Just like Drag Race U.K., Canada’s Drag Race is a franchise that everyone patiently waits for. However, what set this franchise apart from the others was it was to be presented by a drag race alumni, season 11’s Brooke Lynn Hytes. Season one came at a time to keep us company during the long, painful time of covid, and since then its popularity has skyrocketed with each new season.
As DragCon U.K. began, Canada’s Drag Race season 5 was coming to a close with the final four contestants announced just the night before. With a new winner now added to the Canadian hall of fame (no spoilers), the majority of the cast were around DragCon to great fanfare and cheers for them across the convention halls.
The season has been full of educational talks featuring important discussions on the indigenous community, gender identity, and masculinity. That aforementioned topic came from the beloved Minhi Wang, someone who had been on Drag Race previously—not as a contestant but as a pit crew member admired for his looks and physique. However, this queen proved that there was so much more to him than meets the eye; while, of course, handsome, he has a fantastic, sharp sense of humour that caught many by surprise.
Making it all the way to the final four—and well-deserved too—we got a quick thought-provoking conversation during the chaos that is DragCon. For those who want to know about how he keeps in shape, he plays water polo a lot, even when he’s come off a flight and it’s the night before the most exhausting weekend of the drag calendar year!
Kirsty Bright: Congratulations on making it to the final! It’s very well deserved. How are you feeling today?
Minhi Wang: So, funny story—I haven’t actually watched the episode yet! I mean, I obviously know I’m in the final (laughs), but it’s so strange as today so many people are coming up to me saying well done and being so kind to me, and I’ve not seen a single minute of it. (laughs)
KB: We actually watched it while getting ready for today (laughs).
Minhi Wang: Oh, you did? Really, how is it? Is it okay? (Laughs) I think I have a rough idea of how it all shakes out, but you never know what gets cut. My guess is I know that my brother was there because he texted me while he was watching, which was really sweet.
KB: How does it feel when the episode airs? Does it always pan out how you imagined? And is it strange watching yourself back?
Minhi Wang: Hmmm, not so strange. I enjoy watching them; it’s more strange that I’ve not seen them this week as we watch at viewing parties. The annoying thing is I had all this really fun content lined up for my looks. But then Instagram was being a little B***h. (laughs) Giving me trouble because the music is copyrighted, and I’m like.Ah, like, give me a minute.I wanted to post at a time when I could have gotten the most engagement. (laughs)
KB: The joys of social media, but even if you don’t post straight away, everyone will still show you that love and are cheering for you.
Minhi Wang: That’s actually been the craziest part about this whole experience!.
KB: Really? Has it felt unexpected? Do you think that stems from you being known as a pit crew member?
Minhi Wang: Oh, definitely. Yeah, I really am surprised. I think it’s really funny to me that people in the beginning were, “Oh, why is a pit crew member on the show?” or “She’s not for me; I’ll never be a fan.” Not that people didn’t like me, but they were intrigued by what was happening.
KB: Well, look at you now; you got the last laugh. (Laughs)
Minhi Wang: Yeah, I think you’re right, you know, because they thought that it was kind of like a stunt casting decision, and then automatically made a decision like, Oh, she’s sh*t.
KB: Really? Oh, as if they thought it was done for a story arc and producing a storyline?
Minhi Wang Exactly. And then I’m like, well, no, actually. I’m just like everyone else. I really love drag, actually.
KB This is the thing with the Drag Race online behaviour: they think they know best or they’re superior.
Minhi Wang: Yeah, literally straight from the bat, it all was like, Wait, what? (laughs)
KB: But you’ve gone to prove yourself in all the challenges!
Minhi Wang: Yeah. And actually I think that’s what’s been really sweet: that I’ve really had to work hard for today and also for the people that have supported me from the very beginning. I’ve got my little minions, and together we make up the Dominion. (laughs)
KB: (laughs) Is that your fandom name?
Minhi Wang: (laughs) Yes, I love them, and they are the best! I’m so grateful to every single person that has become a Minion (laughs).
KB: You coming to DragCon was very well received, as this is your first DragCon. Did you have any expectations?
Minhi Wang: I really appreciate that. Yes, this is my very first time at DragCon, so I had no expectations going into this at all.
