They are two of the biggest and most well known names on the New York drag scene, and make for the most unlikely pairing, but it’s one that works beautifully and they’re the Queens of NYC. Sherry Vine, a name every drag fan knows, has produced some of the funniest parody videos in recent years, while Miss Peppermint is one of New York’s hottest and fiercest divas. They took time out to speak to Jason Reid this week, ahead of their European mini-tour…
Good to chat to you both, it’s been a while. You’re performing at XXL this weekend, what kind of fabulous madness can we expect?
SV: Well, it’s Bear Pride and I’m Goldilocks, so I’ll definitely have to hide my honey [laughs]. Peppermint and I have some new duets and hilarious solo numbers ready for you guys.
MP: Yeah, we’ve been rehearsing brand new music for weeks. Not sure how it will sound after our red-eye flight though!
SV: One thing is for certain, the show will be high energy, naughty and fabulous!
You’re only doing one London show on this trip, right?
SV: Yes, sadly. We’re on a mini-tour of Europe, so it’ll be show, Craigslist, back to the airport and off again.
MP: Hopefully we’ll find time to catch up with our girls, Charlie Hides, Jodie Harsh and Sheila Simmonds, and also dash over to hear Q Boy play on Friday night.
Sounds like a hectic schedule. Like you said, Sherry, the show is part duo/part solo, and as a duo you have a great connection onstage, even though your performing styles are very different. What do you admire about each other as performers?
SV: First of all, Peppermint is THE sweetest queen on the scene. She’s always up and happy, so being onstage with her is a joy. And the bitch is funny! She really keeps me on my toes. I like that.
MP: We are sisters and have the perfect balance of flavours, but you’re right, we are like day and night. I like to think that I’m the yin to her yang, the ebony to her ivory, the baby new year to her father time. I think you get it, right?
Totally! How would you describe the New York drag scene right now? 
SV: Like London, it’s so diverse that there’s no one word description. We have our glitter queens, glamour queens, bearded queens, you name it we have it. It’s exciting because every night of the week there are numerous shows on now.
MP: And it’s a a true sisterhood. There are tons of new girls thanks to shows like Drag Race, and the scene is constantly changing with the new girls coming and going, but Sherry and I have both been part of it for centuries.
“I like to think that I’m the yin to her yang, the ebony to her ivory, the baby new year to her father time. I think you get it, right?”
Talking of Drag Race, Peppermint, when we last spoke, you said the time wasn’t right for you to do it, would you consider doing it now?
MP: Drag Race is looking more and more appetizing to me. But I think the time has finally come… for Drag Race UK!
Oh we could spend the whole day talking about that. And people are at the moment… So moving on, what are your favourite NYC bars/clubs?
SV: I love Industry and Therapy, not just because I work there, but because they both have shows every night and are very supportive of the queens. They nurture new talent and have respect for the elderly queens – like Lady Bunny.
MP: Mine are Ritz and Therapy and it’s totally not because I have very successful long running shows there on Tuesdays with Sherry and Thursdays with Cazwell. Not at all. Honestly…
Drag is thriving right now here in the UK, is it the same over there?
MP: Not since we left to come here, but it’ll be vibrant again as soon as we return. I’m kidding, the scene is really bustling and blossoming. There was a palpable dead zone for a while; people were asking “where are the new girls?, but that’s all turned around. Everything has a cycle. Including Sherry. She has major P.M.S cramps right now.
SV: [laughs] BITCH!
We should wrap up, before Sherry’s cramps get any worse. But first, tell me a secret…
SV: I’m a sci-fi geek! Sssssh.
MP: Mine is not that bad, thankfully. I once had a warrant out for my arrest, for unpaid child support! That was until the police realised they got my name and social security number mixed up with some deadbeat.
XXL Bear Pride is Saturday 23rd May at Pulse (No. 1 Invicta Plaza, South Bank, SE1 9UF) from 10pm-7am. Tickets £16/£9 members. https://www.xxl-london.com/
