A fixture on the New York City drag scene is back on stage this Pride Month after being sidelined because of the pandemic.
What You Need To Know
- Joey Pauline was told he was too short to be a leading man, so he became "Paulina" and is now a leading lady as drag performer, "Paulina the Princess of Power"
- After 14 months away from the stage because of the pandemic, "Paulina" is back at Lucky Cheng's in time for Pride Month
- "Paulina" and many people in the audience say drag sets people free
- "Paulina" says many people may not realize it now, but Lucky Cheng's always had diverse performers and audience members
As a young, aspiring performer in the city, Joey Pauline was told he was too short to be a star.
"If 5',6" wasn’t good for the leading man, then I would audition for the leading lady," said Pauline.
So nearly 30 years ago, Joey Pauline became "Paulina," hairdresser by day, drag performer by night.
On the day we visit Pauline, he transforms into "Paulina" at his Greenwich Village apartment before one his first shows back at Lucky Cheng's in more more than a year.
"Paulina," known as "Paulina the Princess of Power," has been the emcee there for 18 years.
"I mean you know if you’re destined to be this sort of entertainer, your early life in development is evidently not easy," said Pauline. "As this is a bold choice for any."
Pauline says living in the Village in the 1990s as a gay man and drag performer meant facing the threat of verbal and physical assaults.
His mother had also worried about him, but acceptance has grown exponentially since then, especially his mom's, who now brings her friends regularly to see the show.
Television shows like "Ru Paul’s Drag Race" and the ongoing activism of the LGBTQ community have made drag more mainstream.
The night we watch "Paulina" perform, the room is full of applause and laughter.
But what Paulina appreciates the most is how often people say a performance has changed their life. College student Zoe Fustgaard told us she'd just had the best night of her life.
"Drag is so empowering," said Fustgaard, who came with her mom. "And I love seeing people owning their confidence and their beauty. And I just really admire that, and it’s so entertaining and exciting."
Pauline says drag sets people free. And despite the bad language and sexual innuendo, these days parents sometimes bring their children.
Pauline sees that as good sign.
"It definitely goes to show you that the future is definitely a lot brighter because people are already on a page where there's inclusion," Pauline said after the show.
