Waimānalo, Oʻahu’s famed Sasha Colby returns home on April 19th for the last stop of her 22-city tour. Starring her new single “Feel the Power,” fans can expect a celebration of Pride, drag excellence, and her unique brand of glamour and aloha spirit when she takes the stage in Sasha Colby: Stripped Tour at the Hawaiʻi Theatre, Honolulu.
Photo by Preston Meneses
Last year, she cemented her status as an icon and trailblazer within the drag community by becoming the first Native Hawaiian trans woman to be crowned the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 and returned to her home state to celebrate as the headliner and Grand Marshal of the 2023 Honolulu Pride Festival.
Although she currently resides in Los Angeles to continue pursuing her career as an actress, dancer, drag performer, and trans advocate, the islands will always have a special place in Colby’s heart. “Besides having the ocean as my front yard, I would say my favorite thing about growing up in Hawaiʻi was definitely the food and aloha spirit,” she says. Here, she tells us about her incredible year and shares her all-time favorite things in Hawai‘i.
Congrats on winning RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15. How does it feel to be the first Native Polynesian to win?
It feels long overdue. I am so proud to represent such a beautiful culture and Polynesians in general, but there’s so much Polynesian culture and so much talent that I hope I am definitely not the last to represent. I can’t wait to see more Polynesians thrive and shine.
You recently returned to Hawai‘i as the Honolulu Pride Headliner and Parade Grand Marshal. Tell us how special this celebration was this time around.
On this particular trip back home to Hawai‘i, being the Grand Marshal and headliner at Honolulu Pride was the most perfect homecoming I could have ever asked for. It was right after I won RuPaul’s Drag Race. It was the first time I had made it home since I won, and to be able to receive so much love from my friends, family, and people who grew up with me there. The queer community there and Hawaiians in general, being proud of a Native Hawaiian being successful was really healing and cathartic.
What inspired your first hit single, “Feel the Power”?
My motto is always, when you leave a performance of mine, I want you to feel empowered to conquer anything in your life. I love representing a powerful woman, strength and queer strength in my numbers. There’s always a sense of strength—kick-ass and sexy. All of that is super powerful to me. When coming up with “Feel The Power,” that’s what really was ringing in my head. For me to remind everyone how powerful they are and that they have the ability to harness that power.
We are thrilled you’ll be back again this year on your 22-city Sasha Colby: Stripped Tour. Why did you choose Hawai‘i as your last stop?
I’m so excited to experience all the cities and showcase the up-and-coming drag artists from each city. It’s just a little way for me to share the spotlight, as the spotlight was shared with me by many queens before me.
Obviously, I needed to end the Sasha Colby: Stripped Tour where it all started, back at home in Hawai‘i. It felt right. To be honest, I would love to stay afterward for a few days and experience the food and beach with my family and friends. I wanted to end there to have a nice wind down after an amazing tour.
Tell us your favorite things Hawai‘i…
Shop? Foodland Hawai‘i for their Poke
Spa? Naupaka Spa and Wellness Centre at Four Seasons Ko Olina
Salon? Salon Blanc
Local product? Monoï Tiki Tahiti - Tiare. It’s my savior
Breakfast? Boots & Kimos Homestyle Kitchen
Go-to workout? Usually outdoor hiking, I love Koko Head Trail or Lanikai Pillbox Trail
Lunch? Zippy’s
Dinner? Kin Wah Chop Suey
Music Venue? Waikiki Shell
Nightclub? Scarlet Honolulu
Beach? Kaiona Beach
Place to catch the sunset? Yokohama Bay (Keawaula Beach)
Hidden gem you like to escape to? Wang Chung’s Karaoke Bar
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