RuPaul’s Drag Raceseason 17 continues Fridays onMTV.
Read on for EW’s full exit interview with Lana.
MTV (2)
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: The most important question on everyones mind:Isthe bus still running?
Kandy Muse and Lana Ja’Rae on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’.MTV (2)
LANA JARAE: [Laughs] Oh my God, no.
The bus is never running.
It never started running, and that was the biggest issue.
Lana Ja’Rae on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season 17.MTV
Ithoughtthe bus was running, but I didnt check the engine before it left the station.
Plasma said onPit Stopthat she was your first drag mother.
What’s the tea?
I moved out of my house to pursue drag because my family didnt accept it at the time.
Through that I met Plasma.
She was my mentor through the pageant and became my drag mother.
We didnt have time for each other that much anymore, but were still friends and I love her.
I carry some of the qualities that she gave me!
Why did those criticisms in particular impact you so much?
My drag is a love letter to myself.
Its an embodiment of the negative things I experienced growing up.
My feminine ideal is my mom, who doesnt have all the curves.
I embrace my body because it wasnt embraced, growing up.
Drag is a way to love my body.
MTV
This episode, you also revealed that you used to be a clown.
How did this happen?
It was my first job in New York.
It came to me when I lived with my brother and his friend.
They had the job and told me how much money they made.
I was a birthday celebration clown.
It was fun and soul-fulfilling.
You reused Kandy Muses pockets dress for the ugly runway.
How did you get it?
Was she offended that you wanted it for this category?
I dont think she was offended.
She was like, Yeah, of course, I think Xunami has it.
I grabbed it and brought it, and the rest is her-story…
I still have it.
I havent looked at it sinceDrag Race.
InUntucked, you were upset when Suzie Toot assumed youd be in the bottom.
You two made up before the lip-sync, but why did that upset you so much?
Do you stand by saying that she needed to be humbled?
I was often discredited by the girls.
It was clear I was going home…. at that point I was just fighting.
Im going to focus on that!
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
