Biography

A fixture of New York City’s vibrant downtown performance scene for 30-plus years, Joey Arias is a bona fide NYC icon. Arias lived and worked with legendary musician Klaus Nomi until Nomi’s death in 1983. However, he has long since stepped out of Nomi’s shadow to gain fame in his own right as a performance artist, cabaret singer and drag artist. Arias has distinguished himself with scandalous wit, sleek style and an extraordinary voice... evocative of Billie Holiday yet uniquely his own. Arias has performed worldwide at venues including Carnegie Hall and the Freedom Theatre in London. Arias was tapped by Cirque du Soleil to originate the role of the emcee in their Las Vegas spectacular Zumanity. After 6 years in that role, Arias returned to New York where he became the star and co-creator of Arias With a Twist with master puppeteer Basil Twist. The show was a critical and commercial hit and extended repeatedly for a total of 8 months. On film, he has appeared in Mondo New York, Big Top Pee Wee, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Wigstock - The Movie, Flawless and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, among others.

Photos

Filmography

View Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

1975Series
7.0
View Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark

Elvira: Mistress of the Dark

1988Film
6.7
View To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

1995Film
7.4
View Flawless
Flawless

Flawless

1999Film
6.2
View Naked in New York
Naked in New York

Naked in New York

1993Film
4.5
View Drunks
Drunks

Drunks

1997Film
2.7
View Big Top Pee-wee
Big Top Pee-wee

Big Top Pee-wee

1988Film
4.9
View Deadly Game
Deadly Game

Deadly Game

1991Film
5.5
View She's Living for This
She's Living for This

She's Living for This

2012Series0
View Wig
Wig

Wig

2019Film
5.5
View Jobriath A.D.
Jobriath A.D.

Jobriath A.D.

2012Film
6.6
View Mondo New York
Mondo New York

Mondo New York

1988Film
4.3