'Drag Race' star Plastique Tiara speaks out against shading social media queens (original) (raw)

While some were busy lamenting the rise of social media queens invading the RuPaul's Drag Race franchise, returning All Stars 9 contestant Plastique Tiara was hard at work building a mammoth 12 million-strong following on TikTok.

The season 11 alum and Vietnam-born artist exclusively tells Entertainment Weekly (in the video above) she felt the sting of resurged criticism for online-focused queens (often referred to as "bedroom queens," who do drag at home for an internet audience) since she first went viral on TikTok after the show. Recently, the season 15 cast also debated whether or not contestants Sugar and Spice — viral social media sensations and real-life siblings — deserved a spot in the competition next to entertainers who'd cut their teeth on the club circuit.

"I think it’s really dumb.... It’s just another location. You don’t define what drag is," states Plastique, who, also has over 2 million followers on Instagram. "It's the same thing. You’re still doing drag, just on another platform. I don’t think there should be any differentiation with that."

Plastique Tiara for Entertainment Weekly.

EW

For Plastique, it's not just a matter of preference. Now, after digital drag performances surged during lockdown amid the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, it's simply good business to translate your art for new mediums.

Plastique knows this from experience, as she's even been featured in national campaigns for TikTok's platform thanks to her viral videos that highlight her transformation from "boy" looks to gorgeous drag entertainer — and inarguably expose a new audience to the art form in the process.

"The world is moving into a place where being good on social media is such an important skill to have. That’s your LinkedIn. They’re looking at the numbers. I came on a season where being a social media queen was dubbed as bad because you don’t know how to perform. A true queen knows how to perform, of course," she says. "But, the world is moving to a place where you really don’t have to perform anymore. You could just DJ, do deals, and transitions all day long. Drag is changing, so get with it or get out."

Plastique's seven All Stars 9 sisters have all gotten with the program, she says, when it comes to serving delicious looks on the AS9 runway.

“Honestly, I love the challenges, I love acting, I love doing Snatch Game, but I’m here for the looks. The looks are why I watch Drag Race, and the looks this season? Girl, the budget. I’ve got to say, the looks are some of the best packages you’ve ever ever seen on Drag Race," she promises. "It’s never-before-seen, out of this world. I’ve heard that story many, many times, but this time it’s something never-before-seen. Everyone gagged everyone. It’s crazy."

Someone else she gagged — at least twice — is her drag mother, the legendary season 5 and All Stars 2 alum, Alyssa Edwards, who she says approved several of her looks for the AS9 Main Stage.

"She's probably the first person who ever believed in me or looked at me in that way, and it gave me so much joy and so much motivation to move forward. I could literally take a s--- on TV and she'd be like, 'You're star.' Yes, daughter, you did that. I love that for me and for her," Plastique says.

When asked if she actually did that on AS9, Plastique responds without hesitation: "That would be a very expensive booking." In the end, it's not like she needs the cash — as long as those 12 million followers keep the TikTok checks coming!

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 9 premieres May 17 on Paramount+. Watch Plastique's full EW interview above, and check out all of the cast interviews before the debut.

Subscribe to EW's Quick Drag podcast for recaps of RuPaul's Drag Race_, including reactions from the cast, special guests, and more._

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