September 25, 2016
'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars,' Season Two: Ginger Minj and Alyssa Edwards
Scott Holland READ TIME: 4 MIN.
Unfortunately, Ginger Minj was unavailable for the interview in time to get into last week's magazine, so this week we have two exit interviews: Alyssa Edwards, who was eliminated last week, and Ginger who was eliminated the week before. Let's start off with Ginger who was the first of these "ladies" to get the chop.
Week three of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" Season Two featured only a maxi challenge which was a Lip Synch extravaganza saluting the "baddest bitches in her-story." The contestants were given a character: Alaska (Eve), PhiPhi (Helen of Troy), Ginger (Katherine the Great), Detox (Marie Antoinette), Roxxxy (Eva Perone), Alyssa (Annie Oakley), and Katya (Princess Diana). The runway theme was the future of drag. In the end Alyssa and Detox were the top two and Ginger and Katya were in the bottom. Alyssa won the Lip Synch for Legacy and sent home Ginger.
How has your life changed since you were on "Drag Race?"
Well, there wasn't a lot of time for it to change between my season and All-Stars. I was only gone for a month in between! But it has been great traveling across the world, and being able to perform with the other girls.
What have been some of your favorite cities to visit as "RuPaul" alumnus?
Houston, Seattle, and my favorite place in the world is London. I would live out my days there pretending to be Harry Potter if I could.
How exciting was it to get called back for "All Stars?" Did you consider not coming back and if so what made you come back?
Crazy! At first I did consider not coming back and originally said no. But then I realized it's stupid to squander the opportunity. I'm always changing and evolving so I wanted to showcase that.
How did you prepare differently for all stars than you did the first time on the show?
Well, I tried to take the fashion aspect just as seriously as the performance aspect. On season seven I thought you just had to be an amazing entertainer, and totally forgot about fashion because it's not really what I do. This time I put effort into it.
Now that you have been eliminated, who do you want to win?
Katya. She's been one of my best friends for years.
Are you mad at Alyssa for not eliminating the weakest of the week? If so, what are your plans for revenge?
No, look, it's a competition. She was told to make a choice, and she chose.
What's Ahead for Ginger?
I'm coming out with an album that I've been working really hard on for about a year and a half. I also just finished a pilot for a TV show that looks like it could get the greenlight, so that'd be great.
Week 4 of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" Season 2 featured only a maxi challenge which was starring in "She-Quels," parody's of famous movies in pairs. The girls picked their partners and then Ru gave out themes: Phi Phi and Roxxy had "Show Squirrels"; Detox and Katya had "Velma and Weezy"; and Alaska and Alyssa had "What Had Happened to Baby JJ". The runway look was "Two Looks in One" in honor of Violet Chachki. In the end the top two were Phi Phi and Alaska with Alska winning the Lip Synch for legacy. She had to eliminate one of the bottom three (Roxxxy, Alyssa or Katya) and she chose to eliminate the weakest of the week, Alyssa.
How has your life changed since you were on "Drag Race?"
Drastically. I went from doing drag as a hobby to doing drag as a career. I am fully invested into travelling. I never believed or dreamed that I could do this all around the world. It's absolutely wonderful!
What has been some of your favorite cities to visit as "RuPaul" alumnus?
Los Angeles always has a special place in my heart. New York is amazing and I love P Town. Also Guam was really cool.
How exciting was it to get called back for "All Stars?" Did you consider not coming back and if so what made you come back?
I was very excited. I was in the airport and I started screaming bloody murder. TSA even came over to me. I immediately knew I would do it as I was so thrilled. This was a new opportunity to present myself and do things I didn't do on season 5. As soon as I got home I started designing outfits and getting my wigs together.
How did you prepare differently for all stars than you did the first time on the show?
I prepared more mentally. I decided I was going to last more, and worry less and wasn't going to be intimidated by being judged. I decided I was going to dive into the water with no floaty and get into the deep end.
Now that you have been eliminated, who do you want to win?
I would like to see Alaska or Katya win, because these 2 are so great and they deliver a solid product.
The look you had in the mirror was fierce and scary. Are you planning on taking some revenge?
I think I was a little shocked by Phi Phi's comments, so that's why I had that look. Stay tuned, as I am about to come into that room like a wrecking ball. OK?
What's Ahead for Alyssa?
I just think my book of life is written and it's now being read out loud. I am just enjoying it and going with it.
Is there anything I didn't ask you that you want to talk about?
Having this experience is more than just a competition series, it's truly a journey of courageousness and I wasn't to say thank you to all the people that have accepted that. RuPaul's Drag race is a movement and I am truly grateful and humbled to be a part of this.
For more information on Ginger you can follow her on Social Media at: Facebook.com/ Ginger Minj Official Fan Page;Twitter.com/TheGingerMinj; or Instagram.com/gingerminj4
For more information on Alyssa you can follow her on Social Media at: Facebook.com/Alyssa Edwards;Twitter.com/AlyssaEdwards_1; or Instagram.com/alyssaedwards_1
