#also did I basically draw Pep doing the same thing as the previous post?

[ask-the-totally-real-peppino]

Hello, i'm cheese anon's evil (not really) alter ego, theorist anon and i've come here to tell you my theory or uhh... actually personal hc of what happend to bruno (headcanons are like theorys but less fancy shut >:[), (i tweaked it a bit to fit your context just a tad better as i have some ideas with how you portrayed bruno (or well part of him))

SO. First of all i have to say i liked the uniform you gave bruno, very cute tbh, but more than pizzeria it's giving ice cream or candy shop thb, not that is a bad thing just saying so uhh fuck it pizzeria no more he runs an ice cream shop now in me mind

OK WITH THAT OUT THE WAY NOW WE FR THIS TIME.

Ok so. Once upon a time this italian guy called Bruno runed an ice cream shop with his wife, pizzahead saw how succesful they were on their own and said "shiiid imma need that" so he made a deal with the happy couple. BUT then he tried to bribe and trick them into giving up pretty much all rights to uhh.. i don't have a name for the ice cream shop actually lmao, just think of amything. anyways, they said no bc the ice cream shop was something they hold very dear to them, they have been saving for this for literal years and risked it all to get it running so who would want to give it all out like that really? But pisshead can't accept a no for an answer so what did he did? He just killed them in the spot. If they aren't gonna sing these papers might as well just kill the guys so they stop growing you know? He cannot afford ANY sort of competition (even tho he sells horrible pizzas and they are a fucking ice cream shop). But then he realizes "shit i fucked up imma get sued" so he just tried to recreate bruno using his brain as a base, couldn't replicate the wife tho, he accidentally shot her in the brain without thinking he would have to clone her too oops.

Anyways they go thru the cloning process but uh oh the clone isn't perfect, guy doesn't even remember who he was. The solution? Lie that they sold their shop and flew out the country with the money without telling anyone, aslo they changed their numbers you cannot find them ^-^. Btw the shop closed down literal months after he "acquired" the shop, the ice cream was bad it tasted like pizza :(.

That gets us to today, pizzahead now found some new guy to torment and since he had the clone laying around he just kind of managed to make it change looks so it can look like peppino and then used them as a boss on his tower.

Ok i'm done talking :] hope you like this mess of a theory imma go, cheese bitch wants to take control again mkay bye was a plessure to speak to ya'll <3

(Ohohoho, Theorist Anon! What a delight to read!

I cannot confirm nor deny your theory, but I will say that part of it is pretty spot-on! And it's generally an interesting story regardless!

Just some silly and goofy pizza man absolutely snapping and killing a couple bc he's a jealous bitch, and then he goes 'whoopsie daisy' and remakes one of them, and uses them to torment another guy??? Incredible

If dear Cheese Anon allows you to return, I'd love to read any more theories you have! (And I will continue to smugly grin as I do not confirm nor deny them)

ALSO, I totally get the ice cream shop vibes from the outfit, not intentional, but it is very funny to imagine Pizzahead taking over a non-pizza related place and making bad pizzas or pizza-flavoured ice cream!

Who knows! Maybe the tower warped Bruno's Ice Cream to Bruno's Pizza, bc it is Pizza tower and not Ice Cream tower hehe

Also, Pep does love ice cream, but that's maybe unrelated!)

[shewantedtobeasecretgirl]

12. Granny Out of Control a.k.a. headless chickens, Gene Simmons’ girlfriend and Rapunzel

In the previous chapters: Judy and Stone act after their embarrassing encounter in the shower as if it hadn’t even happened; they implicitly agree on not telling Mike that his one-night stand was just the consequence of Judy’s revenge-fueled rumors about Stone’s sexual preferences. Ed loses his voice so the show has to be canceled, Jeff offers to give guitar lessons to Judy instead in his spare time. Granny buys a metal magazine to learn more about Seattle-based rock bands; the picture of Pearl Jam makes her think the perfect match for Judy isn’t Jeff but Stone. Krisha picks Effie up in the city to tell her that Kelly Curtis and Susan Silver have plans with her as a photographer; she also gives her the list of codenames the band and crew members use at hotels. Effie also joins her when she feeds Stone’s unsociable cat, Red who is incompatible with all girls who try to approach him.

 „I don’t know, man… Are you sure you saw them?”

“Don’t piss me off, Schmitty, of course I’m sure. I know whom and what I saw.” I mumble as I put the flashlight back between my teeth. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Not only makes he me do this stupid act, he even drives me crazy with this weak-minded questioning in the meantime. The guy obviously watches too much TV. Especially detective shows about drug cartels.

“But let’s go over it again. Maybe you were wrong or misunderstood the situation or…”

I sigh, and take the flashlight out of my mouth only to direct the blinding ray of light in his face.

“Okay, but this is the last time. And I’m only willing to tell it again because I have nothing better to do and because technically, I can’t do anything else until we finish this. Open the bag and hold it.”

“Yes sir... so you went having a shower…”

“Not that it matters if I went showering or shitting but yes, I went to the restroom.”

“And you opened the door…” he goes on with the storytelling like a small child who already knows his favorite bedtime story by heart.

“And there were they, standing at the sinks…”

“Stop. Are you sure it was them?”

“Of course I am, I could recognize Judy and Stone from miles!”

“Are you 100 % sure?”

“No, I’m only 99 % sure because there’s a very small chance that they both have doppelgangers right in this town but let’s say I’m very likely to have seen them.” I confirm while I start portioning the green leaves into the plastic bag Schmitty is holding.

“And they were…”

“…basically naked.”

“Basically?” he asks like he’d never heard the word before.

“Yes, basically.”

“How do you mean “basically”?”

“What? I’m fucking around here with sharing my weed with you and you’re already high? Unbelievable…”

“No-no-no, seriously, man, you didn’t say “naked”, you said “basically naked”. Define the difference. It’s important.” he flails fussily.

“Stop shaking the bag, it’s difficult enough to do this only with one hand. So, uh, they weren’t completely naked, they both were wearing a towel…”

“The same towel or…?”

