Drag Me to Heaven

In this evocative Season 2 episode of Drag Me To Heaven , we venture into the surreal and sacred universe of La Faust , an alternative drag artist from Goa whose work is redefining the edges of drag, spirituality, and pedagogy. Known for crafting hauntingly beautiful and religiously charged visuals, La Faust explores the rich tension between ritual and rebellion, sacredness and subversion. Through...

In this thought-provoking episode of Drag Me to Heaven, I sit down with LaWhore Vagistan, the dazzling and unapologetic drag persona of Kareem Khubchandani—a researcher, performer, and activist whose work spans queer nightlife, South Asian diaspora, ethnography, and performance studies. As an academic and artist, Khubchandani seamlessly weaves together storytelling, stand-up comedy, body art, and...

In this bonus episode of Drag Me to Heaven, Sas (Patruni Sastry) sits down with Bombay’s own Emperor Naaz, a trailblazing drag king known for their ability to channel sacred energies through their art. Together, they explore the intricate relationship between drag and spirituality, delving into how performers can respectfully incorporate sacred imagery and cultural references into their work. From...

In this powerful episode of Drag Me To Heaven, I sit down with the groundbreaking Mama Gannush, a drag artist whose work transcends performance to engage with critical social issues. 🖤✨ We explore how Mama Gannush uses her platform to amplify voices and combat injustice, including her advocacy for Palestinian solidarity and raising awareness about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Drawing from her e...

In this episode of Drag Me To Heaven , I had the honor of speaking with the iconic Landa Lakes , a Two-Spirit Chickasaw drag queen, artist, and activist based in San Francisco. 🌈 Landa shares her incredible journey from growing up in the Tupelo community of Oklahoma to becoming a leading voice in the Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ communities. We dive into her groundbreaking work as the founder of the Bru...

In this vibrant episode of Drag Me to Heaven, I sit down with Tifa Wine (she/her), the electrifying drag persona of Ryan Persadie (he/him), a Toronto-based artist, educator, and doctoral fellow in Caribbean Studies. We explore Tifa's journey as a drag artist and how she weaves the rich tapestry of Caribbean culture, Carnival traditions, and chutney-soca music into her performances. Ryan shares ins...

In this episode of Drag Me to Heaven, I sit down with Bloody Kamina, a trailblazing Dalit drag king from Bangalore, who is using their platform to challenge not only gender norms but also caste-based discrimination. Bloody Kamina, known for their bold performances, is an advocate for Dalit rights and incorporates their anti-caste and Buddhist beliefs into their art. Through drag, they challenge so...

In this episode of Drag Me To Heaven, I had the privilege of speaking with the enigmatic Sister Shalita from the iconic Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Our conversation dove deep into their unique mysticism and the profound ways they blend their spiritual philosophy with the mission of the Sisters. Sister Shalita shared how their mystical approach is rooted in healing and transformation, using th...

In this episode of Drag Me To Heaven, we spotlight Khemaya, a trans woman, drag artist, and classical dancer hailing from Odisha. Rooted in the sacred traditions of Mahari, Gotipua, and Odissi dance, Khemaya masterfully bridges the worlds of spirituality and drag, creating a powerful narrative of faith and identity. Khemaya shares her experience of blending these revered temple dance forms with th...

In this captivating episode of Drag Me to Heaven , we journey to Kathmandu, Nepal, with the extraordinary Momolicca—drag artist, queer tourist guide, and pioneer in Nepal’s queer cultural landscape. Together, we explore the intersection of queerness, spirituality, and heritage in one of the world’s most historic cities. Momolicca shares untold stories of Nepal’s queer history, shedding light on tr...

In this thought-provoking episode of Drag Me to Heaven , I am joined by the phenomenal Bonnie Violet, a drag artist, digital chaplain, and a pioneer in merging the worlds of spirituality and drag. Bonnie has been at the forefront of creating spaces where queerness and spirituality can coexist harmoniously, starting with their groundbreaking spiritual drag conferences, which have traveled across Id...

In this episode of Drag Me to Heaven, I’m joined by the incredible Jolene Queen Sloan, a Punjabi drag artist redefining the drag scene in Canada. With a stunning blend of devotion, culture, and unapologetic artistry, Jolene is bringing Punjabi heritage to the forefront of Canadian drag. From traditional Punjabi aesthetics to bold performances, Jolene’s work bridges the gap between diaspora and dra...

