Internationally acclaimed comedian, performer, poet and writer Alok Vaid-Menon has a unique ability to bring light and joy into the darkest of places. Case in point: it’s hard to fathom being trans and a comedian in today’s political climate. Alok has performed in Aotearoa on a number of occasions, and has built relationships with a team of creatives they return to again and again – including, for this shoot, local dreamboats photographer Frances Carter and makeup artist Richard Symons.
The Indian American star’s covetable connections span the globe. Earlier this year they were the subject of a docu-short that premiered at Sundance directed by filmmaker Alex Hedison and executive produced by her wife Jodie Foster.
Discussing the film with IndieWire, Alok explained their radical act of self-acceptance: “I had my retribution era. I had my sense of being angry and wanting to clap back. But then I realised that actually when I was holding onto that bitterness and that resentment, it had a corrosive quality to my own life. I was unable to show up and experience joy and delight because I was so frustrated by other people. So I freed myself from that burden.”
Alok has also discussed beauty, fashion and expression with Cara Delevingne on Planet Sex, appeared with Jonathan Van Ness on Getting Curious and written several bestselling books, including 2020’s seminal Beyond the Gender Binary.
Their work is too important and meaningful to sum up in a quick paragraph, and unfortunately you’ve missed Alok in Aotearoa this time around – but we’re so grateful they took the time while here to answer our The Last Time questionnaire.
When was the last time you cried?
I watched Emily Wurramara perform at the Blak & Deadly: First Nations Gala and was overwhelmed.
When was the last time you danced, and what were you dancing to?
After my show the other week in Perth we went out to a queer dance party!
What was the last thing you bought and loved?
I bought some swanky Sevaria suede shoes from the designer Jamie Kimani when I was in Nairobi. They're the perfect shade of green.
When was the last time you got really angry and what was it about?
Every time I read the news from back home in the US. I feel like this one is pretty self-explanatory.
What’s the last piece of clothing you bought?
This illustrated shirt from Australian designer Gary Bigeni.
What’s the last beauty product you finished?
My Live Tinted Hueguard sunscreen which I can't get enough of.
When’s the last time you got drunk?
I don't drink alcohol, but the other day I only got 30 minutes of sleep on tour before my Auckland show (when this photo was taken) so yeah, I felt pretty woozy!
What was the last really delicious thing you ate?
Lunch at Karaka Cafe in Wellington was a real treat!
The last song you listened to on Spotify?
The last book you finished?
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes du Mez.
The last TV show you watched?
Clean Slate, Laverne Cox’s new television show! She's amazing!
The last DM/text you sent? Who was it to?
To my makeup artist in Sydney, Arena (@makeupbyarena), with the outfit I'm wearing for an interview tomorrow.
The last time you laughed so much your tummy hurt?
Last week I hosted Laugh out Proud, an all LGBTQ lineup of comics for the Sydney Mardi Gras. Everyone was spectacular, but I laughed my ass off at Jordan Raskopoulos’ hilarious songs.
What’s the last drug you took?
Does melatonin count? If so – that.
When’s the last time you were home?
Home is wherever I'm on stage. So that would be Wellington on Monday night! Fixing to leave my hotel now for the show in Sydney.
