Meet Grey Matter

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

Hi Grey, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My work-life balance has definitely evolved over time. In the past, I was juggling full-time work, seasonal haunt projects, and my creative hobbies, which made for a hectic schedule. As my drag and horror performance career grew, I started shifting my focus, especially after making it to the finals of the Boulet Brothers Dragula season 6.
Now, I am transitioning to part-time work to prioritize performing, creating, and traveling. This shift is a big deal because it allows me to invest more time in my passion without completely sacrificing stability. Finding balance is tough and often involves saying no at times. I have a need for artistic freedom, financial security and free time.
My long commitment to sobriety has given me discipline and plays a role in how I manage everything without burning out. I am not afraid of hard work, but I also recognize when it’s time to step back and make room for what really matters.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I create living nightmares—grotesque, otherworldly creatures that are both terrifying and mesmerizing. My art is a fusion of horror, high fashion, and practical effects, transforming me into something that looks like it crawled straight out of your worst fears. What sets me apart is that I don’t just wear costumes—I build monsters from the ground up. Every moving jaw, blinking eye, or exposed organ is something I’ve engineered with my own hands.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve stayed true to my vision. I don’t water myself down to fit a mold—I crack the mold open and crawl out of it. The thing that excites me the most is pushing my work further, creating characters and performances that make people question whether what they’re seeing is even human.

Getting here wasn’t easy. Horror isn’t always taken seriously in drag, and I had to fight to carve out space for the kind of work I do. There were times when people told me I was too weird, too niche, too much. But I’ve learned that “too much” is exactly what makes me unforgettable. I leaned into it, refined my craft, and surrounded myself with people who see the value in what I do.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that your uniqueness is your greatest strength. If you try to be like everyone else, you disappear. But if you embrace what makes you different, you become something no one can ignore.

I want the world to know that Grey Matter is more than just a drag persona—it’s an experience. It’s horror that breathes, nightmares that move, and a reminder that the monsters under your bed might just be the future of drag.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best ghoul-friend came to town for a week, I’d make sure they got the full Grey Matter experience—dark, twisted, and a little indulgent. Houston has a killer mix of creepy, campy, and downright delicious, so here’s how we’d do it:

*Day 1: Welcome to the Madness*
– *Lunch at The Pit Room* – Because nothing says “Welcome to Texas” like perfectly smoked brisket.
– *The National Museum of Funeral History* – A macabre but fascinating look at how we honor the dead, featuring antique hearses and vampire folklore exhibits.
– *Evening at Barbarella* – An essential stop for a night of sweaty, glittery chaos on the dance floor. Their Friday “New Noise” night is perfect for alternative and industrial lovers.

*Day 2: Haunted Houston*
– *Breakfast at Common Bond* – A bougie little bakery with croissants that’ll make you weep.
– *Explore Glenwood Cemetery* – One of the most beautiful (and allegedly haunted) cemeteries in Texas, where some of Houston’s most infamous souls rest.
– *Dinner at Ninja Ramen* – Moody lighting, strong drinks, and perfect late-night ramen to fuel us for…
– *Spooky Bar Crawl* – Stops at La Carafe (oldest bar in Houston, rumored to be haunted), Poison Girl (divey with a massive whiskey selection), and Darkhorse Tavern.

*Day 3: Horror & High Art*
– *Morning at The Menil Collection* – Surreal, unsettling, and totally free. The Magritte pieces alone are worth the visit.
– *Lunch at Hugo’s* – Iconic Mexican cuisine with a horror movie-worthy menu of chapulines (grasshoppers) and cabrito (roast baby goat).
– *Evening at Numbers* – Houston’s legendary alternative club. I’d drag them onto the fog-covered dance floor for some goth, industrial, and 80s mayhem.

*Day 4: Grey Matter’s Monster Workshop*
– *Brunch at Baby Barnaby’s* – Massive portions, rainbow decor, and the best breakfast potatoes in the city.
– *DIY Horror Workshop* – I’d bring them to my studio and teach them how to craft gore effects, make animatronic creatures move, or design a monstrous look.
– *Nighttime Ghost Tour* – We’d explore the haunted streets of Old Town Spring or take a private ghost hunt at The Spaghetti Warehouse.

*Day 5: Drag, Death, and Decadence*
– *Morning at The Orange Show* – A bizarre, handmade art installation that feels like stepping into another dimension.
– *Lunch at Crawfish & Noodles* – Viet-Cajun fusion at its finest.
– *Evening at a Drag Show* – We’d hit up Ripcord for an alternative drag night or Rich’s for a high-energy show where I might even terrorize the audience myself.

*Day 6: Full-Tilt Thrills*
– *Road Trip to Phobia Haunted Houses* – Since it’s my second home, I’d take them behind the scenes of Houston’s most intense haunted attraction (even in the off-season).
– *Dinner at Pappadeaux’s* – Because seafood, Creole flavors, and extra butter make everything better.
– *Bowling at Palace Social* – Classic horror movies on the screens, strong drinks, and the perfect place to humiliate them with my terrible bowling skills.

*Day 7: Recovery & Reflection*
– *Brunch at The Raven Grill* – Named after Poe’s iconic poem, this spot has cozy vibes and killer Southern food.
– *Relax at the Rothko Chapel* – Moody, meditative, and a perfect place to recharge.
– *Final Feast at Uchi* – One of the best sushi spots in the city, because we deserve something decadent before they leave.

Houston is a city that thrives in the weird, the wild, and the unexpected—just like me. Whether you’re here for the food, the frights, or the freaks, there’s no shortage of unforgettable experiences.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula

Website: https://greymatterfx.com/

Instagram: @GreyMatterFX

Twitter: GreyMatterFX

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@greymatterfx

Image Credits
1st photo – @scottykirbyphoto from the Boulet Brother’s Dragula
2nd- myself
3rd- myself
4th-myself