It appears Planet Tammie is very green, indeed! Ever bizarre, yet wildly likable RuPaul's Drag Race star Tammie Brown says she often turns to marijuana for inspiration.
Drag Race has always had its share of zany characters. After all, where else can a bedazzled styrofoam head become an international sensation? But even Season 6 standout Ornacia has nothing on the weirdness that is Tammie Brown.
Brown's trademark rambling, often borderline unintelligible commentary and unique point-of-view made her unforgettable during the reality television competition's inaugural season. The release of her 2009 debut EP, Popcorn, and follow-up Hot Skunks five years later only cemented that she is, in fact, from her own planet. Featuring lyrics written by the performer herself, she shared her songwriting process during a recent interview.
"Sometimes I have to pray about it. You know, like Dolly Parton; she prays," stated Brown, "Sometimes I just relax and smoke a joint, and it'll come to me."
"It's creative that way, you know. And here in California and Colorado, it's OK," she said of marijuana during our videotaped interview below, which is filled with trademark Tammie. "It's a very natural thing for me."
A-Ha! Now it's all making sense, in that hazy, I've-Got-the-Munchies sorta way.
Below: Tammie Brown Gives Her Complete Take on the Season 7 Queens
"I wouldn't consider myself a pothead," the RuPaul's All-Stars Drag Race contestant continued, unprompted. "I don't think the plant is very pretty...I don't. I don't like High Times [the marijuana magazine]...except the Dottie West song 'High Times,' which was a No. 44 hit on the Country Pop charts."
Uhm, totally. Sure. And, being stoned certainly helps make sense of tracks like "Clam Happy" and "Love Pinata" -- or, for that matter, the unique experience of seeing Brown live March 17, 2015, at San Francisco's Oasis Nightclub.
The star's hour-long live show combines storytelling, periodically undecipherable banter and singing with duet partner Michael Catti. The duo is occasionally, though not that particular night, joined by fellow Drag Race alum Kelly Mantle to create the trio Rollz Royces. These cabaret-style performances are new for Brown, though she hopes her career moves farther in that direction going forward.
"Usually I'm doing more of the disco, the club shows," explained Brown, whose solo show just completed a successful run at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York City's Times Square, where she'll return in February 2016, "But I want more of the cabaret circuit. I want what Dame Edna has."
(Odd that she should say that, since Dame Edna's Glorious Goodbye: The Farewell Tour -- in which she gave me a much-reported opening night shout-out -- kicked off in San Francisco head-to-head with Brown. The Aussie drag comic plays the Orpheum Theatre through March 22; tickets are now available.)
PHOTO: Blogger Pollo Del Mar and Drag Race Star Tammie Brown
Despite Brown's busy touring schedule, she naturally tries to keep up with what's happening on the latest installment of Drag Race. The show which launched her career kicked off its much-anticipated seventh season less than a month ago, and though it's sometimes difficult, Brown's tuning in.
"I think Trixie [Mattel] is dynamite," said Brown, for whom I have noticeable affection, "And she's a handsome young man too."
As for advice she would give those currently competing -- and any aspiring to in the future -- Brown keeps it simple.
"Do it from your heart, but don't do it for fame," she encourages. "Fame is vague, and it's going to go away. Don't do it for fortune, unless it's fortune from the heart -- and that's accumulated from your friends and good people you're around."
For More Information, Visit Tammie's Website.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.