Karna Ford: An Exclusive Interview
Karna Ford is one of Sydney’s most iconic and talented new drag performers. Appearing on season four of the successful drag competition franchise, Drag Race Down Under, she showcased to Australia and the world what Sydney drag is all about.
Prior to competing on Drag Race Down Under, she was featured in Australian pop princess Jessica Mauboy’s ‘Right Here Right Now’ music video.
Last year Karna also won season four of Universal Sydney’s ‘Slay to Stay’ competition, one of the scene’s hottest drag competitions.
Currently streaming on Stan, Drag Race Down Under started with 10 amazing drag performers. Over the course of the season they will compete for the coveted crown and the title of “Down Under’s next drag superstar”.
So far, this season of Drag Race Down Under has consistently topped the list of Stan’s most popular shows.
The show’s popularity can be attributed to the incredibly talented cast of stellar queens, including Karna Ford.
In an interview with Gay Sydney Australia, Karna shared a surprising personal fact, spoke about the experience of making it onto the show, and threw some shade back at fellow competitor Nikita Iman (another stunning Sydney queen). Take a look.
How was the experience of being on Drag Race Down Under? How does it feel to have made it onto the show?
Drag Race Down Under was the most thrilling, traumatic, and exciting experience. I always felt that I was made for this TV show so to be able to fulfill my dreams meant the world to me.
How has the experience of being on Drag Race Down Under changed you?
The whole experience has taught me so much about myself. It’s taught me how to turn myself from being just a club queen into an actual business. I also learned a lot of insecurities that I hadn’t worked through yet and that I got in my head more than I knew. I was so scared of the audience’s reaction but I then realised how much of a supportive community I have to lean on when I doubt myself.
Who was the shadiest queen on set?
Nikita Iman… and I still stand by my comment at the end of the episode that I accept being sent home by Max but not by Nikita TYSFM!
What is the origin of your drag name?
The name Karna Ford is a wordplay of “Can’t Afford” because I’ve always been a broke-ass bitch.
What was your first time in drag like?
I was definitely busted in my first time performing in drag. I got booked to be a drag queen, before I even was one, because this show I was in needed Asian drag queens who could dance and there were none in the scene. So there was a call out to Asian boy dancers who were keen to do drag and that’s how I got into drag for the first time.
Is there anything about you that people are surprised to learn?
I think because being on stage my drag personality is enormous, but what people don’t realise is that I’m actually an introverted extrovert. I obviously put it on when I need to, but when I don’t I’m actually very reserved and at all cost will keep to myself unless it’s required for my job.
Make sure you keep up with Karna Ford on Instagram HERE
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