By Drew Wilson
RuPaul's Drag Race Tour kicks off here in Denver Friday, May 14 at Tracks. I had a chance recently to catch up with the stunningly beautiful Tyra Sanchez (emphasis on the "chez") to talk about headlining the show, her advice for drag queens who would like to follow in her footsteps, and just what exactly is so cool about Beyonce anyway.
I think it was a little bit of both. I was a little bit nervous but I also felt like I had been doing good all season. I was pretty sure I was going to win but you never knew what the judges were going to do.
What do you think they were looking for and what did they like about you?
Well, I would say that the judges were definitely looking for someone with charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent and I showed all of those qualities.
And it couldn’t have hurt that you happen to so gorgeous.
I think it played a part but it wasn’t actually something that was talked about a lot. Pretty much the only time it was mentioned was when Martha Wash was there. I never really heard from the judges that they thought anything about it.
Were you a fan of the first season of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race?’
I was. I was a big fan of Rebecca Glasscock and I really understood where she was coming from with everybody thinking she was a bitch just because she was quiet.
What did you hope to accomplish by being on the show?
I actually wasn’t going to audition but a friend pushed me into it and I’m glad he did. I was hoping it would help with my problems but I wasn’t expecting it to solve all of them. It actually has helped out financially and that was really the biggest problem I had.
When did you start doing drag and why?I started drag probably around 2007. I think my interest was just to imitate Beyonce and wear the same wigs and clothes and things as her.
What’s so cool about Beyonce?
Her performance and her effort. She gives 100 percent in her shows and everything she does and I try to do the same.
RuPaul's Drag Race Tour is kicking off here in Denver. Are you excited?
I can’t wait to be there. Anybody that comes to the show can definitely expect to see some drag. Big drag. Dramatic drag. It’s going to be a fun time and everybody will enjoy themselves. It will be hot.
In a nutshell, how would you describe what the show was like for you?
There was a lot of cattiness, lot of big personalities, and a lot of good drag.
Looking back, is there anything you would have changed or done differently?
I wouldn’t have changed anything. I think I did everything right because I won.
What would you say were your best and worst moments on the show?
My best moment was in the country commercial challenge because it was acting and I love acting. And my runway, with the changing of the clothes, rocked the judges.
The worst moment, but one of my favorites, was the rocker chick challenge. It was the worst because the judges didn’t like it, but it was my favorite because I really liked it and the audience was into it and screaming for me.
And you were safe no matter what you did because you had immunity.
Yeah, no matter what I did, I was safe and that was nice.
Any advice for the girls coming up on season three?
They should remain true to themselves but still do whatever the judges ask them to do as far as challenges. They just have to make sure their personalities always shine through.
