Sasha Colby is taking center stage—again. And this time, she’s bringing a bigger, bolder, and even more fantastical vision of drag to life with the return of her Stripped tour, now evolved into Stripped II.
The 2025 tour, presented by Live Nation, spans 30 dates across North America and promises an immersive, emotional, and empowering experience that builds on everything fans loved the first time around—and then some. For Sasha, it’s more than just a tour. It’s a celebration of queer creativity, a platform for emerging talent, and a moment of pure magic in a time when LGBTQ+ expression continues to face challenges.
Speaking exclusively with Gayety, Sasha Colby covered everything from her tour vision and hair empire to emotional homecomings and giving back to the drag community. Here’s what she had to say.
‘Stripped II’ Is Here—And It’s a Whole New World
“I’m so excited to be working with Live Nation again,” Colby said. “To expand on the world I created with Stripped feels like such a dream. With them, I feel truly taken care of.”
This time around, Sasha’s bringing audiences something that she calls more magical, more fantastical, and deeply rooted in escapism.
“In these very oppressive and scary times,” she said, “I wanted to build a world we could all disappear into for 90 minutes—to reconnect with our humanity.”
That ethos is deeply woven into Stripped II, a show designed to be both a safe haven and a celebration, where drag becomes a mirror and a portal—reflecting reality while offering a place to heal and dream.
Elevating the Next Generation of Drag
One of the standout features of Stripped II is the Opening Performer Contest, a brilliant initiative that invites local drag artists to share the stage with Sasha in their city.
“It’s so personal for me,” she said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who gave me a shot when I was just starting—Delta Work, Mimi Marks, Jim Flint, and the Baton Show Lounge. This is my way of paying that forward.”
So what does it take to open for Sasha Colby?
“I’m looking for originality. Authentic storytelling. Show me your nerve and talent—but also show me why you need to do drag,” she said. “This is an art form that saves lives. I want to feel that truth.”
Looking Back at ‘Stripped’: A Tour Rooted in Heart and Healing
Reflecting on her first headlining tour in 2024, Sasha described the experience as a “creative love letter” to the friends and family who’ve stood beside her for decades.
“Creating something so meaningful with people I’ve known for 20 years was surreal,” she said. “And finishing the tour in my hometown of Honolulu—it felt like a true homecoming.”
That last show wasn’t just a curtain call. It was a full-circle moment where her biological family, chosen drag family, and her dance family from 24-VII Danceforce all came together to celebrate the journey.
“It reminded me why I do this. Why live performance, especially in drag, is so transformative,” she said. “There’s a unique magic in seeing someone live—especially when they’re sharing their whole truth.”
From Hair Whips to Hairlines: Sasha Colby Hair
Another triumph? Sasha Colby Hair, her signature line of ponytails and clip-ins that’s quickly become a staple for performers and fans alike.
“I’m known for my ponytails,” Sasha laughed. “So I thought—why not make them accessible to everyone?”
But this isn’t just another celebrity beauty brand. Sasha personally designs each piece, drawing on years of experience crafting her own hairpieces by hand.
“From color to length to the way we sew them—it’s all based on my drag technique. I wanted to offer high-quality, affordable hair that actually works for the queer community.”
And the feedback?
“When someone comes up to me and says, ‘I’m wearing a Sasha Colby ponytail,’ and they feel beautiful and powerful—that’s what it’s all about,” she said. “Confidence is everything.”
‘Home Stretch’: Documenting the Real Sasha
In 2024, Sasha invited audiences even deeper into her world through Home Stretch, a docuseries that captured the behind-the-scenes reality of launching a national tour.
“It’s so easy to forget to be present when you’re building something like this,” she shared. “Having a way to look back at it now—especially at such a pivotal time in my life—is invaluable.”
The series culminated in her emotional return to Honolulu, where she revisited formative places and reconnected with her roots.
“I cried a lot,” she admitted. “It was cathartic. Healing. I got to reframe some of the darker parts of my life through a new lens. It really helped my mental health and allowed me to create meaning from hardship.”
Beyond the Wig and Heels—Redefining Drag on Her Own Terms
From the stage to the screen to the hair aisle, Sasha Colby is a one-woman powerhouse. But what she’s doing goes beyond glamour or applause—it’s about shifting the cultural understanding of drag.
“Drag is art. It’s storytelling. And it’s subjective,” she said. “People come to my show and leave with a new understanding of what drag can be. It’s not just a lip sync and a split—it’s theatre. It’s healing. It’s freedom.”
With Stripped II, Sasha is pushing those boundaries even further.
“You think you know what a drag show is?” she asked with a grin. “Think again.”
