November 10, 2025 • 63 mins
Ryan’s coming out (as that gamer) and Yvie’s an internationally wanted criminal (okay, maybe just kicked out of Australia). Plus, what’s it like when the whole world has an opinion on your family business? The Queen of Chicago who’s name is in everybody’s mouth lately, Shea Couleé graces the pod with her side of the story. The Marvel cinematic universe star makes a serious case for being a misunderstood Aquarius (resting bitch face or just daydreaming about shoes?). Yes, we do get the tea on what Shea’s been thinking about since parting ways with her drag daughters, and why learning to flex the empathy muscle means a greater compassion for yourself as much as others. Find out why the public messiness ultimately felt like a gift… and why nobody’s getting gifts from Shea Couleé this holiday season.
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HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I can pass any messages to your daughters because I've
met all of them. I love them, and I want
you to know I am team all of them.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Yes, you know what, I'm gonna write a beautiful Wait second,
what you're saying.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Than even do you play Fortnite or you just play
that game?
Speaker 1 (00:20):
I don't just play that game, but I also don't
play Fortnite.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
That's crazy. Fortnite is so much fun. I know people
think it's like for the kids, but I it's deeply.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
That it's not for the kids. It's for everyone.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
And this season currently is like they did it. They're
doing a collab with The Simpsons, which I don't really
understand the cultural reference because I've never watched the Simpsons ever.
I know, I know you.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Can't even claim that some white people's shit. Everyone in
that show is yellow or brown.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Well, here's the thing I did ask. The funny thing
is that's so funny you bring it up. I did ask.
I was like, are they like, are they supposed to
be black folks? Because are like the hair is texture,
like Marge is hairs texture. You know, Burt is that
his name. He has a little high top fight.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
But you are actually like kind of one hundred percent right.
I think the Simpsons would have been black if they
didn't already add in other black characters already, They're like,
oh shit, the show has.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
No black so like it's like Cleveland, there are black
people in that show.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
I assume I know they got an Indian guy.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Either way, I just am trying to find ways for
us when we're not recording the show is to play
the game together, because I'm constantly on it. I also
low key kind of I've been thinking about it in
a real way. I think I kind of want to
start streaming. I don't know what that really means or
how I even start that up, but I just I
don't know. I feel like I do it so often,
and I really like playing my only singular game, Fortnite.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
That's kind of funny because like I've thought about streaming,
but then I'm like, no, girl, It's like the same
reason I like really have to hold out on ever
starting an only fans number one contractual obligations, But that aside, now.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
Come on, don't run the bag.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
But that aside, Like, I don't know, I just like
it's a place for me to unplug from the world
and I've already got a horrible, horrible habit of being
such a slave to capitalism that everything I love I
turn into money. It's like, and not even about money,
(02:23):
I just like turn into something serious, like girl, I
play video games because I'm sick of real life.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
No, and that that is very true. But I guess
I already watched a ton of streamers, like my TikTok
feed is of black people in church or people playing
only the two two, only the two currently, and so like,
I have just kind of been like, oh, what if
I get like what if I stream? You know, I'm
always like screaming and yelling. But I don't know, it's
(02:52):
it seems like really complicated.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
I feel like you should, like, Ryan, I need a brand.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
I think we are watching you transition into that gamer.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
It's, you know, I just I don't think people realize
how much of a gamer I look. He in, But
am I actually a gamer? If I only play one game.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
If you're really annoyingly good at it, which I assume
you are, if you only.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Play one game, you know I've been growing. I've been
doing a you know, last night I was like pulling
in twelve ten games, twel ten kills a game, you
know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Like I could be fair, okay, see, but like that's
that's why I can't play Fortnite, bitch, because you know,
at least when I hop on call of duty and
I'm getting my bussy murdered by a bunch of a
bunch of boring Camo dudes with their boring guns, it
feels correct. I'm like, yeah, this is how the universe
wants it. It's not all these fun, colorful probably a
(03:48):
fucking five year old stump in my pussy out, Like.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Actually they are five year olds are most definitly stopping
your pussy out overall call of duty.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
They are real, I know. But a fagot.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
For how have you been? You just got back from Australia.
How's life? I haven't seen you in a minute, and
I missed your face.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
She looks like, yeah, I miss your face and U
first time would love to start by saying.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
I love America.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
I love America and this economy. Girl, listen, No, I
feel bad because I made some issues with my visa.
So like I got there and they're like, oh, bitch,
we gotta take this visa as fuck. And then another
person walked into the room and they were like, hey, sis,
I heard you here without a visa. Girl, we gotta
(04:44):
hold you until the airline gets a ticket.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Yes, it was my worst night there the first time
I traveled out of the country. I like you would
have to you would be questioned like why are you here?
And I'm like shaking my boots, being like what whoa actually?
Why am I? Why did I just take a fifteen
hour trip here? Girl?
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Respond girl, well, and it's extra scary too when I
legit don't know, Like they're like, uh so, why are
you here? And I'm like, I'm here to do a
show and they're like where, And I'm like, bitch, I
don't know.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Yeah, because that's the thing about ev Eve. You don't
know nothing about haw calendars until the moment she has
to be at simple Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Because like why would I My brain only get so
much space right now, I'm using ninety percent of it
to focus on not making fun of your Australian accent.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
Which, look, that just made me realize I think I'm
the type A of the group and you're the type
B of the group.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Like of us, I mean.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
I agree, e, I guess I never put you led
you together, but for sure, yeah, girl, I'm most definitely
like more of the planner. You're just most definitely like
the show up girl.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Like that is why I was stressing about that yard
Sale birthday party is because I, for some stupid reason,
locked myself into a pub before.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
But how have you been, Ryan?
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Not not an international lockdown.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Only I wish that would be my dream. No, actually
I've been pretty good. You know. Halloween was interesting for
me because I, okay, I have to admit this. I
did not dress up as anything I was. So I
had a few ideas and I just kept waiting last
minute and it never happened. And then I was like,
(06:28):
let me go into my closet and pull out this
like old cute, low key naked crop top you know
Jersey football player out there that I wore two years ago.
Maybe I can do that again. But for some reason,
I just was not feeling it, and so I didn't
end up going to a Halloween party that I was
supposed to go to, and I was really I was.
I felt kind of bad about it because my friends
(06:49):
were there and they were like, riot, what's going on,
and was like goho, staying them. I was just like
I'll talk to him in the morning and tell them
I always for I don't have I don't have white sheets.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Girl, No one has white cheese. Use a trash bag.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Oh, I guess I never thought about that. Here's the thing.
There's a pressure when you're going to a Halloween party
out here and probably everywhere, especially when it's like a
known Halloween party, and the girls are like spending all
of this money or all this experience, like they're planning
in advance for a fire ass like costume.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
And for me, you like know that that's not gonna
be you. Girl.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
You gotta have fun with it. And if I as
a little trash band ghost, which I only thought of
after Halloween, I probably would have had so much more
fun for ninety percent of Halloween. And that's because I
spent girl having my original Halloween plans unvisaid. I did
get go to a rave, but like I.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Got that what was your outfit again?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
I was a Star Mey.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Oh okay, yeah, that's right, that's right.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
But the thing that ticks me off is you're like, oh,
it was so last minute. It was bitch.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
I made that Star Mey costume that.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
Day, girl, because you're a drag queen and to do
that shit, I can barely tie my shoe. I'm I'm
not a craft. I got so stressed. And then I
was supposed to go to WHO because I was like, okay,
I since I missed the party, I'll meet them at
WHO and like do the thing. I most definitely didn't
(08:20):
do that because that was going to be the worst idea.
I looked at all the videos and the photos of
WEO Halloween. No, no, no, no, I rather like be I
rather die. Honestly, there's nothing more more comforting than me
than death and going to WEH on Halloween night and
there was our long waits in and there was just
no way, and so I actually ended up just chilling
(08:40):
in the house playing the game. And yeah, it was
actually kind of nice, but I did feel bad. I
want to do Halloween up. I'm owed that.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Okay, we're gonna do Halloween up next year. But also,
I don't blame you, because something about going out to
the Rave, even dressed as the countiest mega Starmy in
the world, felt like, oh, the universe just sent your
ass all the way across the world to send it back.
You should have been on a couch so I left early,
you know, at like eight am. But luckily the universe
(09:15):
does just keep sending us blessings because today we have
someone I am.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
So excited to talk to you on the show.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
I am too, And she's kind of been in everyone's
mouth lately. I mean, this queen is, she's everything, Shake
coul A.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
I hope y'all are ready.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
It's gonna be a good one. I think y'all better
stick around for this one. Shakula is on hikey Up
next Hike. Okay, So everyone that's listening a little tea here,
because obviously we've been We've been working on high Key
for a minute. And if you did not know, Shake
(09:54):
Kulay was almost one of the high Key hosts before
you know, Marvel called and said I got a Marvel
check for you, and I came and dropped one and
you said. We said, honestly, sister, take the Marvel check.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Please let me saying it.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
But you know her as drag Race Royalty, All Starts,
five Winner Top four on All Winners, Chicago Legend, DJ
Designer Podcast. I mean, the list goes on and honestly,
it's literally just so iconic and I'm so happy that
we were finally able to have you on this show.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
So welcome to High Key Shake cool A. Yes, I'm
so happy to be here. Thank you so much for
having me. And I'm so excited to sit down and
chat with y'all because I truly do I love and
respect and appreciate the both of you allso I'm really
excited to get into it and have a great conversation. Hey, well,
welcome to the Madhouse.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Y'all almost bought into.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
I said, bitch, already got one mortgage enough, But.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
Yes, I kind of want to start there though, Like,
how has how is the whole Marvel experience? I mean,
did it? Do you feel like it kind of shifted
you into an era of your life that you really
wanted to, like, I guess experience and you're still experiencing
What is it? What does it still feel like being
a part of that world right now?
Speaker 2 (11:12):
And what does it feel like living my childhood dream?
Speaker 3 (11:15):
I mean, it's so fucking cool. And your character was
cool because at first I thought you were just going
to like show up as like a drag queen in
that space, as often these shows do. And the fact
that you were like a badass and you were like tech,
I mean, you were giving him possible what's whatever his
name is that sits behind the computer? Yes, yes, well no,
is he the black one that sits behind the computer
(11:36):
and that's yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, okay. I feel like that's fair. Slow
our hacker there.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
It's so cool though. It was really really cool to
see you in that cue. No, but talk to us
a little bit about how I guess being a Marvel
girl has like changed your life if it has.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
I honestly, for me, it hasn't really changed much. I
thought like hopefully i'd be like, oh, you know, people
will see the work and they'll be the auditions will
be coming in damn, and that's just this business, you know.
But what I will say is now kind of like
(12:22):
being introduced to the Marvel fandom, I've been able to
have interactions with people that wouldn't have necessarily, I guess
imagined a character like mine. I've gotten some really sweet
dms from people that were like I didn't even know,
like a character like Slug was like something that was
(12:43):
really possible and then I saw it and they were
like that was just like really inspiring to me because
they're like as a queer black nerd. I just never
really would have thought that I would have gotten that
kind of representation, and that's been really meaningful.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Honest girl, I'm one of those young queer black nerds.
Like I thought I was literally alone in the world.
I kept drawing boobs to keep myself alive and make
sure my X men did all the social work with
my peers for me. Yes, but like for real, I'm
actually curious because you talked about the kind of character
that like slug is and has meant for people, But uh,
(13:21):
you've also said that your version of slug Is is
like different from what we see in the comics. Like
what is the most you part that you were able
to inject?
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Ooh? I mean, honestly, there's so much what I loved about.
So first of all, I have to give a shout
out to my girl Sam Bailey. We've been friends since
we were eighteen years old. She directed episodes one through three,
and I was actually living on her couch when I
started drag.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
Oh wait, so is that how you got the gig?
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Yeah? So I was chilling mine in my own business
and then I get this email that's like, hey, Marvel
reached out seeing if you had availability for these months,
and I was just like, I mean that Marvel's hit
me up, I can be.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Available and told Grandma's birthday, my third child, I could
be available, Okay, trust.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
And it's funny because I have been talking with Sam.
She she uh has mostly done mostly done television, so
she's directed on like Dear White People, and I remember
because our birthdays around the same time. This was like
Febuary of twenty twenty two, and right before that I
(14:46):
was in LA. She was like, yeah, I'm pitching for
this like action series, but you know, I'm up against
like a lot more established directors. I don't think that
I'm going to get it, but it's like starring like
a black girl. And she's like, I I think that
they would be really cool. And she's like, so you know,
I'm gonna try and put together a deck and pitch it.
But she's just like, well, just see. I was like, hey, girl,
(15:07):
We're going on a little birthday trip. Do you want
to come? And she's like, I can't go because I
have to go out to Atlanta and start prepping on
this show. Didn't say with show. And I was like, oh, okay,
you know that's like Curtique. I get back from this
trip and that's when I get that email being like
can you be available for Marvel? And I was just like,
now if two plus two is full, if.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Johnny had five apples right, because I was like, why
am Marvel just calling out where?
