Drag Queen Spotlight: Athena Kills Talks Juggling Drag & the Gym, Signature Songs, & the Inspirations Behind Her Drag

January 13, 2023
JORDAN JAYRO

Hello, hello, hello!! This week’s Drag Queen Spotlight is the sexy, the stunning, the dancing diva herself, Athena Kills! Athena serves not only looks but some of the most high-energy lip sync performances I’ve ever seen! Kicks, splits, dips, all of it! Athena is here to duckwalk her way into drag superstardom, and I’m so glad I got to do this interview with her! Not to mention she’s a sexy gym bro out of drag! Check out her interview below!

How did you get your drag name?

I got my drag name Athena Kills from mythology because I'm a big mythology fan and have always thought the name Athena was beautiful! I also chose Athena because she is known as the goddess of wisdom, and I wanted to one day be that one queen that everyone in the community looked up to and looked at as wise after many years in the game. I got the Kills from one of my favorite artists of all time Teddy Sinclair formally known as "Natalia Kills." I put my all into every performance ever and when one does that we typically say "you killed it" and want to always leave that impression every time I leave the stage!

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How long have you been doing drag?

I have been doing drag for 6 years now!

When is your birthday? How old are you?

My birthday is August 10th, 1996 and I am 26 years old! GO LEOS! RAWR!

Relationship status?

I am single.

What was your first time in drag like?

My very first time in drag was a hot mess that I hope never gets out into the world and I don't think it ever will because I have burned every picture and shredded every bit of evidence that it ever happened.

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What made you want to start drag?

As someone who has always been in dance classes, theatre, musicals etc., being onstage has always been home for me, so when I stumbled across drag I thought it was beautiful. It was a perfect way to express my creativity and unleash my feminine angst all at once and I have been in love with the art of drag ever since!

Who inspires your drag (celebrities, other queens, etc.)?

Those that inspire my drag are artists like Teddy Sinclair, Grimes, Kerli, and drag queens like Alyssa Edwards, Bianca Del Rio, and Jinkx Monsoon.

Favorite song/artist to lip sync to?

My favorite songs to lip sync to, as of right now, and I bet anyone who goes to my shows can attest to this, are "Mariposa" by Isabella LoveStory, "We Appreciate Power" by Grimes and "Disarm You" by Kaskade!

Have you ever hooked up in drag?

I have been offered to hook up in drag but I just couldn't do it. That sounds like a hot, sweaty, sticky MESS! I'd have to get a new set of tights probably, probably some new pads, possibly new lashes the way I get down, possibly a new wig. No ma'am. I'm cool, thank you so much!

What’s your favorite thing about drag?

My favorite thing about doing drag is getting to meet so many new people, both queens and drag supporters, who have the same love for the art that I do! And I think it's just a beautiful connection that I make with those that love it as much as I do!

What are your hobbies outside of drag?

Outside of drag, I spend a lot of time at the gym because I take my fitness and exercise very seriously and consider it another passion of mine. So I'm either hiking, at the gym, leaving the gym, or going to the gym. I'm also a raver so I spend a lot of my time going to music festivals and shows of some of my favorite DJs of all time because I have such a big love for EDM and the rave culture!

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What’s the craziest thing you’ve witnessed in a dressing room?

The craziest thing I've ever witnessed in a dressing room is a queen, who had just showed up in full drag, get cussed out and kicked out by the club owner, who had previous beef with said queen; and I was sitting right in the middle of both of them screaming at each other trying to get ready.

Biggest pet peeve about working with other drag queens?

My biggest pet peeve about working with drag queens is working with a queen who thinks they're above others and has an undeserved ego/sense of entitlement for no reason. We're all here working at the same venue getting paid the same to do the same job, why do you feel like you're better than ANYONE? Get over yourself and stop taking drag so seriously when it's supposed to be fun.

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Biggest pet peeve about audiences in nightclubs?

One of my biggest pet peeves about audiences is when people don't pay attention or give any kind of love or attention to the performers. Even if you don't have money to tip the least you can do is get off your damn phone and pay attention for about 4 minutes. Cheer, clap scream do whatever you can to engage! It's a drag show! Would you be on your phone, talking to your neighbor, laughing and not paying attention at a play or musical? Have some respect, you know?

Any advice for someone wanting to start drag?

The best advice I always say to anyone that wants to start drag is to just be yourself! Don't waste your time trying to emulate another artist because that's not being true to you. Find your niche, find what inspires you, try things you wouldn't ever because that's how we grow as artists and more importantly, as entertainers! You'll have much more fun exploring your own mind and craft than trying to be something you're not. Your drag should be a representation of you and your creativity! And MOST IMPORTANTLY, don't forget to have fun and smile throughout the process. The end!