Interview by Ballerina Bizet | Posture Drag Editor
Photography by Odemaris Byrd
Recently I had a chance to sit down with the lovely Ms. Scarlet Envy to discuss her rising career in the NYC gay nightlife. Since her arrival she has transitioned from partygoer to drag queen performing at various nightlife parties as well as hosting her own weekly party Scarlet Fever.
First off, thank you so much for joining me today Scarlet! To start off, tell me a little about yourself—when you came to the city, your drag persona, etc.
Well, I’m a pretty drag queen with a thirst for whiskey and morals that are lower than my heels. I always love a good theatrical number, something with a song and monologue mixed together. I moved to NYC from Louisville, KY back in 2010 mainly for the hype about the pizza here.
Has New York lived up to that hype?
Of course! Anything with carbs and cheese. It’s not a good meal unless you have marinara sauce in your lacefront hunny.
I love it! I feel the same way.
Can’t beat 2 brothers $1 pizza, especially on a drag queen budget! Tip your queens so that they can eat real food at least sometimes (laughs)
I hear that. So how to did you get your start in drag? Were you a queen before you came to the big city? Or did you get your start here?
I actually fell into the scene here in NYC. Brooklyn underground royalty took me in and it was fast friends from there! I met my friend Jenna Tonic who took me on as a cohost for our show Size Queens. When she had to leave the show I took it on as my own.
I have met some of the most amazing people I could ever imagine; we are a big gender twisting family and the support for each other is what I found is key.
That’s very true, especially in New York. I’ve been seeing drag shows for about 3 years and it is amazing with the amount of creativity and talent from some performers. Was Size Queens the first time you ever performed drag?
No, I was a ratty cross-dressing Rocky Horror Picture Show teenager and performed in high school, but I didn’t put the two together until the Miss FIT Drag Pageant in 2011. There’s nothing like your first drag show; it should be memorable….for good and bad reasons! I remember I did a Britney remix and that’s when I learned that I can’t dance.
Probably not the best moment to learn that.
If you are witty enough to be entertaining, shaking your ass suddenly doesn’t matter! (laughs). But a good shimmy is always appreciated.
When did you take over Size Queens and start Scarlet Fever? What has it been like being the leading queen of a Brooklyn nightlife show?
I took on the Fever a little over a month ago, so it’s still new. I love the people I get to work with and the crowd is always great. Friday nights are packed and the stage at TNT has seen some serious queens already.
It’s great having the show. I get an amazing opportunity to further expand our drag culture to a newer Williamsburg audience each week. I’m developing friends in the regulars who come each week; they know when I’m a vodka tonic kind of girl and when I’m a whiskey girl! It’s great to have all of this while sharing the stage with my talented friends.
That’s great! Congratulations on the new show by the way.
Is there any queen in particular you would like to have on Scarlet Fever?
There are plenty of established girls in this city, but I would really love to have Acid Betty and Maddelyn Hatter. They are two talented queens, and I will continue to whisper in their ears and tug on their wigs until I can match their booking fees! I love all the girls I get the opportunity to book, and love to watch the upcoming performers turn the stage out each week.
Two very good choices! You make a good point as well, it is always nice as a viewer to see a blend of the established and upcoming girls. I also know you filmed an episode for a new online show called “The T” back in April. Can you tell me more about?
The T is a project I am working on with my Brooklyn sisters. It’s a new web series debuting in May, starring Misty Meaner, Horrachata, Merrie Cherry, and myself. Each month we host a special guest and sit for a good Kiki. Filming for the first episode went swimmingly, I’m excited for everyone to see the final version! We filmed at Sugarland Nightclub and the legendary Gerry Visco was our first guest; that bitch is just the right amount of glamour and crazy, we had so much to talk about.
My favorite part of drag is meeting the people who make up the culture. The scene is changing fast, and we are part of a true renaissance of gender transcending. It is a definite art form, and everyone has something to offer–from the high rolling queens to the ones wearing fake lashes for the first time.
What are your drag plans for 2013?
I’m creating my own drink. What drag queen doesn’t want her signature drink? I’m trying to fit every alcohol possible into one glass. When people return from the club with their head in the toilet I want them to curse the amount of “Scarlet” they sucked down that night! I’m also looking into some new summer bookings. Summer 2013 will be a season of wide brimmed hats, sling backs, and vodka cucumbers.
All sound like great plans, I especially like the Scarlet cocktail. I look forward to its premiere in bars soon.
Well Ms. Scarlet, thank you so much!!! This has been an amazing interview.
Thank you dear! Happy to participate!!
You can catch Scarlet Envy performing every Friday at Scarlet Fever over at This n’ That in Williamsburg Brooklyn. This n’ That is located at 108 N. 6th Street between Berry and Wythe off of the L train. Show begins at midnight.
I will also keep you updated on the where and when to catch the newest web series “The T”. Stay tuned!
