spotlight rupaul’s drag race season 9 ALEXIS MICHELLE
Who or what were the biggest influences for you growing up? Definitely the ladies of the great movie musicals: Judy Garland, Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett. I saw Victor/Victoria starring Julie Andrews on Broadway when I was a kid and we were in the last row of the balcony. She was already everything to me as a child because ofThe Sound of Music. I was holding binoculars so I could see better, but when she made her first entrance, I was so excited I couldn’t stop trembling. I could barely see her! The first time you put on a dress? Probably three or four, in my mother’s closet. How about the first time you did it professionally? 14 years ago, in New York City. Did you have a drag mother? If so, please describe your experience. I never had a mama. It was a very personal road to self-discovery for many years. I have made some incredible sisters along the way and we push each other to do our best. Clothes/Costumes: Off the rack or homemade? A mix of everything, but truth- fully, after having beautiful, custom things and wigs etc., it’s hard to go back. Favorite song to lip sync to? It’s forever changing, but currently
“Natural Woman” is really getting me together. Best or funniest “I fucked it up” moment? I had a habit as a kid, of asking women about their babies…When they weren’t pregnant. What or who inspires you? My grandma and my other drag sisters. There is a lot of energy in the drag world right now and I get so inspired by what I see all around me. What does drag mean to you, really? It’s all about letting your inner fantasies out. In a word: expression. Tell us the story of when you found out you’d made it inRPDR? I was nearly painted for a show and couldn’t have this big emotional mo- ment, so I had to put it on the shelf and go do a show. Later that night I was on my couch, still painted, naked and scrolling through Instagram and came across a pic of a whole bunch of Ru girls and this wave of joy hit me. I gasped and said, “My sisters!” Most common misconceptions people have about drag artists? That we’re all bottoms. What do you hope people get from your performances? I always want to entertain, whether it’s with high energy or just high stakes. I want you to have had a good time. And, maybe even thought about some things.
FARRAH MOAN
The first time you put on a dress? When I was two years old, I wore a red silk dress around the house, all the time. I still have it, actually hanging in my closet... It’s tiny and “Oh, so adorable.” How about the first time you did it professionally? The first time I was paid for a drag performance was probably when I was about 19-years-old. It wasn’t much at all, but was one of the most amazing feelings in the world. Did you have a drag mother? If so, please describe your experience. Living in Texas, I never had a drag mom... But, when I moved to Vegas, so many of the seasoned queens there, have been so nurturing and kind to me. Clothes/Costumes: Off the rack or homemade? I love a good mix of both. I’ll make and rhinestone all sorts of stuff, but, I also love collaborating with a designer on things. Favorite song to lip synch to? Hmmm… This one’s a hard one. I love doing this cover of “Ignition” and I love anything by Christina Aguilera. What or who inspires you?
I’m inspired by beautiful, powerful women! Then specifically, to be honest, I just wanna look like Christina Aguilera all the time. What does drag mean to you, really? Drag means the world to me. I love every kind of drag: Scary drag, bearded drag, fishy drag, pageant drag, gender duck drag, clubkid drag, comedic drag, bio drag. I think it’s such a special and beautiful way to express yourself, whoever you are and to bring inspiration and happiness to people! Tell us the story of when you found out you’d made it inRPDR? Oh man, I was so depressed. I was in a really bad living situation... I wasn’t happy. When I got the call, I almost fainted. It’s so crazy, I didn’t think they’d pick me at all. I just knew in my heart for some reason, I had to send my audition tape in and see what happened. It was a very surreal moment, I told them “one second” and I muted the line and screamed so loud. It starts off being super- exciting then you’re like “Woah. Oh my god, I have so much work to do.” What do you hope people get from your performances? I hope people question their sexual- ity and feel thoroughly entertained!
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RAGE monthly | MARCH 2017
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