Sakura tells EW about the importance of comedy and crying in times of need.
Amid a peculiar (but not horrendous!)
‘“Neverforget a legend!
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Hello Rock!
ROCK M. SAKURA: Hi baby!
Trust me, I was devastated when it happened the first time!
Im so sorry we have to relive it again.
Months later, is it still shocking that you were eliminated second?
I honestly dont think I was the worst-looking person up there.
I lip-synced my heart out.
To this day, it still confounds me.
I dont know what I did wrong!
There are so many positives though.
People are obsessed with you.
I was so swollen that day.
Id not been drinking any water.
I didnt think I would be a thirst trap.
I never see myself like that!
It was definitely cute.
It helped me with my self-image because Ive had so many [negative partners].
That wasnt great for my psyche!
He was literally being childish.
We cant pay attention to that now!
and he leaned in like, “Im so sorry!
And then I pulled my knife out.
Hes apologized multiple times, but Ill never forgive him.
Hes dead to me.
I think we need to move on from this man.
Its been 15 years?
I have so much baggage!
You seem so in touch with and open about your pain and anxieties.
Do you typically wear those emotions on your sleeve?
The intensity and stress of the competition brought that out.
Going forward, I didnt want to be another crybaby.
Being a healthy adult is crying when you feel upset.
Why was it important for you to publicly address it?
Ive seen the impact that representation has….
Were theTrixie Matteland Kim Chi comparisons frustrating as well?
I dont give a crap about the Trixie and Kim Chi comparisons.
When it comes to personal matters, I like to tweet about things I care about!
Ive noticed your humor comes out when youre anxious or self-conscious.
Why do you think humor and sadness go hand in hand for a lot of naturally funny people?
People who have a lot of trauma have survival mechanisms.
For me, that was humor.
Do you want something to eat?
You know were poor.
Do you want me to whore myself out?
that I dont have to eat today.
I enjoy being skinny!
Before the show, I thought there was strength in vulnerability.
Did the competitive aspect of building things by hand lead to your downfall?
I always make my stuff by hand….
I felt design was my strong suit, which is why I was confused when I went home.
I dont think I [should’ve been] in the bottom.
It was conceptual and avant-garde.
The tetherball hair is immediately iconic and alone shouldve been enough to save you.
The whole ball thing threw me off, especially with basketball wives.
I thought of the hair….
I almost did ping-pong as a reference toPriscilla, Queen of the Desert.
But I was like, if I do ping-pong, thats too stereotypically Asian!
Are you a classically trained break-dancer or is the grace with which you moved during the lip-sync just natural?
Thats usually how I get up from a split.
Let’s be honest: that lip-sync shouldve been between Aiden and Brita.
She finished before everyone and took a nap.
I get that youre tired, girl, but all of us are!
She and I are from different avenues of drag.
Shes about simple silhouettes with a focus on letting the simplicity of her storytelling create the atmosphere.
For me, everything is bigger, bolder, louder, and graphic.
I think thats why the judges wanted to save her from this lip-sync.
She wouldve been gone.
I think she probably had a wig reveal and it was probably
The same short wig!
That damn small wig!
Can you imagine if she did a reveal for that?
Thats the only way she can wear that wig again!
Maybe shell dye it for future use!
Who were you going to do forSnatch Gameif youd made it?
I had a couple options: Helen Kane.
She was the influence for Betty Boop.
Shedidsteal her gig from a black woman, so I was going to address that in the character.
I also hadAubrey PlazaandMarie Kondo!
Which one were you leaning toward?
Shes a good character to play off other people.
I also wanted to do a fun Asian person, so I was thinking, like,Scarlett Johansson?
I didnt even think about that.
[Laughs]
You’re a superstar.
I cant wait to see what you do when this wholequarantine mess is over.
You know what everyone’s doing?
Getting some d—!
We did have the ball challenge, now we just need d— to go with it.
[Screams in Rock M. Sakura].
