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00:00Hello, my lovely lemon liniments.
00:02Welcome to another episode of Whatcha Packin'.
00:10Joining me today, all the way from Sumter, South Carolina.
00:14Oh, yes.
00:15It is Kenya Pleaser.
00:17Can you, Michelle?
00:18I'd like to try.
00:19Many have tried.
00:21A lot have failed, bitch, but.
00:22What does it feel like to be the first contestant
00:24from South Kakalak?
00:25It feels correct, but honestly, it feels so humbling, truly.
00:31Like, to be the first to represent an entire state
00:33is definitely something to be proud of.
00:36Why do you think it took so long for South Carolina
00:37to get on the drag map?
00:38Because I wasn't there yet.
00:40OK.
00:41Because I didn't pop off yet.
00:42Right.
00:42No, but truly, we have such down-home, good old Southern
00:46drag, honey.
00:47And I do have a little bit of a personality on me.
00:51Yes, you do.
00:52Just a little one.
00:52Just a teet, honey.
00:54OK, so it was time, and it happened.
00:56And I'm so thankful and grateful to be here.
00:59What town, big town, is it by?
01:02Columbia, about an hour away from Columbia.
01:03That's where I perform a lot.
01:04I was just going to ask, what do you do for performing,
01:07and for money, and for dragging?
01:09Honey, so in my day job, I was working on the military base.
01:12Doing what?
01:13In the education center.
01:14And you help the kids try to figure out
01:16what they want to do with them?
01:17What?
01:17Hot Air Force men.
01:19Yes.
01:19Just helping them with classes.
01:21OK.
01:21Yeah, it's so hot.
01:22And you're not doing that anymore.
01:23No, I'm not.
01:24Are you a full-time dragon?
01:25So I'm full-time dragon, honey.
01:26That is so exciting.
01:27Are you going to leave Sumter?
01:29I want to.
01:30You know, bigger and better things.
01:31You know, I'm down south.
01:32I'm raised by my grandparents.
01:34Wow.
01:34They didn't know I did drag before coming
01:35to this competition.
01:36And now they know.
01:37Now they know.
01:38And what was that like?
01:40We're working on it.
01:42It's actually turning to something more beautiful now.
01:45You know, taking the time, the generational gap,
01:48and acceptance.
01:48And the church gets in the way.
01:50Michelle, you know I just left the church to come here.
01:52Well, there you go.
01:53Yeah, so I was deep in the church.
01:54I was supposed to be a pastor.
01:55I was leading youth groups, doing praise and worship,
01:57all of that.
01:58OK.
01:58Every Sunday.
01:59OK.
02:00Now, did you deal with self-guilt or?
02:05Did I deal with it?
02:06I'm just asking because some people can do it without the shame.
02:10No, ma'am.
02:10Some people cannot.
02:11I feel like I was so used to being shameful about every little
02:16piece of me that it became so, it became my normal.
02:20And that is, that's not a good thing.
02:21I'm 26 years old.
02:22So it was, it was, it was insane.
02:25Like me leaving the club and I'm feeling so guilty.
02:27Like, oh my God, God hates me.
02:28That although I knew I, that didn't, Lord,
02:30I knew that wasn't the truth.
02:31Right.
02:31But I just, the internal battle and struggle
02:34that I dealt with on a daily basis was truly,
02:38it was out of this world.
02:39And before I even got the final call for the show,
02:41I told myself that I'm going to step back
02:43and just focus on me and my career and look what happened.
02:47I mean, that's the way it works.
02:49But I think it's finding the happy medium.
02:50There's so many people that can guide you along on this journey
02:53of being able to remain a Christian, who you want to be,
02:57but also being the very loud, very open,
03:01very fun and loving, dare I say, queer artist that you are.
03:05Absolutely.
03:06And Michelle, I've been always this gang.
03:07You can't hide all that.
03:08You can't.
03:09I have a fat ass in the South switching my ass through the school.
03:12I was like, girl, let's go get lunch.
03:14It's just crazy.
03:15How did you find drag?
03:17So drag, I actually found it via YouTube.
03:20I literally looked up drag queens,
03:23and I stumbled across something called Miss Continental.
03:26Oh, honey, that is it right there.
03:28And I was like, what the hell?
03:31Yeah.
03:31Then I heard about RuPaul's Drag Race, and I fell in love.
03:35Like seeing Latrice walk into the work room, eat it.
03:38I was like, bitch, I need to be doing that.
03:40So would you say Latrice was your kind of inspiration to get into the paint?
