Here at GayCalgary, we’ll go to the ends of the earth to find out those nuggets of unplumbed mystery that our readers hunger for. As an example, when asked over the phone from New York what her favourite food is, RuPaul’s Drag Race runner-up, Pearl, laughed and replied, "I don’t know: I just had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and it was pretty delicious."
We decided to also ask Pearl about life after achieving first runner-up on the show’s seventh season.
"It’s pretty insane," she says. "I just got back from Europe a few days ago, and I’m home for four days, and then I leave again for a little States-wide tour. So, some fun – a lot of work – but some fun. I did England, Sweden and Ireland."
Pearl mentions that she has been to Alberta before, performing in Calgary for her first out-of-country gig, "maybe like three or four weeks after the first episode [of Drag Race]". GC asks if she has noticed differences in her audiences between all these countries.
"No. I pretty much ask every promoter what their audience wants to see, and they usually just tell me to do whatever I’m used to doing. . . Typically I do my freaky, kind of funny, fem-bot style that I like to stick with."
In that regard, GC asks if being in Drag Race has changed her approach to performance outside of the TV soundstage.
"I think being on RuPaul [helps] you learn what you’re going to do with your career, besides just showing up to the venue and performing. As far as my style goes, it has been pretty successful, so I haven’t really changed too much my approach to performing on a stage. But it’s definitely changed my ideas about what I should be going after, and how long I want to do drag, and what my other creative options are."
Pearl mentions that she has released an album (titled Pleasure), done some European magazine covers (Dazed & Confused), has been offered movie work (these details can be found on her official webspace), as well as DJ-ing.
"[RuPaul] doesn’t want to have the run-of-the-mill drag queen; it’s best to have a plan of action. He’s really good at helping you get started. . . It’s nice to have someone who’s willing to invest in you."
After all these warm fuzzies, GC asks what was the most difficult part of Drag Race.
"Being exhausted all of the time; never being scheduled any time to sleep is a tactic on the show, so that was hard for me. Just constantly being razzed by everybody – it’s all pretty much just a nightmare! [Pearl laughs]."
The winner of the show does pretty well, getting a year’s supply of a cosmetic line, and a pile of money, but the rest take home only what they brought with them.
"They put you on the show, and you get recognized, and then it’s up to you whatever you want to do after. It was nice to get some positive feedback throughout the show.
"You start out pretty rough, and then it’s all about building your character, and evolving, and moving on and becoming a better person and a better artist. You see a lot of positive changes, so that was good."
Pearl mentions that her cover shoot, for Dazed & Confused magazine, will be on the shelves in September, which is the same time her fem-bot self will be kicking out the jams at Pure Pride in Calgary, September 5th 2015. Calgary headliner, RuPaul runner-up, European fashion shoots: not bad for someone only three years into their drag career!
