Anziety: “There’s no denying it. Drag is so vital to Dublin culture!”

The first time Anziety sauntered on stage was during 2018 Pride Week, at a hostel in Smithfield. Donning their best friend’s lingerie set and a cheap wig they got off Amazon, the newcomer performed Christina Aguilera’s ‘Come On Over’. Beneath the flashing lights and sparkling strobes, a star was born.

"Anziety gives me the courage to be strong, liberated and unapologetically queer,” the Dublin drag queen tells me. “Growing up in the ’90s, I was a femme boy, which wasn’t always celebrated. I internalised a lot when I was younger, so I decided after all of that, I would embrace my femininity and sexuality. It’s a big ‘F*** YOU!’ to the world for not encouraging me to be who I am.

“I feel I’ve always had the passion for drag in me. When I was a kid, I used to dance in my Nana’s living room wearing tights on my head and twirl around to Lord Of The Dance. I was always the showgirl of my friend group.

“But it wasn’t until I came back from Australia in 2018 that I decided I wanted to pursue drag. You might say I’m a late bloomer, but I got my first gig when I was 28 and the rest is her-story.”
Hoping to give themselves the community they once longed for, Anziety founded the popular sisnights a year after their first drag show. What began as an attempt to find their way in the Dublin scene became one of the hottest events in town, and the proof is in the pudding.

“The goal was to create a space where people could be themselves around other like-minded people,” says Anziety. “Sisnights became exactly that. It’s been a success ever since, and I’m so lucky to have done it in venues across Dublin, namely Drop Dead Twice, Bow Lane, Wigwam and The Grand Social. That show is my baby. It’s where I found myself, found Anziety and found my sisters, whom I now call family.

“Sisnights is a place for people to find themselves on the dancefloor and in the general air of joy that night brings. The outside world can be so dark, but in these safe spaces, there’s only pure magic. That’s what drag is to me: joy, magic, fierceness and celebration.”

But all the unbridled joy and queerness was a battle hard-fought and hard-won, going all the way back to childhood.

“I grew up in Balbriggan, where I lived until I was 18 years old,” Anziety tells me. “In the house, there was myself, my three brothers and my sister. If I’m going to be honest with you, we had a pretty tough upbringing.My mom left when I was four due to alcoholism, so my Nana basically raised us. My little brother and I were also in a foster home for a couple of years.

“But despite it all, I was so grateful to have my family. My Nana was basically my mother. She let me be myself, while also supporting and uplifting me through my journey as Anziety. I’m so grateful to her for raising us in such chaotic circumstances. I’m so proud I can talk about these things now. In the last few years, I’ve been working on a short film.

“It was originally supposed to be a college project with my friend Amy, and it ended up being a deep-dive into my childhood and my journey through foster care, which I haven’t spoken about publicly. I made the film for myself, my Nana and anyone who might see this and draw similarities to their own life, offering the message that your life will get better.

“You will find your tribe of people that love you and support you.”

Anziety. Photo: Abigail Ring

Anziety found their tribe in the street lamp-lit streets and glittered stages of Dublin City. In the unofficial queer corridor of town – which runs from Capel Street to George’s Street – you’re sure to catch some of the best drag shows around on any given night.

“If we’re just talking about nightlife, drag is essential,” Anziety beams. “You’ve got regular shows in The George, in Street 66, in Pantibar. I love performing in the ballroom at Grand Social. It’s a lovely space and there’s even a runway! The George is particularly fantastic, especially on Wednesday nights which are hosted by Veda, my drag mother.

Veda.

“Honestly, any weekday night is ideal for The George. Mondays are hosted by Mizza and Phil T Gorgeous. You can catch Dolly Grip on Tuesdays. Thursdays are hosted by Davina Devine. I’ll also give a special shoutout to the Haus of WIG girls, Shaqira, Naomi and Donna. They put on bi-monthly shows and they are so fierce.

“There’s no denying it. Drag is so vital to Dublin culture! There have been queens in Dublin since before I was even born. The spectrum of drag and queerness in Ireland is incredible – there’s so many different types of performers, from burlesque to pole dancing and bio to king shows. It’s a very inclusive scene that comprises so much variety.”

Drag isn’t merely having a moment, it’s more popular than ever. With this, however, certain questions arise. Does drag culture float comfortably in the mainstream? And can the art form continue to prod and subvert norms when its queendom is so widespread? Anziety not only says yes, but that it’s more important than ever to keep drag in the cultural conversation.

“As a queen myself, it’s important to be vulnerable and open. You need to show up and fight for those who don’t have a voice. It helps people, and I know it’s helped me for sure. When you see others doing something you once thought was impossible, it puts everything within reach.

“I draw a lot of inspiration from David Bowie, Lady Gaga and anyone in the media who was unapologetically themselves and unafraid to take risks. As an Irish person, I was also very inspired by Samantha Mumba and B*Witched. They were my icons growing up. I look up to people who are authentic, fearless and free.

“At the end of the day, nobody should care about what you do. It’s for you. Don’t listen to others, just do you and be happy. As long as you’re not hurting anybody, that’s all that matters.”

Anziety elaborates further on the theme.

“I’ve started noticing a more emotional response at shows. Sometimes people come up to me and say how much they appreciate me and how I’ve inspired them. I’m just blown away by the response. I want to show other people the light. Getting to see the joy in people’s faces when I’m up on stage is beyond comparison.

“There’s nothing like drag. It’s a different energy to a regular concert or theatrical show, maybe even a combination of both. It’s more punk rock. Drag is very raw, gritty and in-your-face. When a queen walks on stage, you don’t know what you’re going to get. It’s that punk aura that truly separates drag from the rest.”

The new edition of Best Of Ireland is available to pre-order now – also featuring Vogue Williams, Evanne Kilgallon, Niall Quinn, Andrea Mara, Robert Grace, Demi Isaac and more...