Kings on the Aux

Caius and Mizer Malicious (Columbus; he/they) piece togetherthe story of Mizer’s linked costume set, inspired by the dual sides of Frankenstein: the Monster and the Doctor. They talk crafting tips, monster(fucker) drag, the cosplay-to-drag pipeline, and the right (and wrong) reasons to produce your own show.

Content warnings: discussion of ageism in the drag industry.

Special thanks to Luna Jade, the Twisted Transitioner, and O...

Caius and Himbo (Cleveland; he/him) look back at Himbo’smemorable, stunt-filled performances of “FE!N” by Travis Scott, including an extended mix featuring “Just Wanna Rock” by Lil Uzi Vert. They talk 00s hiphop nostalgia, Sheetz after the gig, the nuance of separating the art from the artist, and the importance of crediting your influences and inspirations.

Content warnings: a reference to police bruta...

Caius and Bigtop (Cleveland; he/they/it) unpack one of Bigtop’s signature numbers, a mime performance set to a dynamic instrumental track by avant-garde Finnish band Alamaailman Vasarat. They talk eclectic music libraries, subverting audience expectations, transmasc voice dysphoria (and euphoria), and the many artistic principles you can learn from studying clown.

Content warnings: a mention of childhood repression related to ...

Caius and Jace Blaze (NEOhio; they/he) revisit the final nightof Jace’s Purple Reign as Mr. Ohio King All-Star 2024, with an emphasis on his second stepdown number, a mix juxtaposing music from Prince and Janelle Monáe. They talk pageant preparation, Prince illusion, the protest history of music by Blackartists, and finding self-love with the support of chosen family.

Content warnings: discussion of religious trauma, homophob...

Caius and Transsexuella (Cleveland; she/he) dive into Transsexuella’s original mix and campaign for office, “TS for America.” They talk crossdressing while transsexual, Lushious Massacr’s influence, autistic joy in cheer, and the push for disabled representation in drag.

Content warnings: discussion of injury and chronic illness. References to ableism and transphobia. Multiple uses of homophobic and transpho...

Caius and Poundcake (Youngstown; he/him) reflect on one of Poundcake’s best-loved live singing acts, a character-driven burlesque performance inspired by “Beetlejuice.” They talk drag king history, burlesque improv techniques, the queer/trans appeal of playing the villain, and the value of mutual respect in drag community.

Content warnings: detailed discussion of transphobia (including misgendering and fetishizati...

Caius and Ryder Slowly (Cleveland; he/him) unpack Ryder’sfavorite mix to perform, featuring three Bon Jovi hits. They talk masculine role models, classic rock, how to make a mix, and the rewards of mentoring Cleveland’s new and emerging kings.

Content warnings: references to misgendering, gender dysphoria, and misogyny.

Special thanks to Ronnie Wrath, Luna Jade, the Twisted Transitioner, and Lil Bottom!

Tip Ryder (Venmo/Ca...

Caius and Bram Stroke-her (Cleveland; he/they) reflect on Bram’s intimately-staged interpretation of “Disturbia,” developed for the Got You Covered challenge of Kingpin season 2 and revised for his recent benefit show, Surviving the 27 Club. They talk professionalism in drag, authentic representation of Dissociative Identity Disorder, best practices for rhinestoning, and finding trans joy.

Content warnings: detaile...

Caius and Sir Guy (Detroit; he/they) unpack the personal and political layers of Sir Guy’s entertaining (and educational) musical homage to the clitoris, set to an early Dorian Electra single. They talk kinging in flannel, Dolly Parton, lesbian visibility, and the responsibilities kings hold in the performer-audience relationship.   

Content warnings: detailed discussion of lesbophobia and car accident-related injuri...

Caius and AndroNTT (Akron/NEOhio; he/him) analyze thestorytelling and emotional expression of Andro’s “Succession”-inspired Mitski mix, which he has performed exclusively at The Odditorium. They talk speech and debate, the impact of fictional babygirls, growing up a film and TV nerd, and drag as a counterpoint to poetry.

Content warnings: detailed discussion of transphobia, anti-Black racism, misogyny, and misogyno...

Caius and Edward Lygma aka The Rizzler (NYC; he/they) take a deep dive into the politics and aesthetics of “Money” from Cabaret (1998), which Edward performed for the Rock with Me challenge during Kingpin season 2. They talk Doctor Who, operatic form, competition strategy for kings, and why we all love the public library.

Content warnings: detailed discussion of contemporary and historical fascism. Mentions of chronic il...

Caius and Rocky Switch (Buffalo; he/they) reflect on his interpretation of “Precious” by Cain Culto—a vulnerable, yet hopeful transition story, which Rocky has developed across PA and NY stages. They talk tri-state drag, “blasphemous material,” professional etiquette, and the importance of chosen family.

Content warnings: detailed discussion of transphobia and parental rejection/estrangement. Multiple u...

Caius and Ronnie Wrath (Kent/Cleveland; he/him) look back atRonnie’s Hellraiser (1987) mix, created for the Cinematic Spectacle challenge in Kingpin season 2. They talk drag brotherhood, the bald cap learning curve, performing “boobs-out” as a king, and the cultural, political need to embrace your freak.

Content warnings: detailed discussion of sex-negativeattitudes. Mentions of anti-drag politics, lesbophobia, gen...

Caius and Macho Grande (Cleveland; he/him) explore the cultural and political inspirations behind Macho’s Latino Mega Mix, featuring four songs and a spoken introduction. They talk Mexican-American history, storytelling and comedy in mixes, protest dad rock, and the Latino experience of seeking out your own identity.

Content warnings: detailed discussions of anti-Mexican racism and U.S. colonialism. Mentions of military violen...

Caius and Marquis Gaylord (Cleveland; he/him) revisit Marquis’ transsexual folk punk horror number, which he first premiered at Manor of the Macabre and continued to develop at The Odditorium. They talk costuming must-haves, channeling autism into drag, transmasculine childhood, and the political power of reclaiming a narrative.

Content warnings: detailed discussions of genre-typical violence in horror media, simulated gore, g...

Caius and Dean Heartthrob (Cleveland/Pittsburgh; he/him)reflect on Dean’s draglesque mix "COLONCORE," dedicated to his experience with Crohn’s disease. They talk practical effects, drag king covers, catharsis through art, and the close-knit community in local drag and burlesque.

Content warnings: detailed discussions of chronic illness, medical trauma, and misogyny. References to sexual harassment and simulated gore. Oc...

Caius and Abel N. Willing (NEOhio; he/they) unpack one of Abel’s signature numbers, his Benjamin Franklin comedy mix. They talk stage presence, sketch comedy, alternate history, and all the serious effort that goes into silly drag.

Content warning: some discussion of misogyny in the drag and comedy scenes.

Special thanks to Maine(void) and AndroNTT!

Tip Abel (Venmo): @abel_drag

Did you love it? Did you hate it? Do you want to gi...

Caius and The Twisted Transitioner (Cleveland; he/they) take a look back at Twisted’s finale burlesque number from Kingpin season 1. They talk nu metal, transmasculinity, religious trauma, and what it’s like to perform when maybe three people in the whole bar know your song.

Content warnings: detailed discussions of internalizedhomo/transphobia, Christian right-wing rhetoric, and anti-trans rhetoric (especially anti-tra...