Grizzly Kiki

"As Long As My Bills Are Paid & My Wigs Are Sprayed."

Rify Royalty is breaking all the rules...even when there aren't any. As one of New York's most visible Drag Queens, Rify has dipped her toes in all of nightlife's waters; Go-Go Boy, Club Kid, Drag Queen, and Party Promoter. Her aesthetic has expanded beyond the "established" boundaries of each of these roles, thus claiming her own space in New York's fickle nightlife scene. Her monthly party, "Straight Acting," now in its fourth year, actively trolls Masc4Masc culture and is a safe space where partygoers can express and enjoy themselves. Toxic behavior and outdated concepts of gender performance are not welcome.

We KiKi with Rify about growing up in New Jersey, her drag inspirations, and the claim that she only just started doing drag!

Sham Payne Is Boston's Shapeshifting Drag Queen!

Although a Boston native, Sham Payne's drag roots are in Baltimore, the hometown of drag legend, Divine. While studying Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, Sham began experimenting with drag, which soon became their artistic outlet. After graduating, Sham moved back to Boston and has been a fixture in the local scene for over five years. Their signature colored facial hair, and bold geometric patterns are defining characteristics of their aesthetic, which Sham uses in a chameleon-like manner. Googly eyes, flowers, gloves, and a talent for craft are but a few of the tools in their eclectic arsenal of drag. Keep your eyes peeled if you're ever in Boston; Sham Payne is a trompe l'oeil fantasy come to life!

Your FAVY Could Never!

On this episode, we KiKi with Favy Fav (aka Justin Favela), a Las Vegas-based artist & co-host of the Latinos Who Lunch podcast. The inspiration for Favy's large-scale installation pieces are drawn from his own Latino roots, as well as popular culture. Employing tissue paper & cardboard as his principle media, he often takes over entire gallery spaces. His first installation in New York is entitled "Recuerdame," and will open at the Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling on October 17.

During our KiKi with Favy, we chatted about his Las Vegas Roots; his unique form of artistic expression; the origins of Latinos Who Lunch; the problematic nature of our theme song, "Fat Fish"; and much more!

No Es Pinchy Queen, Pinche!

Pinche Queen is a beautiful hairy drag monster. A Latina from Arizona, she moved to L.A. right after high school and developed a love for makeup while working as a P.A. on Hollywood sets. Her first night out in drag was at the Boulet Brothers' infamous party/competition, Dragula. While she didn't win that, her drag career started that night..and she hasn't looked back since. When the Boulets were casting for Dragula Season 1, Pinche was hand selected and competed for the title of the World's First Drag Supermonster!

We're so excited to finally have Pinche on Grizzly KiKi. We chat about growing up in Arizona, re-discovering her Mexican roots, Dragula, DragCon NYC, & much more!

"Ol-vi-dé can-ce-lar el ma-ria-chi"

On this episode, we talk about stress at work, gush about "The House of Flowers" on Netflix, and watching "The Meg" with Jiggly Caliente. AND...we finally met Favy Fav of Latinos Who Lunch and hung out with him at this month's "Be Cute" at Littlefield.

We also give a listener advice about dealing with the anxiety associated with coming out.

Bushwig 2018 Was Bigger & Better Than Ever!

We've recovered from our Bushwig hangover, and we're back to dish about the drag event of the year. We talk about our favorite performances, the importance of Bushwig, and announce new video content!

We also talk about Cardi B. & Nicki Minaj's altercation at the Harper's Bazaar ICON party, the Ketogenic Diet, & Child's Play!

"Realize that bodies are only a fraction of who we are" ~ Gabe Moses

Jupiter Velvet stole a spaceship & crash-landed on Earth, seeking to be an "average" American girl. However, she is anything but average. Jupiter is a complex and multi-layered character and performer, drawing her inspiration from Patrick Nagel, the Memphis Design Group and, of course, Lizzie McGuire!

Jupiter is also a fierce advocate for body positivity and trans-acceptance. A member of the Queer Scene in Miami's Wynwood District, Jupiter uses her visibility to break down pre-conceived notions of what drag should look like & confronts those who believe that "passable" is the ultimate compliment for a trans woman.

Jupiter chatted with us as she was putting the finishing touches on her look for Bushwig 2018. We discussed gender identity; her experiences growing up queer and Latinx; and the Indiegogo campaign for the documentary, "Emergence," which explores gender and drag through the profiles of six of Miami's queer performers.

To read the poem referenced by Jupiter, How to Make Love to a Trans Person by Gabe Moses, CLICK HERE.

TO DONATE to the Emergence Indiegogo campaign, CLICK HERE!

"We're The Backyard Queens Honey!" 

On this episode, we interview Glam Punk Tejana Drag Queen & Bushwig Co-Founder, Horrorchata. Chata's story is a winding road that began in San Antonio. As a child, her father would dress her up as a clown to assist him at his gigs, blowing up balloons & standing in for him when he wasn't available. Her mother, a wedding planner, contributed to her highly organized nature. Eventually, she moved to Austin, where she began to experiment with drag. After moving back home for a bit, she eventually boarded a one-way flight to New York City & the rest is history!

Over the years, Chata has established herself as an international Drag Queen & DJ. In 2012, along with Baabes Trust, she co-founded Bushwig. Now in its seventh year, Bushwig has evolved beyond Chata & Baabes' wildest dreams. The drag festival has traveled around the United States, had it's first stint in Berlin this summer, and might just make it to Mexico City in 2019. What began as an idea while wig shopping, has transformed into a cultural phenomenon, solidifying Chata's legacy as a leader & legend in our community!

#IMINLOVEWITHMISSTOTO

On this episode, we interview Miami's Party Queen, Miss Toto. A towering drag goddess, she is a staple of the Wynwood District's alternative drag scene. She moved to Miami to pursue a graduate degree in Marine-Science Research. Little did she know that she would also be studying the art of drag. As with many, the bug bit hard, and under the tutelage of her drag mothers Juleisy Y Karla, Miss Toto was born. Since then, Miss Toto has been painting her face, donning heels, and serving Miami everything a 6' 5" muscle queen has to offer!

Miss Toto chats with us about doing drag at night, tagging sharks by day, body building, and her upcoming appearance at Bushwig 2018. She also shared how she keeps herself in tip-top shape while pursuing all her passions. Miss Toto may be a Party Monster, but self-care is the top priority for this Queen!

Who Will Be Crowned "Queen Of Camp!"?

On this episode, we interview Alexis P. Bevels. Hailing from Chicago, Ms. Bevels is a live-singing Camp Queen who is now actually at Camp! She is one of eight Midwestern queens competing in the new reality series, "Camp Wannakiki." The show was created by the co-owners of Hamburger Mary's International, Apple Brown Betty & Cherry Pi (a.k.a. the Sugarbaker Twins.) Each week, the Sugarbakers and Camp Counselor, Dear Ruthie, test the girls' outdoors know-how in the search for the first "Queen Of Camp!"

Alexis shares her experiences of going to Camp in full drag, working in a mess hall, being encouraged to wear sneakers, and how she almost fell into a lake. We also swap our most memorable camping stories!