Drag Academy and Priyanka Bring the First Drag Show to Guyana

In December 2024, a vibrant chapter of queer history was written in Georgetown, Guyana, as Drag Academy proudly brought internationally acclaimed drag artist Priyanka, winner of the first season of Canada’s Drag Race, to the country for her Devestasia Tour. The event marked the first drag show in Guyana’s history—a watershed moment for 2SLGBTQ+ visibility and celebration in the Caribbean.

The groundbreaking show was made possible through a powerful partnership between Drag Academy and SASOD Guyana (the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination), a long-standing human rights organization dedicated to promoting equality for marginalized communities in the country. Together, they created a space that wasn’t just about performance—it was about joy, resistance, visibility, and belonging.

Held in the capital city of Georgetown, the sold-out event brought together a diverse and electrified audience that included drag fans, queer community members, allies, politicians, local celebrities, and influencers. For many attendees, this was their first time seeing a drag performance live—and for others, it was their first time feeling seen.

"This was more than a performance,” said Daven Seebarran, founder of Drag Academy and a proud Guyanese-Canadian. “It was a homecoming. It was about bringing something joyful, affirming, and unapologetically queer to a country where many of us have grown up feeling invisible or afraid. Watching Priyanka step onto that stage—watching the crowd erupt with love and laughter—it was one of the most moving moments of my life. We made history, and we did it together."

Priyanka, who has become a global icon not only for her charisma and talent but for her fierce advocacy for queer and racial justice, headlined the Devestasia tour stop with the same infectious energy that won over millions on television. Her performance in Georgetown brought the house down, with costume reveals, Caribbean beats, and heartfelt storytelling that connected directly with the audience.

In addition to her performance, Priyanka also had the unique opportunity to meet with the First Lady of Guyana. The two shared a private lunch, where they discussed the state of 2SLGBTQ+ rights in the country, the importance of representation, and the need for cultural spaces that affirm all identities. While Guyana still faces significant challenges around queer inclusion, this meeting signaled a hopeful opening for dialogue at the highest levels of national leadership.

“It was such a powerful conversation,” said Priyanka. “We talked about visibility, about what it means for queer people to be able to exist, to express themselves, to be safe. I left that meeting with hope—hope that this performance was the beginning of something.”

The impact of the show reached far beyond the walls of the venue. On social media, local and international audiences celebrated the event as a moment of cultural evolution. Young queer Guyanese, many of whom watched the event from afar or online, expressed how deeply meaningful it was to see drag celebrated so publicly in their country.

Daven Seebarran added: “For so long, Guyanese queerness has existed in the margins—in whispers, in hiding, in coded language. What we did in December wasn’t just a show—it was a declaration. That we are here. That we are beautiful. That our culture, our queerness, and our joy deserve the spotlight.”

The evening closed with standing ovations, tearful embraces, and a feeling that something truly historic had taken place. As Priyanka exited the stage in Georgetown, she wasn’t just closing a performance—she was opening the door for a future where drag and queerness are celebrated proudly in Guyana.

Drag Academy and SASOD Guyana have since confirmed they plan to continue building on this momentum, exploring opportunities to bring more programming, education, and drag artistry to the Caribbean region.

In the words of one audience member: “This wasn’t just a drag show. This was history in heels.”