Drag Race Down Under season 4 was extra special this year, and with a little twist. This season Ru decided to step down from hosting duties, passing the role to his right-hand woman Michelle Visage. It was down to her to guide the new cast of queens to success. This shook up the season and made for compelling viewing, which was helped by a very strong cast. The challenges were strange but fun, and who can forget the runways? There was one queen in particular that caught our eye and excelled, and that was the gorgeous Freya Armani. Making it all the way to the finale with her cheeky charm, sharp sense of humour, passion for fashion, and all-around beauty—how could viewers not be rooting for such a fun person?
Getting to chat with Freya was a dream and just as charming as you’d hope—her personality shone through, turning a cold sunny day in London into an instantly warm room—even with balcony doors wide open. Our conversation flowed like playful chat between mischievous friends who were short on time. We spoke about her first time in London, shining on the comedy roast, and what international franchise she would love to compete on.
KB: How’s your weekend been treating you so far?
Freya Armani: Oh, I’ve been up since 5 AM, so I’m running on fumes! I’ve hardly slept—only two hours each night, I think. (laughs)
KB: (laughs) You’re like, it’s been days… Don’t ask me that.
Freya Armani: Don’t talk to me about any time. (laughs) All day I’ve been like, what time is it? I’ve probably slept a total of like 10 hours since I left Australia. I love to chat, though, so it doesn’t really affect me (laughs).
KB: Oh, me too. I have to rein it in for interviews. It’s a challenge. So when did you actually get to London?
Freya Armani: (laughs) I’ve got you; we’ve got this, don’t worry. So I flew Monday and got here Wednesday night. And like, I don’t know if it’s the jet lag or what it is, or that I’ve slept 2 hours like each night, but it feels like Christmas. When I left Australia, it was summertime, so this cold is something else. I grew up in America originally. So I grew up in the snow, and I’m still freezing. I’ve barely adjusted to the winter here, especially after Brisbane’s heat.
KB: Ah, your summer is Christmas time. London is always going to be colder, but today I think it’s probably because they’ve kept doors wide open over on the balcony (laughs).
Freya Armani: Right, like, Hello…” Why doors, why? I’ll say something: you guys give such a good energy here; it’s great. But basically when I do go home, summer will be over.
KB: How are you liking London so far, though?
Freya Armani: This is my first time at DragCon and also in London, and I’m loving it. Everything about it is amazing—except for the cold! But I’m here for the experience, so I’m making it work. I’ll be heading to Paris next, which will be a nice little vacation. I love it there; it’s always so much fun. Wait, I’m going off topic.(laughs)
KB: I adore Paris; you’ll love it, and don’t worry, I’m off topic too—yappers together (laughing). So obviously you just came off Drag Race Down Under, but if you could go on any other international Drag Race franchise, which one would it be and why?
Freya Armani: In it together (laughs). Do you know what? I would love … . OK, I’ll give you two answers for that. I would love to be on any World vs. All Stars; I think that would be amazing to compete in, as I loved the seasons they did with Jimbo and The Vivienne. That was a really strong cast and made for good viewing.
KB: Great seasons, and it’s always good viewing for the fans too.
Freya Armani: I do enjoy seeing one or two queens from other international franchises come together and join forces like in past All Stars. As it adds a bit of, like, is this going to work, or is it going to be something we’ve not seen before? But my dream would be a Philippines versus the world, and I would love to be part of that.
KB: Oh, okay, you’re dreaming my kind of dream, as the Philippines is probably, in my opinion, one of the top favourite franchises. Of course your season was fabulous too.
Freya Armani: (laughing) Right? It’s my dream too, and thank you; I agree. But the Philippines is on such another level that we just do not see. Also, I would just love for Mama Pao to judge me even if she hated me. (laughs)
KB: I love her so much; she doesn’t hate; she just guides gently (laughs).
Freya Armani: Yes! She’d be like, I love you, but you’re pretty bad, and what is this outfit you’re wearing? (laughing) She is everything. I love, love her.They’re just so good at drag, and my drag mom in Brisbane, Luna Thicc. She’s Filipino, so I love the attention to detail they have. Anyway, sorry. That was long and not to the point.
