Drag Queen Spotlight: Mariam T on Drag Delusion, Drag Legends, and Inflatable Fashion

April 22, 2023
JORDAN JAYRO

Hi, friend! I am back once again with another Drag Queen Spotlight! This week we're getting to know San Diego's own Mariam T! Mariam T is a fierce, funny, and gorgeous queen! If you're in the San Diego area, you can catch her at Mo's for trivia and show tunes! And also at Gossip Grill for bingo! She's a busy lady on the town, so go check her out! I loved doing this interview with Miriam! She's hilarious, insightful, and a Virgo/Leo cusp! What's not to love?! Check out her answers below, and don't forget to follow Miriam T on Instagram!

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How did you get your drag name?

I created Mariam Thistletwat (I go by Mariam T., though) for a Halloween party 12 years ago. I wanted a stereotypical old lady name. The name Thistletwat is actually from a bit character in the musical Avenue Q. I dropped Thistletwat to just "T" for the most part and incorporated it into my catchphrase: "Give it up for your hostess and emcee, it's she, her, me! Ms. Mariam T!"

How long have you been doing drag?

I strapped on tits and tights for the first time 12 years ago. I dabbled for many years, just playing around. I've been doing it full-time for a little over five years now.

When is your birthday? How old are you?

I am an August baby. Technically a Virgo, but born right on the cusp of Leo. I'll be 32 this year!

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Relationship status?

Single! If anyone is interested in dating a neurotic, high-strung clown, holla at your girl!

What was your first time in drag like?

So fun! Baby, you couldn't tell me I wasn't THAT girl. That's kind of the great thing about drag, it gives you this delusional sense of self-confidence. Especially when you're first starting out.

What made you want to start drag?

I started dressing up in women's clothes from the tender age of four. It's something that has always been a part of me.

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

I'm a huge fan of the legends like Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine, Coco Peru, Lady Bunny, and Varla Jean. My celebrity icons and influences are first and foremost Dolly Parton and Elvira. I have massive tattoos of them on each arm. I love Bette Midler, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnette, and Bea Arthur...truly some of the funniest women to walk this planet.

Favorite song/artist to lip sync to?

I don't have a favorite. I almost never do a straightforward lip sync, it's almost always a comedy mix. But the artist I've done the most numbers of is Bette Midler, actually. I think I'm up to 8 songs of hers now.

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Have you ever hooked up in drag?

Oh, absolutely. Not in a long time... wait. That's a lie. It had been since before the pandemic, but I actually hooked up with my Lyft driver last month! OOPS!!

What’s your favorite thing about drag?

My favorite thing about drag is being able to funnel all of my favorite things and talents into one singular character. Mariam T. is an insult-comedian, writer, producer, hostess, emcee, and actress. Getting to drag allows me to do all of those things at the same time all while getting to make a living doing so!

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What are your hobbies outside of drag?

My work schedule is insane, so I tend to be a homebody. I love traveling when I get the chance, I enjoy going to watch live theatre, and I am a huge Disney nerd, so you might find me in a theme park, and if you see me in line chowing down on a sour pickle waiting to take a picture with my queen Daisy Duck, mind ya business!

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

I signed an NDA, so I can't talk about it... but one time I did this Cartman number in a blow-up suit and it was defective. Which we didn't know until I was putting it on to go on stage. Cue three people literally duct-taping me into the costume so the air would stay inside and inflated.

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Biggest pet peeve about working with other drag queens?

My biggest pet peeve with working with other drag queens is girls sending in their music late. I require music to be submitted early for my show, so I can make the lineup flow well and also make sure there aren't 6 Doja Cat or Dua Lipa songs (groundbreaking, right?) Girls will constantly send music late and I'm like... what's the hold-up? You didn't write, record or produce the song. Just send me the damn MP3, Mary!

Biggest pet peeve about audiences in nightclubs?

My biggest pet peeve with audiences is when people don't know when to shut up. I am an insult comic and host almost all of the productions I am involved with. I absolutely LOVE bantering with the audience, but some people get a taste of that banter and then think they are welcome to talk as much as me during a show. I always say these size 12 heels can travel, and they will happily take you out to your car.

Any advice for someone wanting to start drag?

DON'T DO IT! I'm just kidding. Drag is an amazing art form, but my advice to new queens is always this: the market is so saturated right now. Everyone wants to be a drag queen! So you better make sure you have a unique look, vision, and presence. There are a million girls waiting for their chance to do a Birtney song in a leotard. What makes you unique? Find that, and capitalize on it!