By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • Drag Queens
  • Interviews
  • LGBTQ
  • Popular Culture
Search
  • Home
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertise
  • Drag Queens
    • RuPaul’s Drag Race
  • Interviews
  • LGBTQ
  • Popular Culture
Follow US
© Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
> Interviews > The WERRRK.com Interview > The WERRRK.com Interview: Paige Turner
Drag QueensNew York CityThe WERRRK.com Interview

The WERRRK.com Interview: Paige Turner

Chiffon Dior
Last updated: April 14, 2018 12:09 am
Chiffon Dior
18 Min Read
Share
SHARE

The WERRRK.com Interview: Paige Turner 1


 

Chiffon Dior: Hello Paige! I’m glad we finally are able to get together to talk about what has become unquestionably the biggest drag competition in all of New York City, “So You Think You Can Drag” which is now in its fifth season! I know you’ve already done two weeks so far so I appreciate you squeezing me in. How are you doing today?

Paige Turner: Slurp! I’m great…working on a trillion things but happy to be busy!

CD: So before we talk about SYTYCD, let’s touch on your background a bit for people who might not be familiar with you. Where are you from originally? What was your first exposure to the world of drag?

PT: I’m originally from Beverly Hills 90210. I’ve always been a performer on the stage and Paige was something I would do occasionally for fun. After doing a musical, I realized I really wanted to do Paige more. I really get a total high out of doing it and love making people laugh. Now here it is five years later! I actually got my start doing shows at a restaurant in Chelsea where Edie the Entertainer and Hedda Lettuce also performed. It was like dinner theater and really helped me to establish a following, as well as to work on banter and to figure out what I wanted to do with my style of drag.

CD: So what would you say your drag style has evolved into?

PT: When I first started out, it was a character. It’s funny, I never mentioned being a boy or ever really stressed that I was a drag queen . I was just PAIGE TURNER…so the quote unquote character has turned into more of a personality. I really take all the things I love or maybe were ashamed to embrace as a gay boy and try to celebrate them in my drag. I am basically THAT girl -the Legally Blonde girl who’s parents are Barbie and Pee Wee Herman. I do drag first and foremost to entertain and make myself laugh. And I get to laugh A LOT! It’s good for the hole….. I mean soul! I’m also known for getting people naked, don’t know if you knew that!

CD: You’re doing the lord’s work honey!

PT: Laughs Well, a lot of queens did not respond to me very well at first because it seemed like I just came out of nowhere. But that wasn’t not true at all! I was just under the radar because there were lapses in visibility with me performing as a boy in and out of town. I have made the most amazing friends though doing drag and definitely have my group of sisters. It’s pretty fantastic. As far as the audience responding, I’d say very, very well. I think my style of drag had not been seen in the city for a while. Folks like Varla Jean Merman had left in the 90’s to pursue bigger things, so I think I reminded people of that comedic-retro style of drag ,but with a modern sensibility. I come from a musical theater background, so in New York City, my banter, my jokes and my choice of songs, people definitely got interested!

The WERRRK.com Interview: Paige Turner 2
Photo by Andrew Werner

 

CD: So did you move from Beverly Hills to New York after a bad breakup with Dylan or did something else precipitate the move?

PT: I can do better than Dylan. I moved here to be an actress and well, I haven’t left the stage pretty much at all. I just added Spanx and some lipliner!

CD: Thank goodness for Spanx! They’re a gal’s best friend! So since you’re more than just the host of So You Think You Can Drag, you’ re also the co-creator, can you tell us a little bit about how this all came about?

PT: New World Stages is a fabulous theater complex in Midtown. I was asked to judge a karaoke competition there. Erin Depalma, the director of sales, took a liking to me and asked if I would be interested in creating a drag competition. Of course I was interested because I felt like there was a need for a really good competition that had a producer and a killer space with a chance to really gain exposure and to really celebrate drag.

I remember feeling intimidated in the few competitions that I had done and how overwhelming it was . Realizing it wasn’t for me to compete, I thought what if I created a competition that could really support up and coming drag artists, celebrate the art form, and still have a lot of fun in the process? It’s been very rewarding since I’ve always wanted to produce and create big projects. It was a perfect fit for me from the start!

unnamed (4)

 

CD: So when did the first season of SYTYCD start? How do you come up with the ideas for the different themes and challenges each week? Is it difficult to keep things fresh and not repetitive from season to season?

