‘I’ve never had an audience reaction like I had in Melbourne’: Drag Race star Kameron Michaels
In February next year, several iconic RuPaul鈥檚 Drag Race queens will descend on Australian shores for the epic Werq the World tour.
Matthew Wade spoke with one of its stars, Kameron Michaels, about what fans can expect.
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When drag superstar Kameron Michaels made it all the way through season ten of RuPaul鈥檚 Drag Race – and placed as a runner-up behind winner Aquaria – she couldn鈥檛 have anticipated what life on the road would truly be like.
She鈥檚 currently on a four-day break in her hometown, but during a normal week she鈥檚 travelling from city to city every night, performing for enamoured fans and fitting in three hours of sleep, if she鈥檚 lucky.
But Michaels says it鈥檚 all worth it.
鈥淚 love seeing my fans and visiting them around the world, I have an amazing fanbase,鈥� she says.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always great to be on the other side of the globe and to be at a mall, and see kids laughing in the corner before running up to Aquaria and me and asking for a picture with us.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 get a lot of sleep on the road, but performing is my passion so I love it.鈥�
Michaels recently spent a lot of time on the Werq the World tour, a feast for Drag Race lovers that sees upwards of six queens put on powerhouse performances around the globe, hosted by icon and Drag Race judge herself, Michelle Visage.
The tour has traversed Europe, Latin America, and the United States, and will soon be arriving in Australia.
Michaels says it鈥檚 been fun to travel with her fellow sisters, as opposed to touring solo.
鈥淭here have been times where Aquaria and I have gone gangbusters and played video games all day,鈥� she says.
鈥淲e all understand what each other鈥檚 going through, so if we鈥檙e tired, or just want to eat our feelings, we get it.
鈥淚鈥檝e bonded with Asia [O鈥橦ara] the most on the tour so far, there are a lot of similarities in our personalities.鈥�
With the popularity of Drag Race and the proliferation of new emerging queens, Michaels says drag has become a lot more accessible, and for the better.
鈥淲hen things become more accessible the art improves,鈥� she says.
鈥淲hen I was younger YouTube tutorials weren鈥檛 available, but kids have access to so much these days, so we expect higher levels of drag.
鈥淲hen I was doing drag in the beginning, the way to become a famous drag queen was to do a drag pageant.鈥�
When it comes to the Australian Werq the World tour – which will visit Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide – Michaels says fans can expect a lot of high energy fun.
She鈥檚 hoping to put together a new number for her shows down under.
鈥淎ustralian fans are some of the most happy and energetic we鈥檝e ever had,鈥� she says.
鈥淚 have to shout out Melbourne though – I鈥檝e never had an audience reaction like we had in Melbourne鈥� they were chanting my name for five minutes straight.鈥�
The Werq the World tour will feature Michaels along with Sharon Needles, Eureka O鈥橦ara, Detox, Asia O鈥橦ara, Kim Chi, Violet Chachki, and host Michelle Visage.
Werq the World 2019
Canberra –聽Monday 4 February
Brisbane –聽Wednesday 6 February
Melbourne –聽Friday 8 February
Sydney –聽Saturday 9 February
Adelaide –聽Sunday 10 February
