Gay London Life | Sept '24 Edition - Magazine - Page 22
Cabaret
a
Sc
nf
or L
o n d o n ’s l a
te s
tc
a
ba
re
te
ve n
ts
By
Jason
Reid
This month I caught up with a drag starlet who’s
recently become a regular face at some of London’s
top cabaret venues. Luna Cortez is an artist who
exudes joy and genuinely loves to entertain. This is
Luna’s first cabaret interview…
How long have you been
performing and why did you get
into drag, specifically?
I have been performing in drag since
Luna
Cortez
2018, and started in my university
town of High Wycombe. My first
performance was on a Sunday night
in one of the pubs in the area called
O’Neills — they wanted another
drag queen and I immediately
thought that I could do it. I’ve always
been a singer and loved make-up so
it was easy to say "I’ll give it a go", and
the rest is history.
I would
consider
ry
myself ve
nd
magical a
g just
n
i
t
a
v
i
t
p
a
c
oon
like the m
What’s the story behind your
name?
I chose Luna because I’ve always
loved the moon and what it controls
and how it makes people feel. It’s
also very magical and I’m obsessed
with fantasy. I would consider myself
with the infamous Kat Graham, to
very magical and captivating just
performing at Mighty Hoopla, to
like the moon. How I came up with
picking up residencies at some
Cortez isn’t as good of an anecdote,
of London’s most amazing drag
but I loved the film Spy Kids growing
cabaret spaces, to releasing my
up and always wanted to be part
own music, and most recently
of their spy family, and now i am by
winning the title Queen Of Clapham
being a Cortez.
— and I will be competing in the final
Three artists that have influenced
in a global competition in Benidorm.
you most?
What’s the drag dream?
The artists that have influenced me
The dream for me is to always be
most are: Bette Midler for her camp
able to do what I love and make
and fun energy but also for always
other people feel that love when
delivering live vocals to die for; Liza
they watch me perform. Life is too
Minnelli for being the queen of all
serious and drag is all about having a
things cabaret; and lastly — this was
good time while delivering important
hard so I have to generalise — my
messages that the general public
family who come from the music and
can take away and reflect on. I also
performing industry, and have really
want to release more music and
influenced me over the years and
take Luna Cortez global so the
given me a platform from the get-go.
whole word can try a piece.
Your proudest professional
22
achievement to date?
Luna Cortez performs at
I’ve had a few proud moments
Zodiac Bar,
in my career from singing on the
119 Hampstead Road, NW1 3EE
main-stage of Pride in London
on Friday 13th September