A jaw-dropping spectacle unfolded at the Coney Island Circus Sideshow on Sunday, August 31, as transgender performer Fox Pa Le Fay, known as the “Pirate Queen of Coney Island,” attempted to set a new Guinness World Record for the heaviest weight lifted with hooks in the cheeks.
In a performance that combined bravery with a high degree of risk, Fox Pa Le Fay lifted a 17-pound kettlebell using a thick iron chain attached to hooks pierced through their cheeks. The daring act captivated a stunned audience, who reacted with a mixture of awe and fear. While some clapped in admiration, many viewers covered their eyes, unable to watch the gruesome but impressive stunt.
The attempt, a new entry in the record books, aims to surpass the current record of 15 pounds set by fellow sideshow performer Sweet Pepper Klopek in 2015. Fox Pa Le Fay, also known by their stage name Faux Pas le Fae, is a well-known figure in the sideshow community, with a reputation for a wide range of jaw-dropping acts, including fire-eating and human blockhead stunts.
The performer stated that the circus sideshow has always been a safe and empowering space for them as a transgender individual, and the stage allows them to be their authentic self without judgment. The record attempt, while physically grueling, is seen as a testament to the performer’s incredible mental fortitude and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of human endurance.
