Slaysian Persuasian Ep8

Hello and welcome to Slaytion Persuasion with a very extra special guest, Didi Marie Holiday!

Thank you for having me.

Oh my gosh, thank you so much.

Who are you today? We always use your name as Didi Marie something else. Didi Marie Filipiniana.

Yeah, what is the illusion?

From PPW.

Yeah, we have this Yeah, we have this inside joke in our group chat for the Mabuhay bitches. Yeah, we always try to make fun of Didi. Didi's name, Marie, and Marie can, uh, in partner with any other— yeah, any other description.

Oh, I see, I see, because you're very known for your character illusions. Yeah, yeah. So all of those different illusions in between. Yes, Didi Mariah Holiday.

Yes, exactly. Calypso Marie.

Oh yes, yes, I love it, I love it, I love it. It's very, very useful to say like when Running out of ill words.

Yes.

Yeah, just say Marie.

Maria.

It's an adjective, an action word, everything.

Well, let's see how many Maries we can drop in this episode. We'll have a Marie counter.

Yes. Well, I just want to ask you, how was the Binge Queens experience?

I love doing Binge Queens, especially that I got to work with Angina.

Icon.

And she is actually the reason why I started watching Drag Race. I saw the first season 2009, and when I saw a Filipina queen, I was like, oh my God, that can be me someday.

That's so true because she was truly like a pioneer. The fact that at the very, very first season— I think people forget how diverse Drag Race truly is. The very first winner of Drag Race was an immigrant from Cameroon. The very first season of Drag Race had so much variety showcasing the variety of drag. We had a Filipina contestant, right?

Asian contestant was a Filipina. Andy, you just revealed our age.

I was scared when I watched it.

Me too.

Well, yeah, let's review episode 8.

Oh my God, yeah, episode 8. How do you feel about the season so far?

This is an amazing season. Like, every episode, the energy is just going— it keeps on going up every single episode. And the girls Except for that one moment with Kiana when she almost gave up. I think all of the girls had this fighting spirit in them, and they're really trying to prove something, that they belong in this, um, in this season of Drag Race. Absolutely.

I wouldn't be surprised if I see you in season 2.

Would you, would you tell us? Would you? An exclusive. Yeah, if you got the offer, would you do a solution?

I mean, like, you can never say no to Ru. Oh, exactly.

Of course.

No, but we'd be happy to review this episode.

Yes, you're gonna read me for film. We know her.

We read differently though. Yeah, yeah, but yeah.

So we made it all the way to episode 8. We come into the workroom, Yuhua has just gone home. We just come out of the lip sync slay-sion spectacular smackdown, and it's a top 5. So we made it to the top 5. It is 4 Filipina queens and Suki Doll of Canada. That's how it kind of shook down, and they're all kind of— Suki's like, well, I'm the only international girl left. And she's the only one who doesn't have a badge.

Yes. Isn't that awkward? Would you, would you have felt awkward as well?

You know, in the context of being an international queen with a bunch of other Filipina queens, I would feel very comfortable because I feel like I'm always in that situation. But in the context of, um, this, yes, I think there's a camaraderie that they have, all four of them. They all know each other in the same way that all the, the local girls to Philippines, they all have that. So Tsuki— but I think she integrated herself really well.

Yeah, but also the weird thing is Tsuki at this point still feels very confident as opposed to Kiana was already starting to feel like she's left out, right? That's how I feel.

But I think she kind of got a second wind because during Untucked last week, she was like, I don't want the balloon, I need to lip sync to prove myself. So I think Kiana's kind of riding in a little bit on like a little bit of an energy here going into this episode.

Didi, in your season, um, did you at any point feel this way as well, where you feel like, oh my God, this might be my last episode, or I'm not as performing as—

oh, absolutely. Every single episode you will feel that it's your last. Because it's everyone's ballgame. Like, the playing field is definitely leveled once you go in. It doesn't matter how long you've been doing drag because these young queens are fierce and talented and amazing. And, you know, I, I can only wish I have half the talent that they do. I was just happy that I made it, made it halfway through my season.

But I would honestly feel insecure if you were— if I were competing against you. You are a legend, girl.

Yes.

So literally, I grew up watching Didi on stage.

Another H3V.

Oh my gosh. But, but that's another thing, it kind of— if you come into the competition with a legacy or a reputation—

reputation, I think that's a word that I used during the meet the queens part. I said I have a reputation and a name to live up to.

And you—

and there's definitely pressure.

Yes, yes.

A lot of people know your work.

Yes.

So they have certain expectations as opposed to a newer queen who made the cast and they don't know what they're gonna bring to the table. So somehow it's easier for them to prove who they are.

I totally get what you mean, and Brigading is a proof of that because like everyone says, Brigading used to be the number one drag queen. Everyone looks up to her. Did you feel the same way as well? Like, did you feel the kind of pressure that Brigading felt as well?

I think Brigiding felt a lot more pressure than I did because I'm actually really chill.

No, you're not. You're not chill on stage, girl.

Backstage, I'm pretty chill.

No, I would say so. Yes. Every interaction I've had with you has always been very much like approachable, just very friendly, very lovely.

No, but I'll just let you know how I felt, how I feel about DeeDee when I first saw her and the several times I saw her. I felt like she was untouchable. I could not reach her. That's like, that's too far away from where I want to be. You know, I have so much more to learn in order to get into that level. That's how I felt. Yeah.

Thank you. Say it again. But yeah, the reason why I said Brigette felt more pressure probably than I did is because Brigette has been on magazines. Yes. Even before Drag Race. Like a lot of young queens look up to her. Like, if you know, if you ask a group of random students which drag queen, Filipino drag queen they know, they would say Brigiding. Brigiding used to be called, uh, her old drag name was Gigi at that time before she embraced the Brigiding drag name. So it's either Gigi or Brigiding, that's what they would say. They would never say Didi because I'm one of the grandmas, together with, um, Eva Papaya. Mama Lettlet, they are my mothers. And Jaja from Drag Race Thailand, she's my jam.

I love Jaja. You know, we were talking a little bit about this before, the first international iteration was Drag Race Thailand. So I was so elated because any Asian representation was enough for me to feel represented. So when I watched that season and I saw Jaja on there with like the only— she didn't speak Thai, she just fully was just there speaking in English as much as she could to understand what was going on. And she made it pretty far, she made it almost to the to the end. I just remember watching that season and having so many fun memories. So that's incredible to know that you have a connection to Jaja.

Yeah, I have a connection with Jaja too. And I first saw her in Malati. There was no Ovar yet even then. Yeah, before she was already popular.

Yeah, was it Red Banana Days? Something?

Yeah, some—

or Mint Bath.

Yes.