Speaker 2 (15:35):
And so I literally facetimed her because I was like,
I know how these things work. I was like, I'm
gonna put nothing intext. I FaceTime her and I was like, bitch,
all you directed a Marvel series. And I was like oh,
she was like and I was like, did you put
my name out on the table and she was like oh,
And I was like okay. She's like all I did
(15:57):
was suggest you. She was just like, you know, so
she's like just auditioned. She's like and fingers crossed, you know.
She's like, I don't get final say, but I can,
you know, recommend you. So I got the self tape
script and everything, and the scene was this one after
we've done this heist and we're doing this whole like
(16:18):
money shower and we're all like yeah, and so I
was just like, I remember there was an acting teacher
that I had, Magica Patari. She would do casting too,
and She's like, I'm just gonna be honest, y'all. She's
like casting directors and people are lazy. They don't want
to think too hard. They want you to be able
to like make everything easy. So I said, okay, Well,
(16:39):
unlike most actors, I have a closet to pull from.
I put on this whole black tactical like gear outfit.
Yeah I'm w and grab my duffel bag full of tips,
and I was sitting there counting my change and I
did like my smoky eye and I did my nails
because I was like, I like a hacker that you've
never seen before, Like, let me put together a look
for this, I mean, bitch. I was just like, why not?
(17:03):
Because that's interesting for them to watch.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Because no one else probably auditioning for that role probably
thought in depth as you did. Yeah, that's crazy, thank you.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
I'm curious because I feel like a lot about your
brand identity, at least as I came to learn it
as a fan before Drag Race, and then on Drag
Race was encompassating black excellence. And I'm very curious because
I feel like, right now we're at this point in
society where people want trash.
Speaker 3 (17:44):
Yeah, are just stripping it away, right, I think it's
it's it's just not girl, nobody, nobody, but the stress
and the harm that low key like the idea of
excellence creates, it's just not even worth it anymore.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Yes, let's talk about that.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Well, that's what I'm a little curious about, because like
everybody says it. Your lips have said it, my mind
has said it, my mom has said it, Like, you
do carry yourself with such excellence, and I'm curious how
you feel bringing that into trashy here, Like what is it?
What does it still mean for you?
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Oh my god, I'm so in my era of like
wanting to strip back that perception of excellence to allow
people to see the human behind that, because it is
it's hard to keep up with. Like when I, you know,
(18:39):
went into like, you know, the realm of drag race
and everything, it wasn't. I didn't go with this idea
I'm going to encompass black excellence. Yeah, like your brand
planned out.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
I just wanted to go and do my very best,
you know, and show my best self the best way
that I could, and to to push myself to try
and live up to my own potential. And that show
really really puts you through it, and there's moments where
you want to just kind of like fall back and
(19:14):
like back out in ways, and I was just like, no,
just like keep pushing. See what it is that you
can do when you are really under pressure. And you know,
the result was what we saw, and you know, everyone's
just like, oh, you know, she is black, excellent, She's
this and that. And at first I was just like,
oh my god, this is so wonderful. But then you
(19:36):
get to a point where you're like every single thing
I do must be obsolete, and it's hard.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
I'm well, did you feel misunderstood through that? Like, did
that perception of people thinking you were just like perfect
all the time? Did that ultimately create this misunderstanding of you?
Speaker 2 (20:05):
I think so. I think it's like drag Race in
and of itself. It's like I describe it as being like,
you know, a peopole when you're like looking at your
hotel room door. You know you can see only so much,
but it's not everything. You're getting such a tiny concentrated
version of me. But as a total person, as a
(20:28):
total artist, I am so much more than that. And
it's like, once I got out there, and there was
like this this perception of like, oh my god, you know,
she's so excellent and everything comes easy to her. It
kind of created this pressure that everything that I did
needed to be excellent. And then I and because there's
(20:50):
so many eyes, like, I couldn't make mistakes, I couldn't
be messy, I couldn't show people.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
Well, there's a coldness. People think you're cold.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
Yeah, And I feel like it has I don't know,
I feel like it's made me a little bit more
internal and the way that I approach doing my art
because I feel like, especially in the beginnings of anything,
in the process of making art, you are making mistakes.
(21:22):
You're learning, and that's part of the journey. But when
you are on this platform and you're making mistakes, people
are quick to talk about their opinions and make judgments
based on those mistakes versus, you know, just simple observations,
(21:42):
and then they bring that those opinions right to your
social media, right in your comment section, right in your DMS.
And you know, I'm an artist, so I'm sensitive about
my shit, and it makes you it makes you like
nervous and hesitant to put things out there because you're
(22:05):
all like what if it's not received well because it's
not excellent. And I've like finally have started getting to
this place, like really like this year, where I'm just like,
you know what, I'm just gonna have to let them
see me be messy and see me be imperfect.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
I'm an Aquarius, my sister sign, I'm a Leo sign,
and I'm like, that's why that bitch is so weird.
I don't understand you. There's there's also an assumption about
Aquariuses specifically, where like people think they're weird, like people
think they act weird, like people think they're stand offish,
(22:46):
but really they just be in their own worlds and
like they it's not even like an intentional thing. And
I've had to learn that about aquarius Is because oftentimes
I've run into Aquariuses and I've been like, girl, like
why you gotta think vie, But really it's not even
that they just really like internal.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
And it's not even like we're trying to be closed
off we or at least in my experience, and I've
read this in the book before and I remember I
was like, WHOA. A lot of times Aquarians we are
living in like a dual reality. So it's like it's
almost like split screen. You got the real world and
then like me constantly daydreaming and just like this all
(23:25):
these other things going on at the same time. So
sometimes it's like, yeah, bitch, I'm walking down the street
and it seems like I'm present, but it's just like
you walk down the street every day. That's all stored
back here. Yeah, so I'm not even thinking about it,
and then actively in my frontal cortex, I'm just like
daydreaming about so many things, so many things, And so
(23:49):
for some people it can feel like I'm stand offish
or maybe even not present. But that's just because I
got a whole bunch of shit going on up here
and it's harmless. Maybe I'm like thinking about, like what
if I put those boots with that one dress?
Speaker 3 (24:06):
Wow?
Speaker 2 (24:06):
And sometimes and then sometimes there'll be something ILL be like, wow,
I wonder how soft Beyonce's rugs are.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
Oh well, I will tell you there is so much
softer than my rug.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
Yeah, I know, I know it because I I don't
know why. I was just laying on my rug once,
so I was like, I bet Beyonce got really soft rugs.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
I bet usually they have to replace her rug every day.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
They're like, oh, she stepped on this one.
Speaker 3 (24:32):
She's the only person that can actually own a white
couch and nothing get dirty on it, Like that's actual wealth.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
But I'm actually I'm kind of curious not to like
stir too much shit because like I already know it's
been talked about, but a lot of it feels like
a lot of what you were saying is like the
flip side, Like a lot of how you experience the
world is the flip side of uh, like what your
your former daughters have like called you. Uh, Like, I'm
(24:59):
very serious, like how do you how do you see
that with them essentially like calling you all the all
the derogatory tory versions of a daydreamer. They're like, yeah,
that bitch is selfish.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
I had to do a lot, a lot, a lot,
a lot, a lot of reflection on that, and this
is where I'm at with that. I have to give
them space to have their experience I and in my
(25:38):
experience with them, for me, what my intention was with
them truly was to be a mentor, to help them
to be somebody that they could come to for advice
about drag about their careers, you know, and their experience
was not that. And I think about it like this,
(26:01):
It's like you're going on a walk in the park
with your friend and you're like, oh my god, look
at this beautiful green grass. But your friend has red
green color blindness, so they're seeing red grass now even
though everybody else around is having that experience. They're seeing
(26:26):
that red grass. That's not untrue. That is what they're experiencing, right, Yeah,
And so I had to kind of like go back
and like truly reflect on our time together, our experiences together.
And for me, it wasn't all bad. I have some
really fond memories with those choors, And it was sad
(26:49):
and like hurtful to see the things that they said,
to see the way that they felt about me as
like someone who is like selfish and a narcissist and
someone who treated them like slaves or whatever. Like for instance,
I could see where you're like, oh my god, she
asked me to take her to the hair store. Well,
(27:12):
that used to be a bonding experience between me and
my mom, Like we would love to go to the
hair store together. We would love to like pick out
things and just talk, and that's what we would We
would do you know, And we would go and we'd
like grab our little things, you know that we get
it and stuff, and it's just like I'd pick up
the tab because you drove me, like I got all
your spies girl and me that felt like a bonding experience,
(27:36):
but to her it felt like I was just asking
her to run me an.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
Errand why That's what I wonder as a fan looking
into the drag world, right, I don't know the history
of and if it's connected to bobroom culture, but like
a house right, there's a house mother and like I know,
as drag race has evolved and expanded, they've talked about
drag mothers and your drag kids in the drag legacy, right, yeah,
(28:01):
and the lineage. And I guess I wondered, is being
a drag mother now just an aesthetics thing or is it?
Or is it actually something that is like if I'm
your mother, I'm doing I'm helping you build, Like how
do you define being a drag mother now? And has
it shifted?
Speaker 2 (28:22):
I would say I would hope that you know, it
would be a foundation where you can help them build.
And I think in their experience that it was just
for aesthetics. I think they felt like I collected them
to be like I have these daughters, but just for
the image of doing that. And that's something that I
(28:45):
can fully accept.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
But you don't agree with I.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
You're like, I'm like a little bit.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
You're like, yeah, bitch, that's why I chose you because
you're pretty well and.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
I wanted I want it because I was like, hopefully
by like aligning with me, that can provide opportunities in
doors to be opened for you. And I know they
say that they never experienced any sort of doors or
opportunities for them being opened on behalf of you know,
(29:20):
being my drag daughter. But what I will say is
there was a lot of conversations in rooms that they
weren't in in which I was really building them up
and speaking highly of them and saying, hey, you know,
if you need somebody for this opportunity or that opportunity, Chloe, Bambi, Kinsey,
(29:41):
they're incredible, you know. And I don't have to run
back to someone and be like, hey, just so you know,
I like recommend I That's just something that I do
for friends in general, Like if there's an opportunity and
I'm like, I think of you. There's sometimes where people
will bring me opportunities and I'm like, you know what,
this is cute, but I actually don't think I'm the
(30:02):
best girl for this job. But I actually think this
person will give you exactly what you need.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
Well, I mean, I mean, I feel like that's exactly
why I don't think drag family is what, at least
what it was supposed to be. When I was coming up,
like I purposefully did not join any families. There were
a couple of queens around dever who I like loved
and some who i'd like tolerated, who would like asked me,
(30:31):
and I don't know, it just like didn't feel right
because I feel like the idea of what queer family
is needed to be a lot less associated with somebody
who is going to like give me opportunities, Like yeah,
that's obviously a part of like us hanging out. I
pushed Willow's name for years and it wasn't until we
(30:53):
said that we were lovers slash sisters slash.
Speaker 2 (30:56):
Daughter mother uncles. But they ever took me seriously, that's
so crazy they have once they asked me the first year,
like oh yeah, they were asking me for who I
was like, why are you asking this miss crusty ass bitch?
Like how many times did she make it out past
the pork chop lounge? Right?
Speaker 3 (31:19):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (31:20):
But I think to when it comes to like drag families,
and also like expect it because I didn't have a
drag mother, so I didn't have a blueprint. I was
just like making it up as I went. Yeah, And
I think too also upon reflecting, and I'm like just
trying to you know, piece together like where we could
have gotten, like you know, miss a line. And I
(31:41):
think and like I said, I think and I feel
because these are not facts, It's just my experience. When
I first approached Kensie, Kenzie and I had met in
the club. We had this fun relationship. She was a
fashion student. Her roommate was friends with my partner. We
would go, we would like work on things, we would sew,
(32:03):
we would watch Real Housewives, and we would like key
you know what I'm saying. Like it was, you know,
we were keen and we were hanging out. It was
a really good friendship. And I was just like, I
just think that this girl is just so precious. I
love her like fashion references. I love that we love
and understand some of the same designers, and I was
just like, I really want to be able to pour
into her, and so I asked her to be my
(32:25):
drag daughter. And then I would say, like, was this
this was either?
Speaker 3 (32:32):
No?
Speaker 2 (32:32):
I asked her. Right before getting cast on season nine,
I had like done this like program where I was
like a costume designer for like this kid's theater in Wyoming,
and then I got back and I had like two
weeks to like prepare and then that process, I was
just like, you know, I really want you to be
my drag daughter, and I sold her on. It was
(32:53):
just like, you know, because I'm like I'm about to
be on Drag Race. Obviously that can be an amazing
opportunity for you too, you know. And it's like I
came back after filming. You know, everything's good, We're chilling,
and then you know, comes time for the cast announcement
and it's my dad passes away. Oh wow, And so
(33:16):
I was like okay, wow, you know, cause this was
like two days before the cast announcement happened. So it
was just like the craziness of both trying to like
plan a funeral and like be like, oh my god,
I get you guys on this.
