For those in need of a soul revival, complete with glamour, powerful songs and performance art, you won’t want to miss this!
Drag star, musician and performer Queen Priyanka is bringing her debut album tour, Devastatia, right here to Victoria’s Capital Ballroom, and you’re invited!
Priyanka’s show will bring enthralled audiences 70 minutes of stadium pop-worthy choreography, an abundance of incredible costume changes, and an intimate look into her story as she recalls where it all began.
Victoria Buzz had the pleasure of speaking with her about her upcoming tour dates, the inspiration behind her art, and what keeps her motivated while busy on tour.
“I do drag to create an escape for people. I want them to have a good time, and to not care about their problems for the one hour or 70 minutes we have,” she said.
“It’s about…making the audience feel loved.”
She recalled her early years and attending concerts, saying that they provided her with a sense of escape and a judgment-free environment, and that’s part of her own motivation to bring a sense of belonging and relief from day-to-day life for others.
She’ll give it her all, find ways to connect with each audience no matter the auditorium or stage, and ensure everyone feels welcome and free to express themselves.
And although there are some challenges faced while touring, including how demanding it can be, she emphasized how worth every second is to continue doing what she loves and sharing it with others.
“Touring is dif-fi-cult,” she laughed.
“But it wouldn’t be my career if I didn’t have to fight for it, and I’m so excited for [everyone] to see it!”
When asked how Devastatia compares to early-career performance, Priyanka gushed about how fun it has been to learn new skills associated with a music-specific tour, but also in a way that honours her younger self.
“When I’m up on stage, I still feel like I’m the same ol’ girl that was starting drag in Toronto on Church Street, because when you put videos side by side, yes I’ve become a better performer, but the passion is still there.”
“I think a lot of people go by the ‘well, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,’ but you can teach me!”
Priyanka has learned to dance and sing as her career has progressed—this album and tour has been a further opportunity to learn new skills and grow as a performer.
Devastatia is evidence of this growth, and as a body of art, speaks to the strength and dedication Priyanka has shown in becoming her most authentic self.
“When I was younger, I had a neighbour call me obnoxious. I was laughing and having so much fun and being me, so then when she said this I was like ‘Oh, I guess I’m too loud and annoying, and need to be quieter and more masculine,’” she shared.
“I went from being this really fun, flamboyant child to being more quiet and reserved throughout my teenage years because I didn’t know where to place myself. Devastatia heals that.”
She underlined that it’s about being yourself despite the judgment and despite how others feel like you ‘should’ behave or look.
“Take up space and be who you are—even if you want to be quiet and shy, then be quiet and shy. You owe people nothing.”
When asked what she does to get pumped up before a show and to embody her iconic energy, she said she listens to a lot of Beyonce, Chappell Roan and absolutely loves the meditative time she has to do her makeup.
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Queen Priyanka has mastered the art of performance in a variety of mediums—from hosting as Mark “Suki” Suknanan on the legendary children’s network, YTV, to being crowned as the first-ever winner of Canada’s Drag Race in 2020.
Her recent debut EP Taste Test hit over 5 million streams and, in addition to her music career, Priyanka also recently starred in the fourth season of HBO’s “We’re Here.”
She is also hosting a show called “Drag Bunch Saved My Life,” a Sphere Media unscripted series where she transforms towns and businesses across Canada with drag brunches, set to debut in 2025.
When asked what she’s looking forward to in the coming months, Priyanka expressed her excitement for the coming tour dates and being able to entertain as many people as possible.
“This is the life I dreamt of, and I know I’m doing the right thing right now.”
Tickets for her show in Victoria are $32.50, and they’re going fast!
“[Everyone is] going to have a really good time. It’s a mix of a pop concert and a cabaret—and there’s drag, so it’s everything you’d want in a performance,” Priyanka said.
See you there!
Queen Priyanka: Devastatia Tour
- Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
- When: Friday, November 1st at 9 p.m. (doors open at 8 p.m.)