“Hah, interesting idea, but no, they both had their own towel on. But I assume none of them was wearing any underwear…”

“That’d be normal, I mean, after showering… but that’s the weakest point in your theory, them having a shower at the same time… it sounds so unreal.”

“Yeah, I thought the same until I found the only logical reason.”

“What? That you only dreamed the whole thing? Or that it was just an intense trip due to the shrooms Mike gave you?”

“I know it sounds unbelievable but at this point, I’m pretty much convinced they did it on purpose.” I close the bag and throw it at Schmitty who hides it immediately in the inner pocket of his jacket and pats himself on the chest satisfied.

“Thanks. But I can’t follow your thinking, Scully. Why’d they secretly meet in the shower?”

“I don’t want to shock you but… I think they had sex right before. I almost entered but then I glanced them and they were almost naked, both giggling and Judy was groping Stone and… I backed out, I was so surprised, I didn’t even know what to do…”

“But they hate each other.” Schmitty protests shaking his head.

“And? Since when can’t people who hate each other have sex with each other?”

“Man, this is too much to me, Stone has Amber at home, Judy is like a nun, they can’t stand each other so obviously, they have sex??? Bullshit, that’s all I can say. I don’t know what you saw but it definitely couldn’t be a post-coital scene.”

“Look, I don’t understand the exact reasons either but…”

“I’ve always been told that as soon as we start touring, girls will try to drag me in the tour bus all the time but I imagined it somehow different…”

We both freeze at the hearing of Stone’s smug giggling and our surprise only grows when we recognize the voice that belongs to his companion.

“Sorry for ruining your wet rock star dreams but it’s impossible here to talk to someone face-to-face, even the walls have ears in this crew.”

Schmitty and I exchange a meaningful look and to his nod, I turn the flashlight on the lowest level. Walls might not have ears here but this bunk bed curtain we’re hiding behind definitely does. Even four, to be exact.

“So what’s the purpose of this conspired, hyper-secret meeting, Camden? I’m hungry so let’s get over with this as fast as possible!”

Hungry, yeah, I can imagine. So you prefer quickies, Stoney?

“I just wanted to talk about yesterday.”

Schmitty stares at me with popped eyes, even his jaws drop of shock.

“Ha. So you were thinking about it?”

“Yes but not the way you think. I’m not gonna tell you tirades about how much I regretted it or stuff because I didn’t. I only want to ask if you talked to Scully about it?”

Schmitty grabs my forearm, digging his nails into it, his other hand is shaking uncontrollably.

“No and I don’t know why I should force it, I mean it happened, it’s embarrassing enough for both of us so let’s draw a veil over it.”

“It’s embarrassing for both of us? Do you really think I give a damn about that? I mean, okay, I lost control, which doesn’t happens really often to me but who cares, I can handle the consequences. You feeling embarrassed, now that’s the last thing I care about. But have you already thought about the feelings of your friend at least for one single second?”

We both furrow our eyebrows and her words probably found their marks since Stone doesn’t answer, which makes Judy go on with the pep talk.

“Okay, neither of us is going to say a word since we both have selfish interest in keeping it in secret but if Scully shoots his mouth off and he finds out about what happened… just think into it, it’d ruin his self-esteem. I mean, it’s inevitable that it turns out later but the best strategy is discretion. Now, it’d be too fresh for him, let’s wait until he forgets about this little… intermezzo.”

Schmitty covers his still opened mouth in complete horror and even I start feeling uncomfortable now that my intuition is basically confirmed.

“So, would you finally promise to talk to Scully?”

“Dunno… I’ll consider it.”

“Jesus Christ, Gossard, would it hurt not to piss me off once in a lifetime?”

“To answer your question, yes, it would but this time it’s not about you, Miss Fussy. I was just thinking that we should let it slide since after all, it’s not as a big deal as you think.”

You fuck her and then try to ditch her? Come on Stone, I thought you were better than this.

“I mean, you make such a fuss but I don’t think Scully would let it slip, he’s probably already forgotten about the whole scene. And if I came up with it, he’d just start overthinking it; when he knows he has to shut his mouth, he becomes gossipy all the more.”

Ha, thanks Stoney but just for the record, I don’t gossip, I just process things by discussing them with other people, see also at “coping mechanisms”…

“It’s you who’s overthinking it. Just stop protesting and do what I ask you. I even use the word “please”.”

“Fuck, okay, I’ll see what I can do, just leave me finally alone with this. Can I ask you something too?”

“It depends…”

“Could we stay here for ten… fifteen minutes? You know, it’s about my reputation…”

“Fuck off, Gossard!!!”

We both exhale with a deep sigh when we hear them leaving the bus.

“Holy. Shit.”

“Holy. Fucking. Shit. Dude, you were right!”

“Of course I was right, I always am, you just never believe me.“

“But… damn… I didn’t see that coming… Gahhh.” Schmitty facepalms, rubbing his forehead worried.

“I’m surprised, though, I thought they didn’t notice me.”

“Apparently, they did. Jesus, I doubt there’s something serious between them but now that I heard it with my own ears, it all makes sense! They hook up, they are both embarrassed since they are enemies, plus the Amber-factor… and poor Jeff, he has a massive crush on Judy and she knows it, maybe she tries to have two irons in the fire… So she convinced him to keep the fling in secret not to ruin her chances at Jeff… She looks so innocent and now she turns out to be an actual snake… Do you think Karrie knows about it?” he jabbers staring desperately in front of himself.

“Whoa, stop, dude, are you insane? She’s not a bitch, they just made a mistake and she freaked out. Her worrying about Jeff sounded genuine, after all, Stone is no perspective for her, he’s got that… he’s got Amber, whatever she is for him. And I don’t think Karrie knows anything, even if she does, she’ll pretend she doesn’t.”

“But this changes everything! Jeff is our friend too and I don’t want to lie to him.”

“Trust me, he’ll never ask “And tell me Schmitty, have Judy and Stone had sex?”, so you don’t have to.”