Speaker 3 (33:34):
Tune in on Fridays, right on top of everything else
that was happening in life.
Speaker 2 (33:39):
And then a month later, my sister died of breast
cancer and I literally had to fly from the funeral
to do press in New York. And then it was
like from that moment, you know, in March, it was
just like I was literally on the road until the
(34:00):
end of the year. I was booked solid, and so
I was gone, you know, I was gone, and I
had to, you know, made this commitment being like, you know,
I'm gonnampoortant to you and i'ma be your drag mom,
and then for ten months out of the year, barely
even saw her.
Speaker 3 (34:18):
I would assume there's also an assumption of, like you
just I think did a really great job of explaining
like people think as soon as it hits the cast
announcement happens and everybody, like the followers go up and
you're busy and you're working in the fame has risen
that you automatically know what you're doing, and it sounds
(34:39):
like you were really adapting in real time, and unfortunately,
like things fall to the side, things get sacrificed in
that process, unfortunately, is what some that I'm hearing.
Speaker 2 (34:51):
Baby, I was holding on for dear life. Yeah, dear life.
You know it's just like you know, bus club, another clubs,
another club, another club, another club. Meanwhile, I'm like crying
myself to sleep every night, just like just just really
going through it, like dealing with such deep grief because
I was like those two because also my dad and
(35:14):
my sister were no joke, the two people that I
wanted to see me on drag Race the most, Like
when I had dreamt about the whole thing of like
drag Race, I was like the two people that I
want because Ayanna introduced me to RuPaul when I was
a little baby, and she knew what the tea was.
She's like watch this. And my dad he like one
(35:37):
thing that we always bonded on TV and film, Like
he loved me to the movies like that would be
like our thing. And like even when I came back
from filming, he was like, oh, I'm so excited. He
was like, you made it to the finals, Like oh
my god, Like, oh my god, you're so excited. And
so it was just like it was, I mean, unbelievably
excruciating and it was really really hard, and so, you know,
(35:59):
looking back, I was like, obviously I really didn't have
the capacity to pour into her the way that she deserved.
And so I think for me, you know, like a
year later, I'm I'm you know, it's still kind of crazy.
You know. I'd gone out in the scene and I'd
seen Bambi performing and I was just like, oh my god.
I was like, she is so fierce. Since she really
(36:20):
reminds me of myself. It's kind of crazy because people
are like, oh, just go reminds us of you. And
I was like, oh, there's a new black girl on
the scene running and then I saw her and I
was like, okay, waitky, they have a point.
Speaker 3 (36:30):
You actually made some points. Well do you do you
want to redo? Do you want do you still believe in?
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Is your womb still open? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Do you still believe in the Chosen Family? For for drag.
Speaker 2 (36:44):
Here's the thing. I think it would be different if
we had all kind of like collectively come together as
a house before me getting on drag Race, because I
also feel like in Bambi and in Chloe's experiences, they
didn't know me prior to the world a drag Race
(37:04):
and I feel like they really didn't have the opportunity.
Speaker 3 (37:08):
To just like today, to.
Speaker 2 (37:10):
Know me and meet me as a human, even though
we tried, like we really tried, like you know, family dinners.
You know, I'd have them over and I would cook
for them and everything just so you know, play card games,
go on trips. You know. They came to my childhood
home for like Thanksgiving. I wanted to build this relationship,
but I don't know if they were ever able to
(37:31):
really see me as like me outside of that black
excellence entity. And I think it goes back to that
feeling of like we're standoffish. I always told them, I
was like, you know, if you ever need anything, if
you ever have a question, like just just come to me.
Just come to me, you know. And there was any
time they asked me for something, Girl, I need this.
(37:53):
I was always like, come over my house and get it,
or you need me to come yes, I'll come there
and I'll do it. I think pieces of them really
wanted me to be more of a self starter and
take the initiative and be like where is a place
where I can kind of come in and like fill
the void. But I'm not that kind of person, I
(38:13):
don't really you know, there's also a lot going on. Also,
I'm an Aquarius. But if you come to me and
you ask me about something and you need something, I'm
going to be there for you, you know, And there's nothing.
And this is something that I've learned in my adult life,
asking for help, because I'm a fiercely independent person to
(38:34):
asking for help is a really great skill to learn
as well.
Speaker 1 (38:38):
I mean, that's the one I struggle struggle with the most.
Speaker 2 (38:41):
For sure. I still do oh same, which is why I.
Speaker 1 (38:45):
Like the idea of it's kind of funny you said
this earlier on, but the idea of dragged children for me,
even though I literally have never actually taken one on
and never will. Nobody's getting the oddly name. That's a
terrible joke, clown name, bitch. Like I don't even say
yeah because I sound good with that.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
Okay, but get a drag son named Stevie please.
Speaker 3 (39:08):
Ah ceee, oh my god, it's so cute.
Speaker 1 (39:13):
He can be Norman.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
Just because just because of that.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
But like, I don't know, there's there is this experience
where I'm kind of curious because you talk about how
you know your experience with Kenzie at least got to
start before the Shenanigans of it all. Your breakup with
with with your daughters actually reminds me of like the
breakup I had to do with my friends who helped
(39:40):
me get on drag Race, like slash my roommates, like
where there was sort of this promise before him because
we had all poured in and like in that year,
I really did try my hardest to like give them everything,
like you know, to an ext that my money was theirs,
(40:01):
my wardrobe was definitely whatever they wanted, like everything a
rent was paid. And it's still even like breaking up
with them, there was this difficulty because I do feel
like a part of you has to accept that we
are all selfish creatures and also that no matter how
hard you try, you cannot, like you can't like buddy buddy,
(40:25):
nudge nudge, like force your friends to have the same
experiences as you, to like get the same out of life,
or even to understand what it is you're going through,
even if they are stuck on your shoulder at every
night club. So like, I think it's interesting that you
you perceive those experiences so differently, because after I broke
(40:47):
up with my roommate friends. I mean, like we've patched
things up. I'm actually roommates with one again.
Speaker 2 (40:53):
Thank you. We'll see.
Speaker 3 (40:56):
That's what I'm talking about. There's there's always a reconciliation.
Speaker 2 (41:00):
In some way.
Speaker 1 (41:01):
But after that, I like made it very very clear
to every little faggot and fag lad out there in
fact them that no, I'm not gonna be your mom.
I think it's a fake ass system. Like all it
means in this world for real is like can I
get something from you? And I'm like, girl, you can
get something from me if you can give something to me.
(41:22):
Like I've been working with this assistant Saline, who I
stole from another drag queen. I like, like, who's a
real mom? Another two or three, But this bitch is
such a key and she can get some done. And
if it were the old drag days, I'd be like,
drop all your other names and become oddly right. But
instead I'm like, do you want opportunities and a paycheck?
Speaker 2 (41:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (41:45):
Yeah, I guess you know. I think, like with any
family mess in drama, it's there. I hope there's still
a door that is open for you all to talk
about and have like a real conversation because the internet
games just feels like everyone in eyeballs, it's just pouring
into it.
Speaker 2 (42:04):
Oh, I know. And I I had really hoped that
it wouldn't have gone down publicly on the Internet the
way that it did, because I like to keep my
personal life off the internet because I don't need everybody
talking about it. But I am low key grateful for
(42:26):
them calling me out the way that they did, because
as much as like at first, I was.
Speaker 3 (42:31):
Just like, this, what the fuck they're talking about it?
Speaker 2 (42:36):
Not else, bitch? As i'sive, I was just like, okay,
let me. I like had to like, we're not telling
you how to reflect, bitch, to reflect, because it's so
easy when you're doing reflection to like always kind of
do things from your point of view. You can there's
blind spots everywhere. I had to really try to like
(42:56):
turn it around and like look at myself from like
their view point and like their perspective. Really exercised my empathy,
like that empathy muscle was yeah. And then I was like, Okay,
I can understand why they feel hurt. I can understand
why they feel disappointed, and I can understand why That
(43:17):
led to some of the resentments, intentions. I just wish
we would have been able to have a conversation.
Speaker 3 (43:22):
Have you apologized?
Speaker 2 (43:24):
No, And I need to. I do need to and
I should probably When does this episode come out?
Speaker 3 (43:29):
It's coming out soon, okay.
Speaker 2 (43:31):
Okay, well then I need to do that too. Sweet.
So so I'm like, oh, she apologizes to be on
the internet. That's key bringing families together. I granted, I'm
gonna figure out how to do that because I I
can do it.
Speaker 1 (43:51):
Just so, just so, just so we're clear, I can
pass any messages to your daughters because I met all
of them. I love them, and I want you to
know I am team all of them.
Speaker 2 (43:59):
Yeah, I'm a beautiful Wait what you're saying about.
Speaker 3 (44:07):
Catch it? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (44:08):
No way, because it's like you know what, Yes, I'm
team all the than.
Speaker 3 (44:13):
You.
Speaker 2 (44:13):
And then I was like, wait, but who's their opposition?
Speaker 3 (44:15):
And it seems like you're learning a lot about yourself
at this time and in this moment, I guess what
else are you learning that it is propelling you forward
into this like work in art that you're doing that
is like all shake right now?
Speaker 2 (44:32):
I think I think luckily having like a little bit
of a scandal that has helped me to be like, Okay,
you know you you you try and uphold this this
idea of being excellent and perfect, and then people get
on the internet and they call you a crazy bitch
and like you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (44:53):
And then trust me, the scandal could have been worse.
You could have been like Bob and getting accused of
a race play, which will never It could have been worse.
Speaker 2 (45:01):
It could have been, you know, And uh So for me,
that was like in my mind, like worst case scenario
when I was like thinking about like when I was
like reaching my limit of being like I don't know
if I can do this anymore. I don't know if
I could be this mother of this house anymore, and
like this is not sustainable. You know. I was just
(45:22):
all like I know I'm gonna be made out to
be the villain, But in my mind, I was just like,
you know, they're gonna talk to everyone in the community
and tell them how awful I am. And then it
like reached the internet and then like them and gay
times are all like Shay's daughters disown her blah blah
blah blah blah.
Speaker 3 (45:40):
And that's how I found I hit the press fast.
I was shocked that it hit the breast back.
Speaker 2 (45:44):
I was like, oh, it's a slow news cycle. I know,
slow news cycle. I was like, I don't think it
would be that interesting. And also I was like, please
pick a less sweaty photo of me, girl, please.
Speaker 3 (45:58):
They never good They're never going to pick a good
breed the moment. A Ya.
Speaker 1 (46:01):
That's why I'm glad all of my fake children queer
stop going to sweaty.
Speaker 3 (46:04):
Getdy girl, I love it.
Speaker 1 (46:06):
Get me greasy, make me look moisturized is better than all.
Speaker 2 (46:10):
My ashy has photos. But that was like beyond my
worst case scenario, and I survived it, and it allowed
me with people on the internet being like, see I knew.
Speaker 3 (46:22):
It, yeah perfect I fucking knew it, bitch.
Speaker 1 (46:27):
But you know what's fun about that is that literally
only ever sticks until the next scandal.
Speaker 2 (46:33):
Baby yeah yeah. So for me, it it kind of like,
now that I'm on the other side, I'm like, Okay,
I don't have to worry about trying to like uphold
any sort of perfect persona because people are already like.
Speaker 3 (46:53):
Yeah, but they're that perfection windows.
Speaker 2 (46:56):
So it has been liberating in that sense, and it's
allowing me to just kind of like, look at my
work now with a little bit more of a playful
lens instead of being so serious about it, because now
I go, I'm like, girl, I just feel much more
free to openly and publicly make mistakes or do things
(47:17):
that aren't perfect and and and do things that you know,
or are weird or off or you know whatever. It
gives me the freedom to show more parts of myself
than just like the polished, excellent party with.
Speaker 1 (47:34):
A completely unbiased lens. I would like to say, I'm
so excited to see you as miss me.
Speaker 3 (47:42):
Yes great like alter ego on fire, Okay, I love.
Speaker 1 (47:51):
I am asking for like either five percent or to
be your daughter though.
Speaker 3 (47:58):
Okay, okay, wait.
Speaker 1 (47:59):
We got always we always ask our quests.
Speaker 2 (48:05):
We always ask our quests before they go. You're taking
over this spirit of Amo.
Speaker 4 (48:12):
Apparently, way gways Okay, we always ask our guests, what
are you hikey about?
Speaker 1 (48:20):
I know I don't have to like explain to you
like what it means to be high key, so legit,
what are you hikey about?
Speaker 2 (48:24):
Right now? I'm hi key about not spending any money
with any fucking corporations this holiday season. The Ballet fuck all, y'all.
Fuck all, y'all. I am not girl. I am saving
my money.
Speaker 3 (48:40):
Girl, my girl, you better make gifts yourself. Y'all? Are
uh making an unconventional challenge, bitch and make some ship.
Speaker 2 (48:47):
I'm literally was talking to her today because she knows
I really do. I love to be a gift giver.