KB: What about London?
Minhi Wang: No, no, because I actually used to live in the UK. I used to live in London, not far from here actually, so it’s been so nice being back here. I have friends here who I used to play water polo with, so it feels great being back and reconnecting.
KB: Oh, really? So this whole weekend must be extra special considering the recent episode.
Minhi Wang: It feels so surreal being back here in London and all this love. I just didn’t know how it would all go down. Because, honestly, and to be very real with you,. The truth is there are just so many franchises now. So I’m like, is Canada really liked and loved outside of the country by fans? Because you never actually know.And then I think our season in particular was so good. I think they did a really good job by switching it up and making it interesting. It had a lot of people intrigued by the challenges.
KB: I think this year’s season is similar to Drag Race UK. Both are incredibly popular and can go either way as they have such big expectations. Having done so well on the show, what’s been your favourite moment?
Minhi Wang: From the show? Oh… wow (laughs).
KB: I gave you a loaded question… Sorry (laughs).
Minhi Wang: (laughing) Well, winning the whole thing would be pretty good (laughing). I would say my favourite moment from the show is really discovering who I am after we had finished filming. I was actually like, Oh, wait, this show proved to me that if I want something, I really can do it if I just put my mind to it; I can kind of do anything. Like, isn’t that so powerful? If we all thought that way, it’s such a great feeling.
KB: You sound like you have this circle of thought that digs deep in and out of good and bad (laughs).
Minhi Wang: (laughing) Because you’re right; sometimes I need to be like, You know what? I did that.
KB: But even on the show, when you would win a challenge, it looked like it always would take you by surprise, which I liked (laughing).
Minhi Wang:Yeah. Do you know what? It’s actually really funny because that’s definitely a cultural thing. When Asian people do well, we really don’t brag a lot, and even watching Nymphia win her season of Drag Race, I feel similar to how she felt. So when we were filming the show, it was just as Nymphia had wrapped up the season. Watching that, you would always see her say, “Oh, I’m not good at this.” Kind of downplaying what she is good at, and then everyone would be like, Girl, you’re so good; stop lying. It’s a very valid thing, as that is just how we are (laughs). So when we succeed, it’s always a surprise to ourselves (laughs).
KB: Is that always in the back of your head, having it come from your culture? To just remain as humble as possible?.
Minhi Wang: Yes, exactly. So, like, we actually would never come out and be like, “So hi everyone, I’m actually really great.” Which I do find funny.
KB: Did you feel you had to represent your Asian culture on the runway on the show?
Minhi Wang: Do you know what? I was just more excited about showing everyone more Asian drag on the show. That I knew more Asian girls would be on people’s screens, and to also break this so-called curse that seems to happen for some of the franchises.
KB: I imagine 2025 is going to be a very busy year for you after the show. What would you like to do?
Minhi Wang: Well, I still work at my 9:00 to 5:00 job, so it’s going to be a case of finding time around that (laughs).
KB: Wow, how do you balance that? Because we struggle balancing our 9:00 to 5:00 with all of this. (laughs)
Minhi Wang: Right, it is really hard. Well, luckily, they just let me take time off.(laughing) So, like, I’m glad that it all happened when it did. But of course the dream would be to earn just as much in drag as I do in my steady job.
KB: I think that’s a big dream for a lot of creative people, to just do what we love to do freely.
Minhi Wang: Exactly, but it’s so hard to do it though, right? It’s a case of balance and figuring things out with what works for us!
KB: You have to kind of balance it, but not lose your craft and your love for drag when doing a 9-5!
Minhi Wang: That’s basically the way that I want to continue doing and exploring my drag. I’m like, you know, I want to continually keep doing better but yet not get lost in everything else.
KB: I think a lot of people agree with you and find you relatable. But good luck with the show and everything after; we’re rooting for you!
Minhi Wang:I guess the bottom line is that you kind of just have to make sure you are happy and keep doing what you love no matter what people think. Thank you so much, guys; I really appreciate that. I do. I really do.
Season 17 of RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE exclusively drops weekly in the UK on the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus. Subscribe now at https://uk.wowpresentsplus.com/
