Singer, songwriter, dancer and Manhattan cocktail queen, Kenny aka Furina Dior is about to twirl into one of HK’s hottest brunch shows this weekend. [Cover photo: Steven Gabriel]
Thotyssey: Hello again, Miz Dior, thanks for chatting with us! We had adventures together working the Balcon door in Hell’s Kitchen on Pride Weekend, while getting cooked in the dry heat!
Furina Dior: Lol, it was definitely a thrill! I’ve never baked my face to that degree before, so it was a rollercoaster of emotions. But overall, an amazing and fun experience.
Agreed! Although I think you have to host a Zoom with your entire generation about how it’s okay to carry some cash once in awhile.
Lol! I’ll make a TikTok about Pride Weekend etiquette. We go through this every year, yet some of us still choose to act shocked regarding cash… but I believe we’ll get it soon.
So many nightlifers know you as Kenny, the cocktail server of the Playhouse / Balcon bar family… but Furina is popping up more and more! Does drag feel like a regular part of your life now, or is it still like “wow, it’s crazy that I’m doing this?“
It still feels crazy. I honestly never imagined drag would be the positive outlet that it has been. I originally started as a singer / songwriter in 2019. I pivoted to dancing after the pandemic, and found drag to be the best combination of my skills.
Did you ever record any of your music?
A couple songs! Both uploaded to SoundCloud. I haven’t made music for awhile, but I still write lyrics here and there.
Are you a native New Yorker, by the way?
Born and raised in the Lower East Side. I carry around Bronx behavior with Brooklyn style.
How did you begin in nightlife?
I started off with my chosen family: Jayse Vegas, Robert Garcia and Aria Jae. Jayse was the first to share his stage with me in 2019, when I used to only sing. I would pop up here and there since then in nightlife, but it’s only now that I’ve found my own footing.
Have you, or would you ever, sing in drag?
Yes! I would love to sing in drag sometime soon. I’ve been preparing a little cute something secretly!
Being both a longtime performer and staffer in the queer bar scene, were there any particular queens that inspired you to do drag yourself?
Essence and Athena really shocked me when I returned to nightlife. I told myself at that time, “that’s exactly what I wanna do.” Then I met the amazing Suddenly Audrey and The Assassins (specifically Kimmi Moore). They completely altered my brain in the best way possible.
And how would you describe Furina as a queen today?
I would describe her as a small titty (can I say that? Haha), big booty bimbo queen who so happens to dance. I like to find a mix of comedy and choreo. As for looks, I tend to gravitate towards sexy or sparkly. I’m currently expanding my wardrobe. I’d love to dabble into Lolita style / K-Pop, but drag.
How do you like doing the competition circuit? Are you in it to win it, or is it more about networking, practicing numbers, sisterhood, etc.?
Competitions for me have become more about networking, sisterhood and practicing numbers. I’m very grateful to have opportunities beyond competitions, so I like to take that little time to build relationships.
It can be pretty cutthroat in that scene, though. We just learned of a girl who allegedly scammed two fellow competitors out of showing up to a bar for one competition by pretending to be someone booking them for a gig on the same night! Do you feel things getting crazier, or was that an isolated incident?
I believe it to be isolated, and continue to pray for the safety of my sisters. At the end of the day we are community, and nobody will have our backs the way we have each others’, so I feel the importance of spreading love and kindness is at an all time high.
Amen! On July 20th, you’ll be onstage at one of your home bars, Balcon, for a “Bacon Salon” brunch show with Jasmine Rice LaBeija and Lexington Banks. That’s a pretty lit brunch! How excited are you to return to that stage?
Beyond excited! I sometimes struggle to find the words to explain it, lol! Jasmine and Lexington are two incredible queens, and amazing people to be around — so inspiring, and beyond talented. I’m honored to share the stage with them.
Anything else you want to mention?
Here’s two truths and a lie: I’m one of the only ones that can out smoke Jorgeous; I’m a blonde; Nicole Paige Brooks once made me cry in drag.
I see three truths!
Lol, oh my God.. I promise there’s a lie in there!
I will let our readers guess! Okay lastly: what’s the most essential item in your drag bag?
My Victoria Secret perfume is super essential. It is beyond important that I smell good. I believe simply walking past someone and smelling good is the first impression of the drag fantasy you’re selling.
The sweet smell of success! Thanks, Furina!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Furina Dior’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram, TikTok, LinkTree and SoundCloud.
Thotyssey 