Katya spices up Toronto Pride

RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favourite leaves the show, crosses the border

Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race were shocked when Katya sashayed away in the latest episode. She gave it her all, but her Hello Kitty creation and fla-zay-da runway look sunk the Russian ship. Katya gives Daily Xtra the tea on her post-Drag Race life and upcoming shows in Toronto.

How has your life changed since the show?

Oh my god! It’s insane. I travel around and get paid 10 times to do a fraction of what I used to do. I have big time self-esteem issues and I didn’t know if I would be liked. The fans are a lot of kids and they get it. They get my sense of humor and they are totally on board. It’s so fucking great. They call me mom. They are always saying, “Break my legs mom,” or “Burn down my Bar Mitzvah mom.” I never thought it would happen. It’s so motivating. When you’re a creative person and you want to produce work, you can get lazy. Sometimes you think, what’s the point? If my YouTube videos don’t go up immediately, fans are like “where are the videos mom?” It’s nice.

You’re coming to Toronto for Pride. What are you looking forward to?

I don’t know anything about the city. All I’ve heard repeatedly is that people are really cool so I can’t wait to be there.

Check out our full interview with the faux-Russian.

Katya at Toronto Pride:
From Russia with Love
Friday, June 26
Fly Nightclub, 6 Gloucester St, Toronto
flyyyz.com

Drag On!
Saturday, June 27
Molson Canadian Stage, 1 Dundas St E, Toronto
pridetoronto.com

Read More About:
Culture, Toronto, Arts, Pride

Keep Reading

Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean soundtracked my two earliest—and most devastating—romances

“Blonde” and “channel ORANGE” both came out during pivotal moments in my queer awakening. A decade later, how can I listen to them without breaking my heart? 
The cast of Canada's Drag Race All Stars

‘Canada’s Drag Race All Stars’ finale recap: The first Canadian ‘All Stars’ champion is …

A Lip Sync Smackdown for the Crown delivers goops and gags before crowning one queen
Annie Jacobson (Ella Rubin), Maple (Mabel Strachan), Oona (Bo Bragason) and Ramona (Amélie Hoeferle) shout in a scene in Sterling Point.

Even in the idyllic queer world of ‘Sterling Point,’ whiteness is front and centre

The Muskoka-set series glosses over the racism of Canada’s cottage country
Cover of the book "Unsafe"

‘Unsafe’ challenges us to handle anti-trans backlash differently

S. Lamble’s debut argues that punishment makes anti-trans activists double down on their hate
Advertisement