Ahead of her scheduled performance in Boston, Sasha Colby hangs up her heels for some well-deserved rest.
The winner of season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race announced Sunday that she had made “the incredibly difficult decision” to postpone the remaining nine concerts of her Stripped II tour in North America.
“This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make,” she began in a statement on Instagram. “Since winning Drag Race, I’ve been going from gig to gig, city to city, saying yes and trying to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way. As a trans woman of color in this industry, I’ve pushed myself relentlessly, often feeling like I have to prove that I belong here.
Noting that the tour has been “a dream come true” and “a labor of love,” she added, “But the truth is, I’m exhausted. Twenty-one shows in five weeks have cost me a lot more than I expected, both physically and emotionally. My mind and my heart are tired in a way that I can no longer ignore. I’ve always tried to push through, but this time I need to listen to my body and my spirit.
“With this, I have made the incredibly difficult decision to postpone the remaining nine concerts of the tour,” Colby continued. “To everyone who bought a ticket, came and supported me, please know how deeply sorry I am. This decision comes from a need, not a want. I never want to disappoint anyone.”
Colby added that refunds are being processed, “and I promise I’ll come back to make it up to you. But I need to take this time to rest, recover and take care of my mental health.”
“My chosen family keeps reminding me that it’s not about giving up, it’s about choosing me for once. It’s hard to fully believe it right now, but deep down, I know they’re right. I want to come back stronger, more grounded and ready to offer you the best version of me,” she concluded. “Thank you for your endless love, compassion, and for making space for me to be human. I’ll see you soon.”
Colby kicked off her Stripped II Tour on September 26 at the Moore Theater in Seattle, making her the first drag artist to headline a Live Nation tour.
