Miz cracker talks politics, shablams, and her new show ‘American Woman’

ArtsNightlife

Mar 2

Featured

With election season quickly approaching, there’s been an uptick in political messaging spread across social media platforms. More specifically, women’s rights have been the topic of discussion amongst people on and offline. One drag queen aims to up the ante by bringing these conversations to stages across America. She’s thin, white, salty and, “she’s a woman!” May I present to you: Miz Cracker.

Since Season 10, this RPDR star has been seen everywhere. From cooking on Bon Appetit to dragging it up on her YouTube channel, Miz Cracker has shown what it takes to be a self-made queen. Touring the world with her previous one-woman show, It’s Time, has led to Cracker being one of the most hilarious, yet influential drag activists of today. Now, she is ready to bring her pro-woman prowess back to the Americas.

Feminist messaging meets comedic genius in Miz Cracker’s newest one-woman show, American Woman. Coming to a city near you, American Woman sprinkles a refreshing twist on modern feminist conversations. From beauty to birth control, she advocates for women’s rights, in quintessential Cracker fashion. We had the chance to speak with Cracker about the upcoming U.S. leg of her one-woman show as well as other projects she has in store.

You are gearing up for the American leg of your one-woman show. Tell me about it. How is that going?

Right now, we’re touring through the U.K. I’m finishing up at the London’s Lady. It’s like a major venue that Judy Garland performed at. I’m the first Ru girl that gets to perform there so that’s really a thrill! But I’m ready to bring American Woman to the Americas.

Tell us about the theme of the show.

American Woman is all about how to be a better ally to women. It’s pointed towards all of the things that women go through everyday, especially in America, that people don’t know about. It covers issues of beauty, sexual harassment, office politics, and more. I realized that at least 75% of my audience is women, so I felt the need to create a show for the audience I have and not just gays in bars.

It’s not too serious. It’s a comedy production, so it deals with all of these issues in a way that everyone can leave thinking, yes, but laughing too!

If there was one message you wanted to convey through the show what would it be?

That it’s time for a change and everyone needs to be thinking about how to be a better ally to women. Whether you are a woman yourself or you just want to be a better ally to women, this is the time. It’s been a long enough wait.

I think that laughter is a really important way to make change and that we are often so serious about the issues that we think are important and sometimes the best way to explain something beautifully is through comedy! I really hope that’s what American Woman is going to do.

How does the show reflect/incorporate the issues that we’re dealing with in this country right now?

Obviously, we are under a president right now that does not show much respect to women, and has a history of showing a great deal of respect to women. I think that makes it especially important to speak up right now. Especially because if we don’t we could be in danger of having another 4 years of this crap.

The question on everyone’s mind...will there be shablams?

Oh yes, cartwheels, splits, coffee grinders, all of that stuff! There will be plenty of shablams. In fact, you know, whenever I need to fill an 8-count, there’s a shablam right there!

The way you started drag was very political, you participated in marches for marriage equality with Bob in Times Square. How have these passions persisted throughout your drag career?

Well Bob always told me that when you’re in drag, people look at you. Since you have everybody’s attention, you may as well use it to do something good. I think that rule has followed me throughout my whole career. I try to use the platform that I have to say things that I think are important.

It seems like it's going to be a quite political season. How do shows like RPDR enhance your platform or the platform of queer people in general?

I think that if young people see shows like Drag Race or Pose and they get the message that these are acceptable ways to live and these are ways to be beautiful then I think that’s incredibly important. Even if it only reaches young people and doesn’t change the minds of any adults, I think that they’re still something incredible and needed.

Do you have any future plans/projects aside from the show?

YouTube! Review with a Jew is the big one. We’re going to be doing more projects with Bon Appetit hopefully this year. It’s been in the works for a little while and people love those videos, so we’re hoping to do that.

—

Ivana Fischer is the Culture Editor of WUSSY and a film and media enthusiast who specializes in cultural studies. You can find her across all socials @iv.fischer

Featured