>> Interview by Kari Kerning & Brume Jessa
Photo CREDIT: Leyda Luz
The NYC prelim to National Comedy Queen is back Nov 9th, honoring reigning queen Lori Lu and welcoming a new group of contestants vying for the crown. Co-promotors Kari Kerning and Brume Jessa sat down with Lori Lu for a conversation:
Kari: Lori, you’ve been such a great representative for Miss Big Adam’s Apple this year. Winning the NYC prelim, going to the National pageant last March, and encouraging so many talented contestants to compete this year. How has your reign been?
Lori: I mean, it’s been fantastic. It validated and calmed down my imposter syndrome. I love being creative and like having a theme and a challenge, and it has pushed me to create different things, which I love. I also have met a lot of other artists and I got to hone my craft. That’s like really cool.
Brume: You’ve really created so much during your reign. One of the reasons I joined Miss Big Adam’s Apple this year as co-producer is because of the unique drag art that you see here. What is it about this pageant that sets it apart from other pageants? What made you want to compete?
Lori: So I started looking because my friends have done pageants and I’ve seen their experience. But I found out that a lot of these systems do not accept AFAB (assigned female at birth) performers. National Comedy Queen is one of the few systems that actually welcomes everyone. And I think that was, like, pretty fucking amazing. I still think there’s things to improve, but I feel like National Comedy Queen is one of the few pageants that is moving in the right direction. I don’t care what’s in between your legs, only if you’re doing drag.
Kari: I’m really proud of that fact. It’s one of the reasons I love being a promoter for this prelim. Our system is by far the most inclusive national pageant out there, and that inclusivity shows every year in the strength of our contestants. We attract so many unique perspectives on what drag can be, and that’s what makes it so special.
Brume: That’s where great comedy comes from! Unique perspectives and original performances. What are your inspirations for your drag and your comedy, Lori?
Lori: I’m a drag orphan, but in my delusion, I feel like Divine is my drag mom and John Waters is my drag father. Divine taught me to be unhinged. And Bugs Bunny, who taught me comedy timing and was the first drag queen I ever encountered. There’s also Juan Gabriel, a queer Icon in Mexico. And Astrid Hadad, a Mexican diva as well.
Brume: One of the best parts of your MBAA win was the way you included your Mexican identity into your pageant package.
Lori: The best comedy comes from truth. My drag is about reclaiming these things. I mean, it’s very obvious you can hear it with my accent that I am a Mexican immigrant. And unfortunately, America has never been a very nice neighbor. They love the culture, but hate my people. Crazy. Crazy. So my drag is about reclaiming my Mexican identity and celebrating it. If I can make it, like, funny and people can relate, that could be amazing, you know?
Drag is my therapy and truthful drag is important. Wait… (Pause)… I was burping.
Kari: We’re keeping that in (laughing). The perfect Comedy Queen answer: thoughtful, smart and with a burp at the end!
Brume: What advice do you have for the new comedy queen contestants this year?
Lori: As cliched as it sounds, the best thing to do is just follow your intuition. Be authentically you, unapologetically you, and do what you do because no one’s’s gonna do it like that.. Like, this…We need to stop glorifying microwave drag.
Kari: AGREE! Drag with a perspective! It’s what we need more of.
Brume: That sounds like a campaign slogan. I’d vote for you! Okay, that segues perfectly into the last question. Lori, if you were the President of Drag, what would your first executive order be?
Lori: Funny answer? It will be illegal to go outside having fucking breakfast in your face. No more oatmeal eyebrows! Mandatory master class on how to cover your fucking eyebrows or just fucking shave them! Oh, my God. Okay, non-funny answer? I want healthcare for everyone.
Kari: Lori, you are leaving some really big shoes to fill after this year. You’ve elevated this prelim so much. What an incredible reign. And these girls really gotta work fucking hard to follow you up!
Brume: We’re excited to celebrate with you, Lori, and watch the new girls compete for the crown. We will see you all Sunday, November 9th at Industry Bar!
