Drag queen Taylor Sheesh brings Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour to the Philippines

The grind by no means stops for Taylor Sheesh, the Philippines’ preeminent Taylor Swift impersonator. The minute we get on Zoom, they admit they’ve simply woken up from a well-timed nap. After performing because the pop star for 90 minutes on Sunday in entrance of a number of thousand individuals (a live performance that went viral on TikTok(opens in a new tab) and Twitter(opens in a new tab)), Sheesh, who additionally goes by Mac, is gearing as much as work the graveyard shift on the customer support job they picked up when bars closed throughout the pandemic. “At this age we want naps,” the 28-year-old says.

Sheesh’s efficiency on the TriNoma mall in Quezon Metropolis got here courtesy of Swifties Philippines, a fan-led coalition selling Swift throughout the nation and campaigning for her speedy return. (Swift hasn’t toured within the Philippines since 2014.) Worldwide dates for The Eras Tour have but to be introduced, and the group is hoping their free listening events — that are so widespread that manufacturers are clamoring to sponsor them — will draw the pop star again to their archipelago.

We caught up with Sheesh as they gushed about all issues Swift and shared their journey into drag efficiency.

Tweet may have been deleted
(opens in a new tab)

How did your viral mall efficiency come about?

Taylor Sheesh: The admin of Swifties Philippines contacted me a couple of month earlier than the occasion and stated they have been having a listening celebration at TriNoma, one of many greatest malls right here in Quezon Metropolis, which is without doubt one of the most active Swift-streaming cities in the world(opens in a new tab).

I’ve a pal who all the time makes my drag and Taylor costumes. As soon as the organizer stated that they have been having a present on Might 21, I requested my pal on April 30 if she may make them in time, and she or he stated, “Certain, why is that even a query?” She made 4 [costumes]: the blue bodysuit from the Midnights period, the inexperienced costume from Folklore — which we love — the Crimson red-and-black one piece, and the Repute-era bodysuit with the snake on it. Two days earlier than the present she despatched me the completed merchandise, and we checked to verify all of it labored and it was good. We blended these with costumes I already had from previous performances.

How lengthy have you ever been a Taylor Swift impersonator?

I began impersonating her in 2017 or 2018. I’m additionally a drag queen at Nectar Evening Membership, and I began doing that in 2017. My pal took me hostage. It was my first time in an evening membership, and she or he made me go in drag. There was a lip sync battle, and my pal pushed me in — like, actually pushed me — and I gained. It was a Woman Gaga-themed drag evening, I used to be both lip syncing “Unhealthy Romance” or “Born This Method.” I used to be sporting a crop high and shorts, much like what Woman Gaga was sporting in her performance with Metallica(opens in a new tab). All my enemies… er… contenders have been sporting that that evening.

That night, my supervisor requested me to hitch a gaggle she was creating that might carry out each Friday and Saturday at that membership. It escalated shortly. And since then I’ve carried out with Drag Race queens of their reveals, like with Sasha Velour and others, once they come to go to.

What’s it wish to be a drag performer and a Taylor Swift impersonator within the Philippines? Is it supportive? Do you are feeling protected?

Sure, we really feel very protected, and I am so very completely happy that since Drag Race Philippines season one, [drag performance] could be very mainstream right here within the Philippines. They simply completed filming season two, so lots of people right here within the Philippines are very occupied with drag and we, as drag queens, attempt to educate them on how a drag queen works, how the tradition works.

How do you educate them, by performing? I noticed you have been additionally on a TV present just lately.

By performing or acting at Delight occasions, talks, and podcasts. That was my first time on a TV present.

Can you carry out full-time?

Earlier than the pandemic I labored as a name middle agent Monday to Friday and labored within the evening membership Friday and Saturday evening, so Sunday was all the time my relaxation day. In 2018, I began my drag profession as a full-time job, however when the pandemic began all of the bars have been closed. I began working in buyer assist once more and nonetheless do, along with drag. Generally I ask the [Swifties Philippines] occasion organizers once they’ll need me to carry out so I can match that schedule to my relaxation day.

