priyanka

Renowned drag queen Priyanka is throwing a costume ball in Toronto next month

Toronto drag queen Priyanka has been hard at work parlaying her recent success into a number of creative outlets from albums to TV projects and, apparently, in keeping with the whole queen theme, even costume balls.

The latest, isย ESCAPE: Priyankaโ€™s Iconic Wonderland, described as “a concept costume ball and experiential universe”ย ย happening March 24 at the legendary Palais Royale.

“This is going to be an iconic night for the city,โ€ said Priyanka, the season one winner of Canada’s Drag Race. โ€œNot only because your favourite pop star queen, Me (Dโ€™uh), will finally debut my yet-to-be-released brand new song, but because Toronto doesn’t have enough opportunities to dress up and show off its best.โ€

In addition to the event, Priyanka (the drag persona of Mark โ€œSukiโ€ Suknanan) also signed a development deal with Bell Media and joined the cast of ETALK as a special contributor. Oh, and did we mention she’s also a pop and country music artist? Priyanka’sย EP Taste Test, has more than 15 million streams, and a debut album is slated for release later this year.

So, yes, the former YTV Kids host and budding entertainment superstar is kind of a big deal. And it all came together when aย drag queen by the name of Ecstasy Love performed at her 26th birthday in 2017 and suggested she try drag.

โ€œIt was really a godmother moment. I was feeling unfulfilled at work and wanted to be doing something more creative as an artist, so I thought, โ€˜Let me just try it.โ€™ I auditioned for [drag bar] Crews & Tangos, and thatโ€™s how it all began.โ€

Priyanka hit the ground running and has parlayed her early success into a career that sees her exploring new ventures and growing her audience across numerous platforms.

โ€œI am such a mashup of things: Iโ€™m a brown person, Iโ€™m queer, Iโ€™m a drag queen and an exโ€“kidsโ€™ TV host. I want that to speak in my music, too, and include elements of all of the different genres,” she said, during a previous interview with StreetsofToronto.

ESCAPE will feature a one-night-only performance by Priyanka and special guests Fefe Dobson, RALPH, and two of Torontoโ€™s top DJs Nino Brown and DJ Phillipe.

According to event information, formal dress or costume is required for entrance and guests can upgrade for a shared red carpet experience with Priyanka and other top trendsetters.

Article exclusive to STREETS OF TORONTO