PT: SYTYCD started in the fall of 2010. It’s always in the fall and is a little over two months long.I love themes! I’m all about a theme! We actually have meetings starting back in early July to see what worked what didn’t, what can we change this year. Some themes I didn’t love but everyone else did so we kept them. Only once has a theme kind of bombed at least with material.

CD: Which was?

PT: Laughs You’re gonna think it’s bad! “I’m a little bit country, I’m a little bit rock n roll”

CD: Wow, you tried to have them serve Osmond realness!

PT: It went way over everybody’s heads.

CD: Well maybe when you do a season in Salt Lake City, you can bring it back! I’m sure the Mormons would eat it up!

PT: Right! Laughs

CD: Who have the winners of your previous seasons been?

PT: Season 1: Honey Davenport, Season 2: Crystal Demure, Season 3: Lady Bukake, Season 4: Sutton Lee Seymour
The nice thing is they ALL went full time with drag and have had really good success!

CD: Do you feel a bit like a proud momma when that happens?

PT: I like to say I’m their acting coach since that’s what a lot of them call me, as opposed to mother. Lawd that ages you quickly! You know, it’s a really nice thing seeing people grow and having success. Its totes rewarding and yes I’m proud!

CD: It doesn’t age you that much these days. In fact, if you pop a kid out in your early teens, there’s a decent chance MTV will give you a show!

PT: I’m here to say I can carry a butt baby to full term! Anyone ? Anyone?

CD: Oh god, I literally just spit my Coke Zero out! Laughs

PT: Well I’m glad it’s Coke Zero, I’d hate to have those calories wasted on the furniture.

CD: Laughs So let’s talk about this season which began two Thursdays ago. I know one of the contributors to my site, the subway fish herself,Alexis Michelle is competing, so clearly I’m a little biased towards her right off the bat but who are the other queens competing this year?

PT: Alexis is great and she’s perfect for this competition! We also have Schwa de Vivre, Holly Box Springs, Dusty Ray Bottoms, Maci Sumcox, Countess Mascara, Lacy Lane, Kimberly Smallz, Jessa Minute and Charmagne Aultra. Charmagne is the only returning queen. If they’ve made it into the finale we don’t let them return but Charmagne was like 1 point away last year from the finale, so when she applied, we were happy to have her back.

CD: Do you get a lot of queens that come back from prior seasons? Has anyone ever come back from a previous season and gone on to win?

PT: Fifi Dubois has been in two seasons and Charmagne is the only other person back a second time. The show has been cast these past two seasons which it wasn’t before. It’s gotten serious!

CD: Well the prizes are serious too! $1000 is nothing to sneeze at, even in Manhattan! Do you just take that money out of your Swiss Bank Account or are there sponsors for SYTYCD?

PT: Well there’s a cover and obviously a lot of drinks so that goes towards it. The famous Ricky’s of NYC has donated gift certificates and weekly gift bags which are amazing! There are weekly prizes like bottle service at a BoiParty event, tickets to a show, a gift basket of makeup, it’s been some fun stuff!

 

YouTube player

 

CD: That’s cool! So since we’re already two weeks in, what have the themes been so far? Has anyone been eliminated yet?

PT: No one gets eliminated, that’s the unique thing about this competition! The top two lip sync in the showdown for the win.

CD: Oh okay, that is WAY more positive!

PT: It’s definitely more positive and we have really worked hard to make it different and not so taking each other out. People really become friends and get to really expand and work on their craft. There’s no GO BIG OR GO HOME, it’s go big and be even better than before! I know I must sound like the Marianne Williamson of drag.

CD: You keep this level of positivity and support up, you’re going to wind up on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday!

 

 

CD: So can you give us a little teaser of what to expect for week 3?

PT: Well, my judges are amazing, including Jackie Burns from IF /Then on Broadway! She’s Idina’s understudy and goes on the following week, all week for her. She was Elphaba for a year on Broadway as well. She’s a Paige fan so I was able to nab her! It’s Musical Theater/ Disney night! The queens have to perform from a musical and their look should also compliment their song choice or character. Some queens will be nervous because they are not so well-versed in musical theater choices however there’s always the Dreamgirls, Wicked, Chicago stuff for them to pick. I’ve been impressed with the choices, there’s some real gems. Song selection is really a major component of any competition, especially this one.

