Thailand is proud to welcome everyone from all backgrounds, no matter how they identify or who they choose to love. When traveling to Thailand, the LGBTQ community can feel free to live their best life, whether it be going to an LGBTQ event or party or experiencing Thailand’s rich culture, delicious cuisine, and fascinating local experiences.
On June 25th, five spectacular queens commenced to compete for the Thailand Insider Drag Superstar crown, and it was definitely an event to remember! Host Suzy Wong impressed the crowd with her many dazzling drag looks that matched her sparkling and shining persona, and the queens wowed us with an entrance runway look, talent show, Thailand-inspired runway look, and lip-synch battle!
From an outstanding pole-dancing performance to a marvelous music video, these queens did not hold back on creativity, delivering their fans an entertaining and memorable event. In addition to the performances, the reigning winner of Ru Paul’s Drag Race Thailand Season 2, Angele Anang, made a special guest appearance where she answered questions from her fans!
During the event, Suzy was joined by Steve Johnson-Stevenson, Marketing Manager for the Tourism Authority of Thailand-New York office, and Uwern Jong, Editor of OutThere magazine and representative of Go Thai Be Free. All three judges helped determine the winner of Thailand Insider’s Drag Superstar. Read on to find out who walked away with the crown!
Thai-Inspired Runway Looks
The queens gave their all during the Thailand-inspired runway look round, where they displayed exquisite drag looks embodying the beautiful country of Thailand.
Glow Job started us off with a beautiful, handmade Mangosteen-inspired look. Her runway walk began with a plush velvet purple skirt, which revealed the white fruit beneath. Next up was Joella Perry, whose look was inspired by gold in Thailand. Her dress was shining as she displayed her own “pure gold.” Madame Vivien V stunned the crowd with her runway look that was inspired by the White Lotus flower. The flower symbolizes resilience, which Madame Vivien V believes her drag represents. The final two queens showed us their own take on their Thai-inspired runway look of Thailand’s national flower, the Cassia Fistula. Megami shined in her gorgeous golden gown with draping sleeves resembling the Thai flower. Queen Beverly’s take on the Cassia Fistula was her creation of a stunning ball gown with the traditional Thai sleeve inspired by Thai wedding gowns.
The Crowned Winner
Although all five queens rocked the runway, there can only be one winner! After the four rounds took place, the votes were tallied, and Thailand Insider’s Drag Superstar winner was announced: Queen Glow Job! The winning Queen walked away with the Thailand Insider’s Drag Superstar crown and a $2,000 Airfare voucher to Thailand in 2022! Congratulations, Glow Job!
From Queens, NY, Glow Job does it all. This cooky, cute, and thrifty Queen performs all over NY with different acts, including Circus, Stunt, Mime, Clown, Pole, Burlesque, GoGo, Lewk, or Drag! Glow Job is originally from the Philippines but grew up in Dubai and eventually made her way to NY, where she pursued stardom! Glow Job loves being her true authentic self, and she shows it in all of her performances and drag looks. Thailand Insider sat down with the Queen herself to learn more about how she got into drag, where she learned all of her stunts, and more!
How did you get into drag?
My first time really going out in Drag and experimenting with a full look was during the Women’s March in DC. I was like, ‘well, ok then, you want to silence our voices- watch me get louder, queerer, and more fabulous!!’ I didn’t realize until recently, when someone said that I was a political Queen, that I actually started out that way! My first show was in Feb of 2018 with a bunch of amateur Queens from the gay dodgeball league I was a part of at the time, called “Homecoming” at Bar 9 by Jose Paz/ Miss Ogyny. That was a reclamation of getting on stage for the first time since college, where my first boyfriend, who was an actor, convinced me that I didn’t belong on stage. I think I had always been looking for a way back. So, now, maybe my motivation is for him to EAT HIS WORDS!
How would you describe your drag persona?
I really love drag because I think there are no rules! So that is definitely reflected in my art. I started out with a very clown-like aesthetic and love to push the boundaries with gender expression. It is all sides of the real me. So pretty kooky, left-from center, a little sexy, athletic, and a risk-taker. I have energy for days and love to make the crowd feel joy and also shocked, so I give a lot of energy all the time!
Where did you learn to do all your stunts like pole dancing and acrobatics?
