Come on All Stars, let’s get All Started!
This Friday, the newest season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Airs with All Stars 4. And to help get everybody more excited than they already were, the cast took to New York and had a stunning photoshoot on The Empire State Building. The queens took to the 86th floor where they got a chance to show off that All Stars talent and talked about what it was like to film the latest season. Check out our exclusive interviews here:
Jasmine Masters:
The Knockturnal: What was your reaction when you got asked to do All Stars 4?
Jasmine Masters: I was excited. When I first got the phone call I was on Instagram and I couldn’t say nothing. And then two weeks later I got a call that said I would be on there and I was super excited that I dropped my food. I think I had meatloaf and greens and stuff.
The Knockturnal: On Trixie and Katya’s YouTube channel, they said that All Stars is harder than the regular season of Drag Race. What are your thoughts on that?
Jasmine Masters: I think what it is with All Stars is that everyone knows you so they expect you to be better than how you were before. I think that is where the pressure comes in.
The Knockturnal: What is All Stars 4 Jasmine bringing to the table that Season 7 Jasmine didn’t show?
Jasmine Masters: I hope they will see my personality. I think on my season, my personality didn’t come off as well as I really am. So I think on this season they will see the joking side about me that isn’t malicious at all.
The Knockturnal: And if you could give one tip about drag, what tip would you give?
Jasmine Masters: Well I always give the tip that before you do drag that you need to love yourself first. Because, someone is always going to tell you that you are doing it wrong. But if you do drag the way you want to do it and express yourself, I think you will get ahead in the drag world because when people tell you stuff, it won’t bother you.
The Knockturnal: What’s something that people don’t know about Jasmine that you’d like to share?
Jasmine Masters: One thing is that I am afraid of heights and being on the 86th floor of The Empire State Building is making me shake. And I think that people don’t know that I am a big baby. I cry easily and I cry a lot. And I can’t stand seeing other people cry too.
Naomi Smalls:
The Knockturnal: What was your reaction when you got asked to do All Stars 4?
Naomi Smalls: I was so excited. I started watching RuPaul’s Drag Race when I was a junior in high school and the fact that I can say that I have done a whole season and an All Stars season is crazy, I’m living my dream.
The Knockturnal: On Trixie and Katya’s YouTube channel, they said that All Stars is harder than the regular season of Drag Race. What are your thoughts on that?
Naomi Smalls: You know, I think the regular season was a lot harder for me because I was really fresh and really green and really raw as a baby drag queen. I had only been doing drag for two years. And now I am a lot more confident and more put together. And I am a lot more excited for what I am presenting to the world. I think All Stars was a lot more fun and easier.
The Knockturnal: What is All Stars 4 Naomi bringing to the table that Season 9 Naomi didn’t show?
Naomi Smalls: Self assurance. I have a lot more respect for what I do and a lot more understanding for what I do.
The Knockturnal: And if you could give one tip about drag, what tip would you give?
Naomi Smalls: If I had to give a tip about drag, it would be to always line your lips.
The Knockturnal: What’s something that people don’t know about Naomi that you’d like to share?
Naomi Smalls: I have a sick, sick obsession with Frosted Flakes.
Valentina:
The Knockturnal: What was your reaction when you got asked to do All Stars 4?
Valentina: My reaction was ‘fuck, I have to get everything together.’ It is definitely a lot of work to organize lots of wigs and looks and outfits and starting to think about Snatch Game. I was on tour in Europe so I instantly made a lot of phone calls to get things together.
The Knockturnal: What is different about All Stars 4 compared to your season?
Valentina: That you are definitely more established as an artist and it something you can prepare for. And if anything, you have to elevate yourself to the next level, further and beyond what you did before.
The Knockturnal: What is All Stars 4 Valentina bringing to the table that Season 9 Valentina didn’t get to show?
Valentina: Lots of experience. Fabulous outfits. And just a maturity. I’ve grown, I’ve changed, I’ve evolved, and I am excited for people to see that.
The Knockturnal: And if you could give one tip about drag, what tip would you give?
Valentina: Take your time. Take your damn time and look fabulous.
The Knockturnal: What’s something that people don’t know about Valentina that you’d like to share?
Valentina: A lady mustn’t reveal all her secrets.
Manila Luzon:
The Knockturnal: What was your reaction like when you got asked to do All Stars 4?
Manila Luzon: Oh, I was gagged because I already did All Stars 1, so I never thought I would have this opportunity again. Kind of like the first time when I lost Season 3, I was like ‘oh, that’s it I guess.’ And then I got the call for All Stars 1 and I was like, ‘ok, that was it.’ And then, oh my god All Stars 4. Bitch, I am going to come back for 8 more seasons. If you ask me to do a gig, I’m going to do a gig. ‘Hey, do you want to possibly win some money? Okay yeah sure.’
The Knockturnal: And what was it like to see Latrice again? Latrila is back!
Manila Luzon: I mean, I don’t know how I would’ve done this season without Latrice by my side. When we competed in teams in All Stars 1, we became really close because we had to. It was like we were thrown to the wolves. And the format of the new seasons of All Stars is different so it was great to know I had someone who was there. But, the thing about it is that, we all form sisterhoods on the show, so it’s all a big family now.