CD: Do you try to vary the themes up so it doesn’t favor the talents of one style of performer over another?

PT: DEFINITELY! Because to be honest, you have to have a variety of stuff to hold an audience and have a following. I mean it’s New York! There’s tons of queens and you have the RuPaul girls and all the other girls who’ve been in the business for years performing here all the time. You want to really own numbers and make them your own! People really know me for my numbers. Last year for instance, Sutton Lee Seymour’s Poor Unfortunate Souls won the musical theater night and I feel like she owns that number, even though I’ve seen it a hundred times by other people.

 

10671386_4716351883551_3388180661387863379_n

CD: So aside from SYTYCD, where else can people in the NYC area catch your upcoming performances?

PT: Yes, my 200th show of SLURP is in a week. It’s going on four years, my catchphrase and my weekly variety show at THERAPY 10PM on Sundays. Also I do WERK Wednesdays at Hardware Bar which has a rotating cast of girls with me each week. The two shows are very different. I also do a lot of other events and weekly one-offs,club nights for BoiParty, but am taking a hiatus to concentrate on SYTYCD . I’m also doing a big “Real Men Wear Pink” calendar launch party for Breast Cancer Awareness in October. Plus I’m in a new music video with Hedda Lettuce and Ivy Winters, playing maids to retro singer Isabel Rose!

YouTube player

CD: Slurp is a heck a catch phrase. Dare I ask where that came from?

PT: Yes! “Slurp” is my term for cute sexy thangs.. It’s basically when you see someone and you are just blown away…do me-mount me-sit on my face..you just say slurp!!!!!!!! It covers everything so when you see a cute boy you go slurp and it leaves a lot to the imagination! It’s my sexy affirmation. You will hear people say it all the time in NYC now, especially during my show when cute boys get called up! It started by accident and caught on! That’s the best thing about a catchphrase. You can’t plan them, they just happen. Now I have a whole slew of merchandise that says Slurp! (available now at www.paigeturnernyc.com)

CD: So slurp goes hand in hand with your getting people naked I assume?

PT: Well yes. I think it started with me getting cute boys up on stage and saying SLURP. I’m a little tawdry, not gonna lie. I’m not dirty but I’m a horny gal in a prom dress, the kind you take home to meet mother and ends up sleeping with your daddy. This is not a Danielle Steele novel, so I’ll stop there.

CD: I thought this was turning into 50 Shades of Paige for a moment there. So the best way for people to keep tabs on your appearances would be to follow you on social media I assume? (Follow Paige on Facebook here, Instagram here and Twitter here)

PT: Yes please check out my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. My Christian Mingle got taken down. There wasn’t room for another Mary! I guess you have to use your real name on there too.

CD: Thank you so much for the time Paige. I know things are crazy busy for you this time of the year. I’m very excited to announce though that you’re going to be joining me each week for the rest of the season to recap the previous week and to preview the coming week!

PT: Thank YOU! Your site is great and I’m happy you asked me! Until then! Slurp!

 

Featured image by Andrew Werner

TAGGED:Beverly Hills 90210BroadwayNew World StagesNew YorkNew York CityPaige TurnerSlurpSo You Think You Can Drag
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByChiffon Dior
Editor & Founder
Follow:
(she/her) Despite being a drag journalist for over a decade, Chiffon only recently realized that she missed a golden opportunity back then to change her drag name to Rhoda Story.
Previous Article She Got That Boob Boob Boob! 3 She Got That Boob Boob Boob!
Next Article The WERRRK.com Interview: Sherry Vine 4 The WERRRK.com Interview: Sherry Vine
Leave a Comment Leave a Comment

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected
8.2kFollowersLike
1.9kFollowersFollow
16.9kFollowersFollow
1.6kSubscribersSubscribe
Subscribe to WERRRK.com

Join 8,215 other subscribers
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
Search in this site
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
Wigging Out Podcast
Wigging Out Podcast
Wigging Out Podcast

Drag Queens! Drag Kings! And all things nightlife are discussed in this brand new podcast hosted by two broke queens from NYC.