KB: No, I like it when people are enthusiastic about things they love and don’t stop talking; keep it coming (laughing).
Freya Armani: (laughing) Oh good, I’m a yapper. I do. So if I talk too much, sorry (laughing).
KB: No, no, we love it. Speaking of Drag Race—your season of Drag Race Down Under had such an incredible response this year. How has that experience been for you and the love from the fans this time?
Freya Armani: OMG, thank you. Yes. I’m honestly so happy that it was extremely… I guess validating, for lack of a better word, to be able to go on Drag Race, period. But to then go on a drag race down under and be on a season with the people I did. It has reinvigorated an entire franchise and kind of levelled it up and brought in the people excited by it. So it’s really exciting to be part of an achievement and something that people really enjoyed. It’s been amazing! I feel really proud to be a part of something so special.
KB: And of course, we can’t forget Michelle Visage hosting the season—how was that? Were you nervous when you first heard Michelle would be the host?
Freya Armani: First day? Yes, absolutely (laughs) because of who she is. Like, that is Michelle Visage. But then after, honestly, a couple of times, we would cut, and she would come over and be super kind and reassuring. It was clear that she was there to support us every step of the way. It was just the most welcoming, caring, motherly, supportive thing. And she was amazing… that’s mother. (laughs)
KB: What would you say was your most iconic moment on Drag Race Down Under?
Freya Armani: You know what it was? It has to be the roast. I felt like I really had something to prove. (Laughing) Because they were filming me like I was going to go home that week. Even the production crew was filming me as if it was my turn to go home, and even Michelle was like, “I’m worried for you, girl.” But then I pulled out my roast and totally killed it. They were all shocked! And I was like, yeah, you wasted your time filming me (laughing).
KB: (laughing) Oh, you thought I was going home, you fools. You definitely showed them! It must have felt great to surprise everyone like that.
Freya Armani: Oh, so you all thought I was going hmmm? (laughs) But not today; I’m not in the bottom. In fact, I’m in the top (laughs), but I loved it. I had fun doing it, and I surprised myself. Because I’m not known in Brisbane as a funny girl; I’m known as the performer or the dancer. So, like, those who know me know that I like to kiki with everyone. I’m funny, but only naturally. As I like to talk, clearly (laughs), and I love to laugh and love to smile. So as soon as the show started, I was like, Oh, you are funny, like how you are in the workroom. Just bring that to the stage, do that, and then I was like, OK, I will. And then I did it successfully. At that moment I was very proud of myself.
KB: So, let’s talk about Brisbane. How would you describe the drag scene there?
Freya Armani: The Brisbane Drag Scene is my favourite thing to talk about. How long do we have (laughs)?
KB: I’d like another hour, but I think we have just 2 minutes left (laughs).
Freya Aramani: (laughs) Okay, so we have a little bit of everything. We’ve got drag kings, then we’ve got camp, comedy, and if you want sexy and fashion, we’ve got you covered. We’ve got really someone who does everything, and the variety is incredible to be a part of, and it’s really, really. We’re a close community, and yeah, it’s a huge state. So Australia is very big, but the cities are so far apart.
KB: It sounds like the perfect place to see and support all types of drag even though the cities can be so far. There’s a little bit of something for everyone!
Freya Armani: I think Sydney is… Well, I mean, all of us will tell you at DragCon over the weekend how it’s just so excellent, and I love it. Love it. It’s classic drags. They pay tribute to every part of pageant drag, and they have executed that really well. There are beautiful queens in Melbourne. They’re very artistic if you want to go there and watch a production show. Not to mention great performers. Brisbane is where you want to go if you want a production show. If you want head-to-toe outfits with music mixes, makeup, talent, and funny. So that’s why everyone loves coming to Brisbane, and also the fans just love Australian drag. Everyone comes to Australia, and we can all have fun! (laughs)
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/