What else? Yeah, these are the old K-Pars and Manila. Yeah, sorry to cut you off, but comment if you've been to those places.

Yeah, yeah, I would say— I was sorry for butting in, but going back to the episode, it must have been a double pressure for Kiana being a first or up in her season and now seeming to be in the bottom 5 or 6 in, in, in this, um, in this franchise, you know, and having to compete with all these giants. I would have imagined how the amount of pressure she would have felt at this point.

True. And they kind of touch on that a little bit in the episode where they talk about a transformation that she's undergoing and, you know, uh, how she's just finding herself. And like we said, she's the youngest person on this cast, so she's also the least experienced out of Drag Race in this cast. She— her season aired, and within like 6 months she was already here filming, right? So it's a very short turnaround for her in the experience of being a Drag Race girl, being famous, being a drag artist, and also being that young.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely. And, um, it shows when, um, Suki tried to joke about her being a bottom and she was like, don't talk about me being a bottom girl. You can see the insecurity coming out there. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

It's pretty common to young queens, actually, when you clap them or question their, um, what do you call that, art? Yes, when you question their art, their drag, yes, they feel very attacked.

That's normal.

As opposed to more experienced queens, like, oh, I've heard that all before. Yes, is that the best you got?

Yeah, no, I really feel that more the security in you, Didi. You know, I've known you for quite some time now, and I would say that you have this wisdom and this— just to carry yourself and how you bring yourself into the space. There's that, um, confidence in you that, um, you could recognize.

Like, really, time really would develop that. So, and you know, the younger queens like Kiana, or who else is a young queen in the cast, the remaining one? Oh, it's Kiana.

No, Kiana is the youngest in this cast. She's like in her— she's in the earliest of her 20s out of everybody.

Yeah.

Kiana is the only one I haven't worked with, uh, in terms of like the Filipino queens. I don't remember meeting her. Maybe I did, but it wasn't, um, I guess it wasn't enough for me to remember if we have met, because you meet a lot of people when you do drag. And but what I'm sure is we never worked together because, um, she's very young, and here I was.

It's really weird because when you're an audience, you always expect that, oh, they all know each other, they're They must be really friends and they must have worked. And then here you are saying you haven't met her or even worked with her.

Yeah, maybe I've met her. I can't remember, but I have never worked with her. That I'm sure of.

Didi Mariah Holiday came out. I don't know her.

But one thing I'm sure of, she is definitely talented. Yes, for sure. She can do those moves. Oh my God, those moves.

The slow death drop back.

Even the young me, I couldn't. I wouldn't have been able to do that.

But yes, well on with the episode! Oh my God, right? But uh, so they come in, they're all de-dragged, they're like ready for the next challenge. They come in— it's what was their mini-challenge this week?

No, wasn't that a minute challenge?

I don't remember.

Oh no, there is because someone got that badge. Kiana got that back.

Oh yes, you're right! Oh my gosh, what was the mini-challenge? Oh no, were they doing— were they dressed up as something?

No, no, no, no, no, can you remember what the mini-challenge was? Help us help out!

Oh my God, let me look it up real quick. Sorry about that person. No, but there was a mini challenge. They were all dressed as something.

There is a mini challenge.

Oh, they had a photo shoot as a tourist.

Correct, correct, correct. Because they're getting into the tourist— Philippine tourist destination.

Yeah, destination.

Different, um, yes, they all got it. They all got in like tourist drag and then they had to stand in front of postcards.

What's that park in Manila?

Luneta?

No, no, where all of the Philippine tourists—

Oh yes, yes, yes, the Hundred Island, the Hundred Island, um Filipino.

Sorry, wholehearted-zucchini Filipino, where they made, um, miniature replicas of all the big tourist destinations of the Philippines.

Oh, that's beautiful! I love that, like a little Epcot.

Yeah, so I think the challenge was somehow like that, and they own it.

Yeah, yeah.

Who stood out for you?

I mean, Kiana definitely stood out.

I was really laughing my ass out with Biniez, the alien who dropped—

oh, that is funny, that is funny.

He dropped it to Boracay and she's like praying to that thing.

Yeah. I don't know what's so funny for you. I was like, perfect, yes! What a way to approach it. Well, what was the location that she was in?

It was Boracay. It's a really popular beach, a white sand beach, and it's popular all over the world. And I would just imagine that Nayla would also find out about it and go there.

I just thought it was so funny how the photo was like her praying to it, like she thought it was some kind of like religious—

I remember Venus, um, throwing shade at Brigiding saying, oh, she's also maluag like Brigiding. Did you remember that? Binia said that, but it's a joke.

It means like, you pussy is loose.

Oh my God.

You pussy is loose and tired and gray.

Oh, well, we wouldn't want that.

But wait, let me remember, why did Keanu win again? What she had?

The pregnant—

the gag.

They love a gag.

And she was like giving birth at the thing. Understandably. So good. Yes, well, Kiana ultimately wins the mini challenge. She gets an advantage. She gets to take a few minutes away from— a minute? Yes, it was time.

One minute.

She gets to take one minute away from someone else. Yeah, and she gets to go. She immediately picks Suki because last week during the Lollapalooza, Suki gave her the disadvantage. So it's like a tit for tat. But she was like, no girl, you're so talented and that's the reason I gave it to you because I think you're gonna do so well. And she was like, girl, it's because a tit for tat. How would you have played it? Who would you have picked if you were in that situation?

I would have I would have done the same, um, because at that point, and I think in my— in Kiana's mindset, it's like, I'm already in trouble, I gotta give this to the girl who's also in trouble so that I get the pass.

I see.

Yeah, right. Wouldn't you want to give it to the one who is already—

I mean, no matter what, they're, they're already going to pass in my mind.

Yeah, I honestly— the vindictive— vindictive side of it. Oh my God, girl, we've done 8 episodes of this at this point. It's second nature. Uh, but the, the vindictive side of me would want to be like, no, I want you— give me a disadvantage, I'm gonna give you a disadvantage the next second, the next opportunity I got.

Um, that makes sense. Yeah, I think that's the fair, fair decision.

Because strategy-wise, I would have probably given it to Vinas or Brigidy, but I was like, no, if Suki wronged me, I'm gonna— not wrong, yeah, but you know, Suki gave me the disadvantage, I'm gonna give her.

And then Vinas gave, gave her shade during the confessionals, saying, um, Um, I wish this was an equivalent to RuVetch, but it's not.

Did you remember that? Yes, because at this point Kiana had won 4 mini challenges. New mini challenge slayer. Sorry, Matilda, you know. So it's like, it's like, that's crazy. And Kiana locks in and she's really focused on these mini challenges. That's like where she really excelled this whole season.

Yeah, well, it makes sense. She has the most agile body.