“You’re making fun of me but you know too how dangerous information these are so you’d better have a good idea what are we going to do know.”

“I’ll tell you, Schmitty: we’re gonna act casual. Just watch me.”

***

„There’s no chance I could reach that string. Just… no. I don’t have that muscle, I’m done.” I moan as I desperately try to stretch my pinky finger to play the next chord following Jeff’s instructions.

“Hey, relax, just reach a bit further, you’ve almost got it.” he chuckles and makes an insecure move to help me out but he changes his mind in the last moment and pretends he only wanted to scratch his arm. And I pretend not to have noticed it.

“No, it’s impossible, I can’t twist my wrist that much. I don’t have freakishly long fingers like Stone, it’s enough.” I give up and put the guitar aside. We’ve been practicing for like one hour, I played him my still rudimentary sounding song idea, of course without telling him what exactly it was. He improvised a bass line to it on his acoustic bass guitar, his fingers are still running back and forth over the strings despite the fact I stopped playing. When I was a kid, Grandpa would tell me that if you cut the head of a chicken, it can still run around for a few seconds before collapsing, maybe it’s a similar phenomenon. Or maybe it’s like when a freight train hits a car and it pushes the vehicle in front of itself for miles before stopping. Headless chickens and train wrecks, why am I thinking about stuff like these while hanging out with a nice guy?

“I’m sure you can do it if you practice it. Look, my fingers aren’t long either.” he raises his palm. Is he expecting me to measure mine to his by placing them together? Could we rather just draw them around and compare the drawings like small children? Okay, he’s got strong, manly hands, that’s not bad at all. But how can he stuff those thick fingers between the strings? And those jewelries, God, they are terrible. Would he mind if I asked him to put them off?

“No, I can’t. I’m not good at these moves, I’ve already tried to play the violin, it didn’t go well. It went awful.” I protest, rather to overtalk my racing thoughts than to argue with him. I hope he’s not going to ask me about the details, I don’t feel like telling him that story at all.

“Okay, it was you who asked me for help, so…” he shrugs with a half smile, his fingers are still nerve-wrackingly torturing the instrument.

“Actually it was you who offered to help so…”

“Fair enough. I don’t want to force it so… if you want to finish all your future performances by saying “sorry, now comes the chord which is incompatible with my wrist so go the fuck home” – then okay, I don’t care.” he puts down the guitar. I try to decode the expression on his face, is he disappointed or just casual or…?

“How do you do that?” I ask quickly, I can’t bear that look.

“What?”

“This… everything…” I flail helplessly.

“I don’t know… I think I got bored with doing nothing and wanted to try something new and I realized I could do everything instead of nothing.” he leans back with a challenging smirk.

“Geez, you spend too much time with Stone.” I roll my eyes. “I mean… I played you something and you immediately knew what to do with it. Your head is full of ideas and variations, can you hear the harmonies instinctively or…?”

“I don’t know… when I hear a melody, I start hearing the other parts in my head… but sometimes I just mess around and try different things to check if they can work as a song or as an idea that I can use later. I try to keep my ears fresh, I fight against crafting only bass lines in my head, that’s why I pick up the guitar from time to time. You know, if a bass player never leaves his comfort zone, after a while, he’ll tend to operate only with the same five or five notes, it’s like a tunnel vision… or tunnel hearing…” he ends his explanation with a shrug and a lopsided smile, as far as I’ve observed, he does that pretty often.

“That’s amazing… I envy you so much. I’ve been studying and playing music for as long as I can remember but I’ve never felt that… sense of liberty? I practiced my ass off, I learned everything I could, at Juilliard, we basically dissected classical musical pieces into single notes and… I developed some weird perfectionism in the meantime, I know how good music is supposed to be composed but… I myself just can’t do it. I was so busy with studying other people’s works that I couldn’t develop the ability to create something, it’s like… my knowledge paralyzed my creativity… Or that’s just what I keep telling myself because I1m not willing to accept the fact that writing music is a gift you can’t just earn by practicing and learning…”

“Maybe you’re right.” he shrugs again and his reaction somehow hits me hard; I don’t know why, though. “I think I’ve already mentioned you that I took piano lessons but I hated it. I found literally nothing intriguing in it, it was boring, I’ve never been into Beethoven or some shit like that.”

“What?” I frown. I didn’t expect him to like the same things I do but… could he just show at least a little interest in what I like? I even talked about art and skateboarding with him. Okay, he doesn’t owe me anything, we’re not dating and all but if he ever wants something from me… okay, he probably doesn’t, it was obviously just a stupid gossip.

“Hey, I didn’t mean to trash your music, it’s just not for me, I appreciate it but I don’t like it. I’m just a Montanan jerk, did you forget?”

“You’re not a jerk, don’t say that… I’m just… nothing, forget it.”

“No, if you want to say something, don’t swallow it. Did I hurt you?”

“You didn’t… I’ve just spent my entire life playing classical music so I can’t imagine how someone is able not to like it at all.”

“Same here with sports.”

“God, I hate sports!” I exclaim and I immediately begin to laugh realizing I’m not better than him either.

“You see? But speaking of your music studies, there’s one thing I’ve always wanted to ask.”

“No.”

“No what? Am I not allowed to ask the question?”

“No is the answer to the question.”

“But I haven’t even…”

“Trust me, it’s no.”

“If you say so…”

“I’m just kidding. Most people attack me when they learn I’m a musician asking if I’d sing or play something for them, it’s so annoying, it’s like the “grunge question’ of classical musicians…”

“Okay, I get it.” he smiles. “But that’s not what I was about to ask.”

“Thank God. So, I guess you don’t want me to teach you reading sheet music either, because that’s usually the second question, which is usually asked by people with no musical hearing at all...”

“No, it’s more of a… personal one.” he hesitates squinting at me for the final permission.

“Hit me.”

“Why are you here?”

“Here? Like, here and now, with you or…?”

