Joey Arias
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.
Known For
Credits
- 2019 · Wig as Self
- 2017 · After Louie as Jai the Chanteuse
- 2016 · The Zanctuary as Dora Ramona del Pilar
- 2012 · Jobriath A.D. as Himself
- 2012 · She's Living for This as Joey Arias / Various Characters
- 2010 · Arias With a Twist as Himself
- 2008 · Cirque du Soleil: LoveSick as Himself
- 2004 · The Nomi Song as Self
- 1999 · Flawless as Stormy
- 1997 · Dragtime as Self
- 1997 · Drunks as Ruby
- 1995 · To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar as Justine
- 1995 · God Save the Queens as
- 1995 · Wigstock: The Movie as Self
- 1993 · Naked in New York as Self
- 1991 · Deadly Game as Ramirez
- 1988 · Elvira: Mistress of the Dark as Hitchhiker
- 1988 · Big Top Pee-wee as Shim
- 1988 · Mondo New York as Fish Out Of Water / A Hard Days Night
- 1987 · Vandemonium Plus as
- 1985 · Mermaids on Heroin as Meridian
- 1980 · The Long Island Four as
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - David Bowie Backup Singer (uncredited)