Yeah, I mean, but anybody could have been pregnant, you know. That's just, that's her mind.

23, 24 years old, probably. I think so, yeah. Yeah, she— oh my God, let us know, Kiana, comment in the section. But I'm just saying, like, I started doing drag when Kiana's a toddler, I think.

Oh, when did you start doing drag? Can you tell? You don't need to age yourself, but how many— how, how much experience do you have?

Uh, let's just say, cuz before drag I did pageants too. I started doing professional drag in 2009, right around the same time when Drag Race came out. Came out, got it, got it. But before Drag Race came Definitely.

So that's like almost 16, 16 years of experience doing drag.

Yeah, drag and then pageants before that.

Oh, okay. And that provides that technical training. I think a lot of those skills can be applied to drag. So that's a—

exactly.

Yeah.

And back then we did not have makeup gurus on YouTube.

Yeah.

To help us figure out how to do our makeup.

So we just— but I saw some earlier clips of you, girl, and you were that girl.

Yeah.

She would have these corporate events and she would be—

yeah, corporate events.

Yeah, because they pay well.

Yes, yes, absolutely. This Pride season was so dry. Yeah, but, um, where were we? But yeah, so the mini challenge is done. Mama Pow introduces the main challenge, which is DragCon Slay-ja. And I am so— I— DragCon last year in 2024 was the first year I ever went. That was DragCon LA 2024. It was one of the best experiences I ever had. I haven't been, but I'm— have you, have you?

She's done it.

Yeah. Tell us about your experiences doing drag.

Oh my God, it was—

how many drag cons have you done?

Or just one? Just one. It is— yeah, it's one of the best experiences of my life, but it's also one of the most exhausting because we have to get ready at 5 in the morning to make it to the venue, um, at 8 AM and start smiling, smiling non-stop.

So did you have a whole booth set up?

I had my booth, I had my, you know, my merch. So this was right after your season?

So there are a lot of Season 2 girls with you. You also filmed an episode of Bring Back My Girls with T.S.

Madison.

I love that.

Who was with us here last week.

Yes! But yes, it was great, amazing. Like, you get to meet people from all walks of life, queens from different franchises, fans from all over the world who has only seen you on television before, and now they would be saying hello to you and telling them stories and how you impacted their lives.

And that's just—

I think that's the best part of being on the show.

My favorite part was seeing all the international girls. I told myself— I was there with two other friends and I said, I'm not gonna visit any queen from the US. I'm only gonna visit international queens because they're gonna come to Bo or Oasis or Splash, you know, we're gonna see them when they tour again.

You never visited my booth.

I'm kidding. I'm gonna talk about that because here's the thing, all of you were condensed in the same area. I would come, one of you would be out doing somewhere else, your booth would be empty, and I'd be like, all right, I'll come back, I'll come back. And then I think I came to someone's booth and John was sitting there, but John hadn't been on Drag Race yet. So I just smiled at John and said, hey John, and I just left. But I— that was all. And then that was— so it was either y'all were either filming or y'all were gone. I, I couldn't run into you.

Probably performing on the main—

exactly. So every time I— because you were all condensed near each other, because I remember it was a section of all the Filipino girls.

Yes. So what was the process of you preparing for your booth? Because that's the challenge set. Yes. Oh my God, what was the vision? Yeah.

But like, at least for my booth, I wanted to represent the Philippines, so I wanted to use the colors of our flag. Yes, red, white, gold, or yellow, blue. And then I wanted balloons because I like a party.

Yeah, yeah, because after all, in the booth you're selling the experience and not just the brand. Exactly. And that's what makes it—

yes. And I wanted to make sure that, um, the people know that it's my booth, so it has to have my name on it, like, you know.

And was it Christmas?

Because that's what you were—

that's what your, uh, brand.

Yeah, that was your brand.

Yeah, the day.

Yes, it's not December, like a holiday, but more like a fiesta holiday. Yeah.

But then once it's done, I felt like, okay, this looks like a gender reveal party.

Work, work. And what was the gender? Non-binary.

Yeah, at the end of the day, but it was fine. I'm just happy that I had friends who helped me out. Yeah, because like, how many balloons did I need to pump? Probably 300 balloons.

Wow.

Like, but I'm just glad I had friends. It's great to have friends.

And by friends you mean the baboy bitches?

Baboy bitches, of course. The unpaid labor making it all happen. Come to DragCon, work my booth.

Too much. Yeah, but yes, it was, it was fun doing it. Like, um, one for the books. Like, it's on my—

what do you call that—

bucket list. Yeah, yeah, like I can die happy, you know? You know what I mean?

Absolutely. Um, so your theme, you picked something relevant to you representing the Philippines. A lot of these queens kind of go in very different routes. I thought it was very interesting the way that they did it immediately off the bat. Tsuki goes in and she's like, boom, boom, boom, boom, she puts the staple gun and everything is set up immediately.

Yeah, I mean It's because Tsuki is a designer, right?

She knows how to manipulate that fabric.

Yes.

Yeah.

Um, I was—

I'm curious about something, um, Didi, because, you know, Calypso, um, aside from being the holiday girl in our world, Didi is also known to be a political queen in our country. And that's why it's an added level of me of looking up to Didi, because she really stood for a lot of issues in the Philippines. And I was just wondering, 'Cause I wanna see more of that in your brand as well. And I'm just curious, like, what's your thought process about being a political queen and including it in your brand?

Well, I did not intentionally do that. It just so happened that I'm very in touch with what's going on in my community and what affects the community. And I know what it's like to be treated differently. And I just don't want that happening to anyone else. And I just felt like it's the right thing to do.

Yes.

I did not feel that I had to do it because it improves my brand as an artist. No, I've been, I've been like that even before performing in drag professionally.

Yeah, because as an artist you have a voice, you have eyes, you have an audience, you have these platforms.

Yeah, I believe that because that's what my mom says, although that became really dangerous for her. But if you ask her, that was her exact answer. It was the right thing to do.

Yeah.

So I salute you for that.

Oh, thank you, baby.

Love you. Yes, absolutely.

Anyways, back to the booth. Yeah, yeah.

So Suki immediately gets her booth set up. We have each of these themes going on.

I wasn't surprised that Suki was able to breeze through it.

Right.

And she said that she's done this before with Icesis Couture of Canada Season 2. And she was just going boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. If you had to share a booth with another Drag Race contestant, who would you share it with? Oh my God, like, let's say you're going to DragCon Brazil and you have to share, cuz that's happening soon. So if you had to share a booth with someone, who would you pick?

Duo booth. Ooh, I would say if Jinkx Monsoon is doing DragCon, I would—

we'll yank her off Broadway so that she would do it.

