How would you describe your drag act?

“I would describe my drag act as ‘Bollywood meets Vicky Pollard. I’m a British Asian stand-up comedian who does drag therefore bringing my unique perspective to the stage”

What does drag mean to you?

“To me drag means freedom of expression. Drag is political and it can be thought provoking. We are the story tellers of society, reminding everybody, including myself, to not take life too seriously”.

What is the inspiration for your look?

“My drag aesthetic is inspired by the South Asian subcontinent. My drag is a love letter to South Asian and women who inspire me the world over”.

Why is facial hair an important part of your character? Do you see your political at all?

“Having facial hair is important to my character as it helps me to state my political point of view. Growing up I was often told to ‘be a man’ to the point where I began questioning what it even meant to be one. I’m happy identifying as a man, wearing makeup does not make you less of a man and I’m certainly not evading my masculine self by doing drag. My beard is a subtle reminder to those who need to see it. That said, if a certain role required me to shave it off, and the money was good, then I’d get rid of it in a heartbeat.”

You were an internet sensation during lockdown. How important is a digital audience to what you are doing now?

“I believe as a new starter it’s vital to begin creating an online presence, particularly as a person of colour. These days social media gets a bad rap however remnants of it existed even decades ago. You have the power to reach a wider audience through digital means, such as rural parts of the world and you can also gain better access to those that you want to attract, for example, brands and entertainment organisations. As humans, we are social beings therefore in person interactions shall always trump virtual. This is why I always aim to convert my digital audience into a physical one.”

How has been shortlisted for the 2021 BBC New Comedy Awards influenced your career?

“Being shortlisted for a BBC New Comedy Award helped my career immensely, with more people being interested to see what I had to offer. I’m grateful for the opportunities it bought my way, now here’s to actually winning an award sometime!”

Why did you choose to live in Manchester?

“Me and my husband chose to live in Manchester due its cosmopolitan nature as well as its increased visibility and acceptance of the LGBT+ community. It’s important to feel safe where you live however, that’s not to say that there isn’t work to be done! Particularly around racial biases”.

There has been a lot of discussion about a need for more South Asian drag queens on Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK. What do you think about that? Can you see yourself on the show?

“I’m a huge fan of RuPaul for what he has done for our community, he is a beacon for anyone who marches to the beat of their own drum. The prospect of the first British Asian drag queen on RuPaul’s Drag Race excites me and my message to those who want to apply is this: be so incredible that the franchise wants YOU and not the other way round”.

Can you tell us a bit about your show Lady Bushra: Robbed? What can people expect?
“Lady Bushra: Robbed is my very first fully fledged stand-up comedy show that I’m debuting at Contact Theatre Manchester. It’s the tragically hilarious tale of a South Asian starlet. What could she have been? Who could she have been had it not been for everybody else’s fault? Expect a political message steeped in humour with lights, music and a projector screen. Grab your tickets as they’re selling fast!”

What can we expect from you over the next year?

“Over the course of 2023 I also have my Drag Comedy Cabaret that I will be bringing to London, Manchester and Cardiff. All information can be found on my website. Also keep your eyes peeled for a few special shows in Birmingham as well as a Pride performance – or two! Lots more to be announced…but for now come and see Lady Bushra: Robbed!”

Lady Bushra Robbed is at Contact on 17 February as part of Queer Contact 2023. See website for details.

The post Bollywood meets Vicky Pollard – it’s the unique Lady Bushra appeared first on Quays Life.

Where did the name Jinkx Monsoon come from?

Jinkx: “Jinkx has been a nickname for a long time, based on how clumsy and cursed I can be at times. Monsoon comes from Edina Monsoon, from Ab Fab, one of my comedy hero’s and biggest character inspirations”.

What or who inspires your look?

Jinkx: “I draw a lot of inspiration from 60’s and 70’s fashion, with some obscure references to the 90’s here and there. I go through phases where I’ll derive inspiration from a specific someone, or movie, or aesthetic. Currently, I’m very inspired by Clea Duvall, who loves to wear tailored suits in bold colors. I’m having fun exploring femininity through pants”.

The new show is called, All I Want for Christmas is Attention! You must have got plenty of attention after winning Season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. How did that win change things for you?

Jinkx: “I like to think that I’m very much the same person I was before my time on the show, just more evolved and more certain of my trajectory. These days I’m doing the same kind of work I’ve always done – thought provoking, irreverent, filthy cabaret shows – but on a much larger scale. I’ve been given a platform and an audience to accomplish the things that I thought impossible when I started Drag at 15-years-old”.

Ru Paul is now hosting a Drag Race for the UK. Have you seen it? Does drag in the UK differ to in the US?

Jinkx: “I have seen it, and I love it! Having worked all over the world, I can say Drag is very regional. Different drag communities hold different things important. I think what I’ve always gotten from UK Drag is an emphasis on performance and humor, which sits very well with me. While there are differences between UK drag and US drag, we speak a universal language. I like to think we have more similarities than differences, but to answer your question about how we differ, I’ll say: the accents”.

How did being on Drag Race influence you as a performer?

Jinkx: “Competition, when done correctly, can cause us to create better work. I’d say it influenced me by teaching me how to focus on what I do best, and always be putting my best, most polished, most well thought out foot forward”.

How did you meet and start working with BenDeLaCreme?

Jinkx: “We met in 2010/2011? Around then, shortly after I graduated from arts college. DeLa saw an afternoon show I was doing in a Starbucks of all places, and handed me her business card. I recognized her right away, as everyone told me she was THE drag queen of Seattle, and it wasn’t long after that, she was casting me in her original productions. It’s started as a working relationship and quickly formed into a very strong friendship. Throughout the years, she has been one of my best sisters, best friends, and in many ways a peer-mentor. I’m a better drag queen for having known BenDeLaCreme”.

Do you lip sync or sing?

Jinkx: “I sing live, and pretty much always have. I create music with my music partner, Major Scales (get it?) and we’ve produced two feature albums, and are beginning to talk about a third. I will occasionally do a lip sync number, mostly to spoken word material— but my strength lies in my voice”.

What is it like to work as a duo?

Jinkx: “It’s like an evil genius and a suffering sidekick, building a monster together. Only we’re both the evil genius and we’re both the suffering side kick… and we’re both the monster”.

Can you tell us a bit about the show?

Jinkx: “It’s got everything you’d want from an entertaining drag show: singing, dancing, gorgeous costumes, hilarious banter… but we’re both also very opinionated, with no shortage of issues to tackle— so it’ll be very entertaining, but with a message at its core”.

What is your all-time favourite Christmas drag song?

Jinkx: “Actually, my favorite holiday drag song I’ve performed is “Give the Jew Girl Toys” by Sarah Silverman… or “Teach me how to Understand Christmas” from the show Community”.

How are you spending Christmas?

Jinkx: “I’ll be at DeLa’s annual Christmas Day feast at her house in Seattle. Last year I hosted a family get together with my blood family— this year I’ll be spending the holiday with my chosen family. Luckily both my families get along and there’s enough love in my heart for everyone”.

What are you hoping Santa brings you this year?

Jinkx: “A new president!”

All I Want for Christmas is Attention! presented by Contact Theatre, Soho Theatre and ATG runs at The Palace Theatre, Manchester on Sunday 1 December 2019 at 7.30pm. Age guidance 16+

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