I love to be like very generous in the holidays.
And I told her it was just like just so
you know, yeah, I'm not doing it this year.
Speaker 3 (48:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (48:58):
I was like, we have to focus on other things
besides consumerism. And I was like, you want to know
what everyone's getting from me this year? A really lovely,
heartfelt letter.
Speaker 3 (49:09):
I actually really love that. My mom has been telling
me to send her like get like give her more
cards and things like that, because I feel like for
her birthday or for holidays, I always like get gifts.
But she just keeps saying, like, I just want a
card where you write in it and like tell me
how much you love her.
Speaker 2 (49:25):
My mom loves that. I do that for my mom
all the time, like that like she is because she
saves them all. You know, I make sure I date
it like the year and everything, so she knows which Christmas.
It is. She does the same for like all of
us kids, and like, you know, I will get a
blank card so I can make sure I write something
really lovely on like both of the pages. And then
(49:46):
I keep all my cards from her. And then I
also keep all my cards that get from from people.
I have a big box, like it's this big floral
box just full of cards, and like I'll collect some
and go to put it in, and then occasionally you
go through it and then you're like, oh wait, what
was this is this from? And then you start going
it's just I don't know, it's lovely. I love to
(50:06):
keep my cards, and I throw away a lot of
shit because I get a lot of junk. Yeah, but
the cards I do.
Speaker 1 (50:12):
Keep, Oh bitch, the junk is the only thing I keep.
Speaker 3 (50:20):
I just want to say it's so great having you
on the show. Hopefully you come back and thank you
for being so honest and vulnerable about all of this
shit that's happening in your life right now, because I
know it's like probably really annoying talk about it and
having to deal with it, Like it's fun and games
when you work through the shit, but in real time
it's that's stress. That is not it's not in your stomach.
(50:41):
It doesn't feel good, I would assume. And so thank
you for always being honest. And that's it's a first
step into the messiness.
Speaker 2 (50:49):
Yes, it's it's honestly, it's free to be honest. It's
freeing to really take the opportunity to reflect and acknowledge
that you make mistakes because you know none of us
are perfect. None of us are perfect. You hear that, Internet.
I was gonna say you you hear that Internet?
Speaker 1 (51:09):
Okay, Doug, I would like to take this time to
apologize for breaking your glasses on camera.
Speaker 3 (51:14):
Not you, not that big fat ass just broken.
Speaker 1 (51:19):
It was actually my head, like they snapped earlier off
my head.
Speaker 3 (51:23):
I was.
Speaker 2 (51:25):
Bigger.
Speaker 3 (51:29):
Oh my god. All right, y'all, we'll be back with
our high keys of the week. Ike. Okay. So Shay
was absolutely iconic. I'm so happy I've talked about how
and I feel like, I don't know if people think
that I'm just blowing smoke up y'all's asses when I
(51:49):
say this, but like I feel like I have talked
to three I mean one, I work with you, three
of my favorite all time drag race queens right, you
shake Aula, Bob. The last one for me is for
shore Monet and Jane. You know what.
Speaker 1 (52:06):
It's a trip though, girl, Like I still get flashes
where I'm in the body of my younger self and
I remember like just seeing these bitches on the TV,
and then I remember like my first times like getting
to be around them, getting to like work with these girls. Yeah,
(52:26):
Like I remember the first time I really got to make,
at least in my mind, make an impression with Shaikula
was like when our club brought her in for a
smaller night, like the year before I got on drag Race,
and I was one of the only queens who performed.
I think I was the only queen who performed. I
like opened for her essentially, and like, for some reason,
(52:49):
that was the first time I ever served cunt and
she was like, you look cunt.
Speaker 3 (52:59):
Yeah, I just gave you the approval of cunt. No,
that's so interesting because I'm like, I'm gonna I'm assuming
when you watched her, was that, like, I mean, you
were probably already thinking about are already auditioning for drag
Race at that point.
Speaker 1 (53:15):
I feel like that was the first season I auditioned
for because I did it three times, and so it
had to be nine to ten eleven.
Speaker 3 (53:22):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And so when you saw like
someone like a shake Hule and like everything that she
kind of like exists, that you were just like, work,
I'm not going to be that at all if I
get on this show.
Speaker 1 (53:34):
It's so funny because that is exactly what the fuck
I thought. Like season nine was my first time auditioning.
I put out a tape to where I was all like, yeah,
my name's ev Oddly and I'm from Denver and I'm
a weirdo. Yeah. And then I like watched Shakekule, who
I had already been following online, who already was that
(53:56):
bitch in Chicago. I watched her on my TV and
was like, I am so thankful they did not even look.
Speaker 2 (54:03):
At my video.
Speaker 3 (54:04):
Girl, are you kidding me?
Speaker 1 (54:06):
I gotta do a little more work, Diva.
Speaker 3 (54:08):
And also, there's only there's there's only one a Shay,
and there's only one of you. And honestly, I like
it that way because y'all give y'all give me exactly
what I want from both of you. It's kind of funny.
Speaker 1 (54:19):
It's I feel like we have an interesting dynamic because
I feel like we take up similar spaces in the world. Like,
I know, some shady bitches in the comments are gonna
roll their eyes so hard at this, but bitch, literally,
I've always felt the weight of excellence.
Speaker 2 (54:37):
Like that's where EVI really stemmed from.
Speaker 1 (54:40):
Was like having to live up to uh being either
a doctor or lawyer, doing something with my smart ass
brain so that my large ass family who always loved
and supported me didn't waste all that love and support.
Speaker 3 (54:53):
Yeah, like were tragically disappointed in you.
Speaker 2 (54:56):
Yeah, like I had to be.
Speaker 1 (54:57):
I'd be like a good student, a good brother, a
good son, nephew, uncle, a good black person, a good
like straight person. And when I broke one of those girls,
the rest just tumbled out.
Speaker 2 (55:10):
So Evie became my space for chaos.
Speaker 3 (55:12):
It was.
Speaker 1 (55:13):
I think it's interesting working with her because I feel
like we bring the same energy of the person who
was always the only one in the room.
Speaker 3 (55:21):
Yeah. Yeah, I can't wait to have her on again
because you know, I just I want to dive more
into that with you too, especially because I just feel
like I get to I want to get into some
things with that. But we gotta we gotta get into
our high keys. You want to go first? I have
a high key I'm super excited about because I've been
like talking about this damn movie and I want everyone
(55:43):
to watch it.
Speaker 2 (55:43):
Oh wait, are we are we sharing the same high key?
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (55:48):
This would be crazy if we are, because we didnt
talk about him before. What I mean, what's your high key?
Speaker 2 (55:52):
Okay? So my high key this week is the longest Road.
Speaker 3 (55:55):
Oh, absolutely not. I'm not watching them kids get shot.
What kids walk down the road and get shot in
the back? Absolutely not.
Speaker 2 (56:06):
I'm proud of you boys.
Speaker 3 (56:08):
You got sack.
Speaker 2 (56:10):
I maintained a speed of three miles per hour. Walk
until there's only one of you left who's ready to
fucking wag.
Speaker 1 (56:20):
You know what's wild is that was literally the words
out of my mouth, my reaction when I was in
the movies and the trailer came on, Like Doug and
I always do this thing where we're like thumbs up
or thumbs down, and the sod I saw like the
first Stephen King novel.
Speaker 2 (56:38):
Ever, it's the longest Road.
Speaker 1 (56:40):
It's about these kids who are definitely just gonna walk
down a road and get shot.
Speaker 2 (56:44):
It's literally the exact words.
Speaker 1 (56:47):
Somehow, somehow, I got tricked into going still because my
fomo is stronger than my memory. But I am so
thankful I did because for me, it put but this
like cap on storytelling focusing on black experiences this year,
like Sinners was my favorite, and then One Battle after
(57:11):
Another came out and I was like, damn, that has
such deep, complex things to say, and for me, this
completes the trilogy. Even though One Battle after Another is
still my favorite movie of the year.
Speaker 3 (57:22):
I mean, it's yeah.
Speaker 2 (57:24):
When I tell you.
Speaker 1 (57:26):
I deep deep cried. I cried like my mom was
dead in my hands, cried.
Speaker 2 (57:34):
It.
Speaker 1 (57:35):
It is painful because obviously, you know you're just gonna
watch a bunch of kids get shot. But the kind
of humanity I saw in there explored such interesting ways
of relating to your brothers, which I think is a
big issue in America right now. So if y'all can't, like,
go see The Longest The Longest Walk, because it is
(57:57):
not even a long movie that's hot one hour for
eight like Girl.
Speaker 3 (58:01):
Well that's why they were doing those activations where people
were walking on treadmills while watching the film like it was.
It was. It was really interesting in the moment to
see but then also like I do not, I don't,
I don't.
Speaker 2 (58:12):
I just don't.
Speaker 1 (58:12):
It's like it's not something you want to watch, but
like the metaphor is so beautiful and honestly it made
me feel a little more hope in these uh times
that are so purposefully hopeless.
Speaker 3 (58:27):
Well, let me let me give you what's your key?
Let me give you some On the other side of that,
some iconic queer chaos heada Tessa Thompson and Nia Da
Costa's new film. It is absolutely incredible. So Nia da Costa,
she did Little Woods with Tessa Thompson, she did Marvels,
(58:49):
she did she has a long list of films that
she just like iconically just has been really great as
a director. But she reimagined a play by Henry Is
been named Heda.
Speaker 2 (59:01):
I've heard so much about me missus Tesma, had you respond,
what have you loved that? Before you were domesticated you
were like fire.
Speaker 3 (59:15):
And Testa Thompson plays Head and it's just so good.
It's on Amazon Prime. It's about this black like biracial
woman in the nineteen fifties Europe and she's like having
this large party to place herself in society because she
is married to this man who is trying to become
a professor, and she is just someone that is obviously queer,
(59:40):
but she is choosing violence and chaos and herself through
this entire film, and you just get to see this
in a really wonderful way. And it's a little arty
for artsy, but I honestly I've seen it twice now
and I actually really had an incredible time. Tessa Thompson
deserves all the things. She's such a brilliant Aca Chris.
(01:00:00):
I've loved her for so long and I don't think
she's gotten enough. And so I implore everyone please watch Heada.
It's so good. And girl, the way that y'all go
up for Megan and a white, little blond robot is
our This is honestly, when we're talking about, yes, it's
not our queer representation of the year, like there's not
(01:00:21):
a ton coming like going on this year. Petta is
that girl, And honestly, I'm hikey about it. I'm obsessed.
I'm obsessed. Y'all go to the movies. We're hikey about movies.
I know, I know, Well, that was a great show today.
I'm I'm so so happy that we we got to
talk to Shane, we got to talk about our hig keys,
(01:00:43):
and I got to see you again. I mean because
you were gone for so long.
Speaker 1 (01:00:47):
I know, I know, my bad. I'll never leave again.
Speaker 3 (01:00:49):
Please don't until next time. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok.
We're posting over there literally, you know, we're probably lurking
in the comments. We're probably I'm I'll be watching everyone
drag evy for something.
Speaker 2 (01:01:02):
She said, yeah, get me, get me, cancel me, daddy.
Speaker 3 (01:01:07):
So follow us at high key here on socials, and
of course, don't forget to leave a five star review
on Apple podcasts or wherever you're listening to your podcast.
Leave a review. Let us know what you're thinking about,
you know, in the show in real time. Let us
know your comments. We need the love.
Speaker 1 (01:01:23):
Say some really really wild shit. Not only will I respond,
but I'll try and read it backwards on the next episode.
Speaker 3 (01:01:30):
Reading it backwards, Okay, it's going to sound like you're
reciting a spell of some kind.
Speaker 1 (01:01:35):
I know, right, No, Sorella, we are on.
Speaker 2 (01:01:38):
Well that's some satanic shit.
Speaker 3 (01:01:44):
Oh my god. Oh Also, don't forget to scratch our YouTube.
That's that's our housekeeping rules. Just have a good time
while you're listening to the show, and do us a
solid and a favor and let us know how you're
enjoying it. That's all we ask for. It's really that simple.
Until next time, We'll see you later.
Speaker 4 (01:02:03):
If you're high key obsessed with our show, take a
second to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode.
And while you're at it, rate us, drop a review
and tell your friends.
Speaker 3 (01:02:14):
If you want to keep the high key key going,
join us on Instagram and TikTok at high Key here,
and of course on Patreon, where we are literally dropping
all that spicy ass tea every week. See you there,
Nah hi Key is a production of iHeart Podcasts as
a part of the Outspoken Network. This show is creating
and executive produced by Ryan Mitchell, e, Ed Oddley and
(01:02:36):
Spoke Media.
Speaker 5 (01:02:37):
Our showrunner is Tyler Green. Our producers are Kelly Kolff
and Katie Alis Greer. Our video producer is Bo Delmore,
and our video editor is Luis Paigath. Our audio engineer
Sammy Syrich. Special thanks to Jenna Burnett and Tess Ryan.
