Sickeningly Sweet: Heavenly Powers and Neurotika Killz

Heavenly Powers and Neurotika Killz are some of Denver’s most prominent drag artists. Unique in their alternative style and aesthetic, these two queens are not only partners in drag, but partners in life. They met three years ago at one of Yvie Oddly’s parties, and they quickly became one of Denver’s most powerful drag couples. 

OFM had the opportunity to chat more with Heavenly and Neurotika about drag, performing together, and how this art form has helped cement their relationship. 

How long have you two been together, and how did you first meet?
Heavenly Powers: We have been together for almost three years and have been friends for long. We met for the first time on Yvie Oddly’s couch, but we may have passed each other in the club before. 

Neurotika Killz: I spent the next year following Heavenly around in drag not even realizing I was falling in love. 

How long have you been doing drag, and when did you discover your passion for it?
HP: I have been doing drag for about four-and-a-half  years. I have had a passion for makeup since I was just a weird goth kid. Doing drag became such a good way to channel my visions. When I was a teenager, I admired the drag queens and club kids, but I never thought I would be accepted as one of them.  

NK: I think about three years now. I discovered drag in a moment of complete self-loss. Drag taught me how to be myself again, and it helped me heal so much through self-expression. Drag is magic.

Can you tell us more about your aesthetic and style?
HP:  I think of my drag as a non-human cartoon. As far as style, I am heavily influenced by new wave and 80s goth musicians and subculture, along with surrealism, Catholicism, aesthetics, and designers such as Thierry Mugler and Gareth Pugh. My personal style is always evolving. 

NK: When I first started, I looked around and saw a lot of queens embodying a character. So, I wanted to be a parody of all the manic pixie dream girls and the mentally ill bait in a lot of male-centric culture throughout history. I am mentally ill, and I wanted to use my drag to challenge stigmas while being filthy and free. Neurotika is a ghost of revenge and truth that people want to forget. 

OFM February 2021: Love is Love

Since you are both nonbinary, do you try to incorporate nonbinary elements into your drag?
HP: I think our drag inherently challenges the binary because we do not fit the preconception of what a drag queen is to most people, and you can see a lot of trans-fueled despair in our performances and looks. Nonbinary/transness is not one look or vibe, but I think it is still palpable.

NK: Since I am nonbinary, everything I express is in what I consider to be a nonbinary way. Neurotika is any and all genders as they choose to express. 

You have become sort of a power couple within the Denver drag scene. What do you enjoy the most about working together?
HP: It is nice to not have to worry about explaining what drag is or what it means to me. We have both been artists for a long time, it is easy for us to work together to create a vision. I have really enjoyed making drag videos with Neurotika ever since in-person drag had to be phased out.

NK: I love that we can make art together and can easily communicate ideas and aesthetics. I love working on videos or photoshoots together! 

What would you say are the perks and challenges of having a fellow drag artist for a significant other?
HP: Sharing clothes, having a similar passion and being around each other while working the same gig, and going out to a party when you know you are both looking so otherworldly and hot. RIP parties. Those are some of the perks. Challenges, sometimes you both want to wear the same thing in the same show on the same night, and drag artists, especially one who do not fit the standard, are often pitted against each other. 

NK: The biggest perk to me is creating together. I have been an artist my whole life and it is wonderful to have someone to share that with. Also, it is great as a queer person to have a partner who has impeccable taste for all things. On the flip side, jealousy has been a big personal challenge for me. For a while, I felt like I was not good enough for Heavenly because my art was not as good, and it cramped my expression and got us into a lot of fights. It can be hard sometimes to balance the fantasy of drag with the overpowering thrill of falling in love, but we have learned a lot together. 

How has drag brought you closer together as a couple?
HP: Drag is hard and trying in general; it is not a walk in the park. If we can survive that level of stress and uncertainty together, we can probably survive a lot.

NK: We teach and learn a lot from each other, and since we both express so visually, it is easy to communicate big concepts and ideas. 

How have you been coping and staying in touch with fans during the COVID-19 pandemic?
HP: Producing content is going way slower than I am comfortable with, but I have been connecting as much as I can with social media, creating video performances, and taking photos at home. As for coping, I don’t know her.

NK: I have continued to put out art and drag as often as I can, albeit a bit slower. I have released several videos and hosted a Twitch version of “Madhouse” back in October. It has been hard to maintain anything steady, but I have taken the time out of the bar to work on my mental health and heal from traumas that have been on hold for years. 

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What more would you like to accomplish with your drag platform?
HP: I want to use my voice and my unique experiences to uplift others and connect with other artists. And to live a life of glamour and excess.

NK: To me, drag is about bringing people together that feel isolated or disenfranchised by this world. Showing them that they are not alone. I would hope to do that with any art. And then, if they so choose, they can use their art to reclaim their power and fight.

Before we wrap up, do you have any upcoming projects you would like to mention or plug?
HP: Keep an eye out for some music I am working on later this year with a couple locals!

NK: This year, I am working on some more music with Yvie, myself, and a few others. I want to continue to bring queer and trap music together, and I recently launched a YouTube that will host a show I have been working on later this year. 

To stay up-to-date with their latest projects and exclusive content, follow Heavenly on Instagram (@Heavenly_powers) and Twitter (@ripheavenly) and Neurotika on Instagram        (@neurotikakillz) .