Since appearing on both the third seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the first edition of RuPaul’s Drag Race – All Stars, Yara Sofia has proven herself to be one of the most memorable characters on a show full of over-the-top personalities. Aside from her gregarious and endearing personality, Yara’s performance abilities, dramatic make-up and costuming, and undoubtedly the most emotional exit in the show’s entire run, has ensured that the Drag Race fan base has kept their collective eye on this huge talent in a small package.
Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Yara has moved stateside to Los Angeles to pursue her drag career, which has also meant a lot of travel for one of the most sought after Queens in the business. Travelling to Edmonton to headline a Gay Pride party at Evolution Wonderlounge, Yara was gracious enough to speak to GayCalgary about her appearances on Drag Race, and her hectic post-show life.
GC: We are here at Evolution Wonderlounge in Edmonton for Gay Pride. What does Gay Pride mean to you?
YS: Gay Pride means a lot of work. Sometimes I don’t see my beard for the whole summer! Because it starts in June and finishes in August, and it’s a lot of fun, but for us drag queens and performers, I love to work, but it is so much! But I think it is a big celebration. We gay people, it’s our celebration! ... Owww! (laughs) So I love being here. I’ve had a blast here so far.
GC: What do you think of Edmonton as a city? Is this your first time here?
YS: This is my first time. Last night I got SO drunk! So I’ve had a blast! (laughs)
GC: Well we are very good at drinking here in Alberta.
YS: Yeah I see that!
GC: Have you been able to travel a lot since your appearance on the show, and where have you visited?
YS: Oh yeah! I travel like every week I think. Sometimes I don’t see my husband. That part kinda sucks. But I’m having a blast. I’m going everywhere. I went to Australia, I’m going to Brazil, and New Zealand I think next year. It is gonna be so much fun. And I love Canada! And I love this city because everybody is so nice! I haven’t seen a bitch, and that is [rare] to see! (laughs)
GC: There are a few here, but we’re hiding them.
YS: In L.A. there’s a lot of bitches! But everybody here is so nice and I love it here.
GC: Have you been able to go home [to Puerto Rico] and see your friends and family since being on the show?
YS: Yes. I went last Christmas. And my mom is coming to Vegas. But I have to hold that bitch because that bitch loves to gamble! And then my dad gets mad and shit, and I get [dragged into the middle of all] the fighting and shit! (laughs) But she gonna come [to] Vegas and we’re gonna have a blast.
GC: What else have you been up to since your appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race, other than appearing in Prides?
YS: I did a cellphone application; it’s called Dragopolis. They’re gonna have a new game including some other queens, but right now we have Pandora, Manila, and myself.
GC: Well those are three of the best!
YS: I like to play with myself!
GC: We can all get a chance to play with Yara Sofia.
YS: Yeah you can play as me, with me, whatever you want. Dragopolis; download it [for] free, and you can play with this fucking whore for 99 cents! Go to the Apple store or Google Play.
GC: That sounds like a bargain to me!
YS: Right? It’s good. Angry Birds is so over, it’s so over rated. Dragopolis is the shit, and we’re not angry at all.
GC: Going back to RuPaul’s Drag Race, are you happy with how you appeared on the show and how the audience received you?
YS: When we shot the show until it [was] aired, it was so many months. So sometimes you forget things. And sometimes you watch and it’s a completely new show for you, even though you recorded it. You see it and it’s like, so different. Because... you don’t remember things, and you know the editing is magical! And my language barrier was another thing. I’m practicing my English, so sometimes it was like Oh my God I should speak more English! I should have pretended... But next year, if they do All Stars right?
GC: Well they need to have you back for another one!
YS: I hope. I mean, people ask me and I say they’re not going to call me. Because I already did All Stars season one. But if they call me even to do the fucking picture and shit in face, but fucking underwear, I’d do it.
GC: I think they should just keep having you back every season.
YS: Right? Shangela did! (laughs)
GC: Is there anything that happened during your season that we didn’t get a chance to see when watching the episodes?
YS: Well I saw RuPaul naked! She has a HUGE talent! I’m just joking, she’s gonna kill me! (laughs) Shooting is so, it is kind of stressful. Because it’s a lot of hours. And you cannot talk to each other when there are no cameras. So it’s kind of like... and I talk a lot! In any language. In sign language, in English, in Spanish. So I cannot hold myself; I’m hyperactive. So, you see a lot of things, but at the same time it is kind of stressful. Because it’s a lot of hours, and being in drag, and then doing boy interviews, and it’s every day for one month and a half.
GC: I think you came across great. I think your personality really came across on the show, and your talent. You have certainly got a big fan base following you now. Are there any special messages you want to give to your fans?
YS: Keep shining and what people [say] about you is none of your fucking damn business! And echa pa’lante! Keep moving forward; believe in yourself before you believe in somebody else!
To watch our entire interview with Yara Sofia visit the link below and find out the one thing in Edmonton Yara Sofia was most excited to see for herself. Hint: she is a bit of a size queen!
