Meet Twinka Masala | Drag King

We had the good fortune of connecting with Twinka Masala and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Twinka, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Something I wish outsiders would realize about the drag industry is just how much work goes into what we do. Drag is a truly all-encompassing art form—we’re usually the makeup artist, costume designer, choreographer, music editor, creative director, and performer all in one. Every number you see is the result of hours (if not days) of planning, rehearsing, creating, and investing our own time, money, and energy. That’s why it’s so important to support local drag, especially drag kings and other underrepresented performers who often don’t get the same recognition or opportunities. Behind every performance is a whole world of effort and creativity that deserves to be seen and celebrated. It takes a lot of money to look this cheap!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I began my drag journey in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. Like many artists at the time, I started performing in virtual shows over zoom before eventually transitioning to live performances. My first in-person gigs were in the Central Coast of California a beautiful but deeply conservative part of the state. One of the pivotal moments in my career was organizing and hosting the very first Pride event in Paso Robles. It was a youth-centered celebration that included drag story time, and unfortunately, it was met with intense backlash, including death threats. Despite the hostility, we persevered, and I continue to host and perform at drag story times to this day.

As a drag king, I’ve had to navigate a landscape where we’re often excluded from mainstream drag and queer spaces due to misogyny and transphobia. It’s been challenging—drag kings frequently have to fight twice as hard to be seen, booked, and celebrated. But I’m proud to say I’ve carved out a space for myself. Los Angeles has an incredible and growing drag king scene, and I’ve been fortunate to be a part of it. Over the years, I’ve performed across the country at universities, pride events, and festivals, and have led many drag and mental health workshops. In 2024, I was honored to be named Sapphic LA’s Best Drag King of the Year!

What sets my work apart is how deeply rooted it is in both community and culture. One of the things I’m most proud of is bringing my South Asian heritage to stages everywhere I go. The most valuable thing I’ve gained from this journey is community and providing spaces where people of all backgrounds feel seen, safe, and celebrated.

What I want the world to know is this: self-expression and self-love are revolutionary acts, especially for young, brown, queer kids. I want to be a living example that it is possible to grow older and be visibly, joyfully, and unapologetically queer and trans AND BROWN. If my story helps even one person feel less alone, then it’s all been worth it. <3

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My perfect LA itinerary starts with the most important act of love: picking my friend up from LAX because nobody, not even my worst enemy deserves to deal with the hell scape that is LAX-IT.

From there, we’d grab coffee and a browse at Stories Books & Cafe, a cozy queer-centered bookstore in Echo Park.

Next stop: Green Qween—hands down the best dispensary in LA. It’s pro-Black, pro-brown, pro-queer, and even offers discounts for trans folks!

For lunch, we’d head to Jerusalem Chicken, a Palestinian-owned gem and one of my absolute favorite spots. Everything on the menu is fire, and it’s a great way to support local Middle Eastern businesses.

Then it’s time for our Barbie fantasy—roller skating down the Venice boardwalk, soaking up the sun and the chaotic beauty that is LA beach culture.

We’d end the night with Korean BBQ and then hit a drag show at my Precinct, KISO or Akbar.

If we’re still standing after all that, a late-night detox at Wi Spa is the move. Nothing like soaking in a hot tub and sweating it all out to finish off a perfect day in the city I love.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shout out to Satrang, a volunteer runSouth Asian LGBTQ+ social organization based in Southern California. I served on their board for three years, and during that time, they introduced me to an incredible range of queer South Asian folks and helped elevate my art by giving me the platform to host drag nights and shows. My time with them led to the creation of LA’s firstand only South Asian drag party called Mujra. Satrang has been around since the 90s and continues to build community with deep commitment, joy, and intersectional care. Their events are always full of love, laughter, amazing food, and even better company. Follow them, show up, and support—this is the kind of community work that makes queer desi art and our lives possible!

Instagram: @Twinka_Masala