“No, I mean, why are you here, with the band? You graduated from one of the most prestigious music schools on Earth, you could conduct top choirs or whatever… and you’re here, loading our shitty van every single night, smelling sweat and cigarette smoke, spending days in a tour bus with beer drinking ugly dudes… Why? I guess Juilliard graduates can pick whatever job offer they want so...”

“I’m here for the money.” I answer without thinking and it immediately sounds false. Am I? Really? “I came here for the money, I don’t deny it, I had no job and however terrified I was, something told me I had to take this opportunity.”

“But… as a classical musician trained at Juilliard… why this job? I just can’t get it.”

“Well… I’ve known for a very long time that the music of baroque era is in which I’m the most interested. It’s, you know, a passion to me, it’s like punk was to you. And if you want to be really good at it, you have to go to the place where it comes from. Here in the States, you can basically hear nothing that was written before Mozart.”

“Europe?”

“Exactly. So in my senior year, I applied for a scholarship of the music academy in Leipzig.”

“And…?”

“And I won it.”

“So you studied in Europe too?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Why?”

“Because my father died a few months before I graduated and the small firm he ran died with him… it was a very complicated period so I asked the academy if I could postpone it by one year.”

He’s chewing his lower lip and speaks up only after digesting for a few seconds what he’s just heard.

“And they refused your application?”

“No, they sent me a kind acceptation letter in which they cited their scholarship regulation that said postponement is allowed once. So I moved back to Seattle and started teaching.”

“Oh. I guess something came up one year later too.”

“Well yeah, my sister’s almost dying, that came up.”

He exhales with a deep sigh, I have the feeling he already knew all the details, he just couldn’t do the math. Maybe Karrie told him our family saga. I don’t mind, though, I don’t feel like telling him those stories either…

“Well, that’s a lot… but it also sounds like… you gave up your dreams.”

Now it’s me who can’t do anything else but shrug.

“Maybe… or maybe, it was just a warning from the universe. I’m not religious but I do believe that everything happens with a reason, maybe you can’t find it out ever because it’s something bigger than you or your shitty little life. My family needed me and they still do, or at least they need my two hands I can make money with so… plus, I’ve always been terrified of performing. I have worst stage fright, I doubt I would be able to conduct in the spotlight of the world’s biggest concert halls… anyways… have you ever heard about famous, female conductors?”

“Normally, I’d say you’re a coward and you should follow your dreams but I understand the family factor, of course. And I don’t want to act like a hypocrite either, I could have looked for another graphic design program too when mine was canceled in Missula.”

“But changed your dream instead.”

“Exactly. And maybe that’s what you should do too if universe or God or Buddha or the spirit of Johann Sebastian Bach is trying to message you that you picked the wrong dream.”

“Are you trying to say I should switch my brain to believe loading shitty vans and smelling Scully’s and Schmitty’s stinky feet is my real dream?” I giggle.

“If that’s your way, than go for it, girl!” he plays the overly enthusiastic motivational trainer. We crack up but none of us is laughing heartfelt. His face finds finally rest in a genuine, encouraging smile. “Let’s raise our glasses to the new dreams!”

We both reach our hands to clink our imaginary glasses.

“To the new dreams!”

***

I’ve been on the road with them for days and nothing. Not a single move or a sound that’d confirm we’re following the right traces. And I’m thirsty. So thirsty. But they are so envious, I know they are hiding spare water in their stupid spacesuits or what but they claim they have nothing to share. Sure. I would never drink recycled pee, anyway. But those two moons look pretty cool, the night sky compensates me for every inconvenience I’ve experienced since we started chasing that gross sandworm… everything for the melange…

However important my mission is, it gets interrupted by three quick, impatient knocks on the door.

“You’ve been shitting in there for forty-two minutes! I know you’ve finished and you’re just reading! I have to pee! Get the fuck out of there! Why do you have to do this all the time?”

Maybe because this is the only place where I can have some progress with my current reading undisturbed? I reluctantly close the hardcover volume of Frank Herbert’s Dune and glance lazily at my wristwatch.

“First of all, it’s been only forty minutes. Second, it’s shorter than a blink of an eye, if you measure it in cosmic time. Not even applicable.”

“Okay, I can use astronomical metaphors too. My bladder is a red giant that is about to explode so…”

“I’m coming, I’m coming, geez, urinary incontinence? You should see a urologist.” I remark opening the door. He basically tosses me out of is his way and almost slams it on my nose.

“It’s rather you who should see a doctor, fuck, Stone, what did you eat? Uuugh, I’m dying.” I hear his muffled indignation.

I lie down on my bed and stuff the pillow under my nape. I turn the pages back and forth for a few times until find the place where I was before Mike kicked me out. So, back to those goddamn pervert Fremen fuckers…

I barely manage to read a few lines, when Mike comes back and throws himself on his bed, unmuting the TV that is showing underdressed ladies caressing their own body and telling their erotic fantasies in seductive voice. I clear my throat. No reaction. I do it again, this time longer and louder. Nothing.

“Sorry, am I bothering?” I ask sharply but our guitarist seems to be completely immersed in the curves. “Okay, busted. I know you only went to the toilet to jerk off. You only watch Playboy TV and noname porn channels, you really need to get laid.”

“Done, last night. Remember?” he answers slowly and mindlessly, his eyes are still glued to the screen.

“No, because I wasn’t there, thank God.”

“You’re just envious because you have to practice celibacy, otherwise Amber would cut your balls off.”

I squint at the girls over my book.

“Not that I feel tempted. Jesus, I’m sick of these… udders…”

“Hey, watch your mouth! Those ladies deserve more respect! Especially her!” he points at the blonde, blue-eyed, busty woman on the screen who is dropping her lingerie standing at a bath tub.

“Why, who is she?” I look back at the text in front of me, not that I understand a word of it. Since I receive no answer I turn my head towards Mike only to see he sat up in the meantime and stares at me offended. “What? I have no idea.”

“That’s Shannon Tweed!!!” he flails outraged.

“… who is…?”

“Who is a goddess, Playmate of the Year in 1982 and last but not least, the girlfriend of Gene Simmons!”

“Oh. So she’s old as dirt.” I summarize laconically.

