Throughout the second season of “ RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race,” Huffington Post Queer Voices will interview each departing queen on the Friday following the air date of their elimination episode. Check HuffPost Queer Voices weekly to hear these queens reflect on their time on the show and their legacy as queer artists and performers.
Even though a winner’s been named, the second season of “RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race” isn’t over quite yet ― the reunion episode airs on Thursday, Oct. 27 and The Huffington Post has two more interviews to share with runners-up Katya and Detox.
Many fans were rooting for Katya to take home the top “All Stars” honor, and Detox’s performance throughout the season certainly put her in the running.
But, ultimately, it was Alaska’s game to lose from the start and, in the end, she snatched the “All Stars” crown.
Before the reunion rolls out, check out our chats with the two runners up below and head here to read last week’s interview with Alaska.
The Huffington Post: First of all ― congrats! You should be so proud of what you accomplished this season.
Katya: Thank you. I feel 100 percent great about what I did, which is not a very common feeling for most people and definitely not for me, ha ha.
Everyone gets a second chance to show who they are by competing on “All Stars.” How did you approach the show? Did you accomplish what you set out to show or did your expectations change?
Well, the hard part is to be good at doing all of the skills of drag so I tried my best at that. You only have so much time to prepare for the challenges and the runway themes, so you just do your best and then move on. The personality stuff is what’s easy for me. I don’t try to represent myself in a way that’s not connected with my everyday reality because I’m not smart enough to do that. It’s simply easier to tell the truth, and for me to make it funny or poignant because that’s my relationship to the truth. So I took the easy way out ― trying to be a good person ― and entertaining as well, which is a bit harder only because you’re in the upscale prison system of “Drag Race.”
What do you want to do with all of the new attention you’re receiving from returning to “Drag Race”?
I just want to make cool art work that has some meaning. Now I get to do that, so I’m very happy.
Producers switched up the show’s formula this season. What do you think “Drag Race” needs to do in order to continue to be exciting and relevant in the coming years?
This is important. It needs to continue to be the thing that points to something, and not the thing that is pointed at. That’s a riddle. It’ll make sense later.
“["Drag Race"] needs to continue to be the thing that points to something, and not the thing that is pointed at.”
When “Drag Race” eventually ends, what do you hope this show ― and your contributions to it ― will represent in the history of queer entertainment?
That all of the cliches and aphorisms were not meaningless and that they provide enduring glimpses of the truth. My favorite ones include:
“Drag mocks identity.”
“What you see isn’t always the truth.”
And
“She done already done had herses.”
If you could send yourself a message before you walked through the doors of your first season (not “All Stars”) what would that message be?
“They are evil, and they must be destroyed.”
Anything else you’d like to say to your fans and everyone else reading this?
Please buy “Same Parts” by Tatianna on iTunes.
The Huffington Post: Everyone gets a second chance to show who they are by competing on “All Stars.” How did you approach the show? Did you accomplish what you set out to show or did your expectations change?
Dextox: My main goal was to go in, tell a story, and take home the crown. In my eyes, I did... but obviously thats not the way it turned out! I definitely wanted to go on a fashion journey and went in to every challenge with intention and precise ideas. I feel out of all of the contestants I showed the most growth, yet still remained humble and true, if not truer, to myself. I left feeling super confident and proud.
What do you want to do with all of the new attention you’re receiving from returning to “Drag Race”?
Go into hiding! I kid. I’ve got my fingers in all sorts of pots right now. There’s a cookbook coming out that I wrote with my mother. “Detox’s Life Rehab” will be debuting soon with WOW Presents. I want to take over the lifestyle community and become the Martha Stewart of drag.
Producers switched up the show’s formula again this season. What do you think “Drag Race” needs to do in order to continue to be exciting and relevant a few years down the road?
I think this was especially beneficial for the show. There’s never been more excitement and such a strong response and engagement from the fans. I doubt that a regular season would work In the same formula as “All Stars,” but I’m sure they’re going to be keeping us all on edge to maintain the momentum for Season 9.
“I want to take over the lifestyle community and become the Martha Stewart of drag.”
When “Drag Race” eventually ends, what do you hope this show ― and your contributions to it ― will represent in the history of queer entertainment?
I think it’s already made quite an amazing mark. It’s a pop culture phenomenon! I honestly can never wrap my head around how amazing this experience has been and what an honor and privilege it Is to be a part of such a major movement I never take it for granted.
If you could send yourself a message before you walked through the doors of your first season (not All Stars) what would that message be?
Things are about to get really shifty... but you got this.
Anything else you’d like to say to your fans and everyone else reading this?
Thank you! For the support, for the love~ for the hate, for everything!
The “RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race” reunion will air on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 9/8c on Logo and VH1.