RuPaul’s Drag Race Winner Bianca del Rio
An exclusive interview with recently crowned winner of RuPaul's Drag Race
Photo by Mathu Andersen
MW: Hurricane Bianca sounds like it could be a documentary about your time on Drag Race, but instead I understand it’s a feature, a comedic look at the serious issue of continued LGBT discrimination.
DEL RIO: I think most people don’t realize that in 29 states it’s still legal to be fired for being gay. So this is a comedy about a guy who’s a schoolteacher who’s fired for being gay. And he decides to come back and get revenge on the town, dressed up as substitute teacher Bianca del Rio. It happens to be a comedy, but there are some serious moments.
MW: How far along are you in the process of making Hurricane Bianca?
DEL RIO: We started fundraising prior to me doing Drag Race, and now we’ve started fundraising again, and we hope to shoot by next summer.
MW: Have you done this kind of thing before — using the arts for social justice activism?
DEL RIO: Not on this level, by any means. This is just something my friend Matt had written with me in mind, and I loved it and we’ve been working on it together for a couple of years now.
MW: What percentage of the time are you Bianca these days?
DEL RIO: Right now it’s pretty intense. Right now it’s almost every day. When I leave on a Thursday, I don’t come back until the next Tuesday. It’s pretty tight, but you know I’m grateful. I’m grateful that I’m able to do this. This came with the territory.
MW: It doesn’t seem like you’ve burnt out on the experience.
DEL RIO: Well, I’m not a big complainer. As you could see from the show, I’m not a crybaby either. I’ve got a big set of balls. I can take it. You know, come on. I’ve worked for 18 years in this field. And I’ve had highs and lows. And I have total respect for the show and the fact that this is a high. Who am I to complain? Some people would give their eyeteeth to have this opportunity. So never bitch about it or complain about it.
MW: Have you been able to find time to have a personal life and relationship?
DEL RIO: I’ve been in two really long relationships. But I’ve been single for seven years, and I wouldn’t have it any other way right now. If something comes along, sure. But I’m a workhorse. I like to work. And I have amazing friends that I see that keep me grounded and keep my sanity. But with this world it’s not so much as what I want, it’s if I find someone, are they going to put up with what’s going on? You’re flying everywhere, and you’re in and out of town. So it’s hard to commit, and I don’t like to commit to something unless I can do it properly. But we shall see.
MW: Would you ever want to have kids?
DEL RIO: That I don’t know. I think that would depend on the person. That’s a huge responsibility. I have two dogs, and I’m struggling with that — two longhaired chihuahuas that I rescued, Samson and Delilah. So kids, I don’t know if that’s something that I could even touch on right now. This moment, my brain couldn’t wrap around it.
MW: So in general terms, you have no idea what you might be doing five or 10 years from now.
DEL RIO: Oh god! I wouldn’t have imagined five or 10 years ago I would be on the phone talking to you. That’s the way the world works. I would never have expected to do this this far. I wouldn’t have expected to do drag as long as I have. It’s just kind of all happened.
MW: I wanted to ask you specifically about Adore. I know you two are great friends now, and you’re sort-of her mentor in a way. Do you mind her calling you her drag mother?
DEL RIO: I’ve never been a drag mother and I’ve never had one. But when it comes to Adore, all bets are off! I adore her. Adore is an amazingly brilliant, talented performer. We got to know each other really well through the show. It’s been a great ride being friends with her, and I love her to death. She’s extremely talented. We clicked, which was great. Courtney I had known prior to the show, and we always clicked. But with Adore, it was nice, refreshing and a great surprise. Cause I didn’t know if I’d have something in common with a 23-year-old at the time. So it’s been great to become friends, and when we get to go out of town and see each other, it’s amazing. And we laugh our asses off. So look, anything Adore needs, I’m there for her. She’s a great person. She can call me whatever the hell she wants. I’m very proud of her.
MW: And you two will perform along with Courtney and Darienne multiple times over Capital Pride weekend. What can we expect?
DEL RIO: I’m looking forward to it. I mean, look, the thing is with me, expect a good time. I’m there to make jokes, and cut-up and laugh with the masses. You may get a number, or you may just get standup. It varies. But I’ll definitely give it all that I’ve got and make it worthwhile. And it’s a treat that you get all of us.
Bianca del Rio appears along with Adore Delano, Courtney Act and Darienne Lake on Saturday, June 7, for a performance downstairs during the drag show at 9:30 p.m. and upstairs at 1 a.m. at Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th NW. Tickets are $25. Call 202-234-TOWN or visit towndc.com.
Del Rio also performs Sunday, June 8, at approximately 6:30 p.m. on the Capital Pride Festival Stage in the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue NW. For more details, visit capitalpride.org.
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