“I listened to a lot of what my grandparents listened to: George Jones, Johnny Cash – a lot of old country singers. Patsy Cline.”

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.

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.

Some of my favorite drag queens are women.

I’m not a competitor by nature, and I’m certainly not used to being evaluated.

People on a daily basis walk up to me, panic, and tell me something extremely graphic and violent about their life.

Any time there is an economic downturn or political strife, lipstick sales skyrocket. If you have a hard day, it’s this $14 thing that lifts your day. I think drag has that same lipstick effect.

People are slowly realizing that they’re looking at drag all the time. ‘Mrs. Doubtfire.’ ‘Real Housewives.’ Peewee Herman. Don’t let calling it drag make you uncomfortable.

I’m an optimistic realist. I kind of expect the worst but prepare for the best.

I always tell my mom that if she would have just bought me a Barbie when I was little, I would have gone into real estate.

Trixie Mattel is a product of bad things that happened to me, and it’s how I deal with things. It’s wonderful.

I remember seeing RuPaul in ‘The Brady Bunch Movie,’ when she says to Jan, ‘Girl, you better work.’ And I froze it in my mind forever.

If I have a show at night, I like to spend the whole day alone in silence. I know that might be crazy.

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.

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.

Some people say that ‘Drag Race’ is about glory and immortalizing yourself in the Hall of Fame. For me, it’s about shaking RuPaul down for her money.