Yes, but like, I want to pick her brain.

Got it, got it, got it.

I want to know what's going on inside that shell.

I would, I would want to know what that booth would look like cuz both of your aesthetics are so different. I'd be like, what Why are they sitting here?

Because I want to be close to her and be able to sing to her.

I can see a side of DD that's also in the same lane as Jinx Monsoon.

Yeah, okay, well, I guess in terms of performing on stage.

Yes, yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely.

Yeah, very nice.

I've seen you do a couple of theater numbers. Yeah, for sure.

Yeah, have you?

Yes, what about you?

Me?

Theater numbers?

No, you're gonna do a booth.

If I had to do a booth, I would make it very desi and South Asian-inspired, so I would probably have it look like a bazaar, and I'd probably have like fabric draped everywhere. I kind of want it to be a mixture of like Aladdin, even though that's not Indian, but like, you know how like Aladdin is a mixture of so many cultures? I would want it to be very exotic like that. So like spice market, like, like piles of spices and just, you know, very like— oh my God, ethnic, very ethnic.

Oh, I want to go there.

It's gonna smell really good.

It's gonna make me hungry.

Or on the complete other end, because I'm also inspired by like that retro future—

you better have biryani in there.

Cooking with Calypso, that's the activity. You're gonna come in, it's gonna be a kitchen.

I'm there.

Calypso's kitchen, Calypso's curry masala mixes. That's— I think I would do something very like ethnic.

Has anyone done that before?

Probably. You know who did that before? Kimora Black. Oh, she did like an Indian-inspired booth once, and I remember being like, this is incredible. I don't like—

Kimora Indian?

No. Okay, she was there in a sari and she was there doing it. I was like, this is kind of I don't know. Wait, wait, look it up. It was like, it was Kimora Black, either DragCon 2017 or 2018, and she did that. But anyways, I think I'll do something like that. I was like, Kimora, you already did it, but I would have like a food element. I think that would be good. But, um, yeah, because I think, because in this challenge they really emphasize the part of the activity. Yes. And I think if you came with something that gives them something to do, because that's not how most DragCon boots are. Like, if you go there, it's like, hey girl, come take a photo, this is my background, this is the outfit. And then boom, boom, boom. But this one, like, so if I had to approach the challenge, I would think about like what is close to my brand or what is close to something that I'm— I can do. And I think cooking is a cool one to— no one else did it. So I would have like a, a, a two-burner station, like cooking class with Kalypso, everything spelled with a K, like, like Kiana. And then, you know, we just do some kind of activity like that.

Who stood out next to Suki?

I don't think Suki was my favorite. I think Brigitting was my favorite.

Brigitting was my favorite.

Brigitting should have won this challenge.

The boot was just like star.

Well, yeah, the way she entertained the guests, I think I was very impressed.

And yeah, and it was very cohesive. Yeah, um, it was— there was no boring moment, I think. And the guest judges, uh, Precious and Sasha, were having fun.

Yes. And you know what I thought was so interesting? Mama Pow got in full drag just to cut that ribbon. We saw her for like 30 seconds, but she got in full head-to-toe drag, cut the ribbon, and said, I'm out of here. And Precious and Sasha were both going around to each booth. But I think what I liked the most was Suki, I think what she excelled at was she was so, uh, like, uh, personable. Like, she was there with them guiding them through every single activity, and she was there and like very charismatic, um, making a design specific for the, um, yeah, and experience was personalized. And then the little Susu, I think, is what put her up the end because that's so relevant. That's so like— and the way that she gave Sasha one that had like a gigantic ponytail, you know.

Um, so they have giveaways that are very memorable. The doll, the design, you know.

And then Bricky Ding, just visually best booth. I love those metallic balloons. It felt like she literally plucked her DragCon booth and just put it on set of Drag Race. Like, it was so professional and so well done. Yeah, yeah, she was prepared. Yes, yes, I could see her. It runs in the family.

Oh, she get that part from me. I'm messy.

But the other boots, we can go through them. Arizona had a speakeasy, which I thought was really cute.

It was very on brand.

Yes, brandy. On brandy brandy. Yeah, exactly. So it was really cool. She had that server table dress. Did you see the one that was a big dress? I love it. I think that's so camp. And then she did vape tricks, which I think is just crazy. Her eyes were so red. Did you see that? Like when you zoom in?

I know, right?

She's vaping too much.

When you're hungover, I have something for you.

Precious was like, what, another brandy?

And that was a really good, uh, lesson in comedy because comedy works in rules of three. So she had Brandy, or what was it, Brandy, Brandy, and vodka. It's like the third one. So it was really funny to see the way that she modeled that. And she was also very— she's so charismatic. I would say the most charismatic out of these five.

Very charming. Like, even in person, if you meet her, she's very charming.

That's my biggest regret because I was on my way to see somebody and I saw her in her booth at DragCon and I said, I'll be right back. And then by the time I turned around, she was gone. I'm Arizona. I I tried to see— I remember locking eyes with her. I'll be like, Arizona, I will be right back. And then boom, she had something else to do. I think she had to go to that show that night. Yeah, Made in Asia.

Oh yeah, okay.

Yeah, I haven't met Arizona as well. One of those queens I haven't met from the Philippines yet. Oh really? Yeah, I've met a lot of them, but Arizona, no, not yet.

Arizona, Arizona, we want to meet you so bad. Come to San Francisco.

Yeah, she's amazing. Have you— have you performed with her or worked her?

Yes, I have, um, especially, um, after our season because we got to work together.

Oh yeah, because you're in the same season.

Yeah, the runner-up of my season. Yeah, and we are both Adele impersonators.

Yes, I love her.

Yes. Yeah, so I already knew her before, um, coming to Drag Race, but we have never worked before together.

Well, we'll make it happen. Come to San Francisco, Arizona. Yeah.

And then we have the other girls.

Yes, so then we have Kiana's booth, which is kind of all over the place.

We have Binyas.

It wasn't organized. It wasn't organized. Kiana was also like, she fully was just like, so now what do you want to do? And then also when Precious was at her booth, Precious was like, okay, now are you going to sell us merch?

Yes.

Okay. Do you want to take a photo? Precious was like, come on, girl. Come on.

Yeah, you can do this. Yeah, I think the experience part of being a young queen versus someone who is more tenured.

Tenured.

Tenured.

That, yeah, that's— that, that, that really matters in this challenge.

Yeah.

And she also said that she's the only one who hasn't gone to a DragCon before. All the other queens had actually had experience doing one.

So yeah, yeah, yeah.

Although Venus was also very tense and very conscious about her actions in the booth, and it really worked to her disadvantage. Yeah, yeah, it wasn't her best moment. I know. Yeah. And it was, it was very unusual to see her, um, showing a weakness because all throughout the season she's really, really strong.

