Becoming Crayola was never the plan at first. But looking back, it was kind of inevitable.
Making other people feel good has always made me feel good. And thanks to her, I spend my days performing, creating, writing, connecting, inspiring, educating and entertaining. It’s a two-way gift, and I feel like the luckiest crayon in the world.
The alter-ego of actor Gigi Zahir, Crayola the Queen (Nominated Best Host, QX 2019), is a London-based singer, comedian and MC. With a range that spans from family friendly to downright naughty, this worldly and colourful Queen brings a lot of heart and a lot of LOLs. And while she may be an immaculate entertainer, she’s far from doughnuts for dinner — smart, inventive, and politically engaged, this queen is on a campaign to spread compassion within the queer community and beyond! Follow @CrayolaTheQueen to keep up with the cray!
Here’s some career highlights!
Crayola has been nominated for 3 QX Cabaret Awards including Best Host, Best Ongoing Queer Cabaret, and Best Promoter/Producer
She’s the mother of Haus of Cray (formerly Crayola’s Madhouse) and the surrogate producer of cabaret community fixture Cabaret Roulette. She’s also produced a series of sold-out drag brunches at Babel Art House in Dalston and 90 minute solo shows at The Glory
With two degrees under her belt from The Stella Adler Studio of Acting and the University of Reading, she’s both a classically trained actress and theatre-maker: the stage is her home. She’s been seen in a number of pantos, and recently garnered critical acclaim for her turn as Trinculo in Wildcard’s production of The Tempest at The Pleasance Theatre
She delivers bespoke entertainment and D&I sessions to an array of corporate clients, including Disney, Goldman Sachs, Playstation, Three, Sage, Decker, SAP, Skinnydip London, Boots, King, Shoreditch House, Sink the Pink, St. Mary’s University, Baringa, Brainlabs, Qubit, Vidsy, Valtech, and more
She’s been featured in GQ Magazine and QX Magazine, and was the face of the Reading Fringe Festival in 2019, featured across town on banners and billboards
She’s been booked in Prague, Nice, Birmingham, Bristol and beyond, and has performed alongside a number of high-profile drag artists, including Sasha Velour, Tete Bang, Aquaria, Cheddar Gorgeous, Trinity the Tuck, LoUis CYfer, Miz Cracker, Kemah Bob, Alyssa Edwards, Holly Stars, Shangela, Cheryl Hole, James St James, Hungry, Vander Von Odd, Tammie Brown, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Eureka, Mayhem Miller, Scarlet Envy, Shuga Cain and Mercedes Iman Diamond