Speaker 3 (01:02:52):
Our social media and community manager is Daria Cottingham. Executive
producers for Spoke Media are Travis Lamont Ballinger and Aleiah Tabacoli.
Speaker 1 (01:03:00):
Art team is just Crime Chich and Sierra Kaiser, and.
Speaker 3 (01:03:03):
Our Fame music is by the one and only Kayane
Hersey and our Show art is by work by work,
with photography by Eric Carter.
I can pass any messages to your daughters because I've
met all of them. I love them, and I want
you to know I am team all of them.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Yes, you know what, I'm gonna write a beautiful Wait second,
what you're saying.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Than even do you play Fortnite or you just play
that game?
Speaker 1 (00:20):
I don't just play that game, but I also don't
play Fortnite.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
That's crazy. Fortnite is so much fun. I know people
think it's like for the kids, but I it's deeply.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
That it's not for the kids. It's for everyone.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
And this season currently is like they did it. They're
doing a collab with The Simpsons, which I don't really
understand the cultural reference because I've never watched the Simpsons ever.
I know, I know you.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Can't even claim that some white people's shit. Everyone in
that show is yellow or brown.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Well, here's the thing I did ask. The funny thing
is that's so funny you bring it up. I did ask.
I was like, are they like, are they supposed to
be black folks? Because are like the hair is texture,
like Marge is hairs texture. You know, Burt is that
his name. He has a little high top fight.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
But you are actually like kind of one hundred percent right.
I think the Simpsons would have been black if they
didn't already add in other black characters already, They're like,
oh shit, the show has.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
No black so like it's like Cleveland, there are black
people in that show.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
I assume I know they got an Indian guy.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Either way, I just am trying to find ways for
us when we're not recording the show is to play
the game together, because I'm constantly on it. I also
low key kind of I've been thinking about it in
a real way. I think I kind of want to
start streaming. I don't know what that really means or
how I even start that up, but I just I
don't know. I feel like I do it so often,
and I really like playing my only singular game, Fortnite.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
That's kind of funny because like I've thought about streaming,
but then I'm like, no, girl, It's like the same
reason I like really have to hold out on ever
starting an only fans number one contractual obligations, But that aside, now.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
Come on, don't run the bag.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
But that aside, Like, I don't know, I just like
it's a place for me to unplug from the world
and I've already got a horrible, horrible habit of being
such a slave to capitalism that everything I love I
turn into money. It's like, and not even about money,
(02:23):
I just like turn into something serious, like girl, I
play video games because I'm sick of real life.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
No, and that that is very true. But I guess
I already watched a ton of streamers, like my TikTok
feed is of black people in church or people playing
only the two two, only the two currently, and so like,
I have just kind of been like, oh, what if
I get like what if I stream? You know, I'm
always like screaming and yelling. But I don't know, it's
(02:52):
it seems like really complicated.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
I feel like you should, like, Ryan, I need a brand.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
I think we are watching you transition into that gamer.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
It's, you know, I just I don't think people realize
how much of a gamer I look. He in, But
am I actually a gamer? If I only play one game.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
If you're really annoyingly good at it, which I assume
you are, if you only.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Play one game, you know I've been growing. I've been
doing a you know, last night I was like pulling
in twelve ten games, twel ten kills a game, you
know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Like I could be fair, okay, see, but like that's
that's why I can't play Fortnite, bitch, because you know,
at least when I hop on call of duty and
I'm getting my bussy murdered by a bunch of a
bunch of boring Camo dudes with their boring guns, it
feels correct. I'm like, yeah, this is how the universe
wants it. It's not all these fun, colorful probably a
(03:48):
fucking five year old stump in my pussy out, Like.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Actually they are five year olds are most definitly stopping
your pussy out overall call of duty.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
They are real, I know. But a fagot.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
For how have you been? You just got back from Australia.
How's life? I haven't seen you in a minute, and
I missed your face.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
She looks like, yeah, I miss your face and U
first time would love to start by saying.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
I love America.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
I love America and this economy. Girl, listen, No, I
feel bad because I made some issues with my visa.
So like I got there and they're like, oh, bitch,
we gotta take this visa as fuck. And then another
person walked into the room and they were like, hey, sis,
I heard you here without a visa. Girl, we gotta
(04:44):
hold you until the airline gets a ticket.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Yes, it was my worst night there the first time
I traveled out of the country. I like you would
have to you would be questioned like why are you here?
And I'm like shaking my boots, being like what whoa actually?
Why am I? Why did I just take a fifteen
hour trip here? Girl?
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Respond girl, well, and it's extra scary too when I
legit don't know, Like they're like, uh so, why are
you here? And I'm like, I'm here to do a
show and they're like where, And I'm like, bitch, I
don't know.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Yeah, because that's the thing about ev Eve. You don't
know nothing about haw calendars until the moment she has
to be at simple Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Because like why would I My brain only get so
much space right now, I'm using ninety percent of it
to focus on not making fun of your Australian accent.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
Which, look, that just made me realize I think I'm
the type A of the group and you're the type
B of the group.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Like of us, I mean.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
I agree, e, I guess I never put you led
you together, but for sure, yeah, girl, I'm most definitely
like more of the planner. You're just most definitely like
the show up girl.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Like that is why I was stressing about that yard
Sale birthday party is because I, for some stupid reason,
locked myself into a pub before.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
But how have you been, Ryan?
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Not not an international lockdown.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Only I wish that would be my dream. No, actually
I've been pretty good. You know. Halloween was interesting for
me because I, okay, I have to admit this. I
did not dress up as anything I was. So I
had a few ideas and I just kept waiting last
minute and it never happened. And then I was like,
(06:28):
let me go into my closet and pull out this
like old cute, low key naked crop top you know
Jersey football player out there that I wore two years ago.
Maybe I can do that again. But for some reason,
I just was not feeling it, and so I didn't
end up going to a Halloween party that I was
supposed to go to, and I was really I was.
I felt kind of bad about it because my friends
(06:49):
were there and they were like, riot, what's going on,
and was like goho, staying them. I was just like
I'll talk to him in the morning and tell them
I always for I don't have I don't have white sheets.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Girl, No one has white cheese. Use a trash bag.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Oh, I guess I never thought about that. Here's the thing.
There's a pressure when you're going to a Halloween party
out here and probably everywhere, especially when it's like a
known Halloween party, and the girls are like spending all
of this money or all this experience, like they're planning
in advance for a fire ass like costume.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
And for me, you like know that that's not gonna
be you. Girl.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
You gotta have fun with it. And if I as
a little trash band ghost, which I only thought of
after Halloween, I probably would have had so much more
fun for ninety percent of Halloween. And that's because I
spent girl having my original Halloween plans unvisaid. I did
get go to a rave, but like I.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Got that what was your outfit again?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
I was a Star Mey.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Oh okay, yeah, that's right, that's right.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
But the thing that ticks me off is you're like, oh,
it was so last minute. It was bitch.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
I made that Star Mey costume that.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
Day, girl, because you're a drag queen and to do
that shit, I can barely tie my shoe. I'm I'm
not a craft. I got so stressed. And then I
was supposed to go to WHO because I was like, okay,
I since I missed the party, I'll meet them at
WHO and like do the thing. I most definitely didn't
(08:20):
do that because that was going to be the worst idea.
I looked at all the videos and the photos of
WEO Halloween. No, no, no, no, I rather like be I
rather die. Honestly, there's nothing more more comforting than me
than death and going to WEH on Halloween night and
there was our long waits in and there was just
no way, and so I actually ended up just chilling
(08:40):
in the house playing the game. And yeah, it was
actually kind of nice, but I did feel bad. I
want to do Halloween up. I'm owed that.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Okay, we're gonna do Halloween up next year. But also,
I don't blame you, because something about going out to
the Rave, even dressed as the countiest mega Starmy in
the world, felt like, oh, the universe just sent your
ass all the way across the world to send it back.
You should have been on a couch so I left early,
you know, at like eight am. But luckily the universe
(09:15):
does just keep sending us blessings because today we have
someone I am.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
So excited to talk to you on the show.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
I am too, And she's kind of been in everyone's
mouth lately. I mean, this queen is, she's everything, Shake
coul A.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
I hope y'all are ready.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
It's gonna be a good one. I think y'all better
stick around for this one. Shakula is on hikey Up
next Hike. Okay, So everyone that's listening a little tea here,
because obviously we've been We've been working on high Key
for a minute. And if you did not know, Shake
(09:54):
Kulay was almost one of the high Key hosts before
you know, Marvel called and said I got a Marvel
check for you, and I came and dropped one and
you said. We said, honestly, sister, take the Marvel check.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Please let me saying it.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
But you know her as drag Race Royalty, All Starts,
five Winner Top four on All Winners, Chicago Legend, DJ
Designer Podcast. I mean, the list goes on and honestly,
it's literally just so iconic and I'm so happy that
we were finally able to have you on this show.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
So welcome to High Key Shake cool A. Yes, I'm
so happy to be here. Thank you so much for
having me. And I'm so excited to sit down and
chat with y'all because I truly do I love and
respect and appreciate the both of you allso I'm really
excited to get into it and have a great conversation. Hey, well,
welcome to the Madhouse.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Y'all almost bought into.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
I said, bitch, already got one mortgage enough, But.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
Yes, I kind of want to start there though, Like,
how has how is the whole Marvel experience? I mean,
did it? Do you feel like it kind of shifted
you into an era of your life that you really
wanted to, like, I guess experience and you're still experiencing
What is it? What does it still feel like being
a part of that world right now?
Speaker 2 (11:12):
And what does it feel like living my childhood dream?
Speaker 3 (11:15):
I mean, it's so fucking cool. And your character was
cool because at first I thought you were just going
to like show up as like a drag queen in
that space, as often these shows do. And the fact
that you were like a badass and you were like tech,
I mean, you were giving him possible what's whatever his
name is that sits behind the computer? Yes, yes, well no,
is he the black one that sits behind the computer
(11:36):
and that's yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, okay. I feel like that's fair. Slow
our hacker there.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
It's so cool though. It was really really cool to
see you in that cue. No, but talk to us
a little bit about how I guess being a Marvel
girl has like changed your life if it has.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
I honestly, for me, it hasn't really changed much. I
thought like hopefully i'd be like, oh, you know, people
will see the work and they'll be the auditions will
be coming in damn, and that's just this business, you know.
But what I will say is now kind of like
(12:22):
being introduced to the Marvel fandom, I've been able to
have interactions with people that wouldn't have necessarily, I guess
imagined a character like mine. I've gotten some really sweet
dms from people that were like I didn't even know,
like a character like Slug was like something that was
(12:43):
really possible and then I saw it and they were
like that was just like really inspiring to me because
they're like as a queer black nerd. I just never
really would have thought that I would have gotten that
kind of representation, and that's been really meaningful.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Honest girl, I'm one of those young queer black nerds.
Like I thought I was literally alone in the world.
I kept drawing boobs to keep myself alive and make
sure my X men did all the social work with
my peers for me. Yes, but like for real, I'm
actually curious because you talked about the kind of character
that like slug is and has meant for people, But uh,
(13:21):
you've also said that your version of slug Is is
like different from what we see in the comics. Like
what is the most you part that you were able
to inject?
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Ooh? I mean, honestly, there's so much what I loved about.
So first of all, I have to give a shout
out to my girl Sam Bailey. We've been friends since
we were eighteen years old. She directed episodes one through three,
and I was actually living on her couch when I
started drag.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
Oh wait, so is that how you got the gig?
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Yeah? So I was chilling mine in my own business
and then I get this email that's like, hey, Marvel
reached out seeing if you had availability for these months,
and I was just like, I mean that Marvel's hit
me up, I can be.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Available and told Grandma's birthday, my third child, I could
be available, Okay, trust.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
And it's funny because I have been talking with Sam.
She she uh has mostly done mostly done television, so
she's directed on like Dear White People, and I remember
because our birthdays around the same time. This was like
Febuary of twenty twenty two, and right before that I
(14:46):
was in LA. She was like, yeah, I'm pitching for
this like action series, but you know, I'm up against
like a lot more established directors. I don't think that
I'm going to get it, but it's like starring like
a black girl. And she's like, I I think that
they would be really cool. And she's like, so you know,
I'm gonna try and put together a deck and pitch it.
But she's just like, well, just see. I was like, hey, girl,
(15:07):
We're going on a little birthday trip. Do you want
to come? And she's like, I can't go because I
have to go out to Atlanta and start prepping on
this show. Didn't say with show. And I was like, oh, okay,
you know that's like Curtique. I get back from this
trip and that's when I get that email being like
can you be available for Marvel? And I was just like,
now if two plus two is full, if.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Johnny had five apples right, because I was like, why
am Marvel just calling out where?
Speaker 2 (15:35):
And so I literally facetimed her because I was like,
I know how these things work. I was like, I'm
gonna put nothing intext. I FaceTime her and I was like, bitch,
all you directed a Marvel series. And I was like oh,
she was like and I was like, did you put
my name out on the table and she was like oh,
And I was like okay. She's like all I did
(15:57):
was suggest you. She was just like, you know, so
she's like just auditioned. She's like and fingers crossed, you know.
