Arriving ON our fair shores with a huge following from her UK hometown already tucked into her kamarband, drag comedian / podcaster / social media star Lady Bushra is now claiming New York for her very own.
Thotyssey: Happy July Lady Bushra, thanks for finding a moment to chat with us during this busy time! I understand your doing things in Las Vegas as we speak?
Lady Bushra: Happy (belated) Fourth of July, America! What an awkward day for me to come out as British. I am indeed in Vegas — plundering, squandering and pushing me and my husband’s wedding vows to the limit as I type. I’m here for a standup comedy gig. First time performing here, and I’m very much looking forward to it!
Exciting! You were already an established talent in the United Kingdom, both on stage and on social media. Has it been a very different experience to grown your brand in the States, or is it kind of a similar experience?
Thank you! It’s been an equally challenging experience growing my brand and artistry in the US. I absolutely love working here, and America has some of the best audiences. People want you to succeed, and the love is palpable. Competition is fierce and it takes a lot to stand out, particularly in this climate, but I’m grateful for the journey.
You have a drag presentation, but you perform almost exclusively in standup comedy venues. Are you more of a drag queen who does standup, or a comic in drag?
I prefer to call myself a drag comedian. I have my solo cabaret show, and take it wherever a venue will have me. The queer community is where my heart is, so if you have a gig at a gay bar then hit me up! No artist is too big or too small for any stage. Gosh, I sound nauseating!
Not at all! As far as “cabaret” goes, do you sing?
I sing live, but strictly in a comedic way. My act is all about poking fun at what people hold dear, whether it’s the Broadway star or the Bollywood beauty. My performances are all about parody, and not at all too serious.
In the Olden Days drag queens performed in a variety of genres and fashions on stage, sometimes not even going on stage at all. But now thanks in part to RuPaul’s Drag Race, it’s all about lip synching. Do you ever do lip sync numbers yourself?
I can, but choose not to, do traditional lip yncs. I’d hate to put so many Caucasian queens out of business. Variety is the spice of life, honey! So yes, I also lip sync… but again, all as part of my comedy act! For example, my favourite number to perform is a Christmas track interjected with ethnic references to help “diversify” the holiday.
Let’s rewind a bit to your origin story: whereabouts in the UK are you originally from, and what was it like to grow up funny and fabulous in what I presume was a traditional Muslim household?
I grew up in a small town called Keighley, which is in the Bradford district. Life was very different to what it is now. Growing up in a working class migrant family had its challenges, plus it was a very conservative household. Indoctrination was strong, which led to damage done that I’m continuously working through… for which I have drag to thank for!
There were some laughs growing up, but I’d say comedy comes to me naturally. It’s my coping mechanism and my way to connect with other people, working through the vibrant and wacky world that we live in.
How did you begin as Lady Bushra, and what was your trick to gathering such a tremendous online following since that time?
I started off just before the pandemic hit; me and a couple of friends who were together in London and I floated this idea of a character named “Lady Bushra of Bradford.” It drew a huge laugh, and I realised that I’m onto something; by the next month, I was on stage in London.
The very next month, however, the pandemic was in full swing. And so after losing my job, I ended up focusing on creating online content… which in turn led me to getting live bookings once things started opening up. What started as a silly joke in our kitchen has now landed me in America, working full-time as a drag comedian!
You also co-host a podcast with someone you share both a first name and household with: Amir — well, you’re Amir, he’s actually Aamir — a social media star in his own right!
The podcast was me and my husband’s firstborn, and our original claim to fame. It’s called You Don’t Love Me and it’s all about life from the perspective of a gay South Asian married couple. It’s basically just us having a conversation with the camera on. We took a break for Pride Month–but we’re back in action this month, baby! So do check us out on YouTube.
I adore my long suffering husband Amir; without his love and support, none of this would’ve been possible. And frankly, I wouldn’t want to do it without him by my side.
I understand that you are in the US on a talent visa.
I am indeed — an artist of “extraordinary ability!” I wanted to come to the US because it’s the entertainment capital of the world. I began in the UK as a small-known entity, and wanted to go back to the basics — challenge myself, and push further. Push push push. More more more. If only my father had loved me. I’m joking! I was born without a father.
Where do you shop for Bushra in New York?
Bushra is a Jackson Heights diva, aka Little India… or as I like to call it, a little too much India.
You’ve been performing in clubs all over the city, most notably a residency at Don’t Tell Mama in Hell’s Kitchen which you will return to this Wednesday! What’s your “Drag Comedy Cabaret” show like?
Oh, my solo show is my favourite show to do in New York City. The audience is always so giving. Unless there’s a lot of Brits in the audience, then it’s dry, but the tips are great… so there’s that. According to Chat GPT: “Lady Bushra’s ‘Drag Comedy Cabaret’ is a high-energy blend of standup, lip syncs, and audience interaction. Expect sharp British-Asian satire, camp glamour, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.”
Do you feel like you don’t get to mingle with local drag queens as much as you’d like because you’re working mostly in non-gay bar spaces? Although having said that, I did just see footage of you goofing around a bit with Lady Bunny on a local news show, that was fun!
Oh, I adore Lady Bunny! Always a pleasure getting senior citizens out of the house to have some fun. Ha! She’s gonna kill me!
To answer your question: yes, I do feel that because I’m not in the traditional drag spaces, I don’t get to work with a lot of drag queens… which I’m hoping to change. Also, I mainly do my own solo show — so I don’t really get much opportunity to work with many queens. That said, I love and adore New York queens so much, and I am in awe of how hard they work and the space that they have created for so many queens like me. Special shout out to queens like Shequida. More power to you all!
You actually got to host a Muslim Pride show at The Center a few weeks ago, how was that? Is it a challenge to balance celebrating that faith heritage with being a topical drag comedian?
Although I’m not religious myself, it was a pleasure and honour to be able to inhabit a space that allowed people to celebrate multiple aspects of their identities that are not always paired together.
I think intention is important when it comes to being a comedian. So long as you don’t have any intention of causing people offence, then you’re fine! Don’t get me wrong… I have had the haters. But it comes with the territory of being an iconic international drag superstar. Hashtag humble.
You’re taking part in LaWhore Vagistan’s epic showcase “Dragistan” at 3 Dollar Bill on July 26th, which is a large cast of desi drag performers from all over the country and beyond! How excited are you… and will you be doing standup, or a number?
Honestly, I’m so proud of my South Asian sisters in New York for creating a space where desi drag can thrive! They should be immensely proud of themselves. Will I be doing a traditional performance or a comedic number? Well, you’ll just have to come and find out for yourself, won’t you?
What else is coming up for you?
Check out my website for the latest show dates, it’s currently being refreshed. LA, San Diego, Texas and Arizona… I will be seeing you all in the fall!
And finally: What’s the most essential item in your drag bag?
My tinted lip balm, because that is all that I use. I have a natural stage ready glow, and for that I have adequate hydration and positive thinking to thank.
Many thanks to you, Lady Bushra!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Lady Bushra’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkTree, YouTube and her website. Also listen to her podcast “You Don’t Love Me” across multiple platforms
Thotyssey 