Holy Cow!

We caught up with drag star and animal rights activist Soya the Cow to learn how they use performance art and music to inspire social change

Daniel Hellmann arguably leads one of the most riveting double lives. When Hellman’s not carrying out day-to-day duties, they’re dancing, singing and talking as Soya the Cow, a drag symbol and force to be reckoned with. Since making her debut at the Animal Rights March outside of the Volksbühne, Soya has become an icon at discussion forums and protests, not only in Berlin but across the continent.

Developed to embody queer-feminist ideology, animal rights activism and high fashion, Soya also dabbles in poetry from time to time. She hosts workshops about pivotal issues such as consent and is a regular performer on the stage and at nightclubs.

When asked about how they ended up in Berlin, Hellmann told us: “I grew up in Zürich and came here nine years ago, because I fell in love with the humans who lived in this city, building many vibrant communities of free spirits, creative minds, utopian dreamers and committed activists. Since then, I have lived between Berlin and Switzerland.”

Fortunately, Hellmann was able to spare some time away from their endlessly fascinating schedule to sit down with us to discuss how they are utilising the arts to educate Europeans on LGBTQIA+ and animal rights issues.

BELOW
Full Look – Guovarde
Hooves – Chaos Costumes
Headpiece – Nadja Jeberien

How did you come up with the ingenious gender- and species-bending character of Soya the Cow?

The idea of Soya was born in a period of despair and disillusionment in my life. I had turned vegan about 1.5 years before and couldn’t comprehend how most people, including many people I loved and still love, could tolerate and participate in the brutality and violence of the animal industries.

At that time, I found a lot of inspiration from drag artists, who freely speak their minds and stand up for inclusion, LGBTQIA+ rights, and other social justice matters, seemingly fearless and with so much creativity. They inspired me, and I wanted to be as self-expressed as they were. Somehow it clicked, and I decided to become a queer, vegan drag cow, a fantasy creature who would stand up for a world with more joy and freedom for everybody.

RIGHT/BELOW
Top & Skirt – Yevheniia Luchko
Headpiece – Nadja Jeberien
Boots – Talent’s Own

What was the catalyst to you becoming a vegan?

I had been a vegetarian for many years, but I ate and loved cheese. I’m from Switzerland after all. The crazy thing is that I had no idea how milk and dairy were produced. I had thought that cows were some wonderful beings who just happened to ‘produce’ milk, like a water fountain.

And then I found out that the dairy industry has to make the cows pregnant, year after year, that their babies are taken away, usually on the first day, so that humans can steal, sell and consume the milk. No other mammal does this to another species! My mission with Soya is to speak about those things because the industry and marketing lies want us all to believe the fairytale of the happy cows on the meadow. But on a closer look, the dairy industry is an absolute horror.

LEFT/ABOVE
Top & Trousers – Nur Hektor
Headpiece – Nadja Jeberien
Gloves – Lupae

It’s no secret that you’re very politically active! How much does your music gives you a platform to tackle cultural issues you’re passionate about? 

I’m very grateful, that I have found a form of expression which is at the same time political and joyful. When I sing a song from the perspective of a dairy cow, it allows the listeners to change the perspective for a moment. Some of my songs express deep feelings of grief and disempowerment. Others give space for anger. And oftentimes, I use humour to deal with the huge mess around us.

When I fight for the liberation of all animals, it also includes human animals. We are all connected. And nobody should be locked up in a cage, in a stable or in jail. I want to make people think about new forms of togetherness, where nobody is killed or excluded for their gender expression, their sexuality, their race, age or class – or because they belong to the ‘wrong species’.

RIGHT/BELOW
Dress – Yevheniia Luchko
Headpiece – Nadja Jeberien
Gloves – Lupae
Boots – Talent’s Own

The fashion industry is slowly becoming more environmentally and animal friendly, but there is still a long way to go. What are your thoughts on the current state of fashion related to these issues?

Fashion allows us to take something from the earth, transforming it into shapes and stories and making it our self-expression. There is something really magical in this process. Yet, of course, the fashion industry has many dark sides. We need to learn to be aware of the impact of our actions and choices. Where do certain materials come from? What is the environmental impact? How are the workers treated? And are non-human animals harmed in this process?

As an animal liberation advocate, I don’t wear any leather, fur, wool or silk. But luckily, more and more alternative materials are emerging, and I encourage all designers to explore them. I’m a big fan of thrift stores, and I love recycling and upcycling, and I hope more and more fashion will take this road, rather than always producing new stuff out of new resources.

LEFT/ABOVE
Jeans & Top – House of Base
Headpiece – Nadja Jeberien
Boots – Talent’s Own

Do you have any exciting projects coming up that we can bookmark? 

Unfortunately, my December gigs were just cancelled because of the pandemic. But I have some street activism plans and in 2022, Soya the Cow will sing at a gala in the biggest museum of Switzerland and then go to the USA for a tour around different states with concerts, performances, workshops and an exhibition. I can’t wait to see how people in Texas will react to Soya!

BELOW
Headpiece – Nadja Jeberien