“Stone, what’s wrong with you? What’s wrong with her? What’s wrong with big boobs? I thought you liked them… I mean, you are the guy who’s entitled to do anything with Seattle’s most spectacular pair of bosoms so…”

“Hey, you’re talking about my girlfriend!” I grunt.

“I’m talking about your girlfriend’s tits!”

“Exactly, that’s it! Don’t talk about my girlfriend’s tits! Anyway, how do you know what they look like?”

“Hey, first, I’m only talking about them. It’s called freedom of speech, First Amendment…”

“What the fuck, parts of the Constitution are printed now on beer tags or did I miss something?”

“…second, it is very difficult not to know what they look like, they basically poke your eyes out!”

“Only talking, ‘course.”

“Certain female anatomical features attract men’s eyes, it’s in our genetic code. Don’t even try to make me believe those features had nothing to do with you ending up with her. Wait!” he exclaims with a finger snapping. “Oh, I get it already. You miss her! That’s why you can’t stand the playmates on TV! But you could have said, it’s not a shame…”

“Dr. ‘Cready, expert of constitutional law and anatomy, psychotherapist. I’ve just said I don’t feel tempted…”

“Because those boobs” he points at the screen “are forbidden fruit and remind you of those boobs in Seattle.”

“You’re pointing in the wrong direction, Michael. You’re pointing at boobs in Indiana.”

“Whatever. You miss her, admit it. My boobies are over the ocean, my boobies are over the sea…”

“Stop!”

“My boobies are over the ocean so bring back my boobies to me…”

“Shut the fuck up!”

“BRING BAAACK, BRING BAAACK, BRING BACK MY BOOBIES TO ME, TO MEEEE!”

“I’m only saying that even huge breasts can be boring after a while.” I overshout his off-key singing.

Mike suddenly stops singing and just blinks at me completely frozen.

“You mean… you want to leave Amber?”

“Jesus, what did I do to deserve this?” I bury my face in my hands. “I mean… imagine your favorite food!”

“But that’s… risotto…?”

“Perfect!”

“But risotto doesn’t look like boobs!”

“Jesus, of course not, just imagine it!”

“Okay. Mmmh, it looks delicious. I can even feel its smell.” he moans with closed eyes.

“So you want to eat risotto now, right?”

“Oh yeah, I want it more than anything.”

“And if you could… or had to eat risotto every single day, would you feel the same?”

“Uhm, probably… not.” he opens his eyes.

“And here we are. If you’re in the position where you can play with huge breasts every day, it’s not such a big deal anymore.”

“Hm, makes sense…” he lies back. “But wait!” he sits up quickly again.

“What?”

“In that case, risotto wouldn’t be my favorite food anymore.”

“Yeah, probably…”

Congrats Sherlock. I drop my book on the nightstand, by now, I basically gave up all hope for finishing the chapter I was reading.

“But that means that you prefer small boobs now!”

“I didn’t say that but obviously, smaller tits have their appeal too. And there are girls who would look ridiculous with big breasts.”

My mind begins to wander involuntarily… Yeah, Amber is a bombshell and she drives me crazy whenever she’s around but I’ve always had a thing for more fragile looking girls…

“Who are you thinking about?” Mike asks greedily like a curious puppy.

“Jesus, no one.” I scoff frowning. “I mean, very slim girls look better with… proportionate breasts, you know, like small apples…”

I catch myself cupping my hands, what the hell, am I honking imaginable tits in the air? Okay, I have to talk to Eric to fly Amber here, I’m going to put an end to this, I’m pathetic.

“Say an example!”

What? I don’t know whom I was thinking about, I don’t even know if I was thinking about an existing person, maybe I was just fantasizing about freaky phantom breasts, I couldn’t even see them, it was just a desirable cleavage… and round hips… and shapely thighs…

“I can’t!”

“Just say an example, I don’t know, someone famous who looks like that, or someone who we both know…”

“Kylie Minogue?” I groan in agony. Hopefully I satisfied Mike’s need for a new protagonist for his erotic dreams because he only nods with an appreciative pout.

The ringing of the phone on the bedside between us interrupts our intellectual conversation and we both stare at the device surprised and confused for a few seconds, it’s usually us who call family members and friends, not the other way around. Finally, I decide to pick up.

“It’s Stone.”

“…” No one answers but I can hear some indistinct noises coming from the other end of the line.

“Hello… who’s that? Wo am I talking to?” I ask, and Mike pulls closer to the speaker of the receiver too.

“Ah… excuse me… I must have dialed the wrong number… you’re obviously not the Notre Dame Hunchbach…” an old female voice answers.

What the hell? Is this a prank call? Old people make phone pranks too?

“Who?” I mouth to Mike who mouths “Judy” as a response. Ah, yes. She also chose a codename, not that anyone is interested in her. “You’re talking to Dr. Hugh Jeego, but who am I talking to?”

“Ah, you must be Mr. Gossard. I’m Mrs. Albertson, Judy’s grandma.”

I almost drop the receiver.

“Ugh… uhm… hi, Mrs. Albertson, it’s nice to meet you… I mean, even if not in person but… I guess you wanted to call Judy so…” I make an attempt to finish this awkward intermezzo but she cuts me off.

“Actually, I am glad that I can talk with my Judy’s new colleague, this job is so different in comparison to what she worked earlier, you know, she taught in a school…”

“Yeah, I know…”

“…and now she’s with a rock band, and there are so many rumors about musicians, they drink and do drugs and…”

“We… we don��t drink… that much… not before shows…” I answer and Mike nods approvingly opening a beer can with a loud fizz. “… and we prefer herbs…”

“And mushrooms…” Mike adds.

“Shut up, you ruin everything!” I hiss between my teeth while I cover the microphone with my palm.

“Who was that?”

“It was… it was Mike, our lead guitarist.”

“Ah, Mr. McCready!”

Mike pats his chest proudly.

“Exactly, Mr. McCready…” I flip him the bird.

