Queens of Quarantine

By Alexander Rodriguez

During this pandemic, there is one group from the LGBT community that is proving this simple fact:  you can’t keep a good bitch down.  The drag queen community has shown their resilience by reinventing the idea of going to a drag show.  Digital drag shows have become the hottest trend, with big-name queens such as RuPaul fan favorite Mayhem Miller and Rhea Litre performing alongside up-and-comers from the comfort of their bedrooms giving us looks and life for days!  This digital drag revolution has united the drag community and its viewers as well.  We checked in with some of our favorite Drag Queens of So Cal to see how they were coping:

Mayhem Miller, Los Angeles   IG: @theOnlyMayhem

Mayhem Miller, the “Queen of the Party”, started auditioning for RuPaul’s’ Drag Race in Season Two and finally made her debut in Season 10, winning our hearts and becoming a Meme Queen at the same time.  She has appeared on Germany’s Next Top Model (yes, I said top and Mayhem Miller in the same description), appeared in music videos for Lizzo and Iggy Azalea, as well as with Nene Leakes on Lip Synch Battle.  She is mother to some of our favorite queens… and that booty… girl!

How is Mayhem Miller, the person, most different than Mayhem Miller the persona? 

I’m a total introvert. My drag gives me the freedom to come out of my shell and be as outrageous as I want to be.

What competition would you add to Drag Race?

I would add more design elements to the show.

What are the biggest mistakes newer drag queens make?

Trying to do too much too fast and confusing confidence with cocky-ness.

Top or Bottom? Yes.

Biggest pet peeve with audience members? Uninvited people on stage.

Strangest thing you’ve done during quarantine? Puzzles.

Watch more or less porn during quarantine? Less.

Rhea Litre, Los Angeles   IG:  @RheaLitre

Rhea Litre, drag’s baddest bitch, is one of West Hollywood’s fiercest promoters, DJs, personalities, and live entertainers. She has been featured in music videos with Rita Ora, Kari Kimmel, and Kat Graham, has been seen on America’s Next Top Model and the American Music Awards with Pink. Her collaboration with Willam Belli – Let’s Have a Kai Kai – became a viral sensation. She caused a digital sensation by keeping the drag show going with her wildly popular online Quarantine Queen, broadcast from her living room.

Quarantine Queen is a huge hit! Where did the idea come from, what made it such a big success?

It was Friday night, I was DJing at FUBAR in West Hollywood and found out we would be closing. Afterwards I jumped on my nightly phone call to my sister, and she said, ‘girl you know you love to do a pageant.’ I was like #QuarantineQueen! And the pageant idea quickly turned into a #DragShow. My son and roommate JoJoGuadz helped curate the set and the world got its first digital drag show w/ me doing Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse”!

Shadiest thing you’ve seen backstage at a drag show? Bianca Del Rio.

Most overdone drag number? Bohemian Rhapsody

Biggest mistakes new drag queens make? Perform Bohemian Rhapsody

Celebrity you’d love to do a drag makeover on? Zac Efron

Top or bottom? Power Verse

Biggest pet peeve with audience members? Playing tug of war with a $1 Bill.

Strangest thing you’ve done during the quarantine? Produce drag shows from my living room.

Favorite toilet paper substitute? Super Soaker.

Watched more or less porn during quarantine? Less. Quarantine Queen is keeping me busy! Catch us Monday, Wednesday & Friday Night on my IG LIVE (instagram.com/RheaLitre )

Allusia Alusia, West Hollywood  IG: @AllusiaToGo

Allusia Alusia – life’s drunk life coach – is a model, actress, and inspiration…well, she is none of that and more.  She is infamous for her wildly hilarious social media posts and inappropriate advances on her Postmates drivers.  She is a fixture in West Hollywood’s nightlife, hosting a variety of events throughout the week, including the popular Lip Service at the world-famous Abbey on Mondays.  Of course, her crowning glory might be playing Lesbian #1 in the horror-comedy Kissing Darkness…she was also featured on Cherry Pop – now available on Netflix – as Delusia…hmmm, typecasting? 

You have a signature style – in looks and comedy – that does not really fit any other mold.  Was this a conscious effort when developing your persona? 

I would say my stage persona is just an amped-up version of myself. My whole personality was an accident and if it caused any damage or long-term psychological effects, I cannot be held liable.