She's like, I don't get final say, but I can,
you know, recommend you. So I got the self tape
script and everything, and the scene was this one after
we've done this heist and we're doing this whole like
(16:18):
money shower and we're all like yeah, and so I
was just like, I remember there was an acting teacher
that I had, Magica Patari. She would do casting too,
and She's like, I'm just gonna be honest, y'all. She's
like casting directors and people are lazy. They don't want
to think too hard. They want you to be able
to like make everything easy. So I said, okay, Well,
(16:39):
unlike most actors, I have a closet to pull from.
I put on this whole black tactical like gear outfit.
Yeah I'm w and grab my duffel bag full of tips,
and I was sitting there counting my change and I
did like my smoky eye and I did my nails
because I was like, I like a hacker that you've
never seen before, Like, let me put together a look
for this, I mean, bitch. I was just like, why not?
(17:03):
Because that's interesting for them to watch.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Because no one else probably auditioning for that role probably
thought in depth as you did. Yeah, that's crazy, thank you.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
I'm curious because I feel like a lot about your
brand identity, at least as I came to learn it
as a fan before Drag Race, and then on Drag
Race was encompassating black excellence. And I'm very curious because
I feel like, right now we're at this point in
society where people want trash.
Speaker 3 (17:44):
Yeah, are just stripping it away, right, I think it's
it's it's just not girl, nobody, nobody, but the stress
and the harm that low key like the idea of
excellence creates, it's just not even worth it anymore.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Yes, let's talk about that.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Well, that's what I'm a little curious about, because like
everybody says it. Your lips have said it, my mind
has said it, my mom has said it, Like, you
do carry yourself with such excellence, and I'm curious how
you feel bringing that into trashy here, Like what is it?
What does it still mean for you?
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Oh my god, I'm so in my era of like
wanting to strip back that perception of excellence to allow
people to see the human behind that, because it is
it's hard to keep up with. Like when I, you know,
(18:39):
went into like, you know, the realm of drag race
and everything, it wasn't. I didn't go with this idea
I'm going to encompass black excellence. Yeah, like your brand
planned out.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
I just wanted to go and do my very best,
you know, and show my best self the best way
that I could, and to to push myself to try
and live up to my own potential. And that show
really really puts you through it, and there's moments where
you want to just kind of like fall back and
(19:14):
like back out in ways, and I was just like, no,
just like keep pushing. See what it is that you
can do when you are really under pressure. And you know,
the result was what we saw, and you know, everyone's
just like, oh, you know, she is black, excellent, She's
this and that. And at first I was just like,
oh my god, this is so wonderful. But then you
(19:36):
get to a point where you're like every single thing
I do must be obsolete, and it's hard.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
I'm well, did you feel misunderstood through that? Like, did
that perception of people thinking you were just like perfect
all the time? Did that ultimately create this misunderstanding of you?
Speaker 2 (20:05):
I think so. I think it's like drag Race in
and of itself. It's like I describe it as being like,
you know, a peopole when you're like looking at your
hotel room door. You know you can see only so much,
but it's not everything. You're getting such a tiny concentrated
version of me. But as a total person, as a
(20:28):
total artist, I am so much more than that. And
it's like, once I got out there, and there was
like this this perception of like, oh my god, you know,
she's so excellent and everything comes easy to her. It
kind of created this pressure that everything that I did
needed to be excellent. And then I and because there's
(20:50):
so many eyes, like, I couldn't make mistakes, I couldn't
be messy, I couldn't show people.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
Well, there's a coldness. People think you're cold.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
Yeah, And I feel like it has I don't know,
I feel like it's made me a little bit more
internal and the way that I approach doing my art
because I feel like, especially in the beginnings of anything,
in the process of making art, you are making mistakes.
(21:22):
You're learning, and that's part of the journey. But when
you are on this platform and you're making mistakes, people
are quick to talk about their opinions and make judgments
based on those mistakes versus, you know, just simple observations,
(21:42):
and then they bring that those opinions right to your
social media, right in your comment section, right in your DMS.
And you know, I'm an artist, so I'm sensitive about
my shit, and it makes you it makes you like
nervous and hesitant to put things out there because you're
(22:05):
all like what if it's not received well because it's
not excellent. And I've like finally have started getting to
this place, like really like this year, where I'm just like,
you know what, I'm just gonna have to let them
see me be messy and see me be imperfect.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
I'm an Aquarius, my sister sign, I'm a Leo sign,
and I'm like, that's why that bitch is so weird.
I don't understand you. There's there's also an assumption about
Aquariuses specifically, where like people think they're weird, like people
think they act weird, like people think they're stand offish,
(22:46):
but really they just be in their own worlds and
like they it's not even like an intentional thing. And
I've had to learn that about aquarius Is because oftentimes
I've run into Aquariuses and I've been like, girl, like
why you gotta think vie, But really it's not even
that they just really like internal.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
And it's not even like we're trying to be closed
off we or at least in my experience, and I've
read this in the book before and I remember I
was like, WHOA. A lot of times Aquarians we are
living in like a dual reality. So it's like it's
almost like split screen. You got the real world and
then like me constantly daydreaming and just like this all
(23:25):
these other things going on at the same time. So
sometimes it's like, yeah, bitch, I'm walking down the street
and it seems like I'm present, but it's just like
you walk down the street every day. That's all stored
back here. Yeah, so I'm not even thinking about it,
and then actively in my frontal cortex, I'm just like
daydreaming about so many things, so many things, And so
(23:49):
for some people it can feel like I'm stand offish
or maybe even not present. But that's just because I
got a whole bunch of shit going on up here
and it's harmless. Maybe I'm like thinking about, like what
if I put those boots with that one dress?
Speaker 3 (24:06):
Wow?
Speaker 2 (24:06):
And sometimes and then sometimes there'll be something ILL be like, wow,
I wonder how soft Beyonce's rugs are.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
Oh well, I will tell you there is so much
softer than my rug.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
Yeah, I know, I know it because I I don't
know why. I was just laying on my rug once,
so I was like, I bet Beyonce got really soft rugs.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
I bet usually they have to replace her rug every day.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
They're like, oh, she stepped on this one.
Speaker 3 (24:32):
She's the only person that can actually own a white
couch and nothing get dirty on it, Like that's actual wealth.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
But I'm actually I'm kind of curious not to like
stir too much shit because like I already know it's
been talked about, but a lot of it feels like
a lot of what you were saying is like the
flip side, Like a lot of how you experience the
world is the flip side of uh, like what your
your former daughters have like called you. Uh, Like, I'm
(24:59):
very serious, like how do you how do you see
that with them essentially like calling you all the all
the derogatory tory versions of a daydreamer. They're like, yeah,
that bitch is selfish.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
I had to do a lot, a lot, a lot,
a lot, a lot of reflection on that, and this
is where I'm at with that. I have to give
them space to have their experience I and in my
(25:38):
experience with them, for me, what my intention was with
them truly was to be a mentor, to help them
to be somebody that they could come to for advice
about drag about their careers, you know, and their experience
was not that. And I think about it like this,
(26:01):
It's like you're going on a walk in the park
with your friend and you're like, oh my god, look
at this beautiful green grass. But your friend has red
green color blindness, so they're seeing red grass now even
though everybody else around is having that experience. They're seeing
(26:26):
that red grass. That's not untrue. That is what they're experiencing, right, Yeah,
And so I had to kind of like go back
and like truly reflect on our time together, our experiences together.
And for me, it wasn't all bad. I have some
really fond memories with those choors, And it was sad
(26:49):
and like hurtful to see the things that they said,
to see the way that they felt about me as
like someone who is like selfish and a narcissist and
someone who treated them like slaves or whatever. Like for instance,
I could see where you're like, oh my god, she
asked me to take her to the hair store. Well,
(27:12):
that used to be a bonding experience between me and
my mom, Like we would love to go to the
hair store together. We would love to like pick out
things and just talk, and that's what we would We
would do you know, And we would go and we'd
like grab our little things, you know that we get
it and stuff, and it's just like I'd pick up
the tab because you drove me, like I got all
your spies girl and me that felt like a bonding experience,
(27:36):
but to her it felt like I was just asking
her to run me an.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
Errand why That's what I wonder as a fan looking
into the drag world, right, I don't know the history
of and if it's connected to bobroom culture, but like
a house right, there's a house mother and like I know,
as drag race has evolved and expanded, they've talked about
drag mothers and your drag kids in the drag legacy, right, yeah,
(28:01):
and the lineage. And I guess I wondered, is being
a drag mother now just an aesthetics thing or is it?
Or is it actually something that is like if I'm
your mother, I'm doing I'm helping you build, Like how
do you define being a drag mother now? And has
it shifted?
Speaker 2 (28:22):
I would say I would hope that you know, it
would be a foundation where you can help them build.
And I think in their experience that it was just
for aesthetics. I think they felt like I collected them
to be like I have these daughters, but just for
the image of doing that. And that's something that I
(28:45):
can fully accept.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
But you don't agree with I.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
You're like, I'm like a little bit.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
You're like, yeah, bitch, that's why I chose you because
you're pretty well and.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
I wanted I want it because I was like, hopefully
by like aligning with me, that can provide opportunities in
doors to be opened for you. And I know they
say that they never experienced any sort of doors or
opportunities for them being opened on behalf of you know,
(29:20):
being my drag daughter. But what I will say is
there was a lot of conversations in rooms that they
weren't in in which I was really building them up
and speaking highly of them and saying, hey, you know,
if you need somebody for this opportunity or that opportunity, Chloe, Bambi, Kinsey,
(29:41):
they're incredible, you know. And I don't have to run
back to someone and be like, hey, just so you know,
I like recommend I That's just something that I do
for friends in general, Like if there's an opportunity and
I'm like, I think of you. There's sometimes where people
will bring me opportunities and I'm like, you know what,
this is cute, but I actually don't think I'm the
(30:02):
best girl for this job. But I actually think this
person will give you exactly what you need.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
Well, I mean, I mean, I feel like that's exactly
why I don't think drag family is what, at least
what it was supposed to be. When I was coming up,
like I purposefully did not join any families. There were
a couple of queens around dever who I like loved
and some who i'd like tolerated, who would like asked me,
(30:31):
and I don't know, it just like didn't feel right
because I feel like the idea of what queer family
is needed to be a lot less associated with somebody
who is going to like give me opportunities, Like yeah,
that's obviously a part of like us hanging out. I
pushed Willow's name for years and it wasn't until we
(30:53):
said that we were lovers slash sisters slash.
Speaker 2 (30:56):
Daughter mother uncles. But they ever took me seriously, that's
so crazy they have once they asked me the first year,
like oh yeah, they were asking me for who I
was like, why are you asking this miss crusty ass bitch?
Like how many times did she make it out past
the pork chop lounge? Right?
Speaker 3 (31:19):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (31:20):
But I think to when it comes to like drag families,
and also like expect it because I didn't have a
drag mother, so I didn't have a blueprint. I was
just like making it up as I went. Yeah, And
I think too also upon reflecting, and I'm like just
trying to you know, piece together like where we could
have gotten, like you know, miss a line. And I
(31:41):
think and like I said, I think and I feel
because these are not facts, It's just my experience. When
I first approached Kensie, Kenzie and I had met in
the club. We had this fun relationship. She was a
fashion student. Her roommate was friends with my partner. We
would go, we would like work on things, we would sew,
(32:03):
we would watch Real Housewives, and we would like key
you know what I'm saying. Like it was, you know,
we were keen and we were hanging out. It was
a really good friendship. And I was just like, I
just think that this girl is just so precious. I
love her like fashion references. I love that we love
and understand some of the same designers, and I was
just like, I really want to be able to pour
into her, and so I asked her to be my
(32:25):
drag daughter. And then I would say, like, was this
this was either?
Speaker 3 (32:32):
No?
Speaker 2 (32:32):
I asked her. Right before getting cast on season nine,
I had like done this like program where I was
like a costume designer for like this kid's theater in Wyoming,
and then I got back and I had like two
weeks to like prepare and then that process, I was
just like, you know, I really want you to be
my drag daughter, and I sold her on. It was
(32:53):
just like, you know, because I'm like I'm about to
be on Drag Race. Obviously that can be an amazing
opportunity for you too, you know. And it's like I
came back after filming. You know, everything's good, We're chilling,
and then you know, comes time for the cast announcement
and it's my dad passes away. Oh wow, And so
(33:16):
I was like okay, wow, you know, cause this was
like two days before the cast announcement happened. So it
was just like the craziness of both trying to like
plan a funeral and like be like, oh my god,
I get you guys on this.
Speaker 3 (33:34):
Tune in on Fridays, right on top of everything else
that was happening in life.
