Start your engines!
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo: I think I was home in Orange County. And they were telling me the whole spiel about the charity. And I was like hmmm. But mind you, they call me for every season. And not to toot my own horn but toot toot. But I was like, yeah this time I am ready to go and the whole charity situation was even better.
The Knockturnal: What was it like being back on that stage?
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo: It was fun being back. I wasn’t as nervous. Because it’s scary when you see Ru and the stage. But this was more like, bitch I’m back home. And I felt like they brought me back to host the party. I felt like Lil Jon. It was celebratory. It felt right.
The Knockturnal: What’s changed about you and your drag persona since we last saw you on TV?
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo: I feel like I have grown as a person. I am more secure. I know who I am. I know what I do. And I don’t question nothing and that is what’s brought me here today.
The Knockturnal: Who was the biggest competition for you?
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo: It depends on what the challenge was. Everyone brings something special. Because this cast is so good. I could’ve gone onto a season where the cast was…easier. But this cast made me work for the money.
Gottmik: I have no idea where I was! It was so long ago now. I don’t remember where I was but I remember I got the call and they told me it was a charity season and nobody goes home and we are fighting for our charity. And I remember I put the phone down and called Violet Chachki immediately and be like, ‘Gorge, I think I have to go back on All Stars.’ Because I am in a moment where I am trying to build my career and really didn’t think I would go on All Stars. But when I heard it, it was like a match made in heaven and there was no way I could say no to this. So sorry if I broke an NDA I called Violet!
The Knockturnal: What was it like being back on that stage?
Gottmik: I have the best time filming Drag Race. And I am a huge RuPaul fan. And not only am I a huge RuPaul fan, but we get along so well. Like we have the best time while we are together. And I have gotten the opportunities to go to parties with her all around the world and events together. And we laugh so hard. It is the Olympics of drag and I have grown so much as an artist so I was so excited to show how I have grown and to laugh my ass off with RuPaul again.
The Knockturnal: What’s changed about you and your drag persona since we last saw you on TV?
Gottmik: The first time I was on TV, I had only performed a handful of times and I was really working on my makeup, my fashion, and who I was as a visual artist. And I went on the show, and I don’t know if you all noticed but I had some dancing issues every once in a while. But ever since then I have truly been working in drag every single day and I have worked so hard as an artist since then. So I hope you see how much I have grown. I worked really hard on my performance abilities. And also in the fashion world. And I feel like the looks I brought this season make my other looks look not the same, we will say that.
The Knockturnal: Who was the biggest competition for you?
Gottmik: I remember the first time I walked in and they were asking me that. Like, in my brain it’s about me. But as we were going through the season I realized, ‘Wow, I really am a huge Roxxxy Andrews fan.’ Because she started talking about her other seasons and has been doing this a million times and she has played the game
Roxxxy Andrews: Oh I was probably at a gig. And as soon as they said the word charity I said let’s do it.
The Knockturnal: What was it like being back on that stage?
Roxxxy Andrews: It was amazing. We are not only fighting for ourselves but also our charities. It’s hard because you are fighting for two groups of people. But it was a blessing to do what I do for a good cause.
The Knockturnal: What’s changed about you and your drag persona since we last saw you on TV?
Roxxxy Andrews: Everything has changed. I am older, wiser, fashion is better, money is better. You never stop growing as a drag performer.
The Knockturnal: Who was the biggest competition for you?
Roxxxy Andrews: Biggest competition was Plastique. Plastique serves some damn looks and she is a funny ass girl. She is a funny ass cunt. She serves looks and she is also one of my besties.
Nina West: We were asked and everyone has to get cleared. So I knew I was in the mix but I got confirmation I was doing it when I was in LA and we were doing Drag Con. It was Friday night and Drag Con was Saturday. So I get the call and I was like, wait what. And now I have to go to Drag Con and see all these queens.
The Knockturnal: What was it like being back on that stage?
Nina West: If you haven’t done a reality show, it is hard to describe. The first time I did it, I didn’t know how it all worked. Like how the werk room was like, seeing RuPaul in person, and all the anxiety. And now I knew how it worked but still had the same amount of anxiety. But, the stakes felt different. It is very competitive and everyone is competing for themselves and their organizations. And this competition is an extension of ourselves. And there is an extension of it that feels bold, brave, and beautiful.
The Knockturnal: What’s changed about you and your drag persona since we last saw you on TV?
Nina West: I think I am more comfortable, confident, and secure in who I am. I have had a lot of incredible opportunities because of this show. But I am still the same goofy guy who does drag. And my whole goal is to try to leave this place better than I found it. I am not perfect. I make mistakes. But I am trying to open doors for people who might not have it open yet.
The Knockturnal: Who was the biggest competition for you?
Nina West: When I look at this room, I would say Roxxxy. I have known Roxxxy for 20 years. And this queen does not play. And then you watch the show and that’s exactly who she is. But she is also this really humble, really down to Earth person. So I knew competing with her would be fun.
