“I’m very proud of my career. A lot of people get their career from the judges of ‘Drag Race’ saying they’re great. I had to go and build that reputation from the ground up.”

I’ve always said drag queens are like Swiss Army knives. Most come from having to take $50-a-show pay and doing their own costume, wig, music and jokes.

In the real world, people go against my beliefs all the time, and I don’t make it my place to – like, I’m not super confrontational.

I’m always myself. Always. The only difference is that I come off as mean out of drag.

My grandpa was a country singer, and I started learning guitar from him, just at the kitchen table when I was younger, and I got really into it.

As drag queens and as comic people, we listen to our own artistic compass all the time.

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.

To me, drag is about doing whatever you want, and nobody says anything. And ‘Drag Race’ is about doing what you’re told and having it evaluated. I hate being judged.

I was the poorest kid in my school, poorest kid in my town, poorest family. That stayed with me forever.

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.

Friendships are discovered rather than made.

Every single day we’re cultivating a spirit!

Big things are built one brick at a time. Victories are achieved one choice at a time. A life well lived is chosen one day at a time.

Yet the ivory gods, And the ebony gods, And the gods of diamond-jade, Are only silly puppet gods That people themselves Have made.

My gratification in working comes from the preparation and the building of the character.

We build our temples for tomorrow, strong as we know how, and we stand on top of the mountain, free within ourselves.

Single men never have any problems. I suppose that the public builds some kind of idea from what they’ve seen of me on the screen.

Together we will build an America where hope is a new job with a paycheck, not a faded word on an old bumper sticker.