Magazine
Photo: @koo.rah

Performing Arts

Julie J, "The Mayor of NYC," Answers

By Tran Magazine

You often called “the mayor of NYC’ due to your notable achievements and success in NYC. From drag, to the star of Alexis Bittar’s web series and ad campaign, to starring in a lead role in the queer film “Queen of the Dead”. You are a previous Miss Bushwig and also a multiple glam award winning artist and producer. You have raised over 150k for the local tgnc community and black trans led community organizations through events like “STANDUPNYC” a NYC drag festival also a glam award winning event for “best event of the year”. You are a distinct personality, artist and creative in the NYC for your signature looks, performances and styles. Out of your career thus far what has been your favorite moment in the art world of NYC?

What advice do you have to future TGMC entertainers whether they be actresses or drag performers or anyone who is interested in stepping into the creative performing arts world or entertainment world in NYC?

Black trans right’s and black trans’ representation is one of the most important human rights issues to you as a trans entertainer. You’ve moved through your own transition here in the NYC. How has that journey been since starting drag in NYC to now in terms of finding identity and your own journey in your personal identity have both journeys influenced each other and how do you draw distinctions between the two?

Acting has been one of your most recent journeys, what have you learned from that experience form being on stage to being on camera and set? What is the most useful you learned from the stage that has crossovered for you behind the camera?

Your style is influenced very much by the decades of the past. Your style is very fluid in both your gender and presentation? What queer influences have helped shape your drag identity and what fashion influences have help shape your presentation and wardrobe on the stage?

While everyone in NYC is a Julie J Stan, right now who are you a Stan of in either the drag or the entertainment industry in NYC?

7. The most important questions are those that include a call to action. For our tgnc audience and allies what is your call to action in fighting against trans and gender non-conforming people being able to cars more oppportubnitues and even just the right to exist in the world? What do we need more of?