Maxie is ready to welcome you to Maxieverse
I don’t know what my life would be like if I wasn’t a performer,” said Maxie, singer, actor, drag queen, and winner of the third season of “Drag Race Philippines.”
We were at Rampa in Quezon City, much earlier than the usual time people go to the popular drag club, and we were there for good reason: to see Maxie take a step closer to one of her biggest dreams—her first solo concert. At the press con, Maxie said, “I grew up watching concerts because my father liked watching them—Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, legendary performers. I used to tell myself, ‘I want to be like them some day.’ I want to be singing my heart out. I want to sing in front of a lot of people. Music is an escape and the stage has always been my playground. I’ve been singing and performing onstage since I was 3 years old.”
Maxie was destined to be onstage. She’s been performing long before her drag persona existed, even back when everyone knew her as Jayvhot Galang, the fierce singing competitor, the talented kid in that viral “Wil Time Bigtime” clip, the star of PETA’s “Maxie the Musical,” the musical that gave Maxie her drag name, a name that has been getting the spotlight it deserves.
As a drag queen, Maxie is a total performer—she can host, she can act, she can lip sync, she can dance, she can do stunts, and she does something few queens can: she can sing live.
Her concert title, “Maxieverse,” is a nod to her stint in the international drag singing TV competition “Queen of the Universe,” and is also inspired by the sci-fi-themed content she was putting out during her successful season on “Drag Race Philippines.”
She’s been fascinated with astronomy since she was a kid, Maxie said. “I want to go to the moon, I want to swim in Jupiter. The universe is just like my dreams—it’s big. Kaya idikit natin sa pangalan ko ‘yung ‘Maxieverse.’”
Sold out
“Maxieverse” is happening on Feb. 22 at the Aliw Theater. The show is already sold out and the response has been so great that producer Beyond & Co. has already added another date: there will be a second concert on April 5.
“It’s been very overwhelming. Once we announced it, some tiers were immediately sold out. With Maxie being a live singer, the audience here isn’t just the usual drag audience. Maxie has captured all kinds of audiences—straight, gay, her audience is really diverse,” said Ervylle Abarintos, Beyond & Co.’s CEO and executive producer.
Abarintos shared, “This concert has long been my promise to Maxie. Maxie was the first ever queen we booked as drag producers—this was before she competed in ‘Drag Race.’ I remember, after she performed, she said to me, ‘Concert ko ha?’ That was in 2022.”
Almost three years later, it’s finally happening. “I feel so excited especially now that I’m rehearsing with the band. I am learning so much every day and there are times that I’m discovering about myself,” Maxie said. Rehearsals are so much fun, she said, “because doon nabubuo ‘yung magic nung show.”
“Marami akong mga pasabog na pine-prepare. (I’m preparing a lot of surprises,” she added.
Big deal
The show is a big deal—it’s the first time a drag queen is having a solo concert in the country. Abarintos said, “We’ve been staging drag shows for a couple of years but this is the biggest one yet. It will be an immersive experience. We will be using projection mapping to make sure that our audience really connects with the story of ‘Maxieverse.’”
For the producer, the concert preparation has been another chance to witness Maxie’s work ethic. “I’ve been seeing how dedicated she is.”
In the beginning, Maxie had a list of 72 songs she wanted to sing in the concert. She doesn’t stick to a specific genre, she said. “Laki akong kalsada. So kung ano ‘yung mga naririnig kong kinakanta ng mga tao, kinakanta ko. Kung ano ‘yung mga pinapakinggan nila, pinapakinggan ko. (I grew up in the streets. The songs I hear people sing, I sing too. The songs they listen to, I also listen to.) Music is really a universal language. No matter what genre, as long as I can sing it, I’ll be performing it.”
Maxie showed her knack for songwriting in Drag Race and she has good news for her fans: “I will be releasing an album this year.”
But first, they can enjoy her concerts. Her fandom, Maxie Babes, is ready for it. They’ve even prepared “Maxieverse” merch packages, complete with photo cards, hand banners, and yes, light sticks.
And after “Maxieverse,” Maxie said, “Another ‘Maxieverse,’ and then concert, concert, concert, concert.”
“As long as people want me to perform in front of them, why not? Performing is really in my heart.”
How hard was it to choose which songs to include in your concert set list?
It was super hard. I had to make the best decisions. I want to sing everything but there won’t be enough time. I can sing for five hours. I chose songs that are very special to my heart. This is my first concert so this is very special.
What can you tell us about your guest stars?
I’m gonna be singing with Hale. That’s the only answer you need. Sobrang favorite ko ‘yung Hale, as in siya ‘yung bumuhay ng high school life ko. My cousins would sing their songs, we bond over their music. My whole family loves singing—both father’s side and mother’s side. We would always sing “The Day You Said Goodnight.” Tapos ang gwapo-gwapo ng vocalist ng Hale. (And the vocalist of Hale is so handsome.) I love their other songs like “Blue Sky.” Naging idol ko na sila. (They became my idol.) I’m so excited to perform with them.
Your family has been there from the start—from that viral video with your dad to your ‘Drag Race’ journey. This has been your dad’s dream for you forever—how does he feel about your concert?
He’s so excited. Sabi niya nga sa akin, hindi na ibang tao ‘yang papanoorin ko, ikaw na mismo. (He said to me, this time he won’t be watching other people, he’ll be watching me.) He’ll be watching me live, front row. This is really a big achievement for me, for my father to be able to watch me perform in my own concert. I hope he enjoys, I hope he’ll like what I’ll do. I hope to surprise him.
Are there songs he wants you to sing? When you were competing as a kid, he was the one choosing your songs, right?
Yes. Sobrang dami. There are so many songs he wants me to sing, I don’t know what to choose. Some of the songs I’ll be singing are inspired by him, songs I know he always listens to.
How has winning ‘Drag Race Philippines’ changed your life?
A lot. A lot has changed. Since I won, my dream, my fantasy of performing on different stages every night has come true. Sometimes I perform on three stages in one day. I’m so thankful that there are people who love me and appreciate my talent. I’m so thankful that I won. A lot has changed not just for me but for my family. Lumuwag kahit papaano ‘yung buhay namin. Now we get to buy the things we like. A lot of people recognize me now, it’s not just the gays. I get surprised, I see straight men in our neighborhood singing “Kaya mo ba? Kumakanta na … ” The impact on my life has been monumental. So much has changed in my life and I’m very very grateful forever.
You mentioned your song, you clearly have the skills to write original music. Is that part of the plan?
Yes, I’m planning to record a lot of songs this year. Sobrang nakakatuwa, people are getting to know me not just as Maxie or Jayvhot but as Maxie and Jayvhot na umaawit (who sings)… I hope it continues.
Do you want stardom just for Maxie or do you want both Jayvhot and Maxie to get the spotlight?
I want it for me as a person. Whoever they want to recognize or get to know, whether it’s Maxie or Jayvhot, the only thing I want is for them to get joy out of seeing me perform in front of them, no matter who I’m performing as.
What were the highlights of DragCon UK for you?
The meet and greet was my favorite. I got the chance to meet people who are far from home, mga magigiting nating OFW na hindi makauwi. I got the opportunity to go to them and they grabbed that opportunity. So many people lined up, sobrang daming mga Pilipino and sobrang nakakatuwa.
What do you want to tell your fans about the ‘Maxieverse’ concert?
This concert is not just a typical drag show. We’re gonna have a lot of fun, more exciting moments, connections with people. I hope after my concert everyone will be happy.
“Maxieverse” is happening at the Aliw Theater on Feb. 22 and April 5. You can still get tickets for the April 5 show by visiting www.beyondeventsph.com.