Strong, strong. Even her looks were like iconic.

Yeah, yeah, it was sort of like surreal to see like, oh, she also has a weakness. She's not—

I think she really got in her head. I think Sasha talked about inner saboteur, but I think it was Vina who had that bigger pressure, cuz she was— she just had the pressure on herself. And she even said that it was because she didn't make it this far in her original season, so she was getting flashbacks of like, oh my goodness, I'm still here, am I next? Yeah, and it's so weird because she had such a strong start.

I know, So I even agreed to what Sasha said, that I would want to go back to your booth because it felt really tense and very chaotic in there. Like, I wouldn't want to go back in there. It's a really bad experience in my opinion.

Yeah, right, right, right.

Yeah.

And then who else? That was it. So we talked about all of them.

Yeah, Suki, Brigadine, and Arizona. Arizona.

Yes. So who's— okay, rank them. That's what I want to say. If you had $100 and each meet and greet, who would you go to in what order? Yeah, I would, I would go first to Suki's.

And then Brigading.

Yeah, I'd go to Suki's first, go to Brigading, then go back to Suki's.

Oh, okay, okay. I would go to Brigading's first because I know that merch looks sickening. After that, I would then go to Arizona's, and then I'd go to Suki's, and then maybe I've already spent my $100.

Wait, girl, how much— how expensive is it to have a booth in DragCon? Because I know you spend money in there, right?

Well, you spend for the design, the transportation of all your stuff, everything.

So you have to pay for your spot in the booth.

Uh, we can talk.

Okay, okay.

Yeah. Oh, the NDA. Her being here is already pushing it. Let's not, Virginia, let's not. Her being here before World of Wonders in our comments.

Get in trouble.

Yeah, no, no, no, no. But from what I've heard, you know, there sometimes some queens are either brought there and they're given a space for free, or they have to pay for a booth themselves. Like, for example, Uh, if you're on a current season of Drag Race, you're contractually obligated to come to DragCon. They'll give you one standard table, and if you want anything more than that, you have to pay it out of yourself.

Yes, you get a basic, um, tent. Yeah, or space. You have a table, some chairs. Yeah, but anything beyond that, if you want to embellish that, yeah, it's all you.

Yeah, yeah, you have to work.

Yeah, you spend for it.

Yeah, and that's why the prices for meet and greets are so high, because these queens shipped all their merch here, all the decorations. You have to pay for Wi-Fi, electricity, all those things.

Yeah, so there's really a part of me that's a little bit conflicted about all of these. You know, it's rightfully so, we need to make money out of our profession, right, as drag queens. And we don't have as much spaces as what the Drag Race provides, such as the DragCon, right? But also a part of it also for me perpetuates this idea of of capitalism, right? And that's why a lot of the younger queens are disillusioned about what drag means, and that drag is about the money-making industry. And that's something that, um, exactly, like something that you can make money of versus, you know, um, how I learned what drag is to be here in San Francisco. It really started as a political movement and something that, you know, fights for issues that, um, concerning pertaining to our community.

Yeah, you know, I think sometimes I think sometimes the presence of a show like Drag Race takes the artistry out of drag in some context. It is all art, and all art is of course valid. But what you're describing, Virginia, is like when it's local or when it's rooted in a community, the purpose of the art form is completely different. When it's on a global stage like this, the sole purpose is really entertainment. It's about how many ads you can sell, how much money you can make, how many tickets you can book. But when you're a drag artist in a community, about the people, what you represent, what you want to perpetuate inside that community, what values you represent as an artist.

Yeah, I, I know where you're getting at now. I guess, yeah, in a global stage, I don't think that the political stance that we have as drag queens is diminished in any point. But although there is that part that really is engaged in money making, in the money-making industry, but I would argue that even if in those spaces We still do stand by the very principles that we are made of, and that is to really defy the binary and the binary structures that are instilled in a lot of the institutions that are discriminating us. True, true.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That's why we have this podcast. That's why we have this podcast, to talk about that.

Yes.

Yeah. But with that being said, you know, DragCon, great experience to network and meet everybody. Yes. Love it. But of course, at the end of the day, they're paying for that whole convention center.

Yes.

And it all trickles down and everybody has to pay their price to be a part of it, right?

Exactly.

Yeah, yeah.

But, but, you know, for, um, an international queen just to be there, it's like you didn't even have to win.

You're just to share space. RuPaul's walking around.

Yeah, Michelle is there, you know, whoever's even, um, the OG queens are there.

I was like, which queen did you like gag? Like when you met them at DragCon, who were you like gagging to see?

Oh my God, there's a lot of that.

Okay, give us a top 3. Who comes to mind first? Like, oh my gosh, I met this person.

Let's see.

Um, there's so many. That's why.

Damn, girl, anybody who's coming to mind. Who did you meet who wasn't from the Philippines? Okay, okay, there we go.

Pandora. We hang out, um, backstage because, um, when we were about to walk the pink car, but yeah, we're next to each other.

Work.

I don't even know if she remembers me, but we're right now—

well, Pandora, comment below.

Okay, fabulous. That's what we want to do. Amazing. Very kind. Love her energy.

Yeah.

And an OG. And an OG. Truly an OG.

You almost said something like— not exactly, it was like, first time girl.

Yeah.

I was like, oh, you'll be okay. Just walk straight on that. Oh, savor the moment. Yes. Because some Girls, you know, the first time, uh, first time to walk on the pink carpet, they would walk too fast, so they didn't— don't have time to pause for the cameras, say hello to the fans. It's okay to take your time. You don't have to panic because they would announce you. Yeah, right. And then after 10 seconds, they would announce the next queen. It doesn't matter even if they keep announcing the next queens.

Just, yeah, at their own pace.

Your speed doesn't matter.

Beautiful.

Okay, I got that tip from Pandora, so I thought that was really nice.

That is really nice. Oh my goodness.

One person I met whom I had a great time with was Jimbo's mom.

Jimbo's mom? Okay, work!

Yes! How was that? Um, we love Jimbo.

I love Jimbo. Yes, met her. You know, I met her too before, but like, I met her mom, um, outside the convention center, um, at the back where people can take a break. So I like, I really needed a cigarette at the time. So sorry, sorry, I'm not promoting smoking tobacco, but like I needed a cigarette break. Yeah, went outside and then this lady approached me and then asked me if, uh, if, um, I, I, uh, if she can have some cigarettes too.

Oh, word!

She was like, yeah, she was curious what cigarette I was, uh, I brought with me because it was from the Philippines. Yes, I thought she was curious like, what's great is that like, oh, it's from the Philippines, what can I have one? Of course. And then I realized, oh my God, you're Jimbo's mom.

