JACKIE COX is best known as one of the Top 4 contestants from Season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and was the first queen of Iranian descent to appear on the show, making Drag Race “her-story” when she wore a hijab on the runway. In her hometown of NYC, Jackie has long been a feature of the theatrical cabaret scene, performing her own original shows at the famed Laurie Beechman Theater. Prior to Drag Race, Jackie appeared on TV in ABC’s “What Would You Do?”, in Fusion’s “Shade: Queens of NYC”, as well as numerous appearances on Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live”, winning the title of “Real Queen of Beverly Hills” for her impersonation of TV personality and Depends undergarment spokeswoman, Lisa Rinna.

MARK BALAHADIA is a dancer specializing in the folkloric dances of the Middle East. He is well-known on social media for his performances of Iraqi and Khaliji dances (in Arabic he is known as “Mark the American”). Mark is excited to be performing for all of you this evening and wishes he could perform in front of all of you on stage. 

DJ TIKKA MASALA is a Brooklyn-based DJ, producer, and artist, originally from Kolkata, India, and raised mostly in Princeton, New Jersey. Tikka’s family, Pakrashi Harmonium, has been building harmoniums and other indian classical instruments, since 1923 and she grew up studying Indian Vocal classical music. She is resident DJ at the historical Henrietta Hudson, where she has been throwing a Thursday night party called Homotown, since 2014, and has DJ-ed all over the world, including at the Obama White House in 2010. Since 2018 Tikka has been on the New York City’s Mayor’s Office’s Nightlife Advisory Board, and during the day Tikka is the communications department for The Audre Lorde Project.

ANA MASREYA The Egyptian Barbie Doll you always dreamed of, but on a mission! Ana Masreya is the Egyptian revolution that will inspire a generation! Born and raised in Cairo, Masreya draws a lot of inspiration from beautiful Egyptian women and heavily references Arabic pop culture in her looks and numbers. She is a high energy performer with a passion for glamour and a love for the stage. Masreya is here to show the world: you can be Arab, you can be Muslim, you can be QUEER and you can look FLAWLESS while doing all of the above. Masreya is excited to join the Arts Nova team in celebrating Arab culture during this time where community is so sorely missed!