Not Just a Filthy Mouth :: Bianca Del Rio

Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 3 MIN.

Her royal highness, the reigning RuPaul's Drag Race "queen of the nasty, hateful, filthy one-liners,"sits down to chat with The Rage Monthly about the whirlwind that is... Bianca.

You just came from across the sea [Europe]. How did your particular style of performance translate to the fans there?

Oh, my God, it was amazing. Paris, London, Amsterdam... I had not been to Paris before, it was my first time and I have to say, they are actually more excited than the American audiences. Because you know, I don't think they ever think, they are going to see us in person. A lot of times, we download the show and watch it after the fact, and people were very excited and they were quite lovely. It was fun. We've been very lucky to get to travel everywhere, all audiences have been really good. So, knock on wood, we have just been completely happy with the turn out. It's a lot of fun to visit other countries with all the other girls, because, we don't normally get to work together.

At the start of Bianca's life, did you ever lip-sync? What were a couple of favorite numbers you used to perform?

Oh yes, I used to do everything. I used to do this Evita medley forever ago and I used to also do Cher a long time ago - those were my go-tos. I started doing it all and it just fully turned into what I do now, which is what I prefer. I know so many queens who do lip-sync really well and they don't like to talk on the microphone. I'm just the opposite. I prefer to talk on the microphone and was never afraid.

I can't imagine Bianca as Cher...

Oh, I have pictures!

That's a "throwback Thursday" kind of picture!

Totally, totally...

"Rolodex of Hate" is coming to San Diego's House of Blues for two shows. What can the audience expect?

Expect the unexpected! Truthfully, I'm not going to be doing any singing or dancing, it's kind of about how I became who I am. There are a lot of references to my life, explaining this whole amazing journey I have been on. It's just telling my process in a comedic way.

Your "Hurricane Bianca" film project is in the works, what can you tell us about it?

I'm finally going to be filming in July. We have an eighteen day break in my schedule to film it, so I'm going to be doing that and we are very excited about it. It's a project I have been affiliated with way before "Drag Race," and thanks to the show, we have now been able to fund it and make it happen.

"RuPaul's Drag Race" has been picked up for Season 8. What advice can you give to drag queens out there who want to try out? What's the one thing that they really need to "bring" to the competition?

Well, if you can't sing, dance, act or do comedy... and sew, on some level... then you should not audition. It's what you have to do. That's the basic show, you must at least know something about those areas. So, don't act surprised when there's a sewing challenge. You don't have to have the best voice, but at least, know your limits and strengths. I think that's really the only advice I can give anybody. The only thing you have control over when you're in the show is yourself, so that can make or break you. We have seen what it has done to some and for others who were very confident in certain areas, it can backfire. But, you really just need to know yourself and know what you can get away with. It's challenging, with a gruesome schedule, so, this is not for sissies. There is a lot that happens, in a very short period of time, so prepare yourself.

We hear you're "one cold-hearted witch." Name two people who can melt that cold piece of ice?

Well, I think of course, from the "Drag Race" experience, it's Courtney and Adore. They were amazing people and we have become really good friends. We had this amazing experience together and they have been lovely to work with. I adore them both and they are both brilliantly talented, so it has been a nice surprise to have the "Drag Race" situation come out with those two. I was in such great company.

I just traveled with Adore overseas, which was such a great time. We just click and it all just makes sense. They are two of my best friends and it has been a pleasant experience getting to know them.

Catch Bianca Del Rio... If You Can

For all things Bianca, go to thebiancadelrio.com


by Kilian Melloy , EDGE Staff Reporter

Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.

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