Courtney Act

By Mark Dawson

Courtney Act has been causing a stir lately, hanging with pal Chaz Bono, performing private “Applause” dances for Lady Gaga, and competing on the new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.  If that isn’t enough, she has also unleashed a new dance anthem that encourages people to shift their perspective on Russia’s anti-gay laws. “So often, we see something we don’t like and we push against it, thinking we are being productive and sparking change, when we are really fueling negativity and anger,” says the drag star. “I believe the more practical way to bring about change is to know what we want, turn in that direction and simply be the change we seek.” “To Russia With Love” is a fun, electro-pop song about an intense love affair that takes place in the middle of Russia’s most prominent cities and landmarks.  The music video features the Barbie-doll bombshell in and out of make-up. Fans are treated to a few glimpses of Act’s adorable male counter part, Shane Janek. Even out of make-up, Courtney Act is a stunner.

Why did you decide to compete on the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race?

I felt like I was ready. In 2011, I moved to Hollywood to pursue my dreams. I had ideas about what would happen, but what I didn’t know is that I would fall in love with drag all over again. I honed my makeup skills, learned how to style my wigs and even thread a sewing machine: all essential skills for Drag Race.

What makes you stand out from the competition? 

I am a quadruple threat. I can sing, dance, act and look like a god damn supermodel.

Was the experience harder than you expected it would be? 

I was prepared for the worst: for physical and emotional torture. And it was actually the most fun time! Doing what I love with a group of similarly minded people was liberating. Getting to be creative everyday and perform in different drag costumes, why, it’s every little boy’s dream!

What did you learn from competing on the show?

I learned to focus attention on the present moment.  Even the challenging competitions that were not my forte became fun when I gave them my full concentration.

RuPaul’s Drag Race is not your first televised competition.  You competed on Australian Idol.  How did the two compare?

Idol was a singing competition, and although I have been singing my whole life, I was competing against girls who had the most amazing voices and I had to find other ways to impress the judges and the audience. Drag Race is a competition made for drag queens by drag queens! It is not often that the world conforms to the drag way of life. When it does, it’s magical.

Speaking of magical, can your new single make magic happen in Russia?

“To Russia With Love” is simply a message of love. In the words of John Lennon, all you need is love.

What does Russia need to learn about the LGBT community?

There are no greater rights than human rights and it’s important to embrace equality.

What does the LGBT community need to learn about Russia?

Russia isn’t only oppressive for gay people. It is hard for everyone, particularly women.  This is more than an LGBT issue; it is a human rights issue for the people of Russia and the world.

If you win RuPaul’s Drag Race, how will you spend the year?

My passion is performing. I love being on stage and entertaining people. So that’s where I’ll be, win or lose.

“To Russia With Love” is available now on iTunes.  A portion of proceeds from the sale of the single will go to the Russia Freedom Fund, an organization that has been started to combat discrimination and violence in Russia based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  Visit CourtneyAct.com.

Photo by: Magnus Hastings