Every city has their rebels in the drag scene, and New York City is no exception. Coco De'Ball is New York City's favorite riot girrrl and shows no signs of taking a break. While you may have caught her name mentioned during Bob the Drag Queen's acting challenge on "RuPaul's Drag Race" this past season, there is no better place to see Coco than live and in color! We sat down to chat about her New York City drag career, what "pride" means to her, and what it's like carving her own path in the New York City drag scene.
For those that have never seen CoCo De'Ball on stage, how would you describe your performance style and "drag" as a whole?
CoCo De'Ball Is a kooky, artsy comedy queen who always marches to the many beats of the drums in her head! CoCo performs a variety of music and always is serving you MOUTH!
How did CoCo De'Ball get her start in the extremely competitive New York City drag scene?
I got my start when I was hired to work at Lucky Cheng's while they were opening up in Time Square! After I started working there, I competed in a competition called "Our Lady Of Saliva" where I lit myself on fire and ultimately, it showed just how kooky I was willing to be!
Many of the girls in New York City seem to fit a bit of a mold, whereas you definitely stomp to your own drummer! Where does your fearlessness come from?
Awe thank you for saying I'm not a cookie cutter! I don't know if I would call it fearlessness as much as I would call it confidence. In life, you have two options-sit back and let other people dictate the way you are or you can grab every Idea you have by the balls and just go for it! My mother has always inspired me to be exactly who I am and I'm proud of that fact!
What are some of your career highlights so far?
I have had some crazy moments in my career thus far for sure but I think one of the most random was when I was flown out to this small town to host a house party with the porn star Katie Morgan and American Rapper Mickey Avalon. It was honestly so dag gone random it still makes me chuckle!
What is left that you want to achieve as CoCo De'Ball Any aspirations to be on "RuPaul's Drag Race" perhaps? Your blink and you miss it name drop via Bob the Drag Queen this year did not go unnoticed! On top of that, some other New York City girls have snatched the crown! Do you think the show has been positive for the community as a whole?
Oh I wouldn't call it a name drop.... more so good editing!!!!! Hmm Maybe I should be on the editing room floor but when it comes to Drag Race. Of course, who wouldn't want that amazing opportunity to spread your art across not just America but the world!
Drag Race has been an amazing platform for girls to be able to do great things on this crazy earth! Look at all the money "Bob The Drag Queen" Has already raised and personally donated to charity. That was all because of the "Drag Race" platform! People may hate on the show and Lord knows many queens will never get on, but I still think it has at least brought a lot of issues to light that have helped to bring our community closer to our ultimate goal of complete acceptance!
What does CoCo De'Ball do when she's not on stage?
When I'm not on stage I am always still working! I love the social media aspect of drag as well as being able to use Youtube to really have complete creative freedom over what I want to do! Of course, like any good artist I take time for myself to spend with family and the boy, but even with that I am always doing something creative!
The gay community has had a very trying summer. What do you think are the biggest issues facing our community and what do you see as your part in helping to address them?
Trying summer indeed! In my opinion I think that we as a community sometimes don't look at the judgmental things we say about one another. Our community is the first to jump on board to defend someone online who is telling stories of discrimination, but we will then go to Grindr and put "No Fats" "No Asians" "No Blacks" and other stupid unnecessary descriptions of what we are not looking for in a partner. We go around and talk bad about drag queens on stage when we ourselves have only done drag on Halloween. We need to stop putting negative judgements about each other out in the world and instead just realize that we are all just flesh, bones, and organs surviving together on this earth as one society and not tear ourselves apart from each other based on appearance alone!
What does "pride" mean to you?
Pride is just being who you feel deep down inside you truly are!
Most importantly'-where can people see you perform?!
I Would say the best way to find out where I will be would be to follow me online all my links are at www.cocodeball.com (TRUST ME SHE IS GETTING UPDATED) or youtube.com/cocodeballz!!!!!