Alexis Mateo is a seasoned and sensational international performer and a Drag Race fan favorite. Her recent turn on Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. The World showcased not just the queen fans have come to know and love throughout her Drag Race runs, but showcased a queen very sure of herself and what she was presenting on the runway. I sat down to chat with this sickening queen about her Canada vs. The World experience, her interactions with some new-and some very familiar-queens, and what it means to continue to have her talent appreciated on the Drag Race main stage.
Michael Cook: Fans were overjoyed to see you back on our screens for Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs The World. After your last All Stars 5 experience, what made you want to return once more to compete?
Alexis Mateo: I wanted to try something away from the US judges and format to switch it up, and Canada knocked on the door.
MC: How was Canada vs The World different from your three other RuPaul’s Drag Race experiences?
AM: Canada’s judging panel welcomed me with open arms and described me as a legend. The critiques were great and I got to be myself and have fun!
MC: You’ve been part of a team during All Stars 1 and had the lipstick twist during All Stars 5, now you have to deal with The Golden Beaver this time around; which twist did you find more intriguing and why?
AM: What I liked about The Golden Beaver was that if you didn’t receive it, you still had the chance to save yourself in the lip sync
MC: It was interesting to see you and Eureka to butt heads early on in the competition. Were you surprised that friction happened so quickly with your US sisters?
AM: Not really. Eureka and I had always been like that. But we respect each other enough to listen to each other’s worries or disagreements.
MC: Who were you most interested to get to know on your Canada vs The World cast once you saw the cast fully formed on the runway?
AM: Miss Fiercalicious! She was one of my favorites in her season so I was ready to get to know her
MC: Your runways on this season were absolutely stunning; who are some of your biggest fashion inspirations when you’re collaborating with designers?
AM: I love drag and costumes so my drag mother Alicia Markstone is an amazing costume designer and I will always use her. And this year I worked with Jose Luis Casillas in Mexico for the ball and it was a match made in heaven
MC: What does it mean to be a finalist once more, on RuPaul’s Drag Race?
AM: For me it is a stamp that drag has no expiration date and the older I get, the better I become!
MC: Looking back on your Drag Race run(s), what do you think is one lesson you’ve taken from the experience throughout the years?
AM: As a Latino queen, sometimes I have to work harder than everyone else to shine, but I’m a hard worker and I’m determined to change that.
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