Featured Queen: Polly Amorous
Polly Amorous is part of the #DiamondDogsCardiff along with her sister Medusa Repulsa, who both perform at Hey Mary, a "queer drag disco" night hosted monthly in Cardiff by Lucy Fur.
Polly is best known as being the winner of "Jolene's Drag Race" a drag competition hosted in Pulse club Cardiff by Jolene Dover.
Read our interview with Polly below.
When did you start doing drag?
My first experience in drag was age 7 trying on my mother's heels while she took the bins out. At age 9, I asked my girlfriend to give me a French manicure "to stop me biting them". Once I hit 18, I was asked by my boss to "dress as a girl" for a ladies night and work behind the bar with another guy I worked with. Donning my best chapstick and mascara, I felt like pure FISH. Flashforward 4 years, and that other guy has become Lucy Fur, my drag mother who asked to do my makeup for the bants, and along came Polly.
What inspired you to start doing drag?
I've always been a performer, and have always loved being on a stage. Hosting a gay night called a Smooch at a bar I used to work at in Cardiff also made me realise that I didn't want to employ drag queens, I wanted to be one.
How does drag make you feel?
Drag makes me feel like I can take on the world. As cliché as it sounds, it is so empowering and people for the most-part will admire your art.
Who are you inspirations for your drag persona?
I like to think of my drag as a hybrid of Regina George, Rachel Berry, Chanel Oberlain and Sharpay Evans. Teen dream plastic princess spectacular with a fiery streak when crossed.
Who are your three all time favourite Queens?
Alaska Thunderfuck, Biblegirl666 and Milk.
Do you have a specific look you like to go for, or does your look vastly vary?
I like to look like I've been dragged through a hedge forwards and backwards again and drawn on my eyebrows with my eyes closed. My wigs will never look neatly styled and I will will always aim to show off as much leg as possible. Because why serve fish when you can serve up steak?
What would be your ultimate ambition you would like to achieve through drag?
I would love to push into the mainstream and record music through my drag persona or even perform on the West End.
Where are some of your favourite places to perform? My favourite gig so far?
Performing Single Ladies to the entire Principality Stadium as a warmup for One Direction. Granted it was from my seat, and it was never officially a warmup, but it was fun, and went viral. #famuz
What are some of your favourite songs to perform?
Don't Rain On My Parade is my favourite Barbara number and it's such a good one to open a show with. I also love There Are Worse Things I Could Do from Grease and Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne.
If you could only have 3 makeup products to do your complete drag makeup look for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?
Eyeliner, purple lippy, NAILS (I'll let Alaska explain why)
What is your one favourite piece of fashion or accessory from your wardrobe?
I have a pair of sparkly ruby slippers I bought from a charity shop for £4, they're a nightmare to death drop in but they look so goddamn fierce.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Everyone else has answered this saying they'll be dead, so I guess I'll be singing inappropriate songs at their funerals. Possibly plotting the murder of my sugar daddy. Standard, really.
What's your opinion on the recent increase in popularity of drag, due to things such as RuPaul's Drag Race?
I'm not ashamed to say Drag Race is a huge reason I wanted to try out drag, I think the world needs more creative spirit and support any means that sees to expand it.
Anything else we should know about Polly?
- I recently won Jolene's Drag Race, a local drag competition which was a right hoot.
- I also perform monthly with a range of different queens including my drag mother and my sister Medusa Repulsa at an alternative night in Cardiff called Hey Mary at Clwb Ifor Bach.
- I choose not to wear breast plates or stuff bras, instead focusing on contouring them on.
No particular reason, I just like to draw boobies on. My name was given to me by my ex boyfriend and inspired by a woman who did wrong against my family. I'm supporting Delta Work at Pulse Cardiff at the end of July. Finally, I'm performing at Pride Cymru on the Cabaret Stage this year so I hope to see you all there!
Thank You to Polly for this interview.
Follow Polly on Social Media:
Instagram: @PollyIsaGoodPerson
Twitter: @_PollyAmorous_
Facebook: /Polly.Amorous.94
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