03:46Absolutely.
03:47Latrice Royale is like my spirit animal.
03:48Oh, have you met her yet?
03:49No, I have not.
03:50She is the loveliest, most wonderful human being.
03:53Oh, I love her so much.
03:54She is going to eat you up.
03:57Oh my god, please say more, because I, oh my gosh.
04:01If I ever get her validation, I will be fine.
04:04Well, something tells me you're going to be someday soon, Kenya Pleaser Royale.
04:09How was the experience for you?
04:11Everybody always says it's not anything you expect.
04:13And it's true, isn't it?
04:14But it was everything and more.
04:15Good.
04:16Even though I didn't have the best, you know,
04:19and the challenges and stuff like that,
04:20I feel like I still was able to show myself in a good light and have fun.
04:25Can you sew?
04:25I can.
04:26I remember this story line, it's all, it's all coming back, it's all coming.
04:31The sewing challenge, the first one was like, you don't sew.
04:35Michelle, I gagged the out of myself.
04:40I turned to Mia, I was like, y'all, I have to walk out here in this.
04:45Mind you, back home, I'm known as a, she's always put together, all of this, and I went
04:50out on that goddamn first episode with my hair a skewed, collar popped, trying to sell it.
04:55Yeah, oh, you did.
04:56Michelle.
04:57You did.
04:57One thing about me, I can sell a paper bag to a goddamn grocery store.
05:00And I will buy it.
05:01You almost did.
05:02Almost.
05:02You almost did.
05:03But I was also like.
05:04Girl, it was crazy.
05:06And Cardi let you know it.
05:07Oh my God.
05:09Did you see me?
05:10I was like, oh my God, Cardi.
05:13I was like, girl, you don't like me, bitch.
05:15Whatever.
05:15I was so mad.
05:17Yeah, it's hard.
05:18I think when people come in and they're not used to it and they're just going to tell it
05:21like it is, she's from the Bronx, she's going to.
05:23Honey, you're telling me.
05:25Miss Thing got me together.
05:27She did.
05:28But you know what?
05:28You got me together when you came out in that red sparkly jumpsuit.
05:34That disco moment.
05:36You know, I do things, I don't know if you know this, to make me and you proud.
05:40I was like, I want to film my disco fantasy and I was trying to sell it.
05:43Because I love, contrary to popular belief, my favorite part about this goddamn show was
05:47walking the runway.
05:48Because I could show my personality.
05:49And you did it.
05:51And that jumpsuit was great.
05:52And by the way, jumpsuits are difficult.
05:53So you almost redeemed everything that was messy in the beginning with that.
06:00Because to be able to do that, to be able to pull that off with bells, a jumpsuit, and it
06:05looks so cute.
06:06Oh, thank you.
06:07That has warmed my little fat heart.
06:09I'm very proud of you.
06:10Yes.
06:10So let's talk about Lizzo and the Snatch Game.
06:12Do we have some?
06:13We'll just touch upon it.
06:15Because you do make money being a Lizzo impersonator.
06:18I have made so much of goddamn money performing her.
06:22What happened?
06:23Why did I do her Snatch Game?
06:25Why?
06:26Why the did I do that for Snatch Game?
06:29You could have done her sister Pizzo.
06:31I could have been Pizzo.
06:32I could have been anybody else.
06:34Why did I do that?
06:35Michelle, I gave fellatio to one of the people, but I was like, what the ?
06:40Get off the floor, bitch.
06:42Get up.
06:43Get up.
06:43What is wrong with me?
06:45A lot.
06:45A lot.
06:46But that's why we love you.
06:47Girl, it was terrible.
06:48Oh my god.
06:49I have one kind of big bone to pick with you for when and if there's an all-stars
06:54moment where Kenya comes back.
06:56I don't know how much I can beg you.
06:58I don't even know how many more hints.
06:59I told you to your face and singled you out.
07:02Why don't you ever know the words to your songs?
07:06Kenya?
07:06Michelle, it is, I'm not going to make excuses.
07:10No, you can't.
07:11I can't.
07:12Um, learning songs is hard.
07:14It is.
07:15It is very hard.
07:16That's why they give you time.
07:17They do.
07:18It wasn't enough.
07:19It wasn't, clearly.
07:21I'm the type of performer, when I'm in it, I'm just like, oh,
07:23bitch, I just want to have fun.
07:24I'm twirling in the field, honey.
07:25It's a lip sync for your life.
07:27Not a twirl, live, preach, put fall, shablam, dip, splat.
