The queens are back, Hennie! Our favorite reality television show for the past decade, “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, celebrated big time last night for the premiere of the highly anticipated “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2”, which premieres on LOGO TV tomorrow night at 8PM EST. All Stars 2 has been on millions of fans minds for years now, since Chad Michaels won the first season nearly four years ago. Last night at the beautiful Crosby Street Hotel was where they all gathered to celebrate the return of All Stars, dish some tea, and give us a sneak peak of the 1st episode, and let me tell you… this season is going to be ABSOLUTELY EPIC.
Eight of the ten queens were in attendance, minus Detox and Adore Delano (sad face as I really wanted to see both of them), as Alaska, Alyssa Edwards, Coco Montrese, Ginger Minj, Tatianna, Phi Phi O’Hara, Roxxxy Andrews and Katya all showed up to entertain and amuse us throughout the night. The event was strictly press only (thank god), and we got to kiki with all of them in a private room where we got up close with this amazing group of girls. Phi Phi O’Hara, who we have interviewed before for Manhattan Digest, surprised a lot of the people there by being the only queen to show up out of drag. His reason for doing so is that he has a new album coming out as the boy version of himself, and played the part very well last night with his super cute blue hair and suit.
Both Phi Phi and Roxxxy Andrews discussed how they had to deal with a lot of negativity during and after the show, which made it very difficult for them to get bookings as so many people stated that it was hard to shake their image from each of their seasons. Tatianna, who is still the youngest of this group similar to her season yet is from the oldest season of the bunch, is just happy to get back into the swing of things with the show. Being that it has been 6 years, the show has completely changed, and she has come more prepared, especially with her style. “I’m not going to be bringing anything from Wet Seal” this time, as she did back on her season.
Ginger Minj showed up looking absolutely amazing and brought a very handsome accessory in her very cute fiancée. When asked about why a big girl hasn’t won yet, she sort of reiterated how if she wins it isn’t because of her size, but because of her talent. “I’m more than just a 26 inch waist size”, she said with a cheekish grin. Shortly after we all got to chat, we were treated to the 1st episode of this season of All Stars, and were laughing hysterically throughout. Whereas I can’t reveal anything that happens, it is pretty evident just how much this show has changed since its early years. All these girls know each other, they are all friends, work with each other endlessly, which makes the task of sending each other home absolutely brutal. The level of their drag for each of them has catapulted so much since their original inception when they walked into the work room on their respective seasons, and it makes the element of All Stars 2 even that more exiciting.
After we watched the episode, Raven-Symone (who is the guest judge on the first episode), became the guest moderator as the eight queens joined on stage for a Facebook Live event where they all discussed the new season and chatted very candidly about the show itself. They chatted about who they would like to see be on the next season of All Stars, with Alyssa Edwards emphatically mentioning Kennedy Davenport as a choice while Katya thinks her best friend from season 7 Trixie Mattel would make a great addition. They also discussed frankly about how certain queens were treated during and after the show, particularly Phi Phi, who thought on her season that she was in on the joke with her fight with Sharon when it ended up to be more Sharon winning with the audience and Phi Phi having to deal with the fallout from everything. Katya brought up a good point on how the best moments from the past eight seasons were the bitchy moments, and that drag queens in general aren’t the sweetest and nicest people. In her words “If a queen is being nice to you, she doesn’t like you.” Pretty much meaning that reading really is fundamental in this community, and whether you are really in it or not, it is something that is embraced and has been in it forever.
Can’t wait for the new season to begin and see what happens with this crazy group of girls as it goes on! Don’t forget to check out LOGO tomorrow night at 8PM for the starting line of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2. Should be a blast!