Today we’d like to introduce you to Robyn Banks.
Hi Robyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started drag in High school just form something that was fun you know doing community-based organization shows here and there. Along with that, I met my two best friends, and we formed a dance group that would go around and perform together as well. As I got older, I had found out that I was able to make money from performing as a drag queen. That is when I took the time to really look and invest in it. On top of performing, I was already doing some work in the community, I always loved music, writing, and recording so I was able to combine all of that stuff and grow within my community and still show them the love and affection but just from a different point of view. Anything and everything I do for my community has a purpose. I love this community so much b/c I have received so many amazing opportunities from it. I always feel the need to give back.
I went to an all-gay high school and after school, it was the best time of my life. Not everyone can say that, but I am forever grateful for that.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This has not been a smooth road, there has been a lot of Nos and there has been a lot of things that have not worked in my favor. There has been many tears and many reason to want to give up but I have to understand that when I do something I always do it for me. I stay in my lane do what I came to do and then go home. Anyone that knows me can tell you my mind is always working I will always have a backup plan to the backup plan. That is just the type of person I am. Things may never really go your way and that is okay, but you cannot give up. I tell people that to me life is one big joke. We work so hard trying to survive that we never take the time to celebrates everything we have done and came across to make it work.
I do not want to be in my 80’s saying ” I wish I wish I wish” the time is now b/c you never know. I love to have fun, I love to celebrate achievements, and others when they do amazing things. For example, my goal this year for 2022 was to be verified on Instagram and I was planning so hard. Back in 2020 I had already created a photo to celebrate it and had already wrote a blurb that I was going to caption it for Instagram so when the time came I was already ready for it. The day came on 03/09/22 I had got the date tattooed and I throw myself I verification party. Some said it was overboard but I did not care b./c to me that was a goal I had and I had set it for the year. 2 months and 9 days in I achieved it. You have to celebrate yourself b/c if you don’t then no one else will.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a drag queen, artist, and activist. I love to perform and I love to give people opportunities. I enjoy performing because sometimes people need a good laugh and I enjoy having some fun and making people laugh. I think something that sets me apart from others is I love to represent where I come from. I was born and raised in Spanish Harlem but move uptown. Sometimes you do not want to go to a bar and hear the same dance music or the same artist. I love to bring some kind of urban feel to the venues. I want to hear Missy Elliott, The City Girls, Janet Jackson, Danity Kane, Ashanti you know music like that. I love to perform a song and as soon as the music starts I could hear the crowd get hyped and go wild, or someone yell “this is my Sh!t…” or “omg remember this song” and then they sing with me while performing. That is still something I get goosebumps about.
I also love to use the platform that I have to uplift POC performers. I feel like there sometimes is not enough people pushing POC queen and I do not like that. There is enough room and flavor for everyone. There is no reason we should go to 4 different bars and see the same 5 drag artist there. Shake it up, give it some variety, lord knows we need it! The one thing I will say I am totally proud of is this past February I was able to bring together 15 performers and bring them all together for black history month. It was something I called “Black and Boujee”. I had hired all the artist as well as a photographer, a videographer, a BTS person, and all it was really magical, and it caught the attention of 13 web articles and was promoted on 3 different radio stations. It took a lot of work and lot of tear, but in the end, it was worth it.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I live in New York City. It definitely is the best place to live. I love the summer season in NYC, there is nothing like it. I love that about it. It brings some many new faces, outdoor activities, dogs running around. Ice cream trucks it’s just such a good vibe. I tell a lot of my friend or people I speak to when traveling to just experience one summer in NYC and you will fall in love with it. I also enjoy the holidays in New York. The hustle and bustle of people being out and about getting Christmas gifts or shopping around time square its a real magical feeling.
Some of the things I dislike about the city is that the winters seems like they are 100 years, but we get like one month of summer lol. The snow comes and it’s great the first two days, after that it’s dirty when walking you’re not sure if it’s a flat surface or a huge puddle. It’s the worst and then there is the snow salt that is all over and then ends up in your home.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.RobynBanks.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/AyoRobynBanks
- Facebook: Facebook.com/AyoRobynBanks
- Twitter: Twitter.com/AyoRobynBanks
- Youtube: Youtube.com/AyoRobynBanks
- Other: Robyn Banks on Apple Music, Spotify, and all streaming platforms
Image Credits
Catalin Stelian-Shank
Pimp Daddy June LLC
Jorge Abouyoun
