Introducing one of the freshest faces in the drag community, CDO Queen Khianna is a jolt of excitement, and we simply can’t get enough!
Drag queen Khianna made her Manila debut to the crowd of the Bekenemen Viewing Party at Apotheka. The girl wore a costume referencing either fashion designer BCalla or the cartoons Aaahh!! Real Monsters and instantly gained points in my book! The song she performed wasn’t familiar to an aging millennial, but it echoed the short-lived Electroclash moment that exploded in the 2000s nightlife scene that we were heavily into. She translated the jarring, repetitive music into rhythmic twitches that gave the impression that she was being electrocuted.
The young queen from Cagayan de Oro ensured everybody in that room would remember her name. Khianna lept to grab an exposed beam, then dropped to the ground in a split. I remember how my whole body felt like expanding in response to that; there was a surge of blood that my heart started drumming. Shouting, screaming, and cursing in gayspeak helped to accommodate a rush of awe. But when a tongue came out of the large cartoon-like lips she was wearing, I lost it. “God, I love drag,” I recall saying—a sudden burst of gratitude sent to the universe for having drag in my life.
RELATED: Maharlika and Khianna are the Fabulous Embodiment of CDO Drag
The Khianna Experience
“Maraming tao nagsasabi ‘pag nakikita nila si Khianna performing, parang nababaliw daw sila. Parang nababaliw daw sila kasama ko. ‘Yun talaga eh: baliw-baliwan rockstar,” says the CDO queen. Pretty much accurate based on my description above.
Drag Makeup
“I did my first makeup when I was in Grade 6. Tapos, ‘yung peg ko nu’n Halloween, kunwari may sugat ako sa leeg,” remembers Khianna. Around that same time, she chanced upon RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8, which prompted her to explore more about the artistry via YouTube. She lists good black eyeliner and neutral or green eyeshadows as the beauty products she can’t live without.
Fashion that best represents her Drag
“Dadalhin ko ‘yung Leo energy ko with a latex bodysuit with fur hoodie, tail, and ultra-long nails,” she says and growls.
First Drag Show
Khianna moved to CDO from Cavite in 2019. Like many of today’s young queens, she gave drag a go during the pandemic. “Magkasama kami ni Maharlika nung 2020 for the Northern Mindanao Pride kineso,” she recalls.
3 People that Inspire Her
- Naomi Smalls – “She’s giving hair, lips, and legs!”
- Yvie Oddly – “Nakaka-inspire siya and her story.”
- Hana Beshie – “Kasi napaka galing niya talaga”
5 Favorite Songs
- Ayesha Erotica – Literal Legend
- Björk – It’s Oh So Quiet
- Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush
- Katy Perry – Peacock
- Lady Gaga – Always Remember Us This Way
Khianna’s Icon
“Bretman Rock! Pinapasaya niya ‘ko. ‘Yung tipong uuwi ako ng bahay kasi titingnan ko ‘yung YouTube videos niya nang paulit-ulit. I just really love her!”
CDO drag family
Her chosen family has provided support, guidance, and encouragement. It’s also from them that Khianna finds inspiration and artistic exploration that help improve her persona. “Mas nag-improve ako sa fashion nung nakilala ko sila. Sila rin ‘yung nagpu-push sa’kin na galingan ko,” she says. “Mahilig kasi sila mang-okray kaya ginagalingan ko!” It’s the kind of okray that is constructive and comes from good intentions rather than being spiteful. “‘Yung critique nila, hindi masama kasi kailangan ko siya,” she concurs.
Lesson from CDO sister and Drag Race Philippines Season 2 Miss Congeniality Hana Beshie
“Oh my god, I don’t want to cry. I’m so proud of her talaga. Always niya sinasabi sa’min na huwag kang maging someone else; be you! Be authentically you! Sana mabuhay ka pa nang matagal. Sana huwag ka na mag mukhang tanga always.”
The Best thing about Drag
“Expression! Wala kasing rules eh. Kung anong gusto mong gawin, magagawa mo! Drag takes you somewhere else!”
