Jay Thomas, who transformed into the drag king Bobby Pudrido in 2023, reflects on his journey from childhood laughter to the vibrant world of drag. Growing up in the ’90s, he and his friends found humor in the name of Tejano superstar Bobby Pulido, rhyming it with the Spanish word “pudrido,” meaning “rotten.” This playful connection inspired Thomas to adopt the name for his drag persona, melding nostalgia with cultural significance.
“I was thinking of some queer icons and some not queer icons,” Thomas shared during an interview. “This one just resonated because he is a Tejano star. And in the ’90s, he was this really big heartthrob that everybody wanted to be or be with.”
Now known as Bobby Pudrido, Thomas aims to embrace and elevate masculinity within the Latino community through his performances. His work not only entertains but also serves as a celebration of his heritage.
Pudrido’s name has gained additional recognition recently as the original Bobby Pulido shifted his focus from music to politics, announcing his candidacy for Congress in South Texas’ District 15 against current Republican representative Monica De La Cruz.
In both his drag persona and personal life, Pudrido is an outspoken advocate for trans rights and has actively opposed the drag ban that was enacted statewide in March. This controversial legislation prohibits drag performances on public property and in the presence of minors, imposing fines of up to $10,000 on venues that host such events.
While the impact of this ban on specific venues remains uncertain, Pudrido believes that many business owners may shy away from booking drag performers due to concerns about potential penalties. As a working-class artist, he feels the pressure to continue performing to meet his financial obligations.
“You have to go to work because you need to pay your bills,” he stated, acknowledging the challenges faced by artists in the current climate.
The emotional toll of anti-queer legislation weighs heavily on him. “The way it chips away at a queer person to hear any type of anti-queer legislation pass is something that is really big for me,” he expressed. “We are constantly — just as human beings — trying to maintain our mental health.”
Yet, rather than dampening his passion for performance, the legislation has ignited a fire within him. “It has fueled me,” Pudrido declared. “Right now I’m in the angry phase where I want to be louder.”
As a performer and producer, Pudrido has organized shows in the Austin area and recently returned to his hometown of Laredo to showcase his talents.
Despite the obstacles faced by drag kings in securing bookings, Pudrido remains optimistic about the impact of his platform. “It’s hard for drag kings to get booked sometimes, so we are still far away from the perfect ideal world for them,” he noted. “But the fact that I have a platform at all is huge.”
Pudrido attributes his dedication to performing to his drag ancestors, who pioneered the art form as a means of political expression and resistance against oppressive systems targeting the queer community.
Currently, Bobby Pudrido is in the process of producing his second queer quinceañera, titled “Con Mucho Amor,” with a show date anticipated in the fall.