I'm straight from Canada. I am.

And then we had a nice conversation about, um, what kind of child Jimbo was. You're getting all the tea.

You're getting all the tea.

Tea from Mama Jimbo. Hanging out with Jimbo's mom. Totally unexpected, hanging out with somebody's mom.

Mama, that's the magic of DragCon. That's the magic of DragCon. That's what that experience brings people together from all walks of life.

Yes. Um, it was a Amazing. Beautiful.

Okay, well, we just finished the challenge then. Everybody's done with their DragCon booths. They're feeling a little, you know, some of them are feeling good, some of them are feeling rough. Some of them are like, "Oh my God, I'm gonna lip sync." Yeah, some of them are like, "I might be going home." During this mirror talk, they also mention the passing of Jiggly. And Arizona got really emotional at this point because she talked about her first DragCon experience, how Jiggly was there every single step of the way, and how much Jiggly really uplifted the Filipino girls the girls in the US every chance that she got, which I thought was a really beautiful moment.

The whole time I was thinking, you know, because they don't film this— they filmed this in days in succession.

Yeah.

And I bet they just found out like maybe a week prior, that week.

Yeah.

And I would just imagine the other girls would have broke down as well. Like, it was impossible it's only Ari who broke down in that moment.

And I did some math.

Yeah.

Because Yuhua's mirror message, she signed the date if you noticed. If you zoomed in, she put April 30th, 2025. Jiggly passed away on the 27th. So that means when Yuhua Filmed her elimination for the Lollapalooza. That was episode— that was episode 7. Episode 6 was when they found out, because that's when Mama Pow did the whole, yes, we love you, Jiggly, and Kat Kat was crying. So this means that this is within 4 days of her passing, and they already knew at that point. Everybody on set already knew at this point. So that's why it's really raw and emotional, this kind of experience that she's having, because it's about DragCon, her experience at DragCon, how Jiggly was so You know, yeah, yeah, yeah. But, um, you know, she always lives on in the memories and all the moments that she created with all these queens, and of course what she did on her shows.

I wanna— I haven't heard you talk about this yet.

Yeah.

Oh, I will on Ginge Queens.

Okay, okay.

Well, tune in.

I'm gonna have a moment.

Okay, okay, okay.

Yeah, of course. But Jiggly's a close, um, friend. Um, She went to my birthday, you know. Yeah, uh, you were here. Yes, yes, she was here. Um, and I didn't know it was the last time I'm gonna see Ate Jigle. I call her Ate. Um, the way we met was totally unexpected. Um, I was performing in the Philippines at O-Bar, you know, when Facebook Live was new. I would go on live And suddenly Jiggly started watching my live while I was doing my makeup back. It was like, and then I just announced it to everyone, Jiggly Caliente from Drag Race is watching my life! And then after that, we started, um, sending each other DMs, getting to know each other, like, ate, when, you know, when are you coming? And then I put two and two together. I was able to actually help arrange Jiggly's first show back in her homecoming show in Manila. Amazing. Arranged it with Opar, with Brigiding's help if I remember it correctly. But yeah, so some— when during my birthday last— this year, she was there. She thanked me on stage for that. That because she basically said, um, somehow I helped open the door for her in the Philippines because she was trying to break through because she really wants to represent the Philippines. And wow, oh my God, it's okay.

Yeah, yeah, wow, what a beautiful story.

Yeah, it is. And also that time it was my birthday, she invited me to lunch and I couldn't, and I didn't know it was the last time I was going to see her. It's just like I You just never know. Yeah, but I love Addie Jiggly. Um, she's very catty. Maldita, we call that maldita. You know what maldita means?

I like bitch. Yeah, like witch.

Okay, bitchy. Yeah, yeah, but it comes from a place of love.

I, I was on a group chat with her. I performed in Made in Asia in New York. Oh, and she was— she and Jasmine Rice LaBeija were going back and forth in the group chat. I'm not going to repeat any of the things that they said, but I was like, girl, damn.

I was like, that's being Maldivian.

What is— yeah, I'm like, what is she saying? Like, the words and the things that she was saying, wild. And I was— I had a brief moment where I was able to speak to her backstage as well.

But, um, yeah, I only had a brief moment with Jiggly, but, you know, um, to us, especially Filipino drag queens, she really represented so much because she really opened doors for us, especially the Filipino queens. She did. So, yeah, yeah.

And, and just so grateful that I was able to have that friendship with her during her time on Earth. Earth. So maybe in the next life you'll see her again. Yeah, we'll meet again. Uh, Jiggly, Jiggly, Jiggly, Jiggly, Jiggly, Jiggly. May I call you Jiggly?

And we always will.

And we always probably watching us right now.

Hey girl, saying the most rotten things.

Yes, the most rotten things.

But hey, yeah.

And then, but after that she was saying, hey, I love you baby, how are you doing?

No, yes, of course, of course. Super kind.

Yeah, just like that. Well, actually, when I got it during my elimination in my season, um, she actually went out of her way to see me after, and I was just so happy for that. Gave me a ring. She gave me a ring, and then I still, I still have the ring. I can't wear it because it's too small, but it is a ring. Yes, it's still a ring.

Yes, we'll just put it on the tip of your finger.

Yeah.

Work.

Um, but yes, now we go to the runway. Yeah, this runway challenge is very interesting. I have a question for you. If you were presented with this RuBirth runway theme, which of your runways would you want to reinvent and reinspire? Oh my God, because all of them do past runways. But the thing is, I don't think it was quite a redemption because some of them were like, I want to do this better, but other ones were like, this was my best look, I'm gonna even make it better. So yeah, so it wasn't a redemption. Yeah, right, it wasn't like a do-over. But which one. Maybe, maybe it is a do-over, maybe it is an elevation. Which one would you pick of your past runways?

Oh, my shoes. The shoes challenge. Because although I won that episode, that's the musical, um, I got read a lot online. Yes, for my runway. Because it, you know, uh, I guess it wasn't their favorite, which is okay. Like, you know, some people liked it, a lot of people did Mama Pao said she's gonna— she would wear it. Oh, but still, yeah, she said, well, that season her fashion was more— I would do that because my original concept actually for the shoes did not come through because, um, I had a designer cancel on me last minute.

Yep, yep, yep.

And I had like, what, 3, 4 days before we go in. So yeah, yeah, okay.

So the shoes, you would elevate the shoes.

Although these shoes, um, I had help from some of my friends, um, to make that. But my original concept was— because the, the brief was iconic shoes, basically iconic shoes— my original idea was, um, uh, the ruby red slippers of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, like drag. So that was my original vision, but I wasn't able to do that.

I see.