In this empowering episode of Drag Me To Heaven, I sit down with Phoenix Raj, the groundbreaking drag artist from Nepal and the founder of Queer Honky-Tonk, the country’s first and only public drag performance space. Phoenix is at the forefront of redefining drag in Nepal, blending art, identity, and activism to create a platform for queer expression in a region rich with tradition and faith. We e...

In this captivating episode of Drag Me To Heaven, I sit down with the iconic Sister Roma, famously known as the most photographed nun in the world. As a member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Sister Roma has spent over three decades using drag, humor, and activism to challenge hate, spread love, and inspire change. We explore the origins of the Sisters, the power of drag as a tool for acti...

In this extraordinary episode of Drag Me to Heaven , we are joined by the one and only Maya Mem Saab, a groundbreaking figure in the drag community. As the first South Asian bearded drag queen to enter the pageant drag scene in the U.S., Maya Mem Saab has redefined what it means to be a queen. Recently crowned National PNW Bearded Queen 2024 , she is blazing a trail of authenticity, resilience, an...

In this episode of Drag Me to Heaven, I speak with the incredible Ms. Begum Soni, a cross-dresser, drag artist, and educator who shares her experiences of blending tradition and expression. Begum Soni introduces us to the unique cultural practice of cross-dressing as a mannat—a vow to the gods in exchange for blessings or fulfilled wishes. From the Ganga Ma festival in Tirupati to Kerala’s Chaiyar...

In this soul-stirring episode of Drag Me To Heaven, Patruni Sastry sits down with Goa-based drag artist and sitarist, Sex Wax. Known for merging Hindustani classical music with the art of drag, Sex Wax delves into their journey of faith, spirituality, and artistic expression. They share how the moon serves as a profound source of connection and inspiration, and how they navigate the intersection o...

In this episode of Drag Me to Heaven, I sit down with the extraordinary Bollyvvitch—a trans-Indian witch and drag artist from the United Kingdom. We delve into her spellbinding journey of navigating faith, witchery, and drag artistry. Bollyvvitch opens up about reclaiming her Indian heritage while embracing her trans identity, how witchery informs her spiritual practice, and the ways her surreal d...

In this episode of Drag Me to Heaven, I sit down with Salaura, a prominent drag artist from Goa whose performances bridge the gap between artistry, spirituality, and advocacy. With 15 years of experience in the industry, starting as a dancer and transitioning into drag, Salaura has created a unique space in India’s drag scene internationally and nationally. Salaura’s drag is deeply rooted in their...

In this powerful episode of Drag Me to Heaven, VictWhoria Jumbobutt shares their journey of living with HIV, being areligious, and embracing nudism. Through their drag artistry, VictWhoria breaks barriers, challenges societal norms, and redefines what it means to live authentically. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, vulnerability, and the freedom to fully own your truth.

In the third episode of Drag Me to Heaven, I sit down with Maya the Drag Queen, a trailblazing pioneer of Indian drag whose journey beautifully intertwines with their Christian faith. Maya shares how their drag persona is often misinterpreted as embodying different faith imagery, overshadowing their identity as a person of Christian belief. We explore the challenges they’ve faced in reconciling th...

In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary world of Hiten Noonwal, a visionary drag artist, cosplayer, and expert in image-making. Known for their avant-garde style and spiritual connection, Hiten shares how their art is a manifestation of catharsis and spirituality. Through motifs of birds, feathers, and soaring imagery, Hiten explores the essence of spirits and the ethereal. They discuss th...

In the debut episode of "Drag Me to Heaven," I sit down with Zeesh, a visionary drag artist from Bombay known for their avant-garde style. Zeesh, who was born into an Islamic faith, shares their journey of navigating identity and expression through the medium of drag. We delve into the intricacies of their avant-garde and gothic performances, exploring how these artistic expressions serve as a pow...

Welcome to Drag Me to Heaven , a podcast where we explore the vibrant, transformative, and deeply personal world of drag through conversations with some of the most inspiring artists in the community. This series dives into the intersections of identity, faith, culture, and artistry, offering a platform for drag performers to share their unique stories, struggles, and triumphs. From exploring the...