Not since Myrtle Snow wasburned at the stakeonAmerican Horror Storyhas anyone screamed “Balenciaga!”
in such anguish asRuPaul’s Drag Racefans did Friday night.
MARIAH PARIS BALENCIAGA:I made peace with it within a day or two.
Mariah Balenciaga for EW
I went into the competition with a completely different mindset than I did on season 3.
I challenged myself and proved to myself that the old girl has still got it.
Whats different between your mindset on season 3 to now?
Mariah Balenciaga for EW
I learned to enjoy it and not take myself so seriously.
On season 3, I was so focused on competing and I had my blinders on.
I was laser-focused on making sure things were right.
I didnt get a chance to enjoy the experience.
I still take my craft seriously, but Ive allowed myself to enjoy and be in the moment.
I dont think there was a campaign, but I was surprised to be voted off.
Why did you vote for India?
I thought she pretty much displayed what she had to offer.
In a competition likeAll-Stars, youve got to show more range.
So, India had three episodes worth of range in her!
You said you wanted to find out who voted for you and why.
I dont need an explanation for someone else for closure for myself.
But, did they tell you anyway?
And youre not curious to know?
Not really [Laughs].
[Laughs] Right!
Which one is it?
Was that interview with her in the dressing room after your elimination tense?
Michelle is always a good time girl.
I dont ever take things personally.
She has a job to do, but its the consistency.
Its not something personal against Michelle, its just an issue with the criticisms?
We can easily agree to disagree.
I went there with my big girl pants on and I know what it entails.
I have nothing but love for Michelle, but I can still express my opinion in disagreement with hers.
Theres also been some discussion over Ross calling Sheas outfit crafty.
How do you feel about Sheas look?
Sheas outfit looked amazing!
There is nothing crafty about that look.
I was standing right next to her, and the detail was amazing.
Her makeup was amazing.
All the way around, it was so outside-the-box…. No, sweetie!
Its something else Im going to have to disagree on!
Your poem was so powerful and important.
What is that number about and why did you want to perform it on such a big platform?
I wrote that poem six years ago, but I dont really share it with people.
What better chance to share a piece of myself and share some vulnerability than on theDrag Raceplatform?
Its that blank slate.
Those injustices are still happening.
Its not some distant, far past.
When I perform, I dont ever perform my own material.
I dont sing, I dont write songs, so Im always lip-syncing to another artists music.
But theres a recurring theme when I do slower stuff.
Its about love and being loved.
You also made a statement when your car was driving away inUntucked.
You said Remember: Ballroom culture, gay culture, is not a trend.
And nourish it."
That was a very specific thing to say at that point.
Why did you feel the need to say that, at that moment?
Do you feel that the newer-school queens arent as appreciative of the history?
With mainstreaming, its such a ploy to boost sales to show that youre inclusive.
Lets put a rainbow flag on this or scream Black Lives Matter!
Its not a marketing tool.
Its not a trend.
Its a culture that needs to be loved and welcomed in.
Were you surprised that Alexis was getting as feisty as she was?
Because I dont remember her pushing back against people this much back on season 3.
Ive known Alexis for over 10 years.
It didnt surprise me at all!
Check that racism s at the door before you even pull up to the keyboard!
I want to focus on the lip-sync between Jujubee and Monet, that was potentially deciding your fate.
Knowing what Jujubee has done in lip-syncs in the past, did that lip-sync seem peculiar to you?
Notpeculiar…it was completely off!
Oh, wow, were just going right for it!
I was like, can yall tag me in?
I want to lip-sync for my life.
Either way, she still had my lipstick.
That was one of my moments from season 3 where I was over it!
I was like, Give me my pocketbook, Im over it, Im leaving!
Ok, thats what I thought, I just wanted to hear you say it!
Now its the fanny pack.
Give me my fanny pack, Im going home!
It was a little wink-wink, nod-nod to season 3.
Before we part, what are you most proud of onAll-Stars 5?
Im most proud that, when I was given a moment to say something, I said it.
When queens have an opportunity to say something, nothing comes out of their mouth but noise.
How I represented myself and when I did speak, people listened and they heard it.
My message was heard.