So I wanted to show Bad. Wow, because what's more iconic than those red slippers?

Absolutely, that is famous. The most iconic shoe in the world, I think.

Yeah, right?

Yeah.

And how would you elevate it this time?

I— would you, would you just do the look that you couldn't do then? Yeah, yeah. That's what—

oh, it's so much better.

No, it was always— it was, there was a better look. You saw this one, so we would— okay, good choice.

And also it's so much better in my hand.

Yeah, like, yeah, it is so much better.

But yes, that's what I would do over.

Before we proceed though, how— what do you think about what Mama Pao is wearing?

Wait, what's the red Filipiniana?

Red Filipiniana.

Let me— I have to see.

She has a lot of amazing looks this season. Yes, yes, so much better than previous season.

The—

at least I have to look at it again.

Yeah, I guess she's the maximizing the wardrobe budget this time.

Oh, see, Diddy, I've been— I've been being very honest with you. I've been giving my— have you been lying all this time?

No, I like this. Uh, okay, okay, well, let me tell us. I like this because there's pearls on it. She always says she's tired of seeing the Filipina butterfly things. She is representing drag race. You know what, I have one too. My, my sister Ariola gave me one next Next episode I'm wearing one. I'm wearing one. I'm gonna wear it outside my mouth.

This is so weird. Culture.

No, no, my only thing is, and this is my comment, is Mama Pow would always, uh, tell a contestant it's the same silhouette, same silhouette, and every time I see it's the same silhouette with her.

The rules are different when you're a host. The rules are different when you are a host.

Okay, but to quote Eva LaQueen, because I watched that clip again because I think it was Marina and her recapping it on one of their shows those. Yeah, they were talking about like if you are the judge, you need to represent like excellence and you need to look good and you need to look of the caliber of judging. I think she's doing that.

Okay, so I think—

what do you think this season? I mean like looks after looks after—

no, absolutely. Okay, here, now how about we run through each of the queens? So we'll all give like a— we'll do— we'll steal Tudor Boot, we'll steal them.

Okay, okay.

So we'll start with, uh, Brigading black and pink runway look. She did a redo of her pink and black look.

The spray paint situation.

I loved it. This was a great look. What do y'all think?

Very creative.

I loved it.

I just, you know, the ruffles reveal, like, girl, done a thousand times, you know what I mean? That's the only downside for me, but I really love the spray on the hair.

Like, okay, yeah, why not?

Yeah.

All right, well, spray paint your hair.

Why? And it's a moment. She made a moment. Uh, next we have, uh, Uh, Arizona Brandy in this gorgeous— yes, leopard print neon moment. A redo of her Animal Kingdom runway.

Yes, this is more structured.

I love that hair, that human hair that's been dyed that way with the way that it moves. Oh my God, I want a wig like that.

I can't wait to get a wig like that.

I love it.

Yeah, like, Arizona's officially a fashion queen.

I know, she got that moment and We live. Next we have, uh, Suki Doll with a revamp of her entrance look, which was the red structured skirt with the squiggly wiggles in the hair. I thought it was okay. Honestly, I've seen better Suki looks, and I really like the first look as it was.

It wasn't my favorite, but it's not bad at all.

I would say the same.

You know, it looked good still.

As someone who built things, I, I— my theory is what she did is what she, she twisted those wires and made it go like this. And yeah, to me it didn't look polished. She just put beads on them. That's how it looked like for for me.

It seemed of the same caliber as her entrance look, and I didn't really feel like it was not an upgrade going.

It did—

it looked like if we're looking like Pokémon Evolution.

Yes.

Yeah, it's like this. Yeah, it's in the same level.

I expected something bigger, you know, bigger.

I would have picked a different outfit maybe, of course, to redo.

Yeah, you know, she had this, um, wire going like this. I was expecting like even bigger of those, you know, behind her. Yeah, something like that. I don't know.

All right, well, next we have Vinyas in her redo of her, uh, like hair rollers. Look at her rollers. Look at that The hair was so cool. It looked like the Monsters, Inc. snake lady hair where they were all like doing that. Yeah, you know the Monsters, Inc. one? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I loved it. And Sasha was obsessed with the hair.

And she had a—

because in her original season she was, um, she was clocked and, and read because chastised. Yeah, chastised because she was wearing a robe and she did not reveal anything.

Yes, yes. And then she was like, she revealed the reveal.

Another room.

She revealed a reveal.

I love that, that's so funny.

I was like, that's like a clapback moment.

Yes, yes.

Yeah. And lastly, we have Kiana. Amazing. I, again, I wouldn't have picked this look to redo though because the original was already so good. This just felt too much.

Carnival look?

Yes, the one with—

she—

the original had this really cool face reveal where like she just turned her face and then the mask moved. Yeah, this This one was like she wore the whole damn carousel, you know. I thought it was a good look. I thought it was a really cool look. Again, I'm just like, are we taking it too far?

In my opinion, like—

but it's good.

Yeah, oh, it's great.

Amazing.

I'm just curious about the thought process because if at this point you already— you're already thinking that you might be in the bottom and to wear that kind of costume will be to your disadvantage.

The problem is she can't just change it. She can't just swap it to something else because it has to reference the original look, right? Right? Um, uh, but yeah, so good look, but yes.

Yeah, it's also possible that she's not counting on being in the bottom.

Yeah, she was like, girl, this dress is gonna save me. Yeah, that's what she does.

Exactly.

But, um, so we go through the judges' critiques. They're very— it was really quick actually, the judges' comments and critiques. But, um, they're complimentary of Suki, Brigitting, and Vinyas. Um, yes, the main— oh, sorry, Suki, Brigitting, and Arizona. And Vinyas and Kiana get the negative comments. This is where we learn that Venus was very much in her head. Kiana has a transformation that she's going through, and Sasha says that she's going through growing pains.

Yeah, I don't—

I don't— do you want to speak on that? I, I don't know. Like, I, I just feel like Kiana, the thing is she just needs to grow as an artist, and I think we're just seeing that happen. But I don't think she's doing worse than what she actually understood it.

Yeah, because, um, for you to grow into a different kind of version, you have to fail at some point with the things that you've already been doing. And I think that's— it— that is showing with Kiana right now. That's a good point. That's a good point.

Well then, that's exactly happening. So, uh, this is again— Philippines rules are suspended. Yeah, so now they go into winners and bottom 2.

Bottom 2. So lip sync again.

Yes, there's no picking. So now, uh, who did— okay, I think Brigitting should have won this challenge. Brigitting should have won this challenge.

Combination of the look, because they loved the look with the hairspray thing.

They— the booth was so professional. I can understand, but I think it would have been crazy if she had 5 top/wins in a row, you know? So I think for better storytelling, it might have made more sense to give Suki a badge and Arizona a second badge because their storylines made sense. But Briggy did so well this episode.

