Meet Zhuzh Judy: the queen behind the House

Every house needs a heart. For House of Adam and Steve, that heart is Steven Hilliard — or, when the wig goes on, Zhuzh Judy, a queen whose self-described superpower is warp-speed flight and whose mission is gloriously simple: "to make people happy."

The story behind the work

Steven's story is the reason the work matters so much. At 16, he was kicked out of his family home for being queer. Living on the streets, he snuck into a downtown gay bar, watched his first drag performance, and found his calling in a single night. His mum nicknamed him "Lucky" — born on Friday the 13th, under a full moon — and the name stuck for a reason.

Big feelings, bigger generosity

"I don't get angry, I cry (I'm a Cancer)," he told Hamilton City Magazine. Anyone who has been to a HOAS night knows it tracks: the whole operation runs on big feelings and bigger generosity. The drag is funny and filthy and tender, the room is warm, and the person behind it genuinely wants you to have the best night of your week.

The dream

Ask Steven where this all goes and the answer is characteristically large: "Taking HOAS international." Given where it started — a kid with nowhere to go, turned impresario of Hamilton's queer nightlife — betting against him seems unwise.

Read the full profile: Zhuzh, Judy — It's a Steven Hilliard Q&A in Hamilton City Magazine.