“I hope my Judy takes care of herself, she tends to become obsessed with work, she even forgets to eat… does she eat properly?”

“I’ve… I’ve seen her eating… so I guess she does…” I try to reassure her but I’m afraid I don’t sound very convincing; after all, the eating habits of Miss Smarty Pants don’t belong to my main interests.

“I wish she ate more, she’s so skinny, isn’t she?”

“She is… I mean, she’s slim. But like… not too slim. Her body is proportionate… I mean, physically, anatomically… her shape is feminine…  and when I say “feminine” I mean she’s not malnourished…” I babble and the small apple tits appear in front of my eyes again, Jesus, I’ve started losing my sanity… For some reason, Mike feels necessary to grab the receiver and yell a gratuitous, cheesy tirade into it.

“My learned colleague is trying to say that she’s a very pretty young lady, with all the respect, of course. She’s the most virtuous girl I know, she behaves well, you can be proud of her, Mrs. Albertson.”

Yes, Mrs. Albertson, exactly, your grandchild behaves well, she brought condoms only enough for a whole fuckin’ football team, safety first… I snatch the receiver out of Mike’s hand and lift it back to my ear but before I could finally get rid of the old lady, the TV catches my attention. While we were listening to the phone call, the harmless playmate fantasies ended and the channel started airing hardcore porn. And either was the petting part very short or it didn’t even exist since the “characters” are pretty much in the middle of things and before we could react anything to avoid the disaster, the actress starts screaming rhythmically.

“What was that noise? Are women with you too?” the old woman inquires suspiciously.

“Turn down the volume, for fuck’s sake!!!” I scream-whisper to Mike.

“No, we’re alone, Mrs. Albertson… we’re just watching TV… Murder She Wrote, someone is being killed!” Mike improvises aggressively poking the remote. “It’s not working…” he groans with a miserable expression.

“Oh, I like that show… which episode? Maybe I turn on the TV to watch it too...”

If you knew… In the meantime the man starts moaning too so the obvious noises grow even louder.

“Oh, the murderer is being killed too!” I try to win some time for Mike, I admit, it wasn’t the most creative lie I’ve ever said…

“I’m saying it’s not working, it must be contact failure or low battery…” he explains beating the remote against his palm at full strength, creating a counterpart to the sound of the bodies snapping against each other on the screen.

“It’s the episode about the slasher.” I maintain the conversation and then address Mike again. “Then use the power button on the TV device or throw it the fuck out of the window, I don’t care, just do something!!!”

“Ah, great idea!” his face lights up and finally, he walks to the TV and turns it off. I swear, I thought for a second he was going to choose the window version, like Keith Moon. I’m sure he was considering it but found the box too heavy.

“It’s over…“ I transmit to Mrs. Albertson.

“It ended with a cliffhanger, what a shame…” Mike remarks and I can barely suppress my snorts.

“I hope for a happy ending…” I grin, Mike presses his pillow against his face, while the poor lady obviously doesn’t even know what to say. After a few seconds of silent, body-shaking laughter, he rearranges his face muscles and takes the receiver away from me.

“It was a pleasure to meet to you, Mrs. Albertson. Judy is a great girl and as far as we know, Effie too, please, hug her for us. I hope we can meet you in person too, when we get back.”

“I admit, I’m relieved, I want you to know I think you are just darling guys. And now, I call the Notre Dame Hunchbach, as I intended to. Goodnight, Mr. Gossard, Mr. McCready.”

“Goodnight, Mrs. Albertson.” we sing in unison.

After I hang up the phone, we stare at each other silently for long moments, before we burst out laughing hysterically.

***

Great. She’s late. She promised she’d be waiting for me at the bar counter at 9 p.m. I’m doing the third circle in this goddamn place and she’s nowhere to be found. Okay, RCKNDY is actually my favorite place and I was happy when Krisha offered to meet me here to unveil Kelly’s and Susan’s “great idea” about which I only know at this moment that it concerns my photos. The cigarette smoke irritates my throat and some unknown band is in the middle of sound check on the stage, the indistinct guitar noises and the female lead singer’s instructions blast at random moments from the speakers causing me mild heart attack every single time and making the crowd members overyell them. Despite the early hour, the place is packed; I can barely struggle through the mass of flannel-wearing guys and girls. Early hour… what am I talking… now that my lifestyle converges on clinical death, both metaphorically and literally, I usually spend my evenings in front of the TV wearing my pajamas. It’s good Krisha picked this day, Mom is working at that new side job again so I didn’t have to make anything up to prevent her from asking suspicious questions.

I visited the restroom to kill some time but it just made me frustrated all the more since I involuntarily became the audience of a bunch of girls, one of them was gushing about the kissing skills of her current crush… gah, I can’t believe I turned into this sour bitch, just because I’ll end up as a spinster, she’s entitled to have some fun…

Almost fifteen minutes have passed by and she still hasn’t shown up yet. I can’t hang out with Victor either, he’s helping with putting the finishing touches at the sound check. I guess I have to wait then. I pick a bar stool and try to decipher the list of beverages on the wall.

“What can I get for you?” a red-haired bartender girl asks. Her question catches me off-guard, since my good old answer “beer” hasn’t been an option for a while and I didn’t have enough time to consider the alternatives. She’s chewing gum with a bored face, reminding me of a ruminant… a hot ruminant.

“Uhm… I… ugh, I haven’t…” I jabber and she reacts with an impatient eyeroll, the countless bracelets are clinking around her wrist as she runs her fingers through her red mane.

“I’d like to have a virgin mojito.” I utter the first thing that comes to mind. She acknowledges my choice with a scornful scoff… Yeah, in case I haven’t felt embarrassed enough yet, she makes obvious that she’s the sexy and cool femme fatale and I’m a straight-edge cripple in a boring, worn, brown jacket.

“Hey, here you are!” someone grabs my shoulders.

“Me? I’ve been waiting for you for like… hours?” I frown while Krisha settles down on the bar stool next to me and places her beer on the counter.