Shannel: I have a show in Vegas and I was at the rehearsal. When they called me, I was like I actually don’t. I didn’t say yes right off the bat. I had to take a minute. They told me it was going to be a charity season so that was my initial, I need to give that some thought. I had turned down going back before. And I always felt that I was a bit too old school for the new generations of now. And I wasn’t sure I would be able to compete with the girls of now. I probably thought about it for five days before I called them back. And nowadays, the girls do it so differently. I was never really a pageant queen but I grew up in the pageant world watching videos. The big hair, big wardrobe, big jewelry. All those things I love because I love vintage glamour. And that is not necessarily what we see now. So I don’t want to come back doing what I do and them looking at me and thinking I am too old school for them anymore. So when they mentioned the charity I realized I have to do it for them too.
The Knockturnal: What was it like being back on that stage?
Shannel: It was scary! It’s crazy because I walk in heels for a living. I perform for 1500-2000 people a week and I act a fool in heels. But for whatever reason when you walk that runway and you have Ru and Michelle and all the judges sitting there, it is the scariest 20 foot walk you have walked in your life. When you have Ru, queen mother of the world, staring at you, you feel like you don’t want to let her down.
The Knockturnal: What’s changed about you and your drag persona since we last saw you on TV?
Shannel: I am 44 and will be 45 in July. I have been in the industry for 29 years. And the older I have become, the more I have had to realize and say to myself, fuck it. So while I am concerned how I look and the presentation, you get to a point where you just enjoy it for what it is. And I am a lot more relaxed than I was before. I am able to accept the good and the bad
The Knockturnal: Who was the biggest competition for you?
Shannel: They are all so good. And all of us have worked together before and been on the road so it was a bit of a reunion and seeing what the girls can do.
Jorgeous: Honestly, I was on my couch smoking weed. And I was thinking that they would call me soon. And they literally did 5 minutes later.
The Knockturnal: What was it like being back on that stage?
Jorgeous: It was so much fun seeing RuPaul. And RuPaul getting to see me was like chef’s kiss. I could not wait to be back. I’m her baby literally.
The Knockturnal: What’s changed about you and your drag persona since we last saw you on TV?
Jorgeous: It feels so amazing being back on TV. The first time around I was hella nervous and hella shy. I was not used to having a camera in front of my face. But now, I know the game, I know the beast.
The Knockturnal: Who was the biggest competition for you?
Jorgeous: I would have to say Plastique, Roxxxy, and Angie. They’re going to bring a looks. And Roxxxy knows the game like she has been here three times now. So I think I was most nervous about Roxxxy. That is mother.
Plastique Tiara: I was in my LA apartment with my boyfriend. I had just gotten back from vacation in Vietnam with him. Suddenly, I received this call and it looked familiar. I picked it up and it was All Stars.
The Knockturnal: What was it like being back on that stage?
Plastique Tiara: It felt good. It was a long, hard, and cold journey. But, all worth it at the end.
The Knockturnal: What’s changed about you and your drag persona since we last saw you on TV?
Plastique Tiara: Absolutely every fucking thing. Ever since I was last on TV, I have evolved and you’re going to see a whole brand new Plastique.
The Knockturnal: Who was the biggest competition for you?
Plastique Tiara: I would say Miss Roxxxy Andrews. She is a drag god. She is so good at everything at drag. There is nothing she can’t do.
Angeria Paris VanMichaels: I was in Palm Springs for a gig. I was doing brunch for Palm Springs Pride and I had just got off stage. And they had me getting dressed in an RV. So I got back to the RV and I had gotten a call from the producers. And the producers mentioned that this would be for charity so I was like ‘Yes, absolutely, are you serious?’ My friend took a video of me getting that call in the small RV and I still have that video today.
The Knockturnal: What was it like being back on that stage?
Angeria Paris VanMichaels: I was very happy to be back on that stage. Being back in front of RuPaul and the judges. Drag Race feels like home to me. I had so much fun on Season 14 and filming that season. And now it feels like returning back to college and seeing all your old teachers and friends. It makes you instantly more comfortable.
The Knockturnal: What’s changed about you and your drag persona since we last saw you on TV?
Angeria Paris VanMichaels: If anything, I was more comfortable this time. I was comfortable last time too but I felt more comfortable this time around. I am walking through the doors like I know this place. I am so much more comfortable with Ru, the cast, and on TV. Taking opportunities I didn’t take last time.
The Knockturnal: Who was the biggest competition for you?
Angeria Paris VanMichaels: Hands down Roxxxy Andrews. I am a firm believer that your biggest competition is someone who you feel is closest to you. Roxxxy Andrews and I are the only two pageant girls on this season. I looked to her as a legend and an icon before Drag Race was even in my cards. So, now we get into Drag Race and I still see her as the same legend Roxxxy Andrews.