What is your take on the current drag scene, good and bad?

As far as the current drag scene goes, we have pulled together now more than ever, and it is amazing. Before the quarantine, I knew that I got to work with a lot of extremely talented girls and a few moderately okay ones, but since the quarantine, the level of the community has really touched me. In a way that does not make me want to call the police.

Biggest mistakes new drag queens make? Coming straight out of the gate cocky and demanding.

Top or bottom? A pancake is not done cooking till it’s flipped on both sides.

Biggest pet peeve with audience members? When someone holds out a dollar to tip me and then jerks it back at the last second. I will chase dicks and drinks but NEVER a dollar.

Strangest thing you’ve done during the quarantine? Eat solid foods.

Worst Amazon quarantine buy? Paper Towels. At this point, I have a better chance of getting a boyfriend than a roll of paper towels.

Rusty Waters, Palm Springs  IG: @RustyWaters25

Miss Rusty Waters is the hostess with the mostess, with a residency at Hunters, Palm Springs, hosting everything from drag brunches, bachelor auctions, and Oscar viewing parties to her popular Spotlight, a competition show for local queens with wildly inventive challenges.  She can day drink like no other and still look fabulous and fresh for the stage until 2 am.  During this quarantine, she took to her sewing machine, pulling out swatch after swatch from her personal collection, sending out masks to those in need (I, myself, am the owner of a fabulous, black sequined Rusty Waters mask). 

What makes Palm Springs different than other, bigger LGBT city?  

Palm springs has that rare combination of being a huge bustling tourist-driven town while also feeling like a small town from a bygone glamorous era.

You mix classic Hollywood style comedy with what’s currently hot and sassy. Why is it so important to keep a classic style of comedy relevant?

There is a reason the classics have endured in our hearts all these years and are still beloved today.  They are insanely witty, beautifully written, and genuinely funny without relying on gimmicks. LEARN FROM THE CLASSICS, especially if you want to be one someday. 

Most overdone drag number? “And I Am Telling You” – Dreamgirls. 

Biggest mistakes new drag queens make? Expecting to be fully booked and paid right out of the gate. 

Celebrity you’d love to do a drag makeover on? Judy Tenuta.

Top or bottom? Greedy.

Your secret drag hack? Remembering live shows do not have filters, so paint like it. 

Biggest pet peeve with audience members? When drunk people want to try and dance with you during a performance and do not get the hint that they aren’t getting a private show.

Strangest thing you’ve done during the quarantine? Started a mask-making sweatshop at home.

Watched more or less porn during quarantine? Less.

Worst Amazon quarantine buy? Bored games (yeah, I know it’s spelled board… that’s the joke people!)

Erica Foxx, San Diego   IG: @Team_EricaFoxx

Erica Foxx is a fixture in the drag scene with her quick wit and fabulous emcee abilities, and when not self-quarantined, can be seen at Flicks, Gossip Grill, Richs, and Urban Mo’s as well as Out at the Fair in San Diego. She is part of the performance group SD Family Jewel and is as cute out of makeup as in and has hair that would make Cindy Crawford jealous…Team Erica!

Most overdone drag number? Whitney’s I’m Every Woman, or Beyoncé’s Formation (but I still love them.)

Biggest mistakes new drag queens make? Visible pad lines, wonky eyelashes, or thin ass wigs.

Celebrity you’d love to do a drag makeover on? BRITNEY, love her to death, would love to totally glam her out!

Top or bottom? Both.

Secret drag hack? Cutting the toes off of your tights. (otherwise, your feet will be killing you)

Biggest pet peeve with audience members? Get off your phone during the show! And don’t touch me.

Strangest thing you’ve done during the Quarantine? Baking yummy treats… (I never ever bake.)

Favorite toilet paper substitute? Thankfully, it hasn’t come to that!

Watched more or less porn during quarantine? About the same.

Jazmyn Simone-Echelon, Los Angeles  IG: @ThePeoplesQueen

Jazmyn Simone-Echelon is so fabulous she has a hyphenated name!  Or maybe that’s just to throw off the cops.  Jazmyn is one of Southern California’s premiere queens who has got your back and will throw down in a fight, of course in heels, on your behalf.  You do not want to piss her off.  She is also one of the leading Janet Jackson performers and, under the makeup and the outfits, has a heart of gold. 

