Assaad Yacoub: Your Favourite Drag Queen's Favourite Director
Creative partner spotlight
02/06/2025
Trixie Mattel, Jinx Monsoon, and now Miss Harlequin Toad.
Director Assaad Yacoub took a quick intermission from drag race royalty to work with us on showcasing the original queen: Mother Nature. His recent series marries drag with endangered species from the wild – just one of the ways we’re giving traditional storytelling a glow-up. We talked EDGE species, directing tips, and how handy eight extra eyes would be.
OTE: What was your favourite part of directing this series?
AY: My favourite part of directing this series was the opportunity to combine two of my greatest passions: working with drag queens and showcasing their incredible talent and advocating for animals.
OTE: What did you think when you first heard 'Miss Harlequin Toad'?
AY: When I first heard Mo Heart sing the lyrics to me acapella in my living room, I was hooked immediately. Mo and I were next-door neighbours when all of this came together, so we’d hang out in my living room a couple of times a week, bouncing ideas off each other. We’ve been doing this for years, so when we got this series, it felt natural to continue that process. I think this is a crucial part of the creative process because it creates a space for brainstorming and exploring ideas that you might never come up with on your own. Mo is such a talented singer and songwriter, so I wasn’t at all surprised by how amazing it sounded.
OTE: Where did you start the casting? Why did you choose Mo, Heidi, and Mariah as the queens?
AY: I began by considering queens I had worked with before, focusing on those whose professionalism and talent I could rely on. Mo, Heidi, and Mariah stood out because I knew they would not only deliver exactly what the series required but also bring an energy and creativity that would make the process enjoyable for everyone involved. I believe that, much like in nature, diversity is essential for survival and growth. In a thriving ecosystem, the variety of species supports and strengthens the entire system. Similarly, in the film industry, the more diverse it becomes, the greater its potential to flourish and succeed.
More of the latest from the Edge zine… ↴
OTE: If Maria Balenciaga had painted your face, what species would you want it to be?
AY: If Maria painted me, I’d love to be either a panther chameleon because of their incredible texture and vibrant colours, or a jumping spider. I can imagine how cool it would look to have so many eyes on my face. Those extra eyes would definitely come in handy for consuming more content. I could watch multiple shows, movies, or projects all at once, it would be the ultimate multitasking tool for a content enthusiast like me!
OTE: What do you hope people will take away and feel after watching the series?
AY: I hope viewers come away with a newfound appreciation for the incredible animals we highlight in the series while having fun along the way. My goal is to create an enjoyable learning experience where people feel encouraged, not ashamed, for discovering new things just like our queens did on set!
OTE: How do you think communities like drag can help broaden nature's audience?
AY: Drag and nature share a lot in common, from their vibrant, flamboyant colours to sometimes existing on the fringes of society. Drag’s boldness and ability to captivate can draw in new audiences, making it a powerful way to inspire people to connect with and appreciate the natural world in a fresh, exciting way.
OTE: What’s the one thing you wish you’d known starting out in this industry?
AY: I wish I had known that no matter how hard you plan, something will always go wrong. However, there’s beauty in that most of the time, the pivots we make end up improving the project in unexpected ways.
