Singapore’s about to welcome some real royalty – we chatted with Bianca Del Rio, New York’s queen of drag and Ru Paul Drag Race alumni
Singapore’s about to welcome some royalty, and we’re not talking about redhead princes from the land of Albion or posh high tea at a hotel lounge. Bianca Del Rio – the drag alter ego of Roy Haylock – is probably the wittiest queen to emerge from the Emmy-winning series, RuPaul’s Drag Race where contestants – all of them raging drag queens – lip-synch battle it out for the crown to be the ultimate drag superstar. Let’s just say she’s a pretty big deal.
When the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race began, it was clear Bianca Del Rio was a force to be reckoned with. A strong competitor from the start, she snuffed out other crying queens and goofy queens and dominated every single challenge. Bonus points that our girl could sew and make a mean dress, outwit everyone else with her sharp tongue, and also come up with catchphrases that we’ll remember for a lifetime.
But let’s not get nostalgic – we’re all pretty excited to welcome Bianca Del Rio as she makes her way down to our tropics for Blame It On Bianca – Live in Singapore, her very first show in our city.
Be honest, what do you know about Singapore?
I actually don’t know much at all about Singapore. The closest I’ve ever gotten to any Asian country is China Town in New York City, so I’m quite excited to experience it.
We first got to know you from Season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, how much has life changed since you won?
Well my entire life has changed. Television is a very powerful platform. I knew the show was popular among the gays in the US, but I had no idea how many fans the show has all over the world and how many straight people are fans of the show. I’m beyond grateful for the doors it has opened for me. Let’s face it if it wasn’t for Drag Race, you wouldn’t be interviewing me right now.
You’re known for your lacerating wit, who did you sharpen that skill on?
Every person I’ve come across in the last 41 years.
Are you a spiritual person? What is your mantra in life?
Absolutely… I’m always at the wine and spirits store around the corner from my house. My favorite spirits are vodka and fireball whiskey. My mantra is “Keep your eye on the prize and never let a bitch see you sweat.”
What are some of the biggest misconceptions about drag queens?
I think the biggest misconception about drag queens is that we all want to be women. That may be the case for some drag queens but not all. Personally, I have no desire to be a woman. I like the costumes, hair, makeup, and theatrical aspects of drag. I think the variety is what’s so great about drag though. It would be boring if we were all the same. The best drag shows are the ones that have a mixture of fishy queens, dancing queens, comedy queens, and singing queens.
Tell us your guilty pleasures.
Books. I absolutely love collecting books… especially fashion and costume books.
How much has drag changed since you started?
The biggest change I’ve seen with drag in the past 21 years is the popularity of it. And Rupaul’s Drag Race played a huge part in that. Social media has also had a big impact on drag. Drag queens are learning from each other and learning from makeup and hair tutorials. They’re becoming better and better and getting more exposure than ever before.
The library is open! Could you read the following characters:
Taylor Swift – She only f**ks people to write more music. I f**k them to write more jokes.
Justin Bieber – She just needs to come out as a lesbian already.
Kylie Jenner – Useless
You’re known for pushing the envelope with your unfiltered humor, but what offends you the most?
Donald Trump’s hair!
Blame It On Bianca is showing 26 November at Shine Auditorium, 100 Beach Road, #03-01 Shaw Tower, Singapore 189702