Interviews

Hilarious New Spring Show, April Fool No one associates the 61-year-old drag queen Lady Bunny with anything fresh, but the old dog did learn a few tricks over the winter months. She’s been performing shows out west, where audiences have cheered her new material, including her self-penned dance track about Ozempic.    Beginning April 12, she’ll return to NYC’s Green Room 42 for four hilarious shows of her spring comedy special, Lady Bunny: April Fool....

By Ben Nelson BRYCE QUARTZ SCORES WITHPUPS, CUBS, BEARS, AND DADDIES NYC’s favorite cub hip-hopper Bryce Quartz has released the second single from his upcoming The Sextape EP.  With the rapper’s powerful vocal delivery and colorful lyricism set against simple instrumentals, “C*m Pirate” evokes the barebone trap sound that had a chokehold on the rap industry from 2016-2018.  “I want to make sure everyone knows I’m a rapper first and a faggot second,” the artist...

The Reigning Queen of Manhattan’s Monster Bar Octavia has been the reigning Miss Monster since 2019. After being crowned, along came Covid and the world shut down. Finally, she will be relinquishing her title and passing it along to a new queen, which will be a bittersweet night for Octavia, although she’s been helping the roundup of the 15 contestants who will compete. Octavia is, however, the new reigning queen of Mondo USA. She will...

Born in Brooklyn, Jasmin Van Wales is a leading nightlife performer who started her career 30 years ago in the West Village. Beginning as a professional dancer, Jasmin saw her first drag show and she was amazed. She’s received the Ballroom Icon Award and has worked in many of the New York City bars. She is now living her true life as a trans woman and is still enjoying her journey as a performer. Hi,...

What  is your favorite part about becoming Empress? Representing the New York chapter of our organization and having the opportunity to talk about and explain what we do. In a time when there are so many organizations advertising for assistance, it’s nice to have some face (or microphone) time with people. When people become enlightened, I believe they are more likely to want to help. What are you most looking forward to this year at...

How has your experience of being Emperor enriched or changed the trajectory of your life? This is actually the second time I’ve been Emperor.  The first was in 2020.  But when  I was to step up, the world closed down due to the pandemic.  Every thing we did was virtual.  This reign has given me the opportunity to visit different Courts across the U.S. and Canada and meet so many new people.  My life is...

The excitement is mounting and the tiaras are starting to shine. Their Most Imperial Sovereign Majesties–Emperor XXIX and Regent Emperor XXXII Graham D’ Craquer and Empress XXXIV and Regent Empress XXXVII Madelyn Keyth–are getting ready for the 38th Annual “Night of a Thousand Gowns”  Please join the Imperial Court of New York as they celebrate the Night Of A Thousand Gowns, benefitting Trinity Place Shelter, on Saturday March 23rd at the New York Hilton Midtown...

Below Deck’s Bruno Duarte and his husband Alex Step Out in ES Collection USA BY TIMOTHY LARCOMBE Bruno Duarte rose to fame as a breakout star on the Bravo reality TV show Below Deck. He starred on the series as a deck hand, winning the hearts of viewers for his gorgeous looks and compelling life story. Born in Lisbon, Portugal, Duarte suffered a traumatic childhood marked by an abusive father and the loss of his...