Girl Autumn treating you so far?
Enigma: Hello! She’s been keeping me busy, but that’s how I like it. Autumn’s my fav season, so I’m still trying to enjoy all the autumnal things in the midst of the chaos.
No doubt! How might you describe your drag today?
I would say Enigma is definitely a party girl! She’s the edgy, cool girl who’s always down for a ki, and loves the spotlight. I’m very inspired by my favorite pop divas such as Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, Slayyyter, Lorde and SOPHIE, and take a lot of inspiration from them. I’m also a vocalist, so I try to incorporate that into my performances whenever I can.
As for numbers, I tend to lean more towards story driven songs that I can focus on the emotion of the song, as I’m a trained actress and can connect the best with numbers in that way. It’s gonna be either that, or you’re gonna get some type of obscure, dark hyperpop number from Enigma!
Based on your namesake, do you try to keep things a little mysterious and aloof?
You know, you would think so – but I’m a diva who can’t shut up! So I’m definitely much more of an open book… even if I’m trying to be a mysterious girl.
Can you share some of your origin story with us?
I’m originally from Syracuse, NY and grew up in the theatre world, so I am a theatre girl at heart! I then moved to NYC for college where I studied musical theatre, so you can say I’ve always had a love for the stage and for performing.
I’ve also always had an interest in drag throughout that time, and obviously grew up watching Drag Race–but was so focused in on “making it” in the theatre world that I didn’t really have time for anything else. So I didn’t really pick up drag until I was out of school, and could dedicate my time to it. I’m a Capricorn, so I’m very focused and hardworking… and refuse to half-ass anything!
I still love theatre and work in TV and film when not doing drag. But once I welcomed drag and Enigma into my life, I knew that’s what was meant for me. I’m still able to use all the training I got from musical theatre ,and redirect it to Enigma.
I see lots of great, gorge, professional shots on your IG grid!
Awe, well thank you! I’m def a girl who’s about the aesthetic, so I appreciate that! I normally will go into any photoshoot or project with a vision that I have with reference pictures, ideas, etc; but I LOVE to collaborate, so I’m always open to other inputs and thoughts. I’m full of ideas in my head, and sometimes need the help to narrow them down!
You’re no stranger to Lana Del Rey drag, and this Saturday you’ll be back at it with Club Paradise at 3 Dollar Bill’s annex 9 Bob Note! What can you tell us first about your own Lana fandom, and then about this show itself?
Okay,, so Lana stans don’t kill me, but… I wasn’t a Lana fan at first. OOPS. It wasn’t until she released Norman F*cking Rockwell that I was finally roped in. Then during the pandemic, I went on a Lana deep dive and fell in love with her music and all her stuff before NFR, and truly became a part of the fandom. My fave albums of hers are def NFR, Ultraviolence, and Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard. And Obviously Born To Die and Paradise are like Bible–like, come on now.
And yes! I’ll be back at 9 Bob Note this Saturday with “Club Paradise: A Lana Del Rey Anniversary Dance Party” with my production team E.V.E.. which is is made up of me, Vinnie Kendrick and Edie XTC. Today (11/11) is the 14 year anniversary of Lana’s iconic EP Paradise, so we’re putting on a huge anniversary dance party for it with music from Lana and all the gays’ fav pop divas all night from Cute Boys, Edie XTC, and DJ Liiiam along with performances from Cherry Jaymes, Daniella Darling, Trey Jolly, Ty Evans, and yours truly! We’re turning 9 Bob Note into every Lana fan’s dream club experience.
What else is coming up for you and / or E.V.E.?
As of right now, we have two more parties coming up with E.V.E. In December, we are doing a Pop 2 Anniversary Party for Charli XCX (details coming soon), and then on Saturday, January 2nd we’re doing a huge party at 3DB (theme TBA soon) which also happens to be my 30th Birthday and 1 year drag anniversary…. so it’s going to be gaggy. More to come on both of those and future events–after Club Paradise, of course.
Other than that: Enigma has some more gigs coming up in the next few months, so make sure y’all follow my Instagram to stay up to date on what I’m up to!
Excellent! To conclude: what’s the most essential item in your drag bag?
Oooh! Definitely always a sparkly clear lip gloss (either Buxom or Sephora brand, to be honest). And Extra brand spearmint gum… no other option.
Thanks, Enigma!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Enigma’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
