INTL Day of Pink & Modo Live Present
In Conversation: Violet Chachki & Gottmik on The Knockout Tour
By Uma Gahd
Fresh off the glamour and artistry of ECHO, drag icons Violet Chachki and Gottmik are stepping into the ring for The Knockout Tour — a high-octane battle of glamour vs. rock’n’roll, featuring aerial stunts, lip sync battles, and brand-new music. I sat down with the duo to talk about chosen family, crashing the cistem, and why Canada holds a special place in their hearts.
The Inspiration Behind The Knockout Tour
Uma: Let’s start at the beginning. What inspired the concept for The Knockout Tour? And what’s it been like collaborating on such a theatrical scale?
Violet: The concept comes from real life — we’re chosen family, and family fights! It’s all out of love and our desire for artistic perfection. Finally working together on something this big feels like all our hard work is coming together. We’re so excited for people to see it.
Strength, Power, and Drag
Uma: There’s something so powerful about combining drag with themes of strength, movement, and performance. How do you think your show challenges ideas of who gets to be seen as strong or powerful?
Violet: Our show embodies strength and power.
Gottmik: Exactly. As both trans and queer artists, we fight every single day — not just as performers, but as people. Right now, it’s more important than ever to show up and create unapologetic queer art.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Uma: What do you hope audiences take away from your show — especially people who might still be figuring out where they belong?
Gottmik: We want people to see our show and feel inspired to be loud, proud, and unconfined by the social constructs society tries to force on us. It’s all about crashing the cistem!
Finding Yourself Through Drag
Uma: Gottmik, you’ve been such a visible and inspiring trans artist. How has embracing drag helped you tell your story?
Gottmik: Before I medically transitioned, drag was my safe space — it helped me feel comfortable with myself when I went out. Now that I’m comfortable out of drag, I can play with my drag persona even more and just have fun with it.
Authenticity and Fearlessness
Uma: Violet, you’ve become a global fashion icon by being completely yourself. What does “being authentic” mean to you now?
Violet: Being authentic means being unapologetic, even if it scares you — basically, not giving a fuck and following your intuition.
Advice for Young People Exploring Their Identity
Uma: What advice would you give to young people exploring who they are and where they fit in?
Violet: Trust who you are.
Gottmik: No one knows you better than you. No matter how “crazy” you feel or what narrative the world tries to push on you, do the work, do the research, dig deep, and trust that you’re strong enough to inspire change.
Icons Who Inspire
Uma: Who inspires you — queer or trans icons, past or present?
Both: Madonna.
Your First Track Together: “TKO”
Uma: Let’s talk about TKO — your first track together. How did it come about?
Violet: Making TKO was so special. We’d been working on the tour for over a year, and the song just came naturally.
Gottmik: Yeah, we thought, “If we’re touring with original live vocals, we HAVE to have a song together.” We’re so proud of it.
Solo Music Projects
Uma: You’re both working on solo projects too. What can fans expect?
Gottmik: My EP is a stepping stone to my ultimate rock’n’roll dream — a mix of rock energy with a gay dance vibe. It’s perfect for where I am right now.
Violet: My project is more complicated because I’m a perfectionist — but when it’s ready, expect aggressive glamour with a dark edge.
Returning to Canada
Uma: You’ve performed in Canada before. How does it feel to be coming back with The Knockout Tour?
Gottmik: We’re SO excited! Canada’s queer community is so strong, and the love for drag is EVERYTHING.
Violet: We love vintage shopping in Vancouver, the strip clubs in Montreal, and the gay bars in Toronto.
Tickets are going fast…so Get your tickets NOW!
Tour dates for the Canada Tour:
Sept 24 - Montreal
Sept 27 - Toronto
Oct 22 - Edmonton
Oct 23 - Calgary
Oct 28 - Vancouver
Day of Pink Contest Details:
Enter the contest through the links above, Facebook, and/or on Instagram
To participate via the link, please provide the requested information. You may only enter the contest once via the link.
To participate on social media, comment on the post with the city you want to see the show in, tag the friend you would bring with you, and/or and share the post (if you can)! You will earn additional contest entries when you comment, tag, and share.
Winners will be drawn randomly on Sept 5, 2025.
Winners will need to follow regional restrictions and health orders for indoor venues.
For questions on the contest, please email: info@dayofpink.org
Thank you to MODO Live
