Connecticut queens serve on their paths to reality stardom, the supportive drag community and the fierce competition on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

History was made on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” this season when not just one but three contestants from Connecticut were introduced.

In the previous 14 seasons, not a single Connecticut-based queen had competed.

“What’s really great about Connecticut drag queens is that there are so many different styles,” Loosey LaDuca of Ansonia said. “We do it all here.”

All three have performed at Chez Est, but Loosey LaDuca, who won the first challenge, distinguished herself immediately when it was revealed that her day job in Connecticut was as a construction worker.

The Courant caught up with LaDuca, West Hartford’s Amethyst and Robin Fierce of Hartford to talk about their paths to reality stardom, the supportive drag community in Connecticut and the fierce competition.

“I’ll tell you, it’s one thing to watch it on your TV, the drama and the music and the lights, but it’s so different in real life,” Amethyst said. “When it’s happening to you, it’s terrifying. It’s about centering yourself and remembering who you are and why you’re on the show to begin with.”

These interviews were conducted before the airing of the third episode. The queens were sworn to secrecy about their fates on the show, and also couldn’t discuss any backstage incidents that hadn’t already aired on the series. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on MTV.

Loosey LaDuca

I grew up in Ansonia, went to Ansonia public school and I still live in Ansonia. I’ve stepped away from working construction now. I got a little busy. I worked for a company in Stratford, so we would do most Fairfield County projects.

Do you know the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport? I started working there professionally right out of high school. I was doing the children’s theater company. Doing all these kooky characters, you learn how to apply make-up. Then I was cast in “Cinderella,” and when “Cinderella” is done onstage often men are cast as the stepsisters. They’re meant to be these big ugly things, right? But as it turned out, I was gorgeous! From there, I started going and seeing drag shows. My very first professional drag show was the Robin Banks Drag Show at 168 York Street Cafe in New Haven. What was so amazing was that someone sent me a video of inside of the bar where a bunch of people had gone to watch the premiere. To see myself on the TV at York Street was a moment.

I’ve worked everywhere, but Chez Est has really been my home bar for four years now. I hosted a brunch there for years and just recently passed the reins to someone else.

I always say my two main inspirations are Dolly Parton and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. I love those dames. Those are my idols. I have Dolly tattooed on my body. I have a lot of nautical tattoos. People ask me, do you love the ocean? I say, sure — I don’t really go in it all that much, but I’ve always really loved nautical artwork. It’s possible it has something to do with growing up in New England, surrounded by it. I love tattoos. I knew when I was a little kid I would someday be covered in artwork.

I was very surprised [to learn that Robin and Amethyst were also on the show], not that I didn’t know that Connecticut had plenty of talented queens. But when you get the show, the only thing you can concentrate on is being on the show. There’s a lot to prepare. So it was nice walking in and seeing a couple of gals that I knew. Having a slice of Hartford in “Drag Race” is really lovely.

I’ve known Robin much longer, but I’ve worked with both of them. The two of them were guests at my brunch several times. They’re really lovely people, both tremendously talented. The drag community in Connecticut is very supportive, very open to every type of performer. I’m very happy to be part of a season that is getting to highlight the Connecticut drag scene. A lot of people don’t even know we have one.

There are a lot of opportunities in the future. My dream really is to work as much as I can in the realm of comedy. My dream is just to be a happy person. That’s something I have been able to achieve because I’m reaching audiences I’ve never reached before.

Amethyst

I was born and raised in Bristol and went to school in New York City for a couple of years but I’m living in West Hartford now. I’m 27 — I know I don’t really look it. I was huge into the local theater scene. I did a lot of shows at the Warner Theatre in Torrington and New Britain Repertory Theatre. Pretty much any musical you can think of, I’ve done it in my 10 years of doing Connecticut theater. I’ve tried to never do a show over again if I can help it. I would love the opportunity to go back to the theater but also integrate Amethyst into a show, play a role that me, Zach, would never get to play. I would love to be Miss Hannigan in “Annie.”

My home bar is Chez Est in Hartford, but I was also doing a residency with Mohegan Sun Casino for a little bit, and also Troop 429 in Norwalk. Troop 429 gave me my very first solo show in September.

Me, Robin and Loosey, we could have all done singing for our talent show [on the second episode] because we all have really good voices. I didn’t, mainly because I knew [Loosey] was going to be doing that, and I wanted to do something different. I just didn’t want to lean into a thing like ‘If you’re from Connecticut, you’re a singer.’ Also, when you go to a Loosey LaDuca show, you’re going to hear her sing live. I don’t do that at my shows, really. I’d rather make people laugh.

We all pretty much do our own thing. We have very very different aesthetics and takes on what our drag actually is. Also, I’m in my corner of Connecticut and Loosey’s in her corner and, well, Robin’s all over the place and we love her for that.

Robin Fierce

People assume that [I did a lot of musical theater] because I sing, but that is not my case. Everything I learned in the performing arts I learned through drag. I wasn’t a dancer before I started doing drag. One of the major influences in my early drag career was Lady Tatiana. She was a staple at Polo, which is no longer a thing. Then she moved to the Chez, where she does a Latin Night every month. I was an events photographer, and I got to see her shows every month. I didn’t always understand fully what was going on, but drag transcends language. She introduced me to the world of trans performers as well. For me, she is like a fairy godmother in drag.

I don’t think aloof is a bad thing. I guess the word would be maybe more “reserved.” I’m the kind of person who keeps to myself a little until I’m more comfortable, which might not be the greatest thing for reality TV. But what other people have going on has nothing to do with me. If someone’s wig is flapping, I’ll tell them, but thinking of what other people are doing is not going to get me the $200,000.

I think growth is always a part of my live drag. I’m always growing. Even without the show, I think I’d be growing. The show pushes you to do more, but I don’t think the show specifically changed my act.

I did my first viewing party in New York for a booking, so I didn’t get to be in Connecticut for it, but I saw all the videos people were posting when they saw it at the Chez or Troop or wherever, and it was just pure love and excitement and it was really heartwarming to see how important it is for the queer community in Connecticut to be represented on this national, global platform.

The Chez is definitely the closest one to me, I live like 10 minutes from the Chez, but I split my time between there and Troop. I had a weekly show at Troop for a while, but I’ve had the Chez for just as long.

I encourage everyone to support drag performers in Connecticut. We don’t want those places to go away. As far as Connecticut goes, there’s the Chez, there’s Gotham, there’s Partner’s, North Street, 168 York Street, Troop, and Trevi as well. Not all of them are queer-owned, but they support queer people, and I think that’s important as well. Support your local drag performers!

Reach reporter Christopher Arnott at carnott@courant.com.