Izzy and Manish
Meet Izzy Ashido and Manish Interest
Pronouns: Izzy-he/they | Manish-he/they
Meet the iconic drag kings of the Sydney scene, Izzy Ashido and Manish Interest. With their unique styles and captivating performances, they encourage everyone to support local drag kings and amplify their visibility.
Do you remember your first Mardi Gras experience?
Izzy:“My first Mardi Gras experience was memorable because of my very small stature. I remember hearing the roaring of the Dykes on Bikes and seeing these queer women, masculine women, zoom by and just be themselves. It gave me this little AHH moment and was overall very special.”
Manish:“Every time I've been to the Mardi Gras Parade, especially my first one, I just balled. I took my little sister to her first one last year, and I said,‘You are going to cry your eyes out.’But then I was there behind her crying. Every time I see the trans kids walking, I cry.”
What is your favourite Mardi Gras memory?
Izzy:“We did share one together!”
Manish:“YES! That’s probably my favourite Mardi Gras experience. I was on the World Pride Drag Kings float! It was incredible, with drag kings from around the country coming together.”
Izzy:“Some international ones too, actually.”
Manish:“It was amazing; I had never been around that many drag kings before. I think it was some kind of record for the most drag kings in a single performance. There were so many cool people, and it felt like hanging out with the boys! It was validating to be around folks who said,‘Yeah, your drag is valid; I’m doing the same thing.’I got to hear about the drag scene in Perth and New Zealand. It was so special.”
Izzy:“Meeting so many drag kings with their own flavour and style was really inspiring. I had looked up to a lot of them, so meeting them in person was like,‘I’m starstruck; this is wild!’”
What event are you looking forward to in 2025?
Manish:“I’m very excited for Fair Day. I love the family aspect; I once ran into my Year 12 English teacher with her child and wife, long after I graduated high school, and it was really special"
Izzy:“I’m looking forward to Hot Trans Summer—any excuse to wear as little clothes as possible andget a little bit wet. And also, being around the trans community and trans family.”
What does Free to be mean to you?
Izzy:“It means I’m free to be authentically myself, and the authentic version of myself is incredibly feral. There’s definitely going to be a tarp involved in some of my shows, and it will get a bit messy.
Manish:“I think it’s the freedom to be political, and the idea is to be whatever we want. We’re free to be imperfect and a bit unhinged, to be cultural and to be unexpected.”
Finish this sentence; Free to be:
Izzy:A freak.
Manish:A gender freak.
