Ari Kiki

‘A Day Without Laughter is a Day Wasted’

A nightlife favorite queen, Ari Kiki graces New York City’s stages with her comedy, raw humor and the ability to make people laugh at the drop of a hat. 

I laughed throughout our entire interview, but behind the laugher lies a very sweet and caring human being. She was genuine and made sure that all her friends and drag family were mentioned with pride.

Why drag?
I had done drag about 10 years ago, before “Drag Race.” I had a persona; her name was MarBal, but it ended up not working out. I got into a relationship with someone for about five years, and he wasn’t about the drag. So, I gave it up for about five years. Then I started doing volunteer work for The New York Anti Violence Project. They have a hotline that people could call at different hours of the day if a person was attacking them or [they had] issues with their lives. [It was] for the LBGT community or not, whatever you identify as, and I had to train for that. In the process of taking that training, I learned about gender and other things that I wasn’t aware of as a gay man. It opened up and broadened my horizons to where I wanted to get back in to drag. Ari Kiki was born through working with that organization, and it went downhill from there.

How did you get the name?
So I got the name from a movie a couple years ago. It was a Greek gay film, and the main character’s name was Ari. I liked that it was a non-gender specific name; it could go either way. I didn’t like just having a single name. I was thinking of calling myself maybe Ari Star, but I thought that was very egotistical. I had just learned what the word kiki was, and it kind of fit the bill. I like to joke around, I like to gossip, so it just felt comfortable. It was short and simple, and it’s easy to say when you’re drunk. It just felt right.

Michael Musto loves drag and has really good taste. I’ve heard that you are one of his favorite queens. Why do you suppose that is?
Michael and I first met roughly, I want to say, about four years ago. I had competed in a competition that he judged, and I guess I stood out compared to the other girls. They were all like Broadway dancers and Broadway performers. It was about me just being myself. From the very beginning, he said I reminded him of Divine. He has followed me throughout different parts of my success over the years. Then, three years ago he judged me at “Star Search,” and I won that contest. He did a little write up about me, about being the best in drag, and although I appreciate the compliment, I don’t think I’m the best in drag. But he’s seen a lot, so he has a lot to base it on.

So where do you do your shows and when?
I have a weekly show at Boots and Saddle called Tacky Tuesdays from 8 to 10 on Tuesdays. I’ve had it for about a year and a half. I serve cocktails at Stonewall on Sunday nights for the show Invasion. It was every Sunday, but my day job asked me to pull back a little. I was coming in Monday morning after having no sleep. So now I do it  two or three times a month. My drag daughter, Lola Michele-Kiki, covers for me when I don’t do it. Then I do a show called Riot at Stonewall every second Saturday of the month from 10 p.m. till close. It’s a drag show, dance party. It’s usually me and four other drag queens. What we do is we ask for a five dollar donation (it’s suggested but not enforced), and all of that money is donated to Sylvia’s Place, which is an LGBTQ shelter. Usually we make about $500 to $900 a month.

What is your boy name?
It’s Marti Balloveras. It’s on Facebook. I always say it’s Marti with an “I,” and you spell the last name Ball Over Ass, without the extra “S.” Literally, that’s how you spell it. I can’t make that shit up.

You’re right, you can’t. Where are you from?
I’m from New York. I was born and raised in Midtown. I’m currently living in Washington Heights for the past seven years. It’s still slightly affordable, and I’ve never been attacked, just harassed slightly, nothing serious. I look like a crazy bag lady most of the time anyway.

Do you have a favorite queen?
There’s too many to list. I love New York nightlife, and the variety, and every summer when the new drag queens start popping up, it’s interesting to see what direction they are going in. Me personally, I do comedy. I’m a campy queen, but I enjoy dancers, because it is something I can’t do, and I enjoy every realm of drag. I love the queens that actually dress up and really do it up. I love the drag kings. I enjoy all aspects of drag.

So you’re a new addition to a crayon box. What color are you?
I’m like a shit brown with a hint of purple. Maybe some glitter  mixed into it to make it look pretty.

I’ve never gotten an answer like that. So are you currently in a relationship, because I don’t want you to quit drag again.
No, I’m not. I learned from that period not to buckle, and to believe in what I feel comfortable in myself. You have to learn from your mistakes, and you have to learn from your past or you’re not doing it right. I’m single, I would like to meet someone. I actually meet more guys in drag. But it doesn’t go very far. It’s generally a handjob in the bathroom. It’s more oral than anything. I’ve had some cheese in my mouth, and it’s been very disagreeable. I’ve learned to only like my cheese on my pizza and my burgers. But I’m open to anything that comes along, if they are aware of what comes with my situation.

If there was anything that you can say right now to your fans and followers, what would it be?
Honestly, thank you for the support. I appreciate everything, and if you feel very generous, send me some money on Venmo: @Marti-Balloveras. Or buy my merchandise at dragqueenmerch.com
That’s always appreciated.

That’s probably another one of the best answers historically. Everyone wants to say that but doesn’t have the courage. Anything else you’d like to add?
I’d like to talk about my drag children.

How many are there?
One and a half.

OK, start with the half.
Brita Filter. I share custody with her. I don’t take full ownership of her. I share custody with Lauren Ordair.

And the full drag daughter?
She’s Lola Michele-Kiki. She has my name attached, because I have full custody of her.

Anyone else in the family?
We joke around that my drag aunt is Gusty Winds; my drag grandmother is Stella D’oro; but i wouldn’t be who i am today without my drag sisters, Viki Villainess, Mary Muscles & Sasha Naomi.

Any last words?
So I had done a shoot a couple of moths ago with David Ayllon, and he approached us all as soon as Orlando happened. He wanted to know if it would be OK to use our photos to raise money for Orlando. The majority of us said to go right ahead. It’s not a big deal for us; we’d love to be part of something positive. So as soon as he started promoting it, it kind of spring rolled. It got picked up by different media outlets. So he’s raised over $1,000 already on these $15 posters. They are 11×17, so they are pretty big posters.

One thing I wanna put out there: I have a tattoo on my right arm. According to the Internet, it’s a quote from Charlie Chaplin. It’s how I live my life, and it says, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

For more info:

Facebook.com/AriKikiTheHotMess
Twitter: @Arikiki_hotmess
Instagram: Arikiki_hotmess

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