From Church Pianist to Drag Sensation | Slightly Unhinged with Saint Syndrome

Released during Portland Pride, this episode celebrates one of the city’s most singular performers: Saint Syndrome, Portland’s Miss Gay Pride 2025 and the live-singing, piano-playing drag sensation behind The Queen’s Keys and Keyed Up Karaoke. Justin sits down with Saint to talk about classical piano, church music, coming out, drag, perfectionism, stage fright, and finding a way to make music feel joyful again. Saint shares how she went from conservatory training and church organ gigs to building a drag career around live vocals, piano-bar shows, musical theater, parody, and queer community. They also talk about working with Nicole Onoscopi, the origin of The Queen’s Keys, why live music feels different in queer spaces, and what it was like playing piano for Jinkx Monsoon’s stand-up special Red Head Redemption. This one is full of exactly the kind of gay piano magic you would expect from Portland. See Saint Syndrome The Queen’s Keys Every Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. CC Slaughters Live music, drag, piano, comedy, Nicole Onoscopi, Saint Syndrome, and no cover. CC Slaughters https://ccslaughterspdx.com/ Dueling Pianos Every Saturday at 6 p.m. Barrel Room Saint brings drag into the dueling piano world, which she jokes has historically been a much straighter space. Barrel Room Instagram https://www.instagram.com/barrelroomportland Keyed Up Karaoke Every Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m. CC Slaughters Live piano karaoke with Saint Syndrome and drummer Kevin Huttman. Former choir kids, theater kids, shower singers, and brave little divas are all welcome. CC Slaughters https://ccslaughterspdx.com/ The Piano Queen Holiday Special Saturday, December 6 Star Theater Saint Syndrome and Nicole Onoscopi return with The Piano Queen Holiday Special. VIP tables are expected to sell out, so grab tickets early. Tickets https://www.startheaterportland.com/tm-event/piano-queen/ Connect with Saint Syndrome Website https://www.saintsyndrome.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/saintsyndrome Facebook https://www.facebook.com/saintsyndrome YouTube https://www.youtube.com/SaintSyndrome TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@saint_syndrome For booking and inquiries, visit Saint’s website or connect with her on Instagram. About Saint Syndrome Saint Syndrome is the lowest bass with the smallest waist, Portland's Miss Gay Pride 2025, and the only live-singing, piano-playing drag sensation. A native of Salem, Oregon, she traded in the classical conservatory for the speakeasy spotlight, and now wows audiences worldwide with her eclectic blend of jazz, musical theater, parody, and original music. Her unique piano-bar event, Keyed Up Karaoke, regularly attracts local talent and touring Broadway casts. You can see Saint Syndrome on Prime Video and Apple TV+ playing for Jinkx Monsoon's stand-up special Red Head Redemption. Having shared the stage with legends like Latrice Royale, Alyssa Edwards, Plastique Tiara, and other RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, Saint Syndrome is a performer you won’t want to miss. In This Episode Saint playing piano at Justin and Daniel’s wedding growing up in Salem after being born in Hawaii starting piano at six years old studying classical piano and psychology in Wisconsin church music, organ lessons, and coming out in college leaving a Christian fellowship after being asked to step away from leadership finding drag through an amateur college show using drag to make music fun again getting around perfectionism by being silly on stage her mom becoming a Saint Syndrome superfan live-streaming during COVID how Saint met Nicole Onoscopi the Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand duet that started The Queen’s Keys why Bolivia called The Queen’s Keys “Vegas show” energy moving The Queen’s Keys to CC Slaughters Keyed Up Karaoke and the magic of live piano karaoke adding Dierks Bentley to the songbook for Justin dueling pianos at Barrel Room why Saint feels like a gateway drug to drag working with Jinkx Monsoon on Red Head Redemption falling asleep at the airport after filming in New York stage fright, mindfulness, and playing with the Oregon Symphony at 16 and the most unhinged thing Saint has ever done in full drag Mentioned in This Episode Red Head Redemption Saint played piano for Jinkx Monsoon’s stand-up special Red Head Redemption, available on Prime Video and Apple TV+. Jinkx Monsoon Saint talks about working with Jinkx during the pandemic, playing for livestream shows, performing in Lavender Nights, and later filming Red Head Redemption in New York. Follow Slightly Unhinged Instagram https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/ Like, follow, and subscribe for more conversations with Portland performers, business owners, community members, and people willing to share their most slightly unhinged stories.