By SCOTT DOBRASKI

Lips Restaurant Drag Queen Diva with her mother
Sylvia Perilli (Photo by Scott Dobraski)

It’s not easy being a mom these days. Not only does a mom have to maintain a household, they have to do it while worrying about their child’s well-being, which these days, now includes what the heck their child is up to on Facebook and who he or she may be sexting at school. Needless to say, being a mom in 2010 is a tough job.

But for the mom of Fort Lauderdale’s most famous drag queen, Diva, who commands the stage during world famous drag queen performances at Lips in Oakland Park each week, being a mom has always been a rewarding job. Even though Sylvia Perilli has experienced a lot of things most moms have not, she wouldn’t want it any other way. The Florida Agenda recently sat down with Sylvia Perilli at Lips before Diva took to the stage. A recent Chicago transplant who now calls Wilton Manors home, Sylvia has a clear message for all moms this Mother’s Day as she talks candidly about her relationship with Diva, her oldest of four children, who she often still refers to as just “My Tommy.”

FA: Sylvia, when did you know your little boy actually had an interest in drag? And, how did you feel about it?

Sylvia: I first noticed Tommy’s “divaness” when he was two or three years old. Even then, there was a certain amount of magic. When Tommy was a little boy, I found a picture of him doing drag hidden in a bureau. My first thought was, “My God, he’s beautiful! He looks so much like my mother!” It was a surprise, but I had no issue adjusting to it. I thought, however he wants to live his life is fine with me as long as he’s happy.

Since Diva is truly a diva, where did she get it from?

Sylvia: Well, Diva has always been a diva and she has always called the shots, even as a child. Not me. She is definitely a bigger diva than I could ever be.

You are obviously a very accepting and loving mother. What is your one piece of advice to other mothers?

Sylvia: To all the moms out there, please, please love your children unconditionally and let them be who they need to be. No matter what, a child should love their mother and that mother should always love their child. I’m so lucky that my children want to be a part of my life and I’m so thankful we’re very close.

While Sylvia loves being Diva’s mother, she is also the mother to three others, including her youngest daughter, 10-yearold Veronica. In addition, Sylvia is treated like royalty and often referred to as “Mama Diva” by the other drag queens at Lips, who often turn to Sylvia for her motherly touch.

The Florida Agenda also spoke with Diva (who in her diva ways kept us waiting just to interview her) to find out what kind of mom Sylvia really is.

Diva, how would you describe your mother and your r e l a t i o n s h i p with her?

Diva: Well, my mother is definitely the most accepting and loving woman I know and she has always been a great mother. She supports all of her children no matter what, yet she’s always done it in a way without smothering us. She’s allowed us to make our own mistakes and own decisions, but if something goes wrong, she is always there to help pick up the pieces. You know you can always come home and she is there with open arms. My relationship with her is my most treasured possession.

Your mom says you are the bigger diva between the two of you. Is she right?

Diva: Well, she has definitely always been a diva herself. She is very opinionated and very vocal. Growing-up, I remember that she always had an outfit for everything. Just to do some exercises in front of the TV, she would make sure she had her leg warmers on with matching hair band, and she wasn’t even going out of the house!

Do you feel lucky Sylvia is your mom?

Diva: I am very lucky, yes. I would not be the person I am today if my mom was not accepting. I am very fortunate. I often see people who take relationships for granted and I do not take our relationship for granted at all.

Talking about her relationship with Sylvia is one thing, but as she performs at Lips, Diva makes it a point to show how much she truly loves her mother. Shortly into the show, Diva recognizes her mother by announcing to the crowd who she is and where she is sitting. Sylvia sits there with a drink in one hand, spotlight on her, smiling with joy as she watches her child shine on stage. It may be tough to tell who the bigger diva really is, but it’s simple to see the love the two divas will share forever.