Speaker 2 (33:39):
And then a month later, my sister died of breast
cancer and I literally had to fly from the funeral
to do press in New York. And then it was
like from that moment, you know, in March, it was
just like I was literally on the road until the
(34:00):
end of the year. I was booked solid, and so
I was gone, you know, I was gone, and I
had to, you know, made this commitment being like, you know,
I'm gonnampoortant to you and i'ma be your drag mom,
and then for ten months out of the year, barely
even saw her.
Speaker 3 (34:18):
I would assume there's also an assumption of, like you
just I think did a really great job of explaining
like people think as soon as it hits the cast
announcement happens and everybody, like the followers go up and
you're busy and you're working in the fame has risen
that you automatically know what you're doing, and it sounds
(34:39):
like you were really adapting in real time, and unfortunately,
like things fall to the side, things get sacrificed in
that process, unfortunately, is what some that I'm hearing.
Speaker 2 (34:51):
Baby, I was holding on for dear life. Yeah, dear life.
You know it's just like you know, bus club, another clubs,
another club, another club, another club. Meanwhile, I'm like crying
myself to sleep every night, just like just just really
going through it, like dealing with such deep grief because
I was like those two because also my dad and
(35:14):
my sister were no joke, the two people that I
wanted to see me on drag Race the most, Like
when I had dreamt about the whole thing of like
drag Race, I was like the two people that I
want because Ayanna introduced me to RuPaul when I was
a little baby, and she knew what the tea was.
She's like watch this. And my dad he like one
(35:37):
thing that we always bonded on TV and film, Like
he loved me to the movies like that would be
like our thing. And like even when I came back
from filming, he was like, oh, I'm so excited. He
was like, you made it to the finals, Like oh
my god, Like, oh my god, you're so excited. And
so it was just like it was, I mean, unbelievably
excruciating and it was really really hard, and so, you know,
(35:59):
looking back, I was like, obviously I really didn't have
the capacity to pour into her the way that she deserved.
And so I think for me, you know, like a
year later, I'm I'm you know, it's still kind of crazy.
You know. I'd gone out in the scene and I'd
seen Bambi performing and I was just like, oh my god.
I was like, she is so fierce. Since she really
(36:20):
reminds me of myself. It's kind of crazy because people
are like, oh, just go reminds us of you. And
I was like, oh, there's a new black girl on
the scene running and then I saw her and I
was like, okay, waitky, they have a point.
Speaker 3 (36:30):
You actually made some points. Well do you do you
want to redo? Do you want do you still believe in?
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Is your womb still open? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Do you still believe in the Chosen Family? For for drag.
Speaker 2 (36:44):
Here's the thing. I think it would be different if
we had all kind of like collectively come together as
a house before me getting on drag Race, because I
also feel like in Bambi and in Chloe's experiences, they
didn't know me prior to the world a drag Race
(37:04):
and I feel like they really didn't have the opportunity.
Speaker 3 (37:08):
To just like today, to.
Speaker 2 (37:10):
Know me and meet me as a human, even though
we tried, like we really tried, like you know, family dinners.
You know, I'd have them over and I would cook
for them and everything just so you know, play card games,
go on trips. You know. They came to my childhood
home for like Thanksgiving. I wanted to build this relationship,
but I don't know if they were ever able to
(37:31):
really see me as like me outside of that black
excellence entity. And I think it goes back to that
feeling of like we're standoffish. I always told them, I
was like, you know, if you ever need anything, if
you ever have a question, like just just come to me.
Just come to me, you know. And there was any
time they asked me for something, Girl, I need this.
(37:53):
I was always like, come over my house and get it,
or you need me to come yes, I'll come there
and I'll do it. I think pieces of them really
wanted me to be more of a self starter and
take the initiative and be like where is a place
where I can kind of come in and like fill
the void. But I'm not that kind of person, I
(38:13):
don't really you know, there's also a lot going on. Also,
I'm an Aquarius. But if you come to me and
you ask me about something and you need something, I'm
going to be there for you, you know, And there's nothing.
And this is something that I've learned in my adult life,
asking for help, because I'm a fiercely independent person to
(38:34):
asking for help is a really great skill to learn
as well.
Speaker 1 (38:38):
I mean, that's the one I struggle struggle with the most.
Speaker 2 (38:41):
For sure. I still do oh same, which is why I.
Speaker 1 (38:45):
Like the idea of it's kind of funny you said
this earlier on, but the idea of dragged children for me,
even though I literally have never actually taken one on
and never will. Nobody's getting the oddly name. That's a
terrible joke, clown name, bitch. Like I don't even say
yeah because I sound good with that.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
Okay, but get a drag son named Stevie please.
Speaker 3 (39:08):
Ah ceee, oh my god, it's so cute.
Speaker 1 (39:13):
He can be Norman.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
Just because just because of that.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
But like, I don't know, there's there is this experience
where I'm kind of curious because you talk about how
you know your experience with Kenzie at least got to
start before the Shenanigans of it all. Your breakup with
with with your daughters actually reminds me of like the
breakup I had to do with my friends who helped
(39:40):
me get on drag Race, like slash my roommates, like
where there was sort of this promise before him because
we had all poured in and like in that year,
I really did try my hardest to like give them everything,
like you know, to an ext that my money was theirs,
(40:01):
my wardrobe was definitely whatever they wanted, like everything a
rent was paid. And it's still even like breaking up
with them, there was this difficulty because I do feel
like a part of you has to accept that we
are all selfish creatures and also that no matter how
hard you try, you cannot, like you can't like buddy buddy,
(40:25):
nudge nudge, like force your friends to have the same
experiences as you, to like get the same out of life,
or even to understand what it is you're going through,
even if they are stuck on your shoulder at every
night club. So like, I think it's interesting that you
you perceive those experiences so differently, because after I broke
(40:47):
up with my roommate friends. I mean, like we've patched
things up. I'm actually roommates with one again.
Speaker 2 (40:53):
Thank you. We'll see.
Speaker 3 (40:56):
That's what I'm talking about. There's there's always a reconciliation.
Speaker 2 (41:00):
In some way.
Speaker 1 (41:01):
But after that, I like made it very very clear
to every little faggot and fag lad out there in
fact them that no, I'm not gonna be your mom.
I think it's a fake ass system. Like all it
means in this world for real is like can I
get something from you? And I'm like, girl, you can
get something from me if you can give something to me.
(41:22):
Like I've been working with this assistant Saline, who I
stole from another drag queen. I like, like, who's a
real mom? Another two or three, But this bitch is
such a key and she can get some done. And
if it were the old drag days, I'd be like,
drop all your other names and become oddly right. But
instead I'm like, do you want opportunities and a paycheck?
Speaker 2 (41:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (41:45):
Yeah, I guess you know. I think, like with any
family mess in drama, it's there. I hope there's still
a door that is open for you all to talk
about and have like a real conversation because the internet
games just feels like everyone in eyeballs, it's just pouring
into it.
Speaker 2 (42:04):
Oh, I know. And I I had really hoped that
it wouldn't have gone down publicly on the Internet the
way that it did, because I like to keep my
personal life off the internet because I don't need everybody
talking about it. But I am low key grateful for
(42:26):
them calling me out the way that they did, because
as much as like at first, I was.
Speaker 3 (42:31):
Just like, this, what the fuck they're talking about it?
Speaker 2 (42:36):
Not else, bitch? As i'sive, I was just like, okay,
let me. I like had to like, we're not telling
you how to reflect, bitch, to reflect, because it's so
easy when you're doing reflection to like always kind of
do things from your point of view. You can there's
blind spots everywhere. I had to really try to like
(42:56):
turn it around and like look at myself from like
their view point and like their perspective. Really exercised my empathy,
like that empathy muscle was yeah. And then I was like, Okay,
I can understand why they feel hurt. I can understand
why they feel disappointed, and I can understand why That
(43:17):
led to some of the resentments, intentions. I just wish
we would have been able to have a conversation.
Speaker 3 (43:22):
Have you apologized?
Speaker 2 (43:24):
No, And I need to. I do need to and
I should probably When does this episode come out?
Speaker 3 (43:29):
It's coming out soon, okay.
Speaker 2 (43:31):
Okay, well then I need to do that too. Sweet.
So so I'm like, oh, she apologizes to be on
the internet. That's key bringing families together. I granted, I'm
gonna figure out how to do that because I I
can do it.
Speaker 1 (43:51):
Just so, just so, just so we're clear, I can
pass any messages to your daughters because I met all
of them. I love them, and I want you to
know I am team all of them.
Speaker 2 (43:59):
Yeah, I'm a beautiful Wait what you're saying about.
Speaker 3 (44:07):
Catch it? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (44:08):
No way, because it's like you know what, Yes, I'm
team all the than.
Speaker 3 (44:13):
You.
Speaker 2 (44:13):
And then I was like, wait, but who's their opposition?
Speaker 3 (44:15):
And it seems like you're learning a lot about yourself
at this time and in this moment, I guess what
else are you learning that it is propelling you forward
into this like work in art that you're doing that
is like all shake right now?
Speaker 2 (44:32):
I think I think luckily having like a little bit
of a scandal that has helped me to be like, Okay,
you know you you you try and uphold this this
idea of being excellent and perfect, and then people get
on the internet and they call you a crazy bitch
and like you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (44:53):
And then trust me, the scandal could have been worse.
You could have been like Bob and getting accused of
a race play, which will never It could have been worse.
Speaker 2 (45:01):
It could have been, you know, And uh So for me,
that was like in my mind, like worst case scenario
when I was like thinking about like when I was
like reaching my limit of being like I don't know
if I can do this anymore. I don't know if
I could be this mother of this house anymore, and
like this is not sustainable. You know. I was just
(45:22):
all like I know I'm gonna be made out to
be the villain, But in my mind, I was just like,
you know, they're gonna talk to everyone in the community
and tell them how awful I am. And then it
like reached the internet and then like them and gay
times are all like Shay's daughters disown her blah blah
blah blah blah.
Speaker 3 (45:40):
And that's how I found I hit the press fast.
I was shocked that it hit the breast back.
Speaker 2 (45:44):
I was like, oh, it's a slow news cycle. I know,
slow news cycle. I was like, I don't think it
would be that interesting. And also I was like, please
pick a less sweaty photo of me, girl, please.
Speaker 3 (45:58):
They never good They're never going to pick a good
breed the moment. A Ya.
Speaker 1 (46:01):
That's why I'm glad all of my fake children queer
stop going to sweaty.
Speaker 3 (46:04):
Getdy girl, I love it.
Speaker 1 (46:06):
Get me greasy, make me look moisturized is better than all.
Speaker 2 (46:10):
My ashy has photos. But that was like beyond my
worst case scenario, and I survived it, and it allowed
me with people on the internet being like, see I knew.
Speaker 3 (46:22):
It, yeah perfect I fucking knew it, bitch.
Speaker 1 (46:27):
But you know what's fun about that is that literally
only ever sticks until the next scandal.
Speaker 2 (46:33):
Baby yeah yeah. So for me, it it kind of like,
now that I'm on the other side, I'm like, Okay,
I don't have to worry about trying to like uphold
any sort of perfect persona because people are already like.
Speaker 3 (46:53):
Yeah, but they're that perfection windows.
Speaker 2 (46:56):
So it has been liberating in that sense, and it's
allowing me to just kind of like, look at my
work now with a little bit more of a playful
lens instead of being so serious about it, because now
I go, I'm like, girl, I just feel much more
free to openly and publicly make mistakes or do things
(47:17):
that aren't perfect and and and do things that you know,
or are weird or off or you know whatever. It
gives me the freedom to show more parts of myself
than just like the polished, excellent party with.
Speaker 1 (47:34):
A completely unbiased lens. I would like to say, I'm
so excited to see you as miss me.
Speaker 3 (47:42):
Yes great like alter ego on fire, Okay, I love.
Speaker 1 (47:51):
I am asking for like either five percent or to
be your daughter though.
Speaker 3 (47:58):
Okay, okay, wait.
Speaker 1 (47:59):
We got always we always ask our quests.
Speaker 2 (48:05):
We always ask our quests before they go. You're taking
over this spirit of Amo.
Speaker 4 (48:12):
Apparently, way gways Okay, we always ask our guests, what
are you hikey about?
Speaker 1 (48:20):
I know I don't have to like explain to you
like what it means to be high key, so legit,
what are you hikey about?
Speaker 2 (48:24):
Right now? I'm hi key about not spending any money
with any fucking corporations this holiday season. The Ballet fuck all, y'all.
Fuck all, y'all. I am not girl. I am saving
my money.
Speaker 3 (48:40):
Girl, my girl, you better make gifts yourself. Y'all? Are
uh making an unconventional challenge, bitch and make some ship.
Speaker 2 (48:47):
I'm literally was talking to her today because she knows
I really do. I love to be a gift giver.
I love to be like very generous in the holidays.
And I told her it was just like just so
you know, yeah, I'm not doing it this year.
Speaker 3 (48:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (48:58):
I was like, we have to focus on other things
besides consumerism. And I was like, you want to know
what everyone's getting from me this year? A really lovely,
heartfelt letter.
Speaker 3 (49:09):
I actually really love that. My mom has been telling
me to send her like get like give her more
cards and things like that, because I feel like for
her birthday or for holidays, I always like get gifts.
