Now preparing its seventh season, the phenomenon of RuPaul's Drag Race shows no sign of slowing down. Previously content with bi-coastal parties in New York and Los Angeles, the show has taken its premiere party on nine-city tour — including this Sunday at Mansion in Miami Beach. Guests will be able to see each of the 14 new contestants perform as well as catch a special early screening of the first episode before it officially premieres on Logo the next day.
New Times got a chance to chat with Katya, a pre-season standout who has already built up a devoted online fan base who dutifully refer to her as "Mom." We talked about those fans, her lack of taxidermy skills, and why you're not getting the full Drag Race experience unless you can smell it.
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New Times: Let's start out with a couple of fill in the blanks. If you're not _____, you're not doing drag.
Katya: Using dry shampoo.
I may not be a damn _____, but I am a fierce queen.
Taxidermist.
I don't have a sugar daddy, everything I have I've _____.
Stolen.
What was it like meeting Ru for the first time?
Terrifying.
How many times have you auditioned before?
Twelve ....Well, I do every year, but I also like to during the offseason send in a tape just to check in. You know what I mean?
What was your first reaction when you found out you had been cast?
I immediately shit my pants.
How did your elaborate social media presence come about? How did people start calling you Mom?
I like to not tell the truth, so I like to confuse people a lot. I don't know how the mom thing happened. Somebody asked me online, "How are you feeling today, mom," without a question mark and I just thought it was the funniest thing. And now its reached a whole new level. They'll tweet at me things like "Break my legs, Mom" and "Spit in my face, Mom." You know when you know you've made it? Well, that's how I know I've made it, because I have teenagers tweeting at me to break their legs. It's all gravy from here. [Note: Katya wanted to be sure that we include her Twitter, which can be found @Katya_Zamo.]
Foreshadow season 7 in five words or less.
Mysterious, sweaty, suspenseful, and disgusting.
Which other queens on the tour are you excited about getting to see perform every night?
I've already been slayed or murdered or whatever you call it by Kennedy Davenport, and I'm looking to have sexual intercourse with Trixie Mattell.
If someone was on the fence about deciding whether to go to Sunday's party, what would you tell them to convince them to go?
I would say you have to come because you need to experience live what you can't see on TV. Which is smells, and the textures are really elaborate and plentiful.
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 7 Premiere Party, hosted by Shangela with DJ Lady Bunny. Sunday, March 1, at Mansion, 1235 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. The event starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $40 via vossevents.com.
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