I started doing a lot of these physical things later in my life as an adult. I took classes here in NYC for gymnastics and dance, but my friends introduced me to Acro and Pole. I got my own pole over the pandemic, and it wasn’t until January that I went full in and now work in a pole and aerial studio called Body & Pole.
Do you make your own drag clothes?
I make about 80% of what I wear. I love creating my own looks and feel I have a very distinct style, which is amplified because I make it myself. I hope to have a fashion show by the end of the year!
What has been your favorite performance in your career so far?
I created a reverse Burlesque act for a James Bond night where I mime a whole fight scene, and then after I “kill” the last bad guy, I take a rope and tie it around myself Shibari style and then feed the fabric through, draping a gown live on stage to Madonna’s Die Another Day. You might have to be there for that one!
What is your favorite look?
I have this look made completely out of long pink fringe that looks like it is all my hair. I kind of look like the sister to Cousin It. It’s super fun and looks great in pictures!!
What do you wish more people knew about drag?
I wish people knew more about the history of drag. And that it is a political statement to do Drag. That Drag is often in the forefront of movements, and that Drag is for everyone!
Describe your performance prep.
My prep is sort of a mixed bag. I get inspired by anything. So usually, I get an idea- like a costume concept, or I hear a song I like, and then I develop a story. I think about what I want to say and if there is something that I think is worth sharing. Then I just start putting the pieces together. I’d say about 90% of it is my thinking, and then I have a day where I make all the final decisions and scramble to put it all together, haha. Day of I’m usually still sewing something, listening to my track on repeat, and getting into hair and makeup at home a good 2 hours before Call-time. And then I’m all of a sudden on stage and hope it all goes well!
What advice do you have for any young queens trying to make it on their own like you did?
Just go for it! Stay true to yourself, and explore and experiment. You will find your community the more you just put yourself out there. And also, HAVE FUN!! Have fun in the creative process, but also have fun on stage and connect to the audience. They are there for you and want to go on the journey with you! I love talking to people before and after the show- it’s great to know the community, and also, you get better tips that way!
What was your favorite moment during Thailand Insider’s Drag Superstar?
My favorite moment was when they announced my winner, of course! lol. But my second favorite was really seeing what the other queens put together!! Everyone had a different perspective and really showed up!! There were some iconic moments!!
What do you love most about NYC Pride?
I love NYC Pride now more than ever because I think we have been wiped clean of the brainwashing of corporate sponsorship and recognize once again that we are out on the streets fighting for equality and remembering our history. The past two years now, you really see the people behind the movement, and truly it is led by Black Trans Women, Drag Queens, and the Youth of this country.
What is your favorite activity to do during Pride?
Luckily I have been getting booked and feeling blessed. I just love to perform and turn a look, especially for folks that don’t normally get to see a drag show from where they are. We get lots of tourists during Pride, and you can just see how much it means to people who are visiting from far away. I love affecting people’s lives in a positive way that way.
What inspired your Thai runway look?
So, clearly, I was inspired by the Mangosteen. I knew it was the national fruit, and honestly, it is so cute and cartoonish looking in its shape. In all actuality, it was incredibly difficult to make something so round!! But in the end, it turned out. My original concept was much bigger and a little too ambitious, but maybe I can still make it happen. The Mangosteen was supposed to turn into a whole fruit basket theme, with dragon fruit, and lychee, jackfruit, durian, and rambutan. It’s a play of being called a fruit (gay) and celebrating the many flavors and colors of the fruits of Thailand. Also, I knew Chef Arnold/Suzy Wong would be into it as a chef. I’m strategic like that!!
What are you excited about visiting in Thailand?
I have heard so many good things about Thailand, but the most consistent is that the people are so welcoming and friendly!! I don’t hide my queerness, and that is always something I think about when traveling. How safe is it for me as a queer person? So I am happy to hear I will be welcome to Thailand and that that isn’t a concern. I also haven’t been out of the US for about 9 years now! I want to get out and explore and probably be immensely inspired! I’ll see you soon, Thailand!!!!
Thank You Go Thai Be Free for this Fabulous Event!
We want to give a special shout-out to those that made it all happen – Go Thai Be Free, an organization that values diversity. At gothaibefree.com, read through inspirational stories of adventure, romance, and luxury, and browse some of the most enchanting LGBTQ-friendly destinations!
