Since the self-proclaimed “Queen of the South,” Khia Shamone Chambers, released her debut smash hit single “My Neck, My Back” 16-years-ago, she made one thing explicitly clear: she is no one-trick pony.
Many people agree that the critically acclaimed female rapper’s talents go far beyond producing catchy, sexually liberating music. With one of those many other talentsaside from her ability to produce club-worthy bopsbeing the ability to make people cry with laughter. And whether it’s because of her unapologetic feistiness or hilariously harsh, tell-it-like-it-is attitude, people can’t get enough of her.
So, it made complete sense for Khia to team up with none other than Atlanta’s very own transgender activist and entertainer Madison Hinton, better known as Ts Madison, to create one of the best new online shows of the year: The Queen’s Court.
Every Monday, at 10:00 pm EST, these ladies join forces on Facebook Live and transform into “dishonorable” judges and give sidesplitting commentaries on popular culture.
They allow the show’s viewers to nominate celebrities for the docket, they discuss the case in depth, and render a witty verdict in the comfort of one of Madison’s living rooms. That’s right: she has multiple living rooms in her house.
This year has been a great success for the viral show. Each episode gains hundreds of thousands of viewers and has become quite popular on social media. Fans are calling this show their “guilty pleasure,” a “gem,” and a “treasure.”
Khia and Ts Madison promise that The Queen’s Court will evolve into something much bigger in 2018. So, we decided to sit down with the two queens of Atlanta to get the tea, the dirt, and our lives.
INTO: How did both of you meet and become friends?
Madison: We met at a charity event at Club Pulse for breast cancer awareness in Orlando, Florida. This happened about three years ago and honestly the rest is current history.
INTO: Who or what inspired the show? And when and how did you two decide to come together to execute this project?
Madison: Both of us were on our own platforms giving our opinions on popular culture and things in the news. Since we were already known as two outspoken individuals, it was only natural for us to pair up and collaborate on The Queen’s Court.
INTO: Despite both of you two being involved in the entertainment industry, you two are certainly two unique individuals with two very strong personalities. How well do you two get along when the cameras are not rolling?
Madison: I can honestly say that Khia is a reflection of me. She is an independent artist, unfiltered and no-holds-barred.
Khia: I can honestly say the same about Madison.
INTO: How are your experiences with people seeing you two in public? Do they say anything negative or positive about the show? If so, how do you both deal with this?
Madison: Let me tell you something: a bitch know[sic] who to try. When people see us in public, they scream out, “NEXT CASSSSE!” or they break their neck trying to get in a photograph with us.
Khia: WHO AM I? THE THUG MISSES YOU BETTER RESPECT ME!
INTO: The Queen’s Court averages at least 500,000 viewers every week and has become quite popular on social media. Why do you think this is? And how do you plan to keep your viewers engaged and interested in the show?
Madison: It’s very popular because, believe it or not, these are the thoughts and views of the people. The difference is that we don’t mind sharing them on a large platform.
People are sitting at home or together saying the exact same things, hence the popularity. We have the people on the edge of their seats by just turning on the camera. People will stay engaged as long as the celebrities stay in the news.
We don’t have to work hard.
INTO: Khia, many people on social media are referring to you as their “problematic fav.” Why do you believe that is? And what do you think of being called problematic?
Khia: People don’t like to hear the truth. When I speak, it’s my truth. It may rub some [people] the wrong way, so they may call that problematic, but I am the bitch you love to hate.
My simple solution [for them] is TURN [the show] OFF and find something else to watch, but I am going to speak mine.
INTO: You two ladies are constantly being called out as mean, rude, and as bullies for doing exactly what Charlamagne tha God does on The Breakfast Club.
What do you both think about this? Is there a double standard?
Madison: There’s certainly a double standard. People think when you’re backed by “mainstream [media],” you have higher leverage over someone else and your opinions matter more.
What people need to understand is that everything you see on TV, Instagram, or any other social media platform by these “so-called celebrities” may not be real. We have found a way to monetize off our opinions as well; in fact, The Breakfast Club and The Queens Court share the same job [sharing candid opinions on popular culture and making people laugh.]
INTO: Many people on social media have been saying that you two deserve your own television show. Have any television networks reached out to you two with any offers yet, andif sohave you two considered accepting any?
Madison: Of course, numbers don’t lie, baby. We [Madison and Khia] have many conversations about many things. But until the money and the ownership get right, we are fine controlling our destiny. Remember: just because you’re on television doesn’t mean you’re really ON [successful].
INTO: 2017 was a big year for The Queen’s Court. What lies ahead in 2018? What direction do you both plan on taking the show, and how do you both plan on achieving this?
Madison: You just gon’[sic] have to pull your chair up to your computer screen and tune in 10:00 pm-ish [CPTColored People TimeA little later than usual] every Monday night. Matter of fact: set your Facebook notifications now and then click follow!
Khia: Yup!
INTO: Madison, there’s a scarcity of Black transgender women in the comedy industry. How do you plan on combating the inevitable transphobia and remaining focused on the main goal? Also, can you share what the main goal is for you?
Madison: The main goal for me is to always get to the motherfucking money and me being transgender is never going to stop me from doing that!
I have always been a girl with obstacles in front of meand as you can see, none of it has stopped me. That’s my superpower. And as far as what those hoes say, they could never bother me.
They talked about Jesus Christ, toofuck them.
INTO: You two ladies are constantly being called out as mean, rude, and as bullies for doing exactly what Charlamagne tha God does on The Breakfast Club.
What do you both think about this? Is there a double standard?
Madison: There’s certainly a double standard. People think when you’re backed by “mainstream [media],” you have higher leverage over someone else and your opinions matter more.
What people need to understand is that everything you see on TV, Instagram, or any other social media platform by these “so-called celebrities” may not be real. We have found a way to monetize off our opinions as well; in fact, The Breakfast Club and The Queens Court share the same job [sharing candid opinions on popular culture and making people laugh.]
INTO: Many people on social media have been saying that you two deserve your own television show. Have any television networks reached out to you two with any offers yet, andif sohave you two considered accepting any?
Madison: Of course, numbers don’t lie, baby. We [Madison and Khia] have many conversations about many things. But until the money and the ownership get right, we are fine controlling our destiny. Remember: just because you’re on television doesn’t mean you’re really ON [successful].
INTO: 2017 was a big year for The Queen’s Court. What lies ahead in 2018? What direction do you both plan on taking the show, and how do you both plan on achieving this?
Madison: You just gon’[sic] have to pull your chair up to your computer screen and tune in 10:00 pm-ish [CPTColored People TimeA little later than usual] every Monday night. Matter of fact: set your Facebook notifications now and then click follow!
Khia: Yup!
INTO: Madison, there’s a scarcity of Black transgender women in the comedy industry. How do you plan on combating the inevitable transphobia and remaining focused on the main goal? Also, can you share what the main goal is for you?
Madison: The main goal for me is to always get to the motherfucking money and me being transgender is never going to stop me from doing that!
I have always been a girl with obstacles in front of meand as you can see, none of it has stopped me. That’s my superpower. And as far as what those hoes say, they could never bother me.
They talked about Jesus Christ, toofuck them.
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