Captivating KatKat was not just the first transgender contestant to enter the werkroom on Drag Race Philippines, but also a dynamic and stunning performer in her own right. With a spectacular Snatch Game performance and a gag-worthy runway looks, Captivating KatKat soared to the top of the competition to snag the crown on Drag Race Philippines Season 2, becoming the ‘Philippines Next Drag Superstar’! I sat down with this newly crowned winner to chat about her Drag Race Philippines experience, her iconic (and unexpected) Snatch Game performance, and what she has planned post Drag Race Philippines!
Michael Cook: You are the winner of Drag Race Philippines Season 2! How does it feel at this very moment?
CK: It feels so fulfilling and ecstatic! I still can’t believe that I took home the crown and that my ultimate dream has finally come true.
MC: You are one of the few transgender contestants to compete on Drag Race Philippines – what does it feel like to offer such representation?
CK: I’m so proud of myself that I am one of the first transgender contestants in DRPH to represent the community. It really means a lot to be able to showcase what we can offer in the competition, and most especially, to become the first transgender contestant to win Drag Race Philippines.
MC: You came into the competition with a reputation for excellence. Was that something you thought might be a challenge to live up to?
CK: It was really a challenge for me to meet or exceed the expectations of the judges and the audience. I know that they expect a lot from me based on my reputation. I felt a lot of pressure to maintain those standards and live up to how they know me, as someone who delivers excellence in all my performance.
MC: You and M1ss Jade created Drag Race herstory during Untucked; how do you look back on that now?
CK: Me and M1ss Jade are very okay with each other now and we’re just making fun of it looking back on that Untucked moment.
MC: Your Mayor Joy Belmote Snatch Game performance was such a unique choice. How did you make such a daring choice that truly paid off?
CK: Actually that Mayor Joy Belmonte Snatch Game was all impromptu! I never rehearsed my Snatch Game, even the makeup and the punchlines. I did everything spontaneously, I just tried to make it funny, and it worked!
MC: You were a dynamic performer throughout the competition, and you won two Maxi Challenges! What was your perspective going into the competition on how you wanted to approach it?
CK: At first I thought that it was just easy! But on the first day of the episode I got exhausted and almost gave up. I took a pause and remembered why I was there, that’s the moment when I realized I needed to concentrate, to focus on my goal and not to be distracted by my inner saboteur. So every challenge and runway, I always made sure that I do my very best.
MC: Your lip sync against Arizona Brandy was spectacular and you truly showcased your heart and what you believe in. Was that your intent going into the lip sync finale?
The song is all about the strength of the LGBTQIA+ community, so as a transwoman I wanted to uplift our community and tell the world that transwomen are women! I raised the trans flag at the end to symbolize that we exist and we also have the power like everybody else.
MC: Who are some of your biggest drag inspirations, in and out of the Philippines?
CK: Ever since I saw Lady Gaga, she changed my drag career so much. She inspires my drag and my life.
MC: What do you have planned for the next era of your career with the platform you now have?
I don’t have plans yet, I just want to enjoy my reign first. But for sure I will use my platform to help my trans community and Pinoy Drag Queens. I have this dream for the Pinoy drag community, to have a school or workshop on how to be a drag queen, where I aim to help the aspiring baby drag queens and even struggling drag artists to achieve their dreams.
I also aspire to have a Philippine version of DragCon, where all the Pinoy drag queens will get together with fans to showcase their talent and Filipino drag excellence, that’s the major dream for me. And hopefully this platform will help me turn these dreams into reality.
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