Q&A with Priyanka, winner of Canada’s Drag Race, host of Mass Ex 2021
On June 10, drag superstar Priyanka will give a special performance at MX: Live, this year’s Mass Exodus digital runway show. (Photo: Courtesy of Priyanka).
Mass Exodus always turns heads - and 2021 is no exception. Priyanka, winner of Canada’s Drag Race, will bring her A-game front and centre this year as host of Ryerson’s annual School of Fashion event, airing virtually on June 10.
“I’m so excited to announce that I am the host of Mass Exodus 2021!” she exclaimed in a video on Ryerson’s School of Fashion Instagram account. (external link)
“As a self-appointed fashion queen, having an extensive self-made fashion career, I believe me being the host of Mass Exodus 2021 is the perfect match - like a crown on my head,” she said, with a not-so-subtle nod to her recent drag race victory.
MX: Live
This year’s Mass Exodus (external link) live digital show - MX: Live (external link) - will feature the work of graduating students, exploring the theme of “utopia recalibrated”.
While MX: Live will be available online after its digital debut showing, Priyanka will give a special performance that evening that will only be available live. Don’t miss it!
A star is born
Born in Whitby, Ont., 29-year-old Priyanka (the drag superstar alter-ego of Mark Suknanan) began her career in television, working her way up to become the first web host of YTV’s “The Next Star,” eventually touring Canada as the face of “Next Star Nation”, finally landing a starring role in YTV’s “The Zone.”
In 2018, Priyanka was born - taking the Toronto drag scene by storm, winning titles at landmark establishments including Crews and Tangos and Woody’s - located a stone’s throw from Ryerson’s downtown Toronto campus.
In advance of this year’s Mass Ex event, Ryerson Today caught up with Priyanka to find out more about her role as host and more. Check out the Q&A below.
Ryerson's School of Fashion is committed to transforming the world of fashion by advancing principles of inclusion, sustainability and decolonization. How or why are these principles important to you?
Fashion is everything! Fashion is a way to really express yourself without having to say anything. Your clothes can describe your feelings, thoughts, creativity and experiences. Think about my iconic finale gown for Canada’s Drag Race - I showed up looking like a winner and then I won!
Talk about the impact fashion has had on your life in terms of identity, self-expression and empowerment. How does the fashion industry have an impact on the LGBTQ2S+ community?
It’s everything. We use fashion to really tell our stories. People of the LGBTQ2S+ community are so good at showing who they are with their fashion. The fashion industry is opening its doors to so many people in our community to represent major fashion brands - and that’s great because we need to see more people like us selling fashion.
During the show, Canada's Drag Race, you came out to your dad. How did you overcome your fears about coming out to him? What advice do you have for those in the LGBTQ2S+ community, including Ryerson students or community members, who may feel nervous about coming out to loved ones?
It’s all about chosen family - and finding your community! Whether that’s in person, at school, at work, online…it’s so important to connect with people who have similar experiences as you so they can help guide you through your troubles.
Priyanka, 29 - the drag superstar alter-ego of Mark Suknanan - says students should never lose sight of their dreams. (Photo: Courtesy of Priyanka).
Many Ryerson students are huge fans of yours and are so excited you will be hosting Mass Ex this year. If you could give any advice to them, what would it be?
I love you Ryerson! The advice I would give to students right now is the sky is the limit, your dreams are the biggest they will ever be. I want to remind you that when you get out and are faced with the real world - your dreams might get smaller. Keep them big! Work so hard that your dreams come true, please!!
Talk about your role hosting Mass Exodus. Why was it important to you to host the event?
When someone says fashion - I’m there! I remember being bad at choreography, bad at acting, bad at memorizing, but my high school would put on fashion shows where I could just walk and be myself. It was my favourite thing ever.
Anything you'd like to add?
Follow me for all things Priyanka <3 I am releasing so many new things coming out soon. I am so excited!
Don’t miss Priyanka in action as host of MX: Live, created and organized by students from the Faculty of Communication and Design (FCAD). For more information about Mass Exodus, please see the links below.
Related stories: