TRIXIE MATTEL

TRIXIE MATTEL IS THE DRAG PERSONA OF BRIAN FIRKUS, and a self-proclaimed “bleach blonde, over-tanned beach bunny with a really dark sense of humour.” Her unique combination of beauty, comedy and music propelled her to stardom on RuPaul’s Drag Race, then she snatched the crown on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. In addition to her YouTube show UNHhhh with Katya Zamolodchikova (and their new book, Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood) and her make-up company, Trixie is also preparing to release a new album called Barbara, and to take the new tunes out on her “Grown Up” tour. Don’t let the big hair, vibrant make-up and autoharp fool you, though — Trixie Mattel will read you to filth and shriek-laugh the whole time. And if you’re not careful, she might just write a song about you too.

What are you up to?

I’m coming to 29 American cities, doing my brand new show “Grown Up,” touring with my band. I’ve done a lot of big tours, and this one I’ve put the most into it. Spent the most on new production, invested the most in new material, this is the biggest tour bus with the most people on it. My book Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood is currently available on pre-order. My YouTube series UNHhhh on the WOW Presents network comes out with season five in January. My Netflix series I Like to Watch is back. Oh my god, my cosmetics company; we had a wonderful 2019. I wish I could clone myself, I would just stay home and make make-up. I love making make-up.

What are your current fixations?

I’ve been listening to a lot of girl rock. I love the Donnas, and they only have a few records, then stopped making music, so I have to live on their records on repeat. I’ve been listening to Hole. I know I’m the last gay man alive to discover Hole, but I really love them. I love Veruca Salt, a really huge ’90s alternative grunge band. I love Weezer. I haven’t watched a lot of television. I’m a television person, I’m on TV a lot, but I don’t watch a lot of it. I hate to say it, but unless I’m on it, I don’t watch it. I read a lot of books; at the end of the year I finally finished Stephen King’s IT, which took me forever cause that book is like 1,200 pages.

Why do you live where you do?

I live right in Hollywood. I’ve never lived alone and, oh my god, it’s brought out the worst in me. I’m just naked, drunk, playing my electric guitar at midnight, doing whatever I want. I get Postmates delivered to my house, and answer the door in a pink robe and a wig and no make-up. And for my makeup company, I’m always trying new products and trying to reformulate them. So I’ll just be in my house with a bright pink lip on and the mail will come and I’m like, “Hello!”

Name something you consider a mind-altering work of art:

Listen, I hate to have to give this answer, but I don’t think any other show has been a bigger hit — on people’s spirits and their minds — than RuPaul’s Drag Race. You’re watching an extremely unique art form from a lot of marginalized people. And most competition shows, they make it competitive and interesting. Drag Race goes the extra mile and humanizes it. We are seen now. People view drag queens as normal actors, singers and performers now. It hasn’t just given me a career, it’s changed things forever for everyone.

What’s the meanest thing ever said to you before, during or after a gig?

Most people are afraid of me. Sometimes people will make it their personal business to get in touch with me after the show and let me know that I lost them as a fan. I’m like, “Um, if that joke offended you, I don’t know how you were a fan to begin with.” Drag queens are the opposite of politically correct. Why do you like drag? All we do is tell these horrible, awful, homophobic jokes. We’re the worst! Go see a straight white comedian if you want to hear a joke about their Lexus.

What’s your idea of a perfect Sunday?

I want to order a Veggie Grill Impossible Burger with french fries and nachos and I want to sit about two feet from my giant TV and play PlayStation with my headphones on. While screens load or I’m in a lobby waiting to be paired up with other players, I’ll play my guitar and sing to myself. That’s my perfect day. And then maybe at night I have sex with my boyfriend.

What do you think of when you think of Canada?

[Sings] “Whatever it takes / I know I can make it through!” Degrassi, of course!