Voted "Miss Congeniality" by the viewers of Season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race, Latrice Royale won legions of fans with her big heart and overwhelming positive outlook on life. Both of those personality attributes bring Latrice back to Nashville this weekend as the headliner for the Music City Sister's Second Annual H8's a Drag held at Play Dance Bar April 19.
O&AN caught up with Latrice to talk about life after RuPaul's Drag Race, her music career and where exactly she has to visit when in Nashville.
Your life has been non-stop, almost frenetic, since being on RuPaul's Drag Race. How would you describe your journey?
Oh my god, this has just been so life-changing. It super exceeded any expectation I ever had about going on the show. I really just wanted to make a positive statement and be myself and stay true to myself and I didn't know it would turn into a phenomenon like this. It's been amazing.
You talk about staying true to yourself and you brought something that is sometimes missing from reality competition shows ... a big heart. Do you think that is your biggest asset?
That is my biggest asset. I just love love and I think more can be accomplished with it than without it and if people saw that I think we would be in a better place. I just try to lead by example and do my part and show people there is another way you can handle things and it works. We're so accustomed to an eye for an eye, you know what I mean? But that doesn't really solve it, it just makes matters worse.
This year the Music City Sisters have added the Stomp H8 dance for the youth that are unable to attend your performance at Play Dance Bar. Having grown up in Compton, could events like this have helped you?
I wish there was something like this when I was in my youth. There was really no outlet. There were gangs and those were the only option where I was from. So, it was not an option for me obviously.
My whole coming out situation was not the best and not an ideal way a person would try to come out so I have a lot love for letting [kids] know that it's okay, that you're not alone, that you're not weird, that you're normal.
If you could write a letter to your 13-year-old self, what would it say?
Ooooooh. Knowing what I know now?
Yes, definitely.
Okay, knowing what I know now. Don't worry. Everything that you go through in this life is for a reason and a purpose AND you are going to be okay. That is what I would've wanted to know when I was 13.
That's a great message to share with the youth that will be attending the Stomp H8 dance on April 20. So, you've been to Music City before do you have have any favorite spots?
Monell's.
Yes, I just ate there for the first time recently.
Baby, I look forward to some Monell's when I come to Nashville! It's a must do! I'm telling you it's such a big girl fantasy—a buffet that you don't even have to get up from the table (laughs).
I'm sure they will love the endorsement. Let's talk a little about RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars. You and Manila Luzon may have been seen as an unlikely duo but y'all rocked it. Are you close to Manila?
Manila and I are very close. She is like my sister true and true and this amazing friendship blossomed from All-Stars and it was never expected but I am so glad it happened. We were the odd couple obviously but we used that to our advantage. Getting the chop from All-Stars was a blessing and a curse but we made lemonade out of it and everybody is drinking it up and loving it.
You and Manila went on to record a song and music video for "The Chop". Can we expect more music from Latrice?
Yes. I'm working on my stuff—my own personal stuff—that's been on the back burner for a while. I want it to be right so you know me, I'm not having it come out and be like oh it was ok—no bitch it is going to turn it! (laughs)
You also did a Funny or Die parody of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, which you admit is a guilty pleasure. Have you met any of the cast members?
No, bitch, no not at all but I so want to! I know they watch the show so that's the thing of it all. I'd really love to meet them and kiki and say hey girl hey!
Well Latrice, you've made a big name for yourself. Do you have any advice for those who may just be starting with drag or performances?
Yeah, as cliche as it is stay true to yourself, make sure you believe in yourself and be honest with yourself as well. when I say be honest if you are lookin' like a hot mess—and you know what a hot mess looks like—don't try it. Get some help! I'm just being real now. I don't want to discourage, be the best you can be but don't come out half-steppin'. You know what fabulous is and if you're not looking fabulous you're busted and keep it in the house.
You've said that you didn't expect your life to blow up the way that it has since Drag Race. What legacy do you hope to leave—either personally or in the world of drag?
I've never even thought about being in the position to leave a legacy. This has become so much bigger than my community now. I've surpassed just the gay community and it seems like everyone from every walk of life loves me. I have fans all over the place and it is so overwhelming and pretty much I think my legacy would be that people would know that I am for the human race and that I believed in love and truth.
Well thank you Latrice. Any last words for Nashville fans heading out to H8's a Drag?
Yes, I cannot wait to see all my Royale Court from Nashville, Tennessee baby! And honey, we've got some Monell's to go eat!