Sheesh on stage, serving Swift.
Credit score: @heymacyou

When did you grow to be a Swiftie?

2009. After I heard “Fifteen.”

What are your favourite Taylor songs, personally?

I am a Communicate Now stan, so I really like “Final Kiss” and “Pricey John.”

What do you like about Taylor?

All the things. Cats. Her iconic moments from The Eras Tour. Her Repute period, which was so traumatic as a result of she deactivated all her social media. Her break-up with Joe [Alwyn]! She additionally fights for artists’ rights, for them to be compensated. Artists put an excessive amount of work into their artwork, they usually have to be acknowledged and validated. Additionally, she fought for the Equality Act within the U.S., and she or he additionally supported an anti-terrorism law(opens in a new tab) within the Philippines.

How do you are feeling concerning the break-up?

I do not know as a result of I got here dwelling from work, and it was [April 9,] Easter Sunday within the Philippines. Jesus simply rose up from the useless, and Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn broke up. I do not know what to really feel.

What do you consider her and Matty Healy?

Mmm, for me it is a no as a result of I’ve examine Matty. But it surely’s Taylor’s alternative. That is her thoughts, that is her coronary heart. We’ll simply have to assist her similar to we assist her music.

What was your analysis course of like to your full-length Eras Tour efficiency?

I watched the primary evening of her tour on TikTok Reside, and I’ve watched each metropolis since. That is our solely method to watch her [in the Philippines], by Swifties [at the venue] streaming her live shows reside. So I watch her actions, her costumes, her songs. And naturally, we’re all the time ready for her shock songs.

I used to be questioning which shock songs you selected to your efficiency.

I selected “Cornelia Road” and “Lengthy Reside,” however my efficiency is simply too lengthy, and I wished to present extra alternatives to our reside performers [who cover Swift songs at the listening parties], so that they sang them! We all the time sing “Lengthy Reside” after the present as a method to have fun Taylor. The tune means quite a bit to us right here within the Philippines. Our former Vice President [Leni Robredo] is a Swiftie(opens in a new tab), and so are her daughters.(opens in a new tab) She used “Lengthy Reside” as a theme tune for her marketing campaign.

You stated your private favourite Taylor Swift songs are “Final Kiss” and “Pricey John.” What’s your favourite tune to carry out?

I all the time like to carry out “Love Story” or “You Belong With Me.” Each Swiftie can soar to it, you’ll be able to see an enormous wave of the gang leaping. After I was performing this weekend, from my standpoint seeing the individuals dancing and particularly leaping, I used to be considering, “Is the second flooring robust sufficient? [Laughs] Is it going to break down?”

How would you describe Taylor’s efficiency model?

Taylor is a clumsy dancer, which could be very cute to us. Her songs all the time inform a narrative, that is what I inform first-timers or people who find themselves not completely a fan of her. I all the time say, “There’s a Taylor Swift tune for each state of affairs.”

Do you attempt to mimic what Taylor does or add your individual strikes? What’s your favourite Taylor transfer to do?

I am all the time studying how one can act like Taylor, how one can transfer like Taylor, how one can smile like Taylor, and general, how one can method performing like Taylor, like Taylor’s Model. My favourite is when she hits the excessive word and leans again.

What’s your aim for the longer term?

I’d simply wish to be observed by Taylor and to have her come to the Philippines on her worldwide dates. As a result of I consider that the Philippines is a Taylor Nation nation. The final time she was right here was 2014 for The Crimson Tour, which I did not get an opportunity to attend as a result of I haven’t got that cash but. Somebody on Twitter livestreamed it. However Taylor Nation blocked it!

I wish to carry out internationally, that is my dream. In drag, which I really like, or as Taylor. I can see my future there.

Are you going to attempt for a spot on Drag Race Philippines?

I am having fun with this second proper now. Perhaps for season three!