How did you first get into drag?  

My friends saw something in me that my little 19yr old ass didn’t see so they just started calling me Jazmyn and eventually, around 20yrs old, I just jumped on stage and haven’t left it since….well until this COVID crisis.

Most overdone drag number? To me, the most overdone drag number isn’t really a song but it’s the choreography some queens use for every one of their numbers.

Biggest mistakes new drag queens make? That they are not the 1st and will not be the last.

Top or Bottom? Aggressive verse top.

Biggest pet peeve with audience members? Sitting in the front row with your arms crossed and not a smile to be found.

Strangest thing you’ve done during the Quarantine? Not having sex with my boyfriend.

Anita Rose, Palm Springs   IG:  @theAnitaRose

Anita Rose does not need another rose, but she does need Jesus.  One of my favorite queens from Palm Springs (who puts the gurrrlll in Mean Girl) has made a splash in the drag scene with her unique and varied looks, her snarky humor and goth glamour.  She hosts the Bitchiest Brunch – yes, that is actually the name – with other events like Shade, Queens Against Humanity (are you sensing a theme) in Coachella Valley, and is a host on Spit Talking at QueensofSpitTalking.com  

How has your style changed the most from your very first day of drag?  How have you personally changed the most from your first days of drag?

Since starting drag 8yrs ago, my drag has changed by first growing a thicker skin and by investing in what I enjoy doing, it’s taken me places I’ve never thought I’d go or be. And my personality was affected because now I do not put up with people’s BS or let them take advantage of me unless they have VHS cleaner!

Shadiest thing you’ve seen backstage at a drag show? A famous RPDR Queen asking to borrow someone’s powder and then dumping it on the floor.

Most overdone drag number? Anything current that just came out and then not knowing how to “dance” to it.

Biggest mistakes new drag queens make? Kissing ass to bigger queens. Just DO YOU and you get a lot more respect.

Celebrity you’d love to do a drag makeover on? I hate doing makeovers on other people. I can barely paint my own face! LOL

Top or bottom? I am a power top but…

Your secret drag hack? I have a collapsible wagon. It is so convenient, and it helps carry all your stuff.

Biggest pet peeve with audience members? When an audience member goes to hand you a dollar and then play keep away with that dollar.

Favorite toilet paper substitute? Unmatched socks.

Watched more or less porn during quarantine? More. I am finding out I have friends in porn, so I’ve been doing some research!

Most annoying thing your neighbor does you had no idea they did until quarantine? Walk like they have bowling balls on their feet.

Sparkle Stone, Los Angeles   IG:  @SparkleStoneLA

Sparkle Stone is the darling of Hamburger Mary’s, appearing at many of their locations bringing some over the top glamour and hearty laughs to the scene.  Little known fact: two bottoms can make a right!  Sparkle Stone is partnered with the equally lovely Holly Day – the two are the dynamic duo on the drag scene bringing smiles and STDs to audiences around SoCal.

Your husband is also a drag queen!  How does having a relationship with a fellow performer even work?  What are the do’s and don’ts of being married to a drag queen? 

Well at first it was cool because we did some of the same shows at the same time but as time progressed, I got jealous of Holly getting gigs that I wasn’t.  I had to learn to control my feels and put all jealously aside for our relationship to work.   Some do’s and don’ts of being with another queen – always ask before you borrow anything. Always remember there is give and take with everything and share as you would in life. 16 years later here we are and still going strong and I would not be the person I am today without Marq (Holly).

Biggest mistakes new drag queens make? Take your time when you accept a tip. Acknowledge the person giving you the tip and do not snatch the tip and run away. Also, when you walk into or leave a dressing room say hello/goodbye to ALL performers. 

Top or bottom? You’ll have to wait and ask me in person.

Biggest pet peeve with audience members? When people talk super loud during your performance. Can’t you wait to chat with your friends?

Watched more or less porn during quarantine? OMG what else is there to do? LOL.

Worst Amazon Quarantine buy? Please help me stop buying things I do not need from my Wishlist, okay maybe I need the party light for my online shows I just purchased.

You can watch and or listen to their full interviews at www.OntheRocksRadioShow.com