the lala wiggy story

Lala Wiggy is a drag persona portrayed by Raul James Reyes.  Lala/Raul is an actor, singer, emcee, writer, and off-Broadway producer, having produced 50+ shows between 2021-2025.  Based in New York City, but originally from Miami, Lala Wiggy began as a One Person Show - a show produced by Reyes in order to be eligible to graduate from his Alma Mater, New World School of the Arts College.  The show told the story of Miss Lala Wiggy and her tragic walk home from a performance late one night in New York City, when she was assaulted on the street.  Instead of being defeated by her experience, she was empowered to make a difference... by running for Mayor!

After graduating and then being struck by the pandemic, Reyes moved to New York City from Miami in September of 2020.  Here, he struggled to get a footing on the city's theater scene - everything was closed.  Broadway was a ghost town.  The gay bars on the other hand... were alive and well.  Lala Wiggy made her live and in-the-flesh debut at Star Search, NYC's oldest running drag competition hosted by Kizha Carr at the Barracuda Lounge in Chelsea, Manhattan.

Through competition after competition, from Star Search at Barracuda, to Open Call at the Ritz, to Drag Wars at Pieces Bar, Lala Wiggy only ever took the prize once - singing the classic Torch Song: "The Man That Got Away."  $50 never felt so good.  It was only a matter of time before Reyes began producing cabaret's across the city.  From the Triad Theatre to the Stonewall Inn, in just 3 short years in drag, Reyes has produced over 50 shows across 4 out of 5 NYC borough's - propelling him (and Lala Wiggy) to the forefront of NYC nightlife.  Over time, Lala met Brita Filter (RPDR SS12) who later became her drag mother, pushing Lala to even greater heights.  She has competed in Miss Fire Island 2023 hosted by Bianca Del-Rio and judged by Alaska & Willam, Miss Stonewall 2024 hosted by Ariel Sinclair, and Miss'd America 2023 hosted by Carson Kressley.  Notably, in September of 2023, Lala Wiggy won 2nd runner-up in the National Miss'd America Pageant in Atlantic City, NJ - hosted by Carson Kressley.

Lala Wiggy's acting credits include two world-premier musicals:  Victoria Solorzano's 'Wait Sis' was an all-drag-cast parody musical based on Waitress, starring names such as Jada Valenciaga, Holly Box-Springs, the Bad Judies, Sweaty Eddie and more, and was part of the 2024 New York Theater Festival at the Hudson Guild Theater.  'Beyond this Place' is an original musical written by Talen Piner which premiered at the Red Eye in June 2024, starring Miss Lala Wiggy as Jose Julio Sarria.

Lala Wiggy is an actor, singer, emcee, comedian, writer, and producer based out of New York City.  Lala Wiggy has been spotted performing from coast to coast at public events, private events, pageants, and cabarets.  From Palm Springs, CA to Miami, FL to Providence, RI - where will she end up next?  And more importantly... Will you be there to see it?

Lala Wiggy (3rd from Right) with fellow competitors onstage at the Miss Stonewall Pageant at the Historic Stonewall Inn in New York, NY in June 2024.

Lala Wiggy hosts Community Night for the Pride Center of Staten Island at Cargo Bar & Grill in April 2023.