“Gosh, sorry!” her eyes pop as she checks her wristwatch. “I arrived too early and went to the executive office to meet a few friends.” she points at some people talking in front of a door that probably belongs to the office rooms. “That’s Alex, he runs this place, he’s a good friend of Stone, by the way. And that girl next to him works here too, she’s the girlfriend of Regan.”

I observe the girl she’s talking about, she has a nice, bright smile. Fantastic. Krisha knows everyone here… and I have no idea who these people are, and by the way, I’m nobody.

“Regan?” I furrow my eyebrows. “It’s a unique name, I swear I’ve heard it but I can’t place it…”

“He’s also an old friend of mine. And of Stone of course. You might know his name because he played in Malfunkshun with Andy. I mean Andy Wood.”

“Wood.” we say the name at once. “Of course I know his name, I didn’t grow up in a cave…” I explain, maybe in a sharper tone than intended.

“Oookay… “ she raises both hands defensively. “Actually, Regan almost became the drummer of Mother Love Bone, until they replaced him with Greg Gilmore. They made Stone fire him, I was thinking “okay, that’s it, he’s gonna hate us forever” but somehow, he managed to convince him by using logical reasons. If you ever want to fire a drummer, just call him because he’s your guy.” she nods meaningfully and takes a sip of her beer.

“Based on my sister’s opinion, drummers probably leave the band willingly, after having spent some time with him.” I remark dryly. “Thank you.” I reach for my drink and slide the money towards the phlegmatic redhead. I suppress a smile when I see her realizing with disappointed face that I spared the tip. What was she thinking, seriously?

“Oh yes, I forgot your sister and you sew Stone-shaped voodoo dolls in your spare time. By the way, Regan has played with a guy called Shawn for a few years, he’s a huge talent. The dude is a Prince-freak, which is somehow odd in a city where you can’t make a single step without stomping on a distortion pedal but he’s an awesome singer. AND they are planning to jam with Stone as soon as he gets back. I can give you the address of their rehearsal room in case you want to assassinate him…”

“No, thanks, I already know where he lives so…”

“Right!” she slaps herself in the forehead.

“Anyway, can I finally learn why we’re here?”

“Soon. We’re waiting for someone… I’m going to introduce you to someone… who has a job offer for you!”

“Wow… let me guess… healthcare branch has discovered me and they want me to be the face of some firm’s dialyzer portfolio?” I squint at her as I loudly slurp my cocktail.

“Damn, you nailed it!” she bangs her fist against the counter. “Anyway, I’m not going to tell you anything until she arrives, you need to be punished for the self-deprecating joke.”

“Spank me…” I mumble but my retort stays unnoticed since Krisha stares in an indefinite direction next to me sending an enthusiastic wave towards someone.

“Look, Jer is here too.” she points at the target of her smile and I follow her gaze only to recognize Jerry Cantrell… he’s wearing black jeans and a black leather jacket with a white tee.

“Wait… didn’t… didn’t you mention… I mean, you dated, didn’t you?” I ask confused, trying to form coherent sentences. It’s not going well.

“Yeah, we did.” she wiggles her eyebrows.

“But exes are supposed to hate each other…” I try not to turn around too obviously, so I remove a non-existing hair from the shoulder part of my jacket. While he’s slowly walking through the crowd, I notice he’s holding hands with a long, brown-haired girl. She has a perfect body and she’s probably completely aware of it since the tight leather pants highlight every curves of her. Sure, a 10/10 chick for a 10/10 guy, that’s how world has always worked… His hair is let down… I catch myself smiling, Dad insisted on calling him Rapunzel…

“It was just a summer fling and we realized after a few dates that we weren’t made for each other. So no one got hurt.” she shrugs. “Anyway, we share the building with the management of Alice in Chains so we knew we would run into each other all the time. The music scene of this city it’s like a big, incestuous family so…”

We both crack up.

“Oh no…” she sighs annoyed, staring over me again. I don’t know what’s going on in her head but it must have to do something with another twenty-eight people I’ve never met. “DON’T TURN AROUND!” she yells at me when I try to check the cause of her reaction.

“Why, what’s…?”

“It’s too late, I guess she’s already noticed us… or hasn’t she? Bow your head…” she leans on the counter, letting her hair cover her face.

“What the fuck?”

“I said bow your head… avoid eye contact… shit, I don’t have the nerves for this right now…”

“Krisha? Oh my god, it’s you, I haven’t seen you for ages!” I hear a powerful female voice from behind my back.

“Oh, hi Amber, it’s nice to see you!” Krisha groans with a painful smile, lifting her head and letting herself be pulled in a half-embrace resigned. I have to bite my lips to prevent myself from giggling since she sends a cross-eyed grimace to me over the girl’s shoulder. So she must be Stone’s Amber.

“Hey, are you here with your little friend?”

And that must be me. I involuntarily straighten up as much as I can but despite the high bar stool, I’m still shorter than her in her heels. I wonder if Red peed into these ones too… Now that I’m checking her out properly, I realize somehow she doesn’t belong here. Mini dress, heels, perfect makeup… That’d be Stone’s type?

“Uhm, this is Effie, she’s the sister of the band’s new monitor engineer…”

“Ah, Julie, you see, I know everything…” she knocks on his temple with her index finger a few times. “I’m Stoney’s girlfriend.” she grabs my hand and shakes it aggressively. I don’t correct her, I just exchange a quick look with Krisha, her eyes confirm that it wouldn’t make sense anyway.

“And… are you going to stay for the gig too?” Krisha nods towards the stage after a few moments of awkward silence.

“Oh, no, I’m going partying with my girls, I just checked in, I wanted to say hi to Alex and ask him for a favor. We’re organizing a grunge-themed fashion show and this place would be a perfect place for it.”

“A what?”

Krisha’s face radiates shock and disgust at the same time.

