MisSa Blue ON HER MISSION TO EMPOWER WOMEN OF COLOUR

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I caught up with MisSa Blue, internationally renowned Show Woman specialising in the ancient (and rare!) art of Sword Swallowing. A force to be reckoned with, touring the world and making it her mission to empower queer women of colour everywhere along the way. MisSa, known for being a passionate feminist and human rights activist, came out as a lesbian to her friends in the Autumn of 2016 but didn’t publicly come out straight away. We talked about her journey both personally and professionally.
“I started using LGBT+ hashtags on Instagram first and released the news slowly. In May of this year, a good friend accidentally outed me on Facebook! He wasn’t aware that I hadn’t made it public knowledge yet. It was weird… So i just decided to make an official statement . I was a little shy but pretended not to be and it was perceived really positive anyway.” 

Q: Do you, and if so why, do you think it’s important to be out as an artist?
I do. I think it is very important to show the world that you can create important work, be successful and respected what ever your sexual orientation is.  

Q; As a black queer female artist, do you feel a duty to empower fans of colour to be someone who they can look up to?
I am trying to be the best I can be every day. I want to help to transform the industry, and for it to become a more of a welcoming and respectful place for black female performers. Of course I also want to inspire my female fans and colleagues, but more importantly, to give them the courage to speak up and do the same.  

Q: Your confidence is infectious! I’m already feeling empowered! How are you finding time to spread this message as well as jet set around the globe!?

At this point I am mainly speaking out about my own experiences to show others they are not alone. I have spoken on TEDx , at International Burlesque Festivals and also include educational parts in my regular sword swallowing shows. I have also teamed up with Producers, helping them to be able to create more diverse shows, but at the same time, answering their questions on how to treat POC in general or how to deal with difficulties such as racism and sexism arising backstage. I would LOVE to be more available to regularly perform on the London LGBTPOC scene and be able to speak to other POC in person, but my super busy touring schedule doesn’t allow this exchange as often as I’d like. I plan to set up a support group over social media. I am also running a Facebook group, but thats more a network for POC worldwide. In the Future I also hope to get more involved in the growing events around LGBTPOC like Black Pride UK etc.

Q: Wow, you are one busy woman! Now, I know you were in Edinburgh for the month at Fringe with Carnesky’s Incredible Bleeding Woman, but you’re always super busy- now that run is over, are you currently working on anything new?
I have recently been signed with a big German Variety company for a 2 year tour throughout Germany. Besides swallowing swords, I will also be the MC. This is a big challenge for me, as it is my first big speaking role… and I am sure they have never had a black female MC before either! 
Aside from that I am in the process of writing my debut one woman show over the next 2 years in between the German tour. There are lots of ideas but no structure as of yet! Hopefully i will be touring this from 2020.


You can catch MisSa Blue talking female empowerment at the Oslo Burlesque Festival here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtGqtAeNmeU&t=3s

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