The season 1 winner gives EW her first coronation interview.
Come on, say it with us: “What’s my name?”
“That’s why I scream my name all the time,” Priyanka explained before taking the title.
Credit: World of Wonder
“So you know that a girl named Priyanka can be successful.”
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Priyanka!
PRIYANKA:I won!
What was your reaction?
I was so thrilled!
Ive been crying all morning, just crying all by myself.
Girl, youve been tweeting since 7 a.m. Did you getanysleep?
I got two hours, but I feel okay.
I think adrenaline is pushing me through.
Like,poorme, I have to do press because Im the winner!
Such a hard life!
But is it hard to maintain in an online culture that can be as vicious as theDrag Racefandom?
But today I see you @-ing people who didnt like your leotard.
Did you just keep a list of people who criticized your leotard so you could @ them today?
I just think theres no payoff to hate.
You not liking me doesnt do anything for anyone.
I still won the crown!
You know what Im saying?
He was like, oh God, Ive got to block my tweets now!
Its important for people to know that they have to take ownership of their words.
And I want them to know that I saw what you said.
You have to own your words.
Are you the villain?
Just own your words!
People have to be held accountable!
What went through your mind at that exact moment you watched yourself win on TV?
Thats what I was telling myself.
Brooke said it best, you have an intangible it factor.
But this win is also so important for representation.
To confirm, you are Indo-Guyanese, is that right?
We call it Indo-Caribbean because my parents are from Guyana, but their ancestors are from India.
So that makes you the first person of Indian descent to win in the franchises global history.
What does that mean to you and how does representation like this really help?
Growing up, there weren’t a lot of people like me on TV.
Were normalizing people of color winning things.Shea Coulee.Jaida Essence Hall.
That ties into you saying Whats my name?
I think that was about reassurance.
Instead of waiting for the audiences applause, I just made them say my name until I felt loved!
Priyanka Chopra was found shaking in a ditch.
Like, nice try,Priyanka Chopra, you thought you were going to be the one!
Your sentiment of just be gay is also powerful.
Why is that such an important combination for you?
I love that you get it.
When things are a little too serious, people tend to turn off because they dont like being vulnerable.
So screaming Whats my name?
and Just be gay!
Its easier for people to eat that.
But everyone gets it [this way].
Just be gay and live your f—ing life!
Speaking of eating, you ate the runway so much this season.
It was actually the first thing I thought of.
I remember watchingKelly ClarksonwinAmerican Idoland losing it in my living room.
I was rooting for Fifth Harmony duringX Factorand when they didnt win, I was pissed!
Then, at the finale, I want to turn that corner and explode culture onto everybody.
You and Kelly Clarkson won basically on the same day.
Youre going to make me cry.
What in the Miss Cleo is happening today!
No, we cant curse the conversation with Miss Cleo!
Can somebody call Miss Cleo and ask if she saw this one coming?
Shes dead, Priyanka.
Just like mySnatch Gameperformance.
How did he react to you winning last night?
His inner saboteur, asRuPaulwould say, tells him that boys cant dress up as girls.
Thats not normal [to him].
Now that he sees that Im the Empress of the North, hes having an easier time with it!
Parents need time to process these things and you have to let them take that time.
Thats true of parents across the board.
When theres money involved and you get a big check, they shut up.
Thats enough for them!
Shut up, mom!
Im also curious about some of your runway looks this season.
You were read last week for the paper skirt.
What did you end up doing with the skirt after the episode?
I still have a little piece of it.
BoBo has a piece of it.
Rita took a piece of it.
So youMean Girls-edthe paper skirt and gave a piece of it to everybody!
It was like theMean Girlsending!
I said, You get a piece and you get a piece!
Well, Jimbo came for you in the press saying you shouldve been in the bottom.
Jimbois an icon and I love that he has no qualms to call us all out.
Im sitting here celebrating top three and I see all these headlines…. Let me have my moment!
Its hard to know how the judges weigh each look in the ball.
I think its how all three came together.
Because all three were so different and as Michelle said, I was selling it.
I think thats what put me into the finale.
At the end of the day, she presented two great looks and one great presentation!
Ive also gone back and watched some clips of you on the kids TV show you were on.
You were doing psychic readings and going to childrens homes to decorate their houses for Christmas.
Thats whatDrag Raceis all about: Let your hair down and be like, just having fun!
Im crowned, thank God!
Jumping off a bridge and failingSnatch Game, equivalent feelings!
Truly it was the exact same feeling.
Outside of your own excellence, theres been something happening online with this show.
Jeffrey Bowyer Chapman was bullied off Twitter.
A lot of the fans have been vicious to him recently.
Do you think the fans have the wrong impression of him?
What are they misunderstanding about him as a person thats frustrating to you?
We should only @ people when they dont like our leotards!