07:32Yeah.
07:32Right?
07:33So my recommendation is from here on out, know the lyrics.
07:37Every time I feel the spirit.
07:41You are not singing a goddamn thing to me, Brandon.
07:43Do you?
07:44Michelle, you are actually, oh my god.
07:49That just gagged the out of me.
07:51Good, that's what I'm here for.
07:52Oh my goodness, lord, I love you.
07:53Let's talk about your fashion suit.
07:54Yes.
07:55OK, so this red patent leather bondage moment.
07:58Oh.
07:58Come on.
07:59I am so bad, I did not wear that.
08:00But you will wear it.
08:02Oh, absolutely.
08:02It was very kind of RuPaul inspired.
08:04Yes, it is.
08:05So I was like, oh.
08:06So we had to do something very, like, sexy.
08:07And I wanted it to be a little bit bondagey.
08:09It had, like, the mouth gag and stuff like that.
08:11The ball gag?
08:12Yeah.
08:12And then with, like, anal beads and everything.
08:14Oh.
08:14Yeah.
08:14Who made that for you?
08:15So actually, Yaya Torres, Brazilian Canadian designer,
08:19made all three of these looks I see right here.
08:20And this church lady one is actually a reveal for that one.
08:25So I was going to take out the church lady and reveal it to the sexy.
08:27That blue one is such a church lady.
08:30So the funny thing about that is, so I'm from the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
08:34Come on.
08:34That's the denomination I belong to.
08:35OK.
08:36I still rep them.
08:37They might not want to rep for me, but they made who I am today.
08:40But the women of the church, they wear blue and white.
08:43And I was like, how funny would it be if my fat black ass would wear that
08:47and they'll take it off to be like a sexy little thing?
08:49OK.
08:49It was so camp.
08:50It was one of the campiest things I've ever had.
08:51I love that.
08:52Yeah.
08:53Let's talk about swept away.
08:54Girl.
08:54Now we want to talk about a trigger.
08:55That fan was triggering.
08:57I know.
08:58Oh my god, y'all.
09:00So for that lipstick, I almost had a panic attack.
09:02I didn't realize how strong the fans would be.
09:04And it got in my house.
09:05Oh, .
09:06Bitch, could you imagine me looking like that next to Juicy Love Dion
09:10in this big-ass parachute?
09:11And she is just...
09:12Flowing.
09:14I know.
09:15Totally understand.
09:16But you are just as fabulous.
09:18And listen, it comes down to the two of you sometimes.
09:21Girl.
09:21And may the best drag queen win.
09:23And that's...
09:24And this season was like that a lot.
09:26Oh my god.
09:28Where did y'all find these bitches at?
09:30So good.
09:31I know.
09:31And then I come up with my little fairy wings.
09:33Thought I was super real .
09:34You were.
09:35And then I did that roast.
09:36The roast is...
09:38That's a tough one.
09:39Oh my god.
09:39I actually felt comfortable doing the roast.
09:41Because I just told myself, don't stop.
09:43Right.
09:43And just keep your energy and smile.
09:44Yes, you did.
09:45And that was my night.
09:47Girl, I had to go.
09:48I'm going to let it shine.
09:49I think you are just a magical person.
09:53I fell in love with you the minute you opened your mouth on that main stage.
09:57Despite the sewing, I thought you were fantastic.
10:01And you are just a gorgeous human being.
10:03What you've come through, what you spoke about here with me today
10:06is going to help a lot of people out there who are in the same shoes as you.
10:09So thank you for sharing that, sweetheart.
10:11Thank you so much.
10:12That was my whole point of coming on the show.
10:14To be that representation like Latrice was for me.
10:17Seeing this little black boy, this little chubby fat black boy from South Carolina,
10:21a little small town, to be a fierce diva.
10:24Don't change a thing about yourself.
10:26Yes.
10:27Kenya, thank you so much, honey.
10:28No, Michelle, thank you so much.
10:30Like, such a radiating light, truly.
10:32Seeing you every time, I was like, goodness.
10:34Thank you, my darling.
10:35Yes.
10:36And thank you for joining me for another episode of Whatcha Packin'.
10:39I'll see you next time, kiddos.
10:41Mwah!
10:41I see the sun shining bright.
10:44Ain't a cloud in the sky.
10:46Yeah, it's a good day.
10:47My first kiss was with a girl.
10:49We were practicing for a play.
10:50And I was like, oh, your lip gloss tastes so good.
10:53What is it?
10:53I took it out of her purse.
10:55And put it on.