HANNAH GADSBY, SALINA ESTITTIES, KEVIN AVIANCE, DR. DEMETRE DASKALAKIS, DIYA VIJ AND MORE JOIN SEASON ONE OF MARTI CUMMINGS’ NEW SERIES: WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
New original digital series and podcast brings together queer voices across entertainment, culture, nightlife, public health, government, law and advocacy
NEW YORK, NEW YORK — WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026 — Award-winning comedian Hannah Gadsby, Billboard chart-topping dance music pioneer and nightlife icon Kevin Aviance, nationally recognized public health leader Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, and New York City Cultural Affairs Commissioner Diya Vij are among the ten guests joining Season One of What’s the Buzz?, a new original digital series and podcast created and hosted by veteran entertainer and community convener, Marti Cummings.
Premiering Thursday, September 10th on YouTube and Spotify, What’s the Buzz? brings together an eclectic group of queer entertainers, artists, advocates, medical experts and public leaders for candid conversations about identity, ambition, culture and the lived experiences that shaped who they are today.
The complete Season One lineup includes:
- Kevin Aviance - Sept 10
- Hannah Gadsby - Sept 17
- Lina Bradford - Sept 24
- Dr Evan Goldstein - Oct 1
- Julie J - Oct 8
- Diya Vij - Oct 15
- Dr. Demetre Daskalakis - Oct 22
- Eliza Orlins - Oct 29
- Taylor Brown - Nov 5
- Salina EsTitties - Nov 12
Rather than beginning with résumés or the latest project, What’s the Buzz? explores the formative experiences behind them.
Across this first season, Cummings talks with guests about how being queer has shaped how they move through the world, the people and experiences that shaped them, what they believe today, and the unexpected places where people with vastly different lives can still find common ground.
The conversations span comedy and nightlife, medicine and public health, government and law, faith, advocacy, drag and entertainment—reflecting the breadth of queer experience and the many different ways LGBTQ people are shaping culture and public life.
“I wanted to talk to queer people who have built incredible lives and ask the questions that go beyond what they do,” Cummings said. “How did the world shape you? How did being queer shape the way you see it? What do you believe now? I want the hot takes, but I also want to find the common ground. That’s where the most interesting conversations happen.”
Season 1 brings together guests whose work has influenced dramatically different corners of culture: Hannah Gadsby has reshaped contemporary comedy through groundbreaking stand-up and storytelling, while Kevin Aviance has spent more than three decades influencing dance music, nightlife, fashion and queer culture. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis has become one of the country's most recognizable voices in LGBTQ health and infectious disease, while Diya Vij leads cultural affairs for New York City.
Elsewhere in the season, conversations with Dr. Evan Goldstein explore sexual health and wellness; Eliza Orlins brings the perspective of a longtime Manhattan public defender; Abby Stein explores faith, identity and self-determination; DJ Lina Bradford reflects on nightlife, music and community; and Julie J and Salina EsTitties bring distinct perspectives on drag, creativity, performance and queer culture.
Together, the ten conversations form a portrait of queer life that is ambitious, funny, complicated, surprising and deeply individual. What’s the Buzz? also marks an expansion of Cummings’ work as a host, interviewer, producer and creator of original programming. A drag entertainer, cultural commentator and Guinness World Record holder as the first drag entertainer to perform on all seven continents, Cummings has built a career bringing together entertainment, conversation, community and culture.
What’s the Buzz? Season 1 is streaming now YouTube and Spotify.
WATCH: ON YOUTUBE
LISTEN: ON SPOTIFY
TRAILER: WATCH HERE
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ABOUT MARTI CUMMINGS:
Marti Cummings is a trailblazing drag entertainer, host, producer, community convener and cultural commentator whose work spans live entertainment, television, original programming and civic engagement. A Guinness World Record holder as the first drag entertainer to perform on all seven continents, Marti is a producer, programmer and curator of original experiences that bring together artists, audiences and culture through conversation and storytelling. From sold-out performances and national tours to original media projects, Marti has become one of queer entertainment’s most recognizable voices while championing human rights, civic participation and inclusive representation.
Tony Morrison
