A relative newcomer to NYC drag, Vietnamese-American vixen Kanika Peach is turning the world into their own Red Lantern District. And we live for it!
Thotyssey: How was your September, Kanika?
Kanika Peach: It’s been rad and busy so far… just trying not to think of the impending end of summer.
I’m all for it! Well, certainly autumn makes for more pleasant drag weather, right?
I shockingly never developed the sweaty gene; I made it through the season basically unscathed. Maybe it’s my desert skin. But I am ready for spooky season, because your girl loves to bring the ookie-spookies!
Do you have a favorite horror or horror-adjacent movie?
Oh that’s a great question, are we talking old school or new school?
Whichevs!
If we are talking classics, I’m gonna have to go with Nightmare on Elm Street 2 (for obvious reasons). But I also have a soft spot for Evil Dead. If we are talking modern than definitely the X franchise. And I also think we’re in a renaissance of horror, so there’s so many new ones that are good. Can you tell I’m a fanatic?
So can you tell us a bit of your origin story?
Hmmm.. my origins! That’s a winding path. Well, both my parents were refugees from Vietnam, from the war. They met in the states and had me in New York. My mom left at an early age (he has since transitioned, that’s a whole other story). I was raised in Massachusetts, and had my adolescence and early adulthood in Arizona. Now I’ve found myself back here in a roundabout way.
I started dancing in my early teens, and went to college to become a contemporary dancer. Turned out that was way too cis and too white for my liking, so I took all that passion for dance and channeled it into my art as a drag performer.
As for fashion, that’s been more of a new occurrence… but I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of garments that have the power to evoke ideas of imagery and enhance what I’m trying to portray through my performance. It’s another layer of storytelling for me.
Fascinating! How did Kanika get born?
Kanika was a fleeting idea back in Arizona, when I would play around with makeup and wigs–just like I’m sure many gay boys in college probably did. When I moved to Brooklyn about five years back, I put her out of my mind to pursue a dance career.
It was not until 2021 with the many insistences of my fiancé, G, to try it out again to get out of my emotional and creative slump that had piled on post-2020. They actually encouraged–more like forced–me to sign up for Junior Mintt’s “In Living Color” open set… and the rest was history. It all moved quickly from there. She did look busted, though!
I’m sure she was a true peach! Is there a story behind your name?
Lol! Yes, the story is that I was with some dear friends passing through Mount Zion National Park in Utah (possibly under the influence of some hallucinogenic substances, the fungal variety). It was then we happened upon a kind forest ranger (a man) who had a name plate that read “KANIKA PEACH.” I asked if that was his real name, he told me yes, and I kept the name in my back pocket ever since.
How would you describe your drag today?
Kanika Peach is an unapologetically Asian queen living on the corner of cunty and creepy. Conjured by the glowing mystical neon lights of Saigon, she gives sex with a little bit of swamp witch. I like to play both sides of the coin, always shifting and reinventing myself. One day I might be a bright colorful bubblegum pop diva, and another day a dark, twisted, emotional seductress. I think I would get too bored if I pigeonholed myself into one specific genre… what’s the fun in that? Kanika might leave you drooling with your jaw on the floor, or maybe even a little scared.
A perfect queen for the season! What are your thoughts on the growing number of branded events, drag shows, etc. created by and largely for queer Asian-American nightlifers these days: Bubble_T, NAA-RAK, “Haus of Fortune,” etc.?
Currently, I have noticed a tidal wave of Asian American performers. Creating places for queer Asian people who didn’t feel like they had a space in NYC nightlife is important, because I feel that historically we have been tokenized to fill a quota or check a diversity box. It truly fills me with joy seeing my community carve out these magical places where we can authentically be ourselves and our power is celebrated. Obviously there are still obstacles we face moving forward, but I am optimistic in the powers of the community!
I feel like [the movement has a mission] to find others with similar experiences, with a drive to propel our voices to the forefront. I have made deep connections to my sisters Kekoa and Felicia Oh, my fellow “Red Lantern District” girlies. I am wishing for more future fortune for the AAPI community in the era to come.
Can you tell us a bit about the “Red Lantern District” shows that the three of you regularly perform?
Oh, this show is truly our baby–a pride and joy. It’s crazy to think about how three newer local girls can pack a fucking house with such electric energy. The Red Lantern District is our regular show held at the Red Pavilion. The show centers queer, sex positive AAPI voices. We have coined ourselves Brooklyn’s baddest ABG’s! #iykyk.
The show came into fruition when we heard about an Asian centered nightlife space opening up in Bushwick, the Red Pavilion. A couple meetings later, we planned to show up to the opening in full drag and place an inquiry about doing our show in the space. Luckily for us, we were well-received by the owner and patrons!
And now you are all doing events beyond The Red Pavilion as well.
We now have multiple offshoot projects that have stemmed from our work together. One near and dear to my heart as an activist is our “United: Benefit for Maui“, a gala filled with the a cast of 20+ fiercest AAPI performers–some of whom are staples in the community, as well as fresh up-and-comers. We are all converging to provide the
community in Maui affected by the recent tragedies with the much needed funds to aid in their immediate and ongoing relief efforts. This will be held next Wednesday, 9/27 at 3 Dollar Bill.
What else is coming up for Red Lantern District?
We also have a collaboration / takeover in the works with Bubble_T for a Red Lantern District party at Elsewhere Zone One on 10/21. And it wouldn’t be spooky season without a gigantic Halloween Bash with our partner Whorechata at the Red Pavilion on 10/27. So a ton of things in the works that we are extremely excited about.
All amazing! And I see you’ll be doing a “Paint & Sip” at Sandy Jacks on October 7.
Why Yes! Me and my partner host a monthly Sip and Paint at Sandy Jacks called “Hard Acrylic!” It’s kind of funny how it started, because I am an absolute terrible painter (I can paint my face, but not a canvas). Someone mentioned me to the owner Micheal saying I was a visual artist. It’s actually my amazingly talented partner who is the artist. So now to create a workaround, I get them into the drag (they are not a performer) and we have a great time sipping and painting!
Anything else to add?
I think Britney Spears was replaced by CGI back in 2019. This is important information the public needs to know.
Not so hard to believe at this point! Okay lastly… what is your favorite item in your drag cosmetic bag?
Oof! That’s like trying to choose my favorite child! Hmmm… I think it would have to be my Suva Beauty white eyeliner. That stuff is insane! Or possibly my makeup wipes, because the only thing that is as good as putting the makeup on is takin’ it off!
No doubt! Thanks for the sweet talk, Ms. Peach!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Kanika Peach’s upcoming appearances, and follow them on Instagram.
Thotyssey 