Priyanka: The Drag Pop Star Taking Over the World
Priyanka has always been a star in the making. Before she was commanding the stage in dazzling wigs and couture looks, she was an intern at MTV Canada, fetching coffee and learning the art of television. "Drag is literally the best form of entertainment," she proclaims. "Everything added up—casting, producing, learning the ropes of TV—it all led me to this moment." That media background set her apart, making her not just a drag queen, but a brand, an entertainer, and a force to be reckoned with.
With performing in her blood, the thought of having her own talk show is not far-fetched. "Absolutely," she confirms. In fact, she has already taken a step in that direction with her upcoming TV show, Drag Brunch Saved My Life, set to premiere on Crave. The show promises to be a mix of conversation, comedy, food, and lifestyle, all while keeping Priyanka’s signature vibrant energy at its core."Performing is my favorite thing. Music is my favorite thing. So as long as I still get to do that, I will literally do anything."
Priyanka first introduced fans to her musical prowess with her EP Taste Test. The creative process was exhilarating, allowing her to experiment with pop music and revel in hearing her voice on high-energy tracks. Her first singles like Say My Name and You Look So Good became instant fan favorites, affirming her place in the music industry. "At first, I was trying to make the 'perfect' pop song, but I realized that was insecurity talking," she admits. "After touring and hearing crowds scream my lyrics back at me, I was like, 'Bitch, I am the music industry. Please!'" If you haven’t danced in your room to Come Through featuring Lemon, you’re missing out. The track, which Rolling Stone named one of the best drag songs ever, is pure friendship empowerment.
Priyanka is also diving deep into her South Asian roots, infusing Bollywood, Dancehall, Soca, Reggae, and Chutney music into her sound. "I sat my producers down and made them watch a bunch of Bollywood films," she laughs. "I want people to feel that brown girl joy in my music. I want to create from a place that’s unapologetically me."
A self-proclaimed "music video kid," Priyanka places a strong emphasis on visual storytelling. Fans have even dubbed her work the "Priyanka Cinematic Universe" due to the elaborate narratives she creates in her music videos. Think K-pop storytelling meets Missy Elliott visuals with a sprinkle of Scream, Clue, and White Chicks. "As a kid, I thought I was weird for loving these things. Now, I’m using them to build my own world. Every music video feels like a new chapter."
From performing at the Country Music Awards to making waves at the Junos, Priyanka is proving that drag artists belong in mainstream music. "Seeing Sam Smith and Kim Petras win a Grammy for Unholy was a turning point. The industry is changing, and we’re finally on the right track."
Unlike many drag artists, Priyanka sings live—and she’s put in the work. "A manager once told me I wouldn’t be taken seriously if I didn’t sing live, so I trained my ass off," she says. "There were nights where I sounded bad, but I kept learning. Now, my voice is stronger than ever, and I’m like, ‘I’m a singer, right?’" Her pre-show ritual? Throat-coat tea with manuka honey, no caffeine after 2 p.m., and a nebulizer for her vocal cords. She also blasts Pussycat Dolls, Little Mix, and Britney Spears to hype herself up. "It reminds me I’m living my childhood dream."
From contestant to guest judge, Priyanka’s Drag Race journey has come full circle. She’s open to returning for an all-winners season but wants to be mentally ready for it. "It’s a huge opportunity. I want to go in feeling secure, not overthinking." And as for hosting Drag Race West Indies? "Absolutely. The short answer is yes, but the long answer is if it means nurturing more stars and nurturing more queer jobs for people and more voices to release music with and more dancers to dance with and more drag queens to see and drag kings and they thems and whoever else the fuck ever else, then yes!”
What’s Next for Priyanka? Priyanka is more than a performer—she’s a movement. Whether through her music, TV projects, or live performances, she’s redefining what it means to be a drag superstar. "If you’re only doing it for yourself, you’re in the wrong industry. It’s about the people."
And if we’ve learned anything from Priyanka, it’s that she’s always got something up her sleeve. So stay tuned—because she’s just getting started.
