"I’m sorry I am still in bed, getting my brain going. I just woke up but in my defense I did wake up earlier to clean the kitchen then went back to sleep."

It’s the glamorous life for Alaska Thunderfuck, who was simply "Alaska" on Season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. After auditioning for each season, Alaska joined the most recent cast, but had the shadow of being the boyfriend of season 4 winner Sharon Needles over her when she sashayed into the workroom.

"It was weird when I walked into the room, everyone knew who I was, but didn’t know who anyone was. So I think people were kinda counting me out from the beginning based on what they thought of me already.  So I had to work really hard to find myself, and I think I did.  Jade Jolie whispered to someone ‘It is like she is a bad Sharon...’ But even being a bad Sharon, is being pretty good. So that’s fine," she laughed.

GayCalgary spoke with Alaska over the phone recently in advance of her appearance at Flames Central as part of PURE Pride. She and season 5 winner Jinkx Monsoon have been appearing across Canada at events, sponsored by OUTtv. We talked in depth about her Drag Race experience. The contestants are in seclusion during the 5 weeks of taping, something that being on the outside during Sharon’s season helped prepare her for.

"It’s so crazy, but I think being (on set) was actually easier, and it’s so hard being there because you’re constantly working and put through the ringer, and you have to wake up early and then do humiliating challenges until night and then do it the next day, all while thinking you’re going home immediately. So that was very hard. But it is also very hard being at home just not knowing, because you are not allowed to talk to each other at all. Even when she sent that video message, I didn’t get to talk to Sharon, it was just like me talking to a computer screen and they played it for her, so that was really hard not knowing how long she would be gone. We didn’t have any money, and I lost my job, she wasn’t there physically for me to like just hug and have her support so that was really hard.  And I think it was really hard for her while I was away taping, because you know, we like each other. When I was away taping a bunch of crazy things happened, like someone lit our house on fire and our cat ran away, and I didn’t know about any of it - I was just in the bubble."

Yes, you read that correctly. Someone set their house on fire. It seemed like emerging from the show meant learning bad news for both of them.

"Yeah someone arsoned our house, they set our kitchen on fire. They set logs on our stove and lit all the burners while we were away. Lucky no one was hurt, but the house is pretty ruined. We don’t know who did it, we still don’t. It was terrible news to come home to, but at least I got to talk to Sharon. What’s really hard is that in-between period because you can’t tell anyone about the show, it’s like this huge thing and all you want to do it talk about it, but you can’t. It is really hard but, if you come through the other side I think you’re stronger, you’re better and our life now is really great.  So it was hard but you go through hard things for a reason I guess."

Alaska made it to the top 3, which included Roxxxy Andrews and winner Jinkx Monsoon. By the time the finale came around it seemed that fans were split firmly between Alaska and Jinx while Roxxxy had become unpopular due to her behaviour on the show. As the trio Rolaskatox, Alaska had her own insight into Roxxxy.

"What happened on the show actually happened but I think that the viewers really like to assign a villain because cartoons are more fun when there’s a villain.  ...Roxxxy had like one bad day, and suddenly she’s was the devil. She’s a wonderful person if you get to know her, and she’s insanely talented. I think it is just the nature of reality TV, people want to make people into villains, which is unfortunate because she is way more than that"

It looked like drag race’s first super couple would be formed. Even though she didn’t take the crown, Alaska’s life has changed for the better.

"Well I think the first super drag couple definitely was Manila and Sahara. And I don’t think I had to win for that to be so. People do say, oh you would have been the ultimate drag couple. But you know, we’re still awesome, no I didn’t win, but I got to go through the whole experience. I am happy for Jinkx. And I guess if they do all stars again, I will just have to win that, right?"

Now making her living doing drag, Alaska has several dates scheduled for the future. This career is a lot of work, but it is clear when speaking to her that she is loving it.

"Isn’t that cool? I get a work a lot, which is good, and it’s really hard work - harder than I ever worked in my life.  ...I feel like I actually have a job where I’m making more than minimum wage, which is pretty cool.  We haven’t had to empty out the coin jar in some time to keep the lights on. ...I just like getting to travel and I get to meet people and I get to meet drag queens all over the place, and it’s so cool that every city has drag queens in it.  It’s really awesome and it’s a really special culture and I like getting to be a part of that."

She will also be playing Frank N Furter in San Antonio this October.

"I just feel like everyone wants to play that role at some point; every like, gay person growing up, and I always have.  That was one of my first dabblings in drag, was dressing up for the Rocky Horror show. So yeah, I’m really excited about it, and  hope I can live up to the legend."

Whenever I have interviewed RuPaul she has always has some inspiring advice, and often passes on her wisdom to the queens.

"She told me during our tic-tac lunch, that’s it’s important to enjoy every moment of this experience. And so I definitely don’t all the time, but I do try to. I find that to be good advice to everybody."

In the past year Jujubee, Chad Michaels and Sharon Needles have all appeared in Alberta to packed crowds. It is clear that Canadians love watching RuPaul’s Drag Race every winter on OUTtv. Alaska is looking forward to returning to Canada, including Calgary, to perform.

"I was in Toronto for pride, and we had so much fun, I got to perform on the trash cabaret and on the main stage - it was a really huge awesome time. I love Canada, I think it’s very pretty. I am one fourth French Canadian, it’s like part of my culture.  I can’t wait to come back. What you will see is a surprise, I usually do sing live so that is a pretty safe bet. You’ll just have to come and see."