But she just keeps saying, like, I just want a
card where you write in it and like tell me
how much you love her.
Speaker 2 (49:25):
My mom loves that. I do that for my mom
all the time, like that like she is because she
saves them all. You know, I make sure I date
it like the year and everything, so she knows which Christmas.
It is. She does the same for like all of
us kids, and like, you know, I will get a
blank card so I can make sure I write something
really lovely on like both of the pages. And then
(49:46):
I keep all my cards from her. And then I
also keep all my cards that get from from people.
I have a big box, like it's this big floral
box just full of cards, and like I'll collect some
and go to put it in, and then occasionally you
go through it and then you're like, oh wait, what
was this is this from? And then you start going
it's just I don't know, it's lovely. I love to
(50:06):
keep my cards, and I throw away a lot of
shit because I get a lot of junk. Yeah, but
the cards I do.
Speaker 1 (50:12):
Keep, Oh bitch, the junk is the only thing I keep.
Speaker 3 (50:20):
I just want to say it's so great having you
on the show. Hopefully you come back and thank you
for being so honest and vulnerable about all of this
shit that's happening in your life right now, because I
know it's like probably really annoying talk about it and
having to deal with it, Like it's fun and games
when you work through the shit, but in real time
it's that's stress. That is not it's not in your stomach.
(50:41):
It doesn't feel good, I would assume. And so thank
you for always being honest. And that's it's a first
step into the messiness.
Speaker 2 (50:49):
Yes, it's it's honestly, it's free to be honest. It's
freeing to really take the opportunity to reflect and acknowledge
that you make mistakes because you know none of us
are perfect. None of us are perfect. You hear that, Internet.
I was gonna say you you hear that Internet?
Speaker 1 (51:09):
Okay, Doug, I would like to take this time to
apologize for breaking your glasses on camera.
Speaker 3 (51:14):
Not you, not that big fat ass just broken.
Speaker 1 (51:19):
It was actually my head, like they snapped earlier off
my head.
Speaker 3 (51:23):
I was.
Speaker 2 (51:25):
Bigger.
Speaker 3 (51:29):
Oh my god. All right, y'all, we'll be back with
our high keys of the week. Ike. Okay. So Shay
was absolutely iconic. I'm so happy I've talked about how
and I feel like, I don't know if people think
that I'm just blowing smoke up y'all's asses when I
(51:49):
say this, but like I feel like I have talked
to three I mean one, I work with you, three
of my favorite all time drag race queens right, you
shake Aula, Bob. The last one for me is for
shore Monet and Jane. You know what.
Speaker 1 (52:06):
It's a trip though, girl, Like I still get flashes
where I'm in the body of my younger self and
I remember like just seeing these bitches on the TV,
and then I remember like my first times like getting
to be around them, getting to like work with these girls. Yeah,
(52:26):
Like I remember the first time I really got to make,
at least in my mind, make an impression with Shaikula
was like when our club brought her in for a
smaller night, like the year before I got on drag Race,
and I was one of the only queens who performed.
I think I was the only queen who performed. I
like opened for her essentially, and like, for some reason,
(52:49):
that was the first time I ever served cunt and
she was like, you look cunt.
Speaker 3 (52:59):
Yeah, I just gave you the approval of cunt. No,
that's so interesting because I'm like, I'm gonna I'm assuming
when you watched her, was that, like, I mean, you
were probably already thinking about are already auditioning for drag
Race at that point.
Speaker 1 (53:15):
I feel like that was the first season I auditioned
for because I did it three times, and so it
had to be nine to ten eleven.
Speaker 3 (53:22):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And so when you saw like
someone like a shake Hule and like everything that she
kind of like exists, that you were just like, work,
I'm not going to be that at all if I
get on this show.
Speaker 1 (53:34):
It's so funny because that is exactly what the fuck
I thought. Like season nine was my first time auditioning.
I put out a tape to where I was all like, yeah,
my name's ev Oddly and I'm from Denver and I'm
a weirdo. Yeah. And then I like watched Shakekule, who
I had already been following online, who already was that
(53:56):
bitch in Chicago. I watched her on my TV and
was like, I am so thankful they did not even look.
Speaker 2 (54:03):
At my video.
Speaker 3 (54:04):
Girl, are you kidding me?
Speaker 1 (54:06):
I gotta do a little more work, Diva.
Speaker 3 (54:08):
And also, there's only there's there's only one a Shay,
and there's only one of you. And honestly, I like
it that way because y'all give y'all give me exactly
what I want from both of you. It's kind of funny.
Speaker 1 (54:19):
It's I feel like we have an interesting dynamic because
I feel like we take up similar spaces in the world. Like,
I know, some shady bitches in the comments are gonna
roll their eyes so hard at this, but bitch, literally,
I've always felt the weight of excellence.
Speaker 2 (54:37):
Like that's where EVI really stemmed from.
Speaker 1 (54:40):
Was like having to live up to uh being either
a doctor or lawyer, doing something with my smart ass
brain so that my large ass family who always loved
and supported me didn't waste all that love and support.
Speaker 3 (54:53):
Yeah, like were tragically disappointed in you.
Speaker 2 (54:56):
Yeah, like I had to be.
Speaker 1 (54:57):
I'd be like a good student, a good brother, a
good son, nephew, uncle, a good black person, a good
like straight person. And when I broke one of those girls,
the rest just tumbled out.
Speaker 2 (55:10):
So Evie became my space for chaos.
Speaker 3 (55:12):
It was.
Speaker 1 (55:13):
I think it's interesting working with her because I feel
like we bring the same energy of the person who
was always the only one in the room.
Speaker 3 (55:21):
Yeah. Yeah, I can't wait to have her on again
because you know, I just I want to dive more
into that with you too, especially because I just feel
like I get to I want to get into some
things with that. But we gotta we gotta get into
our high keys. You want to go first? I have
a high key I'm super excited about because I've been
like talking about this damn movie and I want everyone
(55:43):
to watch it.
Speaker 2 (55:43):
Oh wait, are we are we sharing the same high key?
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (55:48):
This would be crazy if we are, because we didnt
talk about him before. What I mean, what's your high key?
Speaker 2 (55:52):
Okay? So my high key this week is the longest Road.
Speaker 3 (55:55):
Oh, absolutely not. I'm not watching them kids get shot.
What kids walk down the road and get shot in
the back? Absolutely not.
Speaker 2 (56:06):
I'm proud of you boys.
Speaker 3 (56:08):
You got sack.
Speaker 2 (56:10):
I maintained a speed of three miles per hour. Walk
until there's only one of you left who's ready to
fucking wag.
Speaker 1 (56:20):
You know what's wild is that was literally the words
out of my mouth, my reaction when I was in
the movies and the trailer came on, Like Doug and
I always do this thing where we're like thumbs up
or thumbs down, and the sod I saw like the
first Stephen King novel.
Speaker 2 (56:38):
Ever, it's the longest Road.
Speaker 1 (56:40):
It's about these kids who are definitely just gonna walk
down a road and get shot.
Speaker 2 (56:44):
It's literally the exact words.
Speaker 1 (56:47):
Somehow, somehow, I got tricked into going still because my
fomo is stronger than my memory. But I am so
thankful I did because for me, it put but this
like cap on storytelling focusing on black experiences this year,
like Sinners was my favorite, and then One Battle after
(57:11):
Another came out and I was like, damn, that has
such deep, complex things to say, and for me, this
completes the trilogy. Even though One Battle after Another is
still my favorite movie of the year.
Speaker 3 (57:22):
I mean, it's yeah.
Speaker 2 (57:24):
When I tell you.
Speaker 1 (57:26):
I deep deep cried. I cried like my mom was
dead in my hands, cried.
Speaker 2 (57:34):
It.
Speaker 1 (57:35):
It is painful because obviously, you know you're just gonna
watch a bunch of kids get shot. But the kind
of humanity I saw in there explored such interesting ways
of relating to your brothers, which I think is a
big issue in America right now. So if y'all can't, like,
go see The Longest The Longest Walk, because it is
(57:57):
not even a long movie that's hot one hour for
eight like Girl.
Speaker 3 (58:01):
Well that's why they were doing those activations where people
were walking on treadmills while watching the film like it was.
It was. It was really interesting in the moment to
see but then also like I do not, I don't,
I don't.
Speaker 2 (58:12):
I just don't.
Speaker 1 (58:12):
It's like it's not something you want to watch, but
like the metaphor is so beautiful and honestly it made
me feel a little more hope in these uh times
that are so purposefully hopeless.
Speaker 3 (58:27):
Well, let me let me give you what's your key?
Let me give you some On the other side of that,
some iconic queer chaos heada Tessa Thompson and Nia Da
Costa's new film. It is absolutely incredible. So Nia da Costa,
she did Little Woods with Tessa Thompson, she did Marvels,
(58:49):
she did she has a long list of films that
she just like iconically just has been really great as
a director. But she reimagined a play by Henry Is
been named Heda.
Speaker 2 (59:01):
I've heard so much about me missus Tesma, had you respond,
what have you loved that? Before you were domesticated you
were like fire.
Speaker 3 (59:15):
And Testa Thompson plays Head and it's just so good.
It's on Amazon Prime. It's about this black like biracial
woman in the nineteen fifties Europe and she's like having
this large party to place herself in society because she
is married to this man who is trying to become
a professor, and she is just someone that is obviously queer,
(59:40):
but she is choosing violence and chaos and herself through
this entire film, and you just get to see this
in a really wonderful way. And it's a little arty
for artsy, but I honestly I've seen it twice now
and I actually really had an incredible time. Tessa Thompson
deserves all the things. She's such a brilliant Aca Chris.
(01:00:00):
I've loved her for so long and I don't think
she's gotten enough. And so I implore everyone please watch Heada.
It's so good. And girl, the way that y'all go
up for Megan and a white, little blond robot is
our This is honestly, when we're talking about, yes, it's
not our queer representation of the year, like there's not
(01:00:21):
a ton coming like going on this year. Petta is
that girl, And honestly, I'm hikey about it. I'm obsessed.
I'm obsessed. Y'all go to the movies. We're hikey about movies.
I know, I know, Well, that was a great show today.
I'm I'm so so happy that we we got to
talk to Shane, we got to talk about our hig keys,
(01:00:43):
and I got to see you again. I mean because
you were gone for so long.
Speaker 1 (01:00:47):
I know, I know, my bad. I'll never leave again.
Speaker 3 (01:00:49):
Please don't until next time. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok.
We're posting over there literally, you know, we're probably lurking
in the comments. We're probably I'm I'll be watching everyone
drag evy for something.
Speaker 2 (01:01:02):
She said, yeah, get me, get me, cancel me, daddy.
Speaker 3 (01:01:07):
So follow us at high key here on socials, and
of course, don't forget to leave a five star review
on Apple podcasts or wherever you're listening to your podcast.
Leave a review. Let us know what you're thinking about,
you know, in the show in real time. Let us
know your comments. We need the love.
Speaker 1 (01:01:23):
Say some really really wild shit. Not only will I respond,
but I'll try and read it backwards on the next episode.
Speaker 3 (01:01:30):
Reading it backwards, Okay, it's going to sound like you're
reciting a spell of some kind.
Speaker 1 (01:01:35):
I know, right, No, Sorella, we are on.
Speaker 2 (01:01:38):
Well that's some satanic shit.
Speaker 3 (01:01:44):
Oh my god. Oh Also, don't forget to scratch our YouTube.
That's that's our housekeeping rules. Just have a good time
while you're listening to the show, and do us a
solid and a favor and let us know how you're
enjoying it. That's all we ask for. It's really that simple.
Until next time, We'll see you later.
Speaker 4 (01:02:03):
If you're high key obsessed with our show, take a
second to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode.
And while you're at it, rate us, drop a review
and tell your friends.
Speaker 3 (01:02:14):
If you want to keep the high key key going,
join us on Instagram and TikTok at high Key here,
and of course on Patreon, where we are literally dropping
all that spicy ass tea every week. See you there,
Nah hi Key is a production of iHeart Podcasts as
a part of the Outspoken Network. This show is creating
and executive produced by Ryan Mitchell, e, Ed Oddley and
(01:02:36):
Spoke Media.
Speaker 5 (01:02:37):
Our showrunner is Tyler Green. Our producers are Kelly Kolff
and Katie Alis Greer. Our video producer is Bo Delmore,
and our video editor is Luis Paigath. Our audio engineer
Sammy Syrich. Special thanks to Jenna Burnett and Tess Ryan.
Speaker 3 (01:02:52):
Our social media and community manager is Daria Cottingham. Executive
producers for Spoke Media are Travis Lamont Ballinger and Aleiah Tabacoli.
Speaker 1 (01:03:00):
Art team is just Crime Chich and Sierra Kaiser, and.
Speaker 3 (01:03:03):
Our Fame music is by the one and only Kayane
Hersey and our Show art is by work by work,
with photography by Eric Carter.
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