IN CONVERSATION WITH PRIYANKA
interview by JANA LETONJA
photography by ISAIAS SOUVERVIELLE
Priyanka is a drag icon and multidimensional pop force who continues to redefine what pop stardom can look like. On 16th January she returned with “god i’m messy,” a sharp, self-aware single that embraces chaos, vulnerability, and the freedom that comes from letting go of perfection. Blending confessional honesty with playful pop instincts, the track marks the beginning of Priyanka’s next chapter—one rooted in emotional truth, self-acceptance, and unapologetic confidence. Since winning the inaugural season of Canada’s Drag Race, Priyanka has evolved into an international pop presence, amassing millions of streams, sold-out tours, and critical acclaim for her fearless approach to music, identity, and performance.
“god i’m messy” feels incredibly personal. What moment or realization first sparked the song?
I was in London, UK for this song and I was kind of feeling “over it”. I was so tired of trying to come up with a way to “fit in” and the producer Tobre was like “What about something stupid like god i'm messy”. I stopped dead in my tracks and we wrote the song in 2 hours. I finally felt heard and listened to, and really felt a moment of wow I can really do this.
You’ve spoken about overthinking and self-surveillance. How did writing this track help you release some of that pressure?
I think that anytime you can put something in a song, something that feels like a confession, it’s the best place to relieve any pressure. When you can claim that you’ve been overthinking and you’re just going to get messy, you have no choice but to have to own that new reality. It’s working.
The line between being “messy” and being free feels central here. What does messiness mean to you now?
It means being the thing you want to be and confessing to yourself that you are you. Even the people that come across “perfect”, they are actually the ones who are also overthinking everything. Yes, the people we compare ourselves to have flaws too, which means perfection doesn’t exist so being messy is the way to go.
Was there a version of yourself earlier in your career who wouldn’t have been ready to release a song like this?
Absolutely. This song is super experimental for me. The dance breaks, the choruses, everything about it is such a pivot. But the wildest thing is I didn’t plan for it. It came out of my soul and got produced into this song. It’s like I had no choice but to just let it go and let the music happen more organically.
How does this single set the tone for the next chapter of your music after ‘Devastatia’ and its deluxe release?
It does. I love all of my music, but this new chapter really feels like it’s more me. I’ve been doing a lot of healing, connecting with my inner child, and I made sure that I thought about all of the healing little me needs and put it in my music, which makes me the most me to date.
You’ve evolved from drag competition winner to full-fledged pop artist. What has that transition taught you about yourself?
It’s taught me that whatever the dream is that you have, it can totally be tangible and real. It taught me that audacity is everything and advocating for yourself is the only way to do it. It took years to get people on board with my music and I’m still chipping away at it. It’s happening.
Your fans connect deeply to your emotional honesty. How does that relationship influence the way you create?
I am so honest. Having grown up in an immigrant family where no one likes to speak transparently because what people think is at the forefront of every thought and move they have, I realized that the more I tell my truth and not think that “mystery sells” and people are just looking to connect, the better it is for me and my fans. I love them so much and I want them all to not lie to themselves.
You’ve said perfection is overrated. What unlearning did it take to truly believe that?
I used to try to manage every single detail of my career, but I realized by letting go a bit more, I’ve been able to be more creative and put my energy into creating beautiful things I want to do and just enjoy more of my life. I had to unlearn that “workaholic” attitude, which is wild because I’ve worked so hard to make my career happen. But if i don’t refill my well, there is no Priyanka.
How has your understanding of confidence changed since Canada’s Drag Race?
When you’re not a winner and all of a sudden you are, I had to learn to step into that role of being confident. I still struggle with taking up space and really have to make sure to do deep breath times where I accidentally shrink myself. But Canada’s Drag Race taught me that in or out of drag, I’m special and have beautiful art to share.
Fashion, performance, and music all collide in your work. Where does Priyanka the pop artist end and Priyanka the drag persona begin, if at all?
Being able to express music in drag is an entirely different experience for me. It feels more real, believe it or not. The drag isn’t a persona for me, it’s an extension of who I am and a way I am expressing my art. It’s beautiful and I love it.
Looking ahead, what kind of risks are you excited to take next, musically or personally?
Honestly, as I sit here and think about all of the projects I am doing in 2026, everything feels like a risk. New sound, new shows, new performance, everything is always new. Nothing is ever the same and I wake up a new person every day just doing my best.
