Some people make a room feel bigger…
Mal Wright makes it feel familiar.
The producer, creative, and breakout star of Netflix's The Ultimatum: Queer Love has built a following on warmth, honesty, and the rare ability to make strangers feel like they've known her for years. Ask how she describes the energy she brings into a space and she'll tell you: "welcome home, family reunion, favorite cousin."
That sense of community runs through everything. Pride, for Wright, is about saying "yes and..." — yes to the party and the protest, yes to showing up for your people and showing up for the work. Queerness isn't just who she loves but also she moves through the world. It's questioning assumptions, challenging norms, and encouraging the people around her to do the same.
These days, joy looks a lot like a soft life in a big New York loft: fresh juice, a home sauna, and the satisfaction of knowing her Black immigrant parents and ancestors would be proud of what she's built. Cannabis has a place in that life, too. Less creative fuel than evening ritual. A cleaner way to unwind. A pre-roll passed to a friend after dinner. A Quiet Times sesh, a full stomach, and a weird-history YouTube rabbit hole.
We caught up with Wright about community, visibility, Pride, weed, and why her high self somehow manages to trace just about everything back to capitalism.
How do you identify, and how do you describe the energy you bring into a space?
She/her/theirs ;) I think I bring a "welcome home, family reunion, favorite cousin" kind of vibe to a space. I know no strangers and I try to ensure folks feel like they can take the mask off around me.
You went from relative privacy to being very publicly, visibly yourself on one of the biggest platforms in the world...what has that experience taught you about who you are?
It has taught me that trying to be anything other than yourself is exhausting. That being you is enough and allowing people to see your humanhood pans out better than trying to trick the public. We're not all as different and I once thought we were.
What's something that's bringing you joy or grounding you right now?
This very soft life in my loft. Nothing like walking around my big ass loft, naked, getting out of our little at home sauna and making fresh juice. I have to flex on this one!! I just know my Black immigrant parents and ancestors are reveling in this with me. I know I'm rewriting the epigenetics for sure!!!!
What does Pride mean to you this year?
As I age Pride means something different for me every year. This year it's about being my full self outloud and giving the youth just another example of what can be. It's saying "yes and..." to this life. It's 'yes' I'm going to that party 'AND' I'll be at the protest. 'yes' I went to the function 'AND' I called my congressmen.
What role does cannabis play in your life or creative process?
I always keep a clean sativa + Indica flower on deck!! sometimes I want a little pick me up and want to get out of my head and feel the creative process and sometimes I just need something to take the edge off after a long day.
You're a producer and a creative — does weed help you access something in that work, or is it more of a wind-down tool for you?
It's more of a wind-down tool for me. I don't love how drinking makes me feel so weed has been a cleaner way for me to wind-down my entire body and mind in a way that doesn't feel intoxicating.
What rituals help you feel connected to your queerness or your community, and does cannabis show up in any of them?
fellowship and breaking bread has always made me feel connected to my community. My favorite thing is having friends over and sharing or gifting them a take home pre-roll.
How does your queerness show up in the work you make and the way you move through the world?
I think queerness shows up in the way I question the standard and the molds of the norms in society around me. It's so much bigger than just who I choose to love. I encourage everyone around me to think outside and question with curiosity everything they've been taught. Find out if it actually feels true to their being.
Are you Team Fast Times or Team Quiet Times right now, and what does your ideal sesh actually look like?
hmmmm! this is tough. I'm kind of both low-key. Team Fast Times definitely to help me in social settings these days BUT the Quiet Times is probably taking the cake!! I LOVE a good unwind, bra-off, full tummy, YouTube about some type of weird history and a Quiet Time sesh!!
Describe your high self in three words.
"I blame capitalism..." and then I tie every single thing back to that. lol