I love how you're adopting my—

but no, because I was like, let's put the producer hat on.

Yes.

Tell us, what do you— would you agree?

I agree. I agree.

Just exactly what I just said. Lay out the—

yes. Yeah, it's all about storytelling.

It's about— and what makes a better story to give Arizona her redemption with her fashion and to give Suki a badge, right? Yeah. So I'm like, girl, at this point, if you're handing out two badges, throw one to Bring It In.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Um, I wouldn't have thought of any other way.

Do you agree with the bottom two though?

Yeah. Yes, you do? Absolutely.

I—

because Kiana just had extra time. She's like, now what do you want to do? And then Venus was like, no, you stand over here, you wait over there, you do this. Like, she was— Kiana did not take enough control and Venus took too much Yeah, yeah.

So what do you want?

The size of the same coin.

Control.

I want to have a good time. I want my $20 meet and greet to give me a good time.

Oh, there's that.

And I feel like, okay, I think the biggest— I think the thing that I really loved was the photo aspect, because that's what you're there at DragCon for. That brought the realism to it. And who did the photo?

Brigading.

Yeah, who took the photo? Smart, because that is part of it. Like, some queens will be like, if you take a Polaroid picture, that counts as your merch item and the meet and greet price, right?

And I'm like, her mind, her mind.

Yes, you raised them well, Mama.

Well, Brigadine is also a businesswoman.

Yeah, basically.

But to Brigadine's right, she's also a very experienced drag queen, a very fierce drag queen. Oh yeah, a very—

at its best, showgirl. Absolutely, she's a showgirl.

Yeah, um, but then we go to the bottom 2 lip sync. It is a P-pop group called Calista, and yes, yes, and, um, the, the lip sync is between Kiana and Vinas. What did you think of this lip sync?

Too bad for Kiana, she's wearing that thing.

I totally—

I really felt bad for her.

Stopped her though from moving, just like—

it was very captivating.

I would just say, I would say she tried, but it didn't show her the best, the best Kiana performer that I would expect. The costume really hindered her, but oh yeah, you're right, she tried.

But I felt like Venus gave a stronger performance.

Yes, exactly.

Um, this is just me basing on what I have seen these artists do, and I've seen this from Kiana before. Yes, my whole performance. This one from Venus is different.

Yeah.

Oh, I agree, because they were talking— because it's— I honestly, I think both of them were hindered by their outfits. I'm like, if I was Venus, I would have everything off, had more opportunity to move, but she was still kind of reserved a little bit. But she was really emoting and really like getting those mouth movements.

Yeah, you could see the extra movements in the body.

I don't agree that Keanu was very one note, because I agree, because even with that cumbersome outfit, she was giving so much dimension. Like, she was moving as if she was in a normal outfit.

Like, it could have been a toss coin, really.

Yes, exactly, exactly. But ultimately, I think Vegas just gave that extra more in this performance.

And in terms of the overall package, yes. Because at this point there's only 5 left. The track record— are definitely gonna look at the track record of the bottom queens, right? Who gave more, who has more iconic looks.

Yeah, Vignes deserves story, storytelling.

We go back to the storytelling of it all.

2 Ru badges already.

Yes, right, 2.

And like, come on, I still just—

I have nightmares, uh, from that, uh, The, the dwarf that's imprinted in the whole world.

That looks so cute to me. What do you mean nightmares? Yeah, girl, if she comes to my— if she comes to my night, just give her one kick and she was that powerful. Oh yes.

Yeah, I think everybody knows that now.

Yeah, yeah, so iconic.

I'm just looking through my notes to make sure I got everything, but one thing that I noticed was that Sasha Colby knew so much. She had so much knowledge about everybody. She said she was so familiar with all of their storylines, seasons, everything, which I really appreciated as a judge. Yeah, I think compared to maybe the other judges, loves the third tempo. Like, they know more, which I think is—

I know, watches Drag Race Philippines.

Yes, and it shows. It absolutely shows.

Because I remember Toreen telling me when she was here that when she saw Sasha Colby, it was Sasha Colby who called her out. Toreen!

Yes. Yeah. So ultimately, we say goodbye to Kiana. Kind of an emotional farewell. Well. Yeah, she's like, she didn't know what to say. She's kind of breaking up a little bit. She's like, well, well, time to go.

Yeah, there was part of her that has already accepted it, and in some of the things that she was saying already, you know, probably she was like, oh, I'm just happy. She's like, I'm just happy about, you know, everything that has happened already.

Yeah, although I feel like at this one, Kiana is feeling the pressure too much. Yeah, when she didn't have to. But I think most of the pressure is coming from her fan base.

Oh, we got it.

Because they expect a lot from her and she wants to prove them, you know, she wants, she wants to prove something because she's young.

Yeah.

And that's normal. Yeah, yeah, that's understandable. But I, I just hope that Kiana is not too hard on herself, you know, because she's, she's young, she's gonna grow so much.

Yes.

And she already has tremendous potential.

Yes. I can see Kiana excelling in the international scene just like Oh, my Alexa!

Alexa!

No, I would say, um, I could see her just like Marina Summers excelling in the international scene.

I think absolutely. I think she has everything. It's just that experience— you grow with experience. And the other thing, like I said, sometimes it's just like, this is just not your story. Yeah, you know, you're not the main character this season. That's fine.

That's true.

You can come back as many times as you want now on Drag Race. We know that. So Mama, give her an international All Stars, give her a Versus the World, and watch Slay.

Yeah, exactly. Well, yeah, now we love you. You had a really great journey and iconic. Yeah, with a K. With a K. Yeah.

But well, that has been this episode. We thought this was going to be the semi-final and next week would be the finale, but turns out next week is the girl group, uh, challenge, and we get all 4 members of Raina. Oh yeah, so you get all 3 winners plus Marina Summer. And everybody's gonna be helping out making sure it's gonna be great.

So, yeah, well, I'm looking forward to it. It's gonna be a great episode.

Well, thank you so much to our fabulous guest, Didi Marie Holiday, icon. Oh my gosh, we're truly graced to have your presence here because we were like, is this allowed? Can she do this?

She's here.

She gave us such great conversation and we learned so much about your history with Filipino drag. Truly an icon.

An icon indeed.

Goodness. Oh my God, another H3D.

DeeDee Marie icon.

DeeDee Marie icon. Exactly.

Marie icon holiday.

Yes, nothing beats a DeeDee Marie holiday.

There you go.

Well, I have been Calypso, and this is Virginia Please, and this is DeeDee Marie holiday, and we'll see you next time on Slayz and Persuasion. Bye-bye!