By Kevin Ferrisi –

Her story is one of early setbacks, unexpected support, and a career shaped as much by loss as by triumph. What began with a discouraging first performance in 2017 could have ended there, but encouragement from friends, mentors, and fellow performers helped guide Mz. October MayLay back to the stage just a year later. From that return came a rapid rise through the local drag scene, including a historic win in the inaugural Chez Queen competition and later recognition as Mx. Chez Est For Life. Along the way, October built a name rooted in family, identity, and resilience, while also carving out space for herself as a performer, creative director, and community figure. Today, her work extends beyond the stage, as she continues to expand her artistic vision through DJing, mentorship, and new business ventures that reflect both where she came from and where she is headed.

October’s first experience with drag came in 2017 when she took part in Sky Casper’s Tuck and Strut competition in Berlin after being encouraged by Robin Fierce. Although she was hesitant to participate, Robin helped by doing her makeup while her roommate created her costume. What was meant to be a fun introduction to drag quickly became discouraging when judges harshly criticized her performance despite it being her first time in drag. The experience left October feeling defeated and convinced she would never perform again. Still, there was one bright spot. After the competition, community member Porcia, who was working the event, pulled her aside and reassured her that the judges’ comments did not reflect what she saw on stage. While October said the encouragement helped soften an otherwise traumatic experience, it was not enough to convince her to continue performing at the time.

Although her first experience with drag left her discouraged, encouragement from her best friend, whom she considered a brother, stayed with October. After watching a drag performance together at Gotham Citi in New Haven, he told her she had the talent to do even more on stage. His belief in her became even more meaningful after he was killed in a car accident in April 2018. Struggling with the loss, October stepped away before being encouraged again by Robin Fierce to attend the debut season of what was then known as Chez Queen, today Chez Legends, at Chez Est in Hartford. After learning more about the competition, she decided to give drag another chance. On July 12, 2018, October officially made her debut, marking what she considers the true beginning of her drag career.

October’s decision to return to drag paid off almost immediately. Competing in the second week of the first Chez Queen season in 2018, she won her qualifying night and advanced to the competition’s first-ever finale. Despite initially being scheduled later in the lineup, several contestants withdrew, leaving October to perform first. Drawing on her dance background, she embraced the challenge and viewed it as an opportunity to set the standard for the night. Her confidence proved well-founded. October went on to win the finale, becoming the first-ever Chez Queen champion, a title now recognized as the first winner in the state’s renowned Chez Legends competition.

As the inaugural Chez Queen champion, October advanced to the competition’s first All Stars showdown in 2019 against the season 2 winner Lotus. October rose to the occasion and captured the first Mx. Chez Est title with a performance centered on Black pride and cultural representation. Paired with music by Beyoncé, the number celebrated the beauty of Blackness through a royal African-inspired aesthetic. October said her goal has always been to bring culture and representation to the stage, drawing from her African American, Jamaican, Irish and French heritage while honoring the diverse community she grew up in around Hartford. Her victory also secured a unique place in the competition’s history, as she remains the only Black performer to hold the Mx. Chez Est title to date.

Her path in drag is one she never expected to take, especially after her first competition left her defeated and ready to walk away for good. After returning to the scene and ultimately winning both her qualifying night and the inaugural All Stars battle, she went on to claim the ultimate Mx. Chez Est title. But her story did not stop there. In 2021, during DCJR Events’ annual Studio 54 show as COVID-19 restrictions were beginning to ease, October was unexpectedly called to the stage and honored for her contributions to the art of drag. While she initially brushed off the moment, unaware of what was unfolding, organizers recognized her consistent involvement in choreography, production, and community support. In a surprise announcement, she was named Mx. Chez Est For Life, cementing her status as a lasting figure in the competition’s history.

October’s competitive success extended well beyond Connecticut. In 2023, after three previous attempts in 2019, 2020, and 2022, she captured the Miss X-Room Pageant title, a one-night competition judged by New England bar owners and veteran drag performers that tested contestants in talent, question-and-answer, and evening gown categories at the X-Room in Springfield. She also made an impression on the New York drag scene earlier this year, finishing as the runner-up in the second cycle of SLAY at The Ritz in Hell’s Kitchen in January. The multi-week competition featured weekly winners advancing through a LaLaPaRuza-style lip sync tournament before competing in a finale with talent, creative wear, and a final lip sync. October made the 2.5-hour drive to New York City for each round, a commitment that reflected her determination to continue growing.

October’s drag name has remained rooted in her identity since she first stepped into the art form in 2017. The name “October” honors her mother, the strongest Black woman she has known, defined by personality and presence. While she initially considered naming herself after her mother, she chose her birth month instead, drawn to its character and energy. Early in her career, she used the playful name “October November December” and referred to herself as a “calendar girl” before later simplifying it. After joining the House of Lay, her drag mother suggested a refinement, leading to “October May Lay,” a name reflecting both family influence and her love of stage chaos. After parting ways with the house, the spelling was later adjusted to “MayLay” for clarity on promotional flyers, with “Mz.” added as a final stylistic touch, influenced in part by her admiration for Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams, along with the visual style of early 2000s R&B groups.

Mz. October MayLay credits drag with reshaping how she sees herself, describing the stage name as a version of herself that learned confidence, resilience, and self-belief in ways her everyday life as Marcel (out of drag) did not always allow. Growing up with limited support, she often felt unsure of her abilities, but performing as October became a space where she pushed past that doubt and kept moving forward even when outcomes were uncertain. Over time, drag also became a way to survive financially, with performance bookings helping her cover basic needs during periods of instability. She describes October as both a creative outlet and a source of stability that carried her through some of her most difficult years, ultimately helping her build independence while also finding personal strength.

She is looking ahead to a busy summer season of performances and new creative directions, with upcoming appearances scheduled in Massachusetts, including Greenfield and additional cities still being finalized. Alongside her performance calendar, she is also expanding into DJing, with her first set that took place at a recent Pride event where she performed alongside her drag daughter, Mz. Clementine KuLayd, whom she will be DJing for during the show. October also confirmed she is building her own creative family under the House of MayLay, describing it as her space as a “mother of entertainment,” while continuing to grow her presence both on stage and behind the turntables.

October is expanding her creative work beyond drag, currently focused on opening a bar she is developing under her name Marcel (out of drag). She is in the early stages of the project, including writing grants, searching for locations, and preparing to secure a lease, with plans to move forward in Massachusetts. A liquor license has already been filed, a necessary step in a state where licenses are transferred from existing businesses. The space is intended to highlight Black culture while also making room for a wider range of drag performers, giving opportunities to both emerging and established artists rather than repeating the same cast. October described the project as something she wants to build on her own terms, with support from a grant writer friend helping guide the process as she works toward turning the idea into a physical venue.