We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Paparelli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, what is the most important factor behind your success?
To me, the most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand is being different. Being true to myself and being a unique artist. It is taking all the “rules” and what society accepts as “normal’ and throwing it out the window. I have only made it this far because I knew I was different but I didn’t let the world tell me I can’t because of that. In fact, I was and still am told “no” every single day because I am not the “norm” and I am “too different”from what mainstream society is accepting of. However, with all the “no’s” and “you’ll never’s” etc. I have a full blown blossoming career that is on the rise and very successful! Never give up and never let people tell you that you can’t or you are too different.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My background comes from a lifetime of being in the arts. As a child, I grew up as a gymnast for years and then following that I got involved in theatre. I went to a performing arts high school where during all my Musical Theatre training, I was introduced to the dance world. I attended Point Park University where I received my BFA in Dance and also trained in Musical Theatre.

Over my 11 year career, I’ve toured internationally with 2 contemporary ballet companies, a jazz/modern dance company, and became an aerialist. I have been all over the world performing for audiences on the stage, in the air, on the screen, and more. I have been in commercials, movies, television, on stage, on the sea, and in the air. I have been so blessed and lucky that I can’t even describe it.

When I decided to calm down with touring and planting some roots, I moved to NYC but still needed an outlet for my art. After a few years, I got involved in burlesque and then transitioned to the art of drag.

As soon as I entered the world of drag, I knew that I wanted to be different. I wanted to involve the art of burlesque into drag and, of course, all my background as previously mentioned. I knew that I didn’t want to necessarily impersonate women and instead, I wanted to be a character or persona. I decided that I wasn’t going to pad or tuck and create more of a gender bending / androgynous character. And so – Androgyny was born.

It was not easy nor will it ever be easy. Being different in any field and trying to break a mold is never easy. I am always met with resistance, doubt, criticism, skepticism, and more. However, I never let it break me and I always brought my best to every chance I was given to show what I could do and who I was. With the help of a few friends whom believed in me, I have created an entire persona who has become a whole different person.

I have learned so many lessons along the ways. I think some of the best things I have learned is to listen to and learn from the people who have done it. The people that have been in your shoes and know where you’re coming from, typically, are giving you advice and knowledge because they know what they are talking about. Be humble, be kind, don’t take yourself or others too seriously, laugh, laugh, and learn how to laugh. You are going to make SO MANY mistakes but learn from those mistakes and try to do better the next day.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
New York City is so vast and there are so many places to go and things to do.

Assuming they have never been to the city, I would obviously do some typical touristy things. I would take them to Times Square, Central Park, World Trade Center, maybe the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty. We would 100% be going to a Broadway show, because no trip is complete without a visit to Broadway. Since, I work in nightlife I would obviously go on a few nights of adventures in Hell’s Kitchen and the West Village to some of my favorite bars – Playhouse, Pieces, Rise, Flaming Saddles, Hardware, and more.

I would take them to Brunch on Sunday because Sunday Funday is a right of passage in NYC. We would definitely do some shopping on 5th Avenue and swing by some of our amazing museums. Depending on the time of year, there are so many options – summer is all about Fire Island, Christmas there’s Rockefeller Center and Macy’s, the Thanksgiving Day Parade, 4th of July Fireworks, Times Square for the ball drop, and more. In New York City there is ALWAYS something to do!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that I could thank in my life and my journey, especially in the drag world. It would take me days to list all of them but here a few that stick out the most to me.

I’d like to thank Brenda Dharling, my big sister. She’s the first person who took a chance on me, gave me advice, gave me a stage to perform on, let me become her cohost, and never let me give up. We still work together every single week and talk almost every single day. She’s one of my best friends here in NYC and without her, I would never have gotten any of the chances that I have received today..

I’d also like to thank Jacklynn Hyde, my cohost for more shows than I can count. She has become half of my duo here in NYC and it was a pairing I never expected. She makes me laugh every single day and keeps up with my craziness. I love her dearly and how she goes on every crazy adventure that my mind comes up with.

This list wouldn’t be complete without RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Shuga Cain. We became friends at the beginning of her drag career and she has fostered me with all the knowledge and abilities she has learned over her years of success. No matter where she is in the world and the level of her fame, she has always taken my calls and texts, she’s never been to busy for me, and she has introduced me to what the world can really hold for you.

Website: www.androgynynyc.com

Instagram: @androgynynyc

Twitter: androgynynyc

Facebook: www.facebook.com/androgynynyc

Youtube: youtube.com/androgynynyc

Image Credits
Photo Credits: David Serrano and Anthony Stephen

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