A former Miss Pulse
competes on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” on VH1.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” could resonate this season with fans of Orlando’s Pulse nightclub. Trinity Taylor, who was Miss Pulse in 2011, is competing.
“When I won, it was a way of getting my name out there,” said Taylor, who had recently moved to St. Petersburg when she took the title. “I was trying to get bookings in Orlando. When I won Miss Pulse, I was booked there at least three weekends a month for a whole year. I got to know the staff and the patrons. Over the years, I continued to work there. It was a second home to me.”
Taylor performed at the nightclub the week before the June 12 attack, in which 49 died.
“The tragedy is obviously something we should never forget, but I have great, fun memories from Pulse,” said Taylor, 31. “I have a lot of great memories with my gay family there.”
Pulse owner Barbara Poma said in an email: “We are proud of Trinity Taylor, a former Miss Pulse title holder, and wish her the best of luck on her new venture with ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race.’ ”
The contest starts its ninth season at 8 p.m. Friday on VH1.
Pulse has been represented through the years: Tyra Sanchez won season two. Roxxxy Andrews, Detox and Coco Montrese were on season five and all-stars season two. Jade Jolie was also on season five.
Taylor, whose birth name is Ryan, is originally from Birmingham, Ala., and has lived in Orlando for a year and a half. She has performed drag for 14 years, won more than 20 pageant titles and worked as a makeup artist. She was a fan of “Drag Race” from the start and joined the cast on her third audition.
“The first two times, I overthought my audition and tried too hard. I tried to make a character,” she said. “This last time I didn’t try to be somebody I wasn’t. Apparently, they liked that.”
Lady Gaga appears in the season premiere, and Taylor describes her as an idol.
“She’s a huge LGBT advocate, she’s very talented. … Her music is something I love to perform to,” Taylor said.
Meeting Gaga left Taylor gaga. “She was incredible, very down to earth, striking in person, very professional, very direct,” she said.
RuPaul was exactly what Taylor expected. “She’s professional, very motherly, gives you amazing advice. She made me comfortable,” she said.
Taylor, who is 5-foot-10 without heels, took her name from a character in the “Matrix” movies and describes her performance style as sexy and glamorous. She is a plastic surgery fan and says she has had work done.
“I have my Botox doctor on speed dial,” she said.
Taylor is relying on a small circle of friends during the “Drag Race” run and trying to ignore social media.
“I’m a very expressive person. I would say my choice of language for myself, there’s no filter,” she said. “I’m just very honest. With honesty, some people might be offended.”
Taylor hopes the show takes her career in a different direction beyond performing in bars and clubs.
“Something the public needs to remember: It’s a competition,” she said. “We’re there not to make friends but to win $100,000. Do we gain friends? Of course, but it is a competition.”
She can’t answer specific questions about the show, yet she is fierce on the topic of Pulse.
“I’m very passionate about people knowing,” Taylor said. “That it is a reminder, a bad reminder, of what our world is about now. People are not nice, there’s a lot of evil in this world, even with a place we go to have fun and try to feel safe. We have to stay diligent … even when we’re out having fun. There’s got to be some good that comes out of this. I hope people aren’t afraid to go out and have fun.”