I guess I just believe in Trixie Mattel, and I believe in the work. I don’t think I’m better than anybody else, but I really think that I’m hilarious and beautiful.
Out of drag, I’m a white guy with a guitar, which isn’t special. There are a million white guys with guitars. But being a drag queen with a guitar is a lot more commanding.
I don’t expect a lot of people who love drag to also be like, ‘I love ‘Drag Race,’ and then I got to hear my Chris Stapleton album.’ Not necessarily an obvious crossover.
Something ‘Drag Race’ is really good at is portraying us as artists but also human beings. And normal human beings don’t know everything. They don’t have all the answers.
I didn’t start drag because I thought it would be a ticket to anything. I did it for my own narcissistic fulfillment. When I started selling records, going on tour, doing TV. I never expected any of it.
Drag Race’ doesn’t claim to represent drag as a whole. ‘Drag Race’ is a reality show. If you see real drag shows, we just do drag and respect each other’s art and who your real identity is – name, gender, hair color, anything.
For years, ‘Drag Race’ was gay people’s best kept secret. When I started doing drag, people didn’t know anything about it. Look at it now: it’s like it’s gone from black and white to IMAX.
My look and my character come from my experiences as a child. I wasn’t allowed to have girl toys, and I grew up poor. I also had a rough relationship with my stepdad.
I remember being obsessed with Christina Aguilera’s ‘Stripped.’ That was her peak, and she is such an amazing singer. Plus, I was a little gay boy, and the music video for ‘Beautiful’ existed, so obviously I was affected.
