• Can you tell me a bit about your background and what brought you from Turkey to Barcelona?
• I started my drag journey in 2019 as a door queen for my LGBTI+ rights association. During the pandemic, I unfortunately had to shift to online events and I also tried being a Twitch streamer. Once the pandemic ended, I decided to resume my drag career in Ankara, Turkey, while juggling it with a day job, which made balancing two different lives quite challenging. I had previously been to Barcelona for my scientific career and wanted to live in this city again. With Turkey’s political situation worsening for LGBTI+ people and hate speeches from politicians becoming a daily occurrence, I felt the need to change my life and be true to myself. So here I am, living my life in Barcelona.

• Who are some of your biggest influences in the drag world, and how would you describe your drag style?
• My biggest influence in my drag journey is Huysuz Virjin. I grew up watching her TV shows, and she has been an iconic figure in my life. She worked hard to become a famous “woman,” achieving fame after her 40s. Every day, I remind myself of her journey and strive to work harder. I mostly enjoy performing comedy, parody, and political shows, and I believe I have developed my own unique style. I’m not just a comedy queen or a dance queen (I’m obviously not a dancer), but rather a shapeshifter who can embody anything.

• How has the drag community in Barcelona received you, and how does it compare to the community back in Turkey?
• There are many drag queens in Barcelona, making it quite a competitive city. However, I’m fortunate to have met some amazing and kind sisters here and they welcomed me very well. I can’t really compare the two countries because the circumstances are so different. In Turkey, the situation is more discreet. I’ve shared many beautiful moments with my sisters from Turkey. They have always supported me and continue to do so.

• Can you share a particularly memorable or significant moment from your drag career so far?
• I have beautiful memories with all the queens I’ve shared the stage with. When I first arrived in Barcelona, I didn’t know anyone. Then I discovered Lady Red Velvet and her Drag Academy. I saw one of her Instagram stories and sent her a message asking if we could do a show together. She responded quickly, saying, “Yeah, sure darling, let’s do it.” That message changed my drag journey in Barcelona. Now, I perform my own shows at “Bar La Federica” and other venues.

With Turkey’s political situation worsening for LGBTI+ people and hate speeches from politicians becoming a daily occurrence, I felt the need to change my life and be true to myself.

• What advice would you give to aspiring drag performers, especially those who might be coming from a different cultural background?
• First of all, the Barcelona community loves Turkish people. I’m the only Turkish Delight here. It’s important to bring your culture into your performance. These cultural influences inspire us and enrich our shows. Don’t be ashamed of your background and culture. Embrace it, and you can be unique.

Watch our video interview with Unique Horn on the Proud Passport YouTube channel here:

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