Newsmaker Queen Priyanka takes centre stage at Pride

Since winning the first season of Canada’s Drag Race, Priyanka has parlayed her success and become the best-known queen in Toronto. Now, we chat with her about her show at Pride, dealing with the ignorant haters and, yes, her fave local restaurants.

What are you up to at Pride this month?

Well I'm getting a big show at the AGO on June 9. And it's gonna be f**king lit. I'm excited because last year, I had my Toronto party at Yonge-Dundas Square. And it feels so cool to be doing a more curated show in the gallery after a year of live singing and live performance under my belt. It feels like a grown-up way to come back for pride this year.

Are you shocked to see the anti-drag protests in T.O.?

It's shocking. I mean, I always felt protected because I am Canadian, right? You see things going on in

America and all over the world, and you say to yourself, “Oh, Canada isn't like that.” Toronto is such a beautiful city where we're all accepted. I can walk around in drag, no one will care. But because of laws being put into place in America, it has just awakened the conservative beast in many people all over the world that they [antidrag protests] are really OK.

Tell us about your first Pride. My first Pride was like, seven years ago. I just came out of the closet, and I was met by all my friends who were like, “Wait, it's your first Pride?” I remember walking up and down Church Street and everyone had glitter on their faces. And you know, they have the mom hugs and all this stuff. It was so inspiring to see how fearless these people were because I lived in the closet for so many years. So just to see that on the other side of how fun and happy it can be to be a gay person

— that is my favourite part. And that's why every single Pride I try to be as gay as possible because I hope that I can inspire the next generation of people who are closeted, who aren't as comfortable being themselves to come on out and walk along Church Street and just feel as gay as they need to.

What does Pride mean to you? It's interesting because — although we just touched on those things — a big part of pride is the fearlessness of being a trans person, a queer person, a gay person, a bi person, whatever kind of person you want to be.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Eating!

What are your fave restaurants? I always take everyone to New Ho King because it's open late.

But I also like Thai food so Pai at Yonge and Eglinton. I would say those two are my favourite. But usually for someone's birthday, my mom makes us drive out to Markham to go to Sam Woo BBQ. It’s the best Chinese food in Canada.

What Torontonian would you most like to hang out with? I love these questions. I would say Nelly Furtado. She is the best.

What is your greatest fear? I would say, probably, I don't like snakes. And I'm afraid of stalkers.

Which living person do you most admire? It has to be my mom. She's hilarious.

What is your personal motto? My personal motto is work so hard that your dreams come true because mine did, motherf**ker.