Morgan McMichaels

We were able to catch the outspoken star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 2 Morgan McMichaels backstage between her high-energy sets at the popular Toucan’s Tiki Lounge in Palm Springs.

GED: Drag has gone mainstream. Why is it such a hot trend?

MM: It’s not a trend. Drag has been around for a long time – since Shakespeare. It lets people take their minds off their daily woes. It’s a little escape – a fantasy. You get to go see songs you love performed by ‘Pink’, ‘Bette Midler’, ‘Madonna’. It’s a good time. It should be on everyone’s bucket list. 

GED: It’s been three years since RuPaul’s Drag Race and you’ve managed to stay in the spotlight.

MM: I’m a firm believer in success not excuse. Drag Race was a competition and I was bitchy. Like in life, I say what I say and I do what I do. I was kicked off because I had my ass handed to my by Sahara Davenport. Social media has helped me stay in the spotlight. I talk to and answer every fan. My supporters have definitely grown since Drag Race and when people see me live that’s what solidifies it. 

GED: What’s the biggest change you’ve seen on Drag Race since Season 2?

MM: Budget! Seasons one and two were the guinea pig seasons. Season one was the trailblazer season. Season two was nominated for an Emmy. Now it’s really found an audience and has touched people’s lives. Women, gay men, straight men are enamored by it. How can men look like that? It boggles the mind of middle America.

GED: What do we not get to see on TV that happens on the show?

MM: Every episode is two days long and is condensed to 48 minutes. But you get to see what really happens. Nothing is scripted. It is what it is – the drama just rolls. We’re all drag queens so it’s coming!

 GED: You’ve made a career out of drag. What does it take to take it from hobby to career?

MM: There are a lot of girls like Chad Michaels, Delta Work, Shannel and I who do shows every night of the week. Drag Race has international attention and we’re taking it everywhere – Dublin, Helsinki, Paris. It’s amazing the reach we now have.

 GED: What else keeps you busy?

MM: I’m involved in a lot of charity work and people identify with that. I’m active in anti-bullying campaigns, the Trevor Project, GLADD to name a few. I focus on helping our community.

GED: Which drag performers are your favorites?

MM: All of the girls from Drag Race. Ru truly has an eye for picking out girls who really entertain – whether they’re really funny like Pandora Boxx or Jinkx Monsoon or have a unique quality like Angina or Nina Flowers. Chad Michaels is my drag mom and we learn a lot from each other.

GED: Who would you like to see on a future season of Drag Race?

MM: There are lots! Dolly Levi and Vicky Vox are phenomenal entertainers.  And Mayhem Miller – she’s fucking amazing. These girls would just slay America! 

GED: What would you do for work if you weren’t performing in drag?

MM: Before drag, I was in school to be an immunologist. I’d be working toward a cure for HIV/AIDS. No matter what we do as gay people, it’s our duty to help the community.