Listen OnApple PodcastsListen OnExternalListen OnExternal

Podcast Subscription Menu

Ep 122: Atomic Annie Returns!
byMartyr & C.Tepper

“Butter and C*nty Smock.” In this episode, your hosts Martyr (@dragthemartyr) and Cate (@ctepper) catch up about Pride, Broadway, drag shows, Fire Island and The Tony’s. Then they discuss ISLYNYC’s brand new store opening in Brooklyn, and “Brokeback Mountain.” Later, returning guest Atomic Annie stops by! She tells us about graduating college, walking NYFW, meeting Theresa Caputo, “The Substance,” and the hot wings “Mx Chicken Pageant.” Plus games galore!
+
Follow our guest: @_atomicannie on all social media
+
Catch up with the first time Atomic Annie came to the show: https://pod.link/1460638348/episode/e8eb6f4bbc3c87a15432bcd05a065304
~
tinyurl.com/wiggingoutpodcast
This episode is proudly sponsored by MOTTO- the new queer dating app!
Tired of the endless scrolling? With Motto, Motto sends you daily matches of people who match your interests and kinks. There are no fees, no ads, and no nonsense.
Use invite code: ZVOGS when signing up.
~
Follow the pod on Instagram and Facebook @wiggingoutpodcast and on twitter @wiggingoutpod
Thots, comments, and dick pics? Please send to dragthemartyr@gmail.com
Cover art: Madeline De Michele – www.madelinedemichele.com
Music: “Club” by Andrew Huang (www.youtube.com/channel/UCdcemy56JtVTrsFIOoqvV8g) under Creative Commons.
Edits by C.Tepper

Ep 122: Atomic Annie Returns!
Ep 122: Atomic Annie Returns!
July 10, 2025
Martyr & C.Tepper
Wigging Watchery EP 20: Emilia Perez
June 29, 2025
Martyr & C.Tepper
Ep 121: Pride 2025 With Gina Tonic!
June 23, 2025
Martyr & C.Tepper
Ep 120: Pride 2025 With Bertha Vanayshun!
June 12, 2025
Martyr & C.Tepper
Ep 119: Vampy Von Thickums Galore Returns!
May 30, 2025
Martyr & C.Tepper
Ep 118: Magnifa
May 6, 2025
Martyr & C.Tepper
Ep 117: Robin Rose Quartz Returns!
April 30, 2025
Martyr & C.Tepper
Wigging Watchery EP 19: Scooby-Doo
April 23, 2025
Martyr & C.Tepper
Ep 116: Boyish Charm
April 10, 2025
Martyr & C.Tepper
Ep 115: Captain Wonder Returns!
March 27, 2025
Martyr & C.Tepper
Search Results placeholder
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
Latest news
  • Paradise’s 3rd Annual Drag Queen Visibility Day Celebrates Crystal Envy & Margaret Josephs!
  • For Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Returning To “All Stars” Was About “Going Back To Make Great TV”
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars: The Golden Bitchelor (S10 E09)
  • Loose Lips: The Solstice of Solace
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars: Stagecooch (S10 E08)
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
Categories

You Might Also Like

Miss NotSafe4Werk.com 2015 Pageant Celebrity Impersonation Videos 6
Pageants

Miss NotSafe4Werk.com 2015 Pageant Celebrity Impersonation Videos

Miss NotSafe4Werk.com 2015 Pageant Celebrity Impersonation Videos: You can vote once…

1 Min Read
Danny Beard on Winning 'Drag Race UK', Sisterhood, & The Legacy of Leigh Bowery 8
Drag QueensInterviewsRuPaul's Drag Race

Danny Beard on Winning ‘Drag Race UK’, Sisterhood, & The Legacy of Leigh Bowery

Danny Beard came into RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4 already…

16 Min Read
Haley's All-Star Afterparty: The Bitchelor 10
Drag Queens

Haley’s All-Star Afterparty: The Bitchelor

Hey kitty girls! Another episode of RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars…

13 Min Read
THE WEEKLY INSTADRAG: 8/03/17 12
Drag QueensWERRRK Limelight

THE WEEKLY INSTADRAG: 8/03/17

It's time once again for THE WEEKLY INSTADRAG, where we spotlight…

1 Min Read
Follow US
© Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Site Map
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
 

Loading Comments...