“You know, this grunge thing is blowing up, the firm is about to launch a collection, you know, flannel shirts, jackets, shorts with leggings, so we’re looking for a grungy place to present it…” she explains with huge hand moves. As she begins to explain the details of her brilliant idea, I get immediately distracted. Not only because my mind is desperately trying to ignore this nonsense but because I spot Leather Pants Chick at the same sport were Alex and his colleague were standing a few minutes ago. Only a few seconds pass by until her partner arrives too, he immediately pulls her closer by her hips as he leans against the wall… they engage into a make-out session without hesitation. Jerry digs his fingers into her hair and as things are getting more intense, his hands slowly wander along her back until they reach and firmly grab their destination…

I swear it wasn’t so hot in here when I arrived, I can feel my face is burning, I’m sweating like I was in hell… Yeah, being forced to watch a hot guy smooching with a girl who isn’t you but in exchange, is much prettier than you, that’s how I imagine the first circle of hell. I can barely peel myself out of my jacket, my elbow gets stuck when Amber grabs its sleeve. I’m still a little dazed-off and stare at her expressionlessly while I’m trying to pick up the threads of conversation.

“...exactly like this one, thrift clothes are so trendy now, where did you get this one?”

She shakes the sleeve of my jacket impatiently, making me realize that’s what she’s talking about. Should I tell her the truth? That it’s not from a thrift shop, that it’s original, that Judy and I pooled the money we earned at our summer jobs together and made an agreement about taking turns on wearing it six years ago?

“I can’t… can’t remember…” I manage an effortless answer.

“You have a great taste, we three should do a thrift store tour together.” she rants on.

“Totally.” Krisha tries to seem enthusiastic but she rather reminds me of a snarling serial killer.

“Okay, I have to go, oh my god, I’m late and I haven’t even talked to Alex. We could hang out in the city next week, call me, Krish! And bring your new friend too!” she winks at me. “See you, later girls!” she finally leaves us alone, the quick tapping of heels echoes in my head even after she has disappeared behind the office door. Krisha grabs her glass and drinks its content for one sip.

“Ah, I feel much better now.” she sighs. “I’m afraid my phone is about to die. I may not be able to make phone calls for a while.”

I snort into my drink.

“I must say, she’s not the girl I’d imagine as Stone’s girlfriend.”

“Trust me, she’s not the girl whom anyone would imagine as his girlfriend. But seeing them together is always like a free circus ticket, it’s pretty funny, especially when you have coke and popcorn too.”

“Sooo… where’s the mysterious person who we’re waiting for?” I look around, although I have no clue what physical characteristics I should look for, I don’t even know if we’re talking about a man or a woman. As my gaze slowly wanders around the room, I admit to myself unwillingly, that I exactly know what I’m looking for. Long, blonde hair, black leather jacket and a white shirt. The realization makes me blush, I feel like in those good old high school days, trying to casually encounter my current crush who doesn’t even know I exist. Why am I like this all the time? Why? I’m such an idiot…

“Okay, I check Alex’s office, maybe we misunderstood each other and she went in without me noticing her. And I’m sure Alex needs some spiritual support too, the recovery will be tough for him. Do you wanna come?”

“No, I… I’d rather wait here.” I answer quickly, flushing, I’m stupid, stupid, stupid… “So it’s a she?” I shout after Krisha but she just waves me off laughing.

So… what was I thinking? I could have join her and meet her cool friends but I chose to drink here alone, not that I don’t feel lonely enough. And I ran out of drink in the meantime too… I want to procrastinate the next round until the other, friendlier bartender shows up again but unfortunately, the red-haired demon spots my empty glass and elbows on the counter opposite me with a challenging, patronizing smile.

“May I bring you a next lemonade?”

I’m about to snap back but a pleasant male voice over my head makes me change my mind.

“One more of this, whatever it is. And the lady is my guest.”

[tkmedia]

England's run down to Southgate, players breaking away from the past

12:10 PM ETAfter nearly a quarter-century living in England and covering the national team for much of that time, I can tell you that this run to the semifinal feels different. (In a good way, I hasten to add, though obviously that does not mean they will win Euro 2020 because, history shows, they usually do not end up with a trophy.)Make no mistake about it, some things are the same. Few countries, at least among the "bigger" nations," have the ability to go from ecstasy to dejection based on a single result, for example.Win and you will hear pundits and fans -- at least those who make the most noise -- talk about how, deep down, England can beat anyone and how everyone with Three Lions on their shirt is "world class" or, as they like to say, "thereabouts." Lose and they are inept no-hopers at best, a spoiled, ungrateful bunch of disinterested stains on the national character at worse.This is not to say media and supporters in other countries do not get carried away when they excel, or turn into angry villagers with pitchforks and torches when they underperform. They certainly do; it is just that there is not normally the 180-degree turnaround from game to game.But while that part has not changed about England, what has is a lot to do with the man leading the team, Gareth Southgate, and a little to do with the sort of players who comprise his squad. Here are five ways in which this side is different.- Euro 2020 on ESPN: Stream LIVE games, replays (U.S.) - European Soccer Pick 'Em: Compete to win $10,000 - Euro 2020 bracket and fixture schedule

1. Southgate is likeable and humble and normal

England's manager is probably more relatable than any of his seven permanent predecessors. Let's remind ourselves that the list includes a guy who lost his job after saying he believed in reincarnation and that the disabled were being punished for sins in a former life (Glenn Hoddle), a guy who quit out of the blue in a post-game interview at Wembley (Kevin Keegan), a guy who had an affair with an Football Association employee and who was duped by a man dressed as a wealthy Sheikh (Sven Goran Eriksson), a guy who quit because the FA forced him to strip his captain of the armband (Fabio Capello) and a guy who had to leave after a single game because of an undercover sting that saw him talk about "by-passing rules" to register players (Sam Allardyce).Now, there is context and another side to all of the above and none of it means the aforementioned were worse managers than Southgate; in fact, from a purely footballing perspective, most were arguably better. But it does mean that the current England boss has managed to avoid controversy and drama to a degree that others did not. Moreover, he has done it while being humble and earnest, traits that folks find appealing.

2. Southgate is not unduly influenced by the media

Whether it is playing Kieran Trippier at left-back (and not playing Ben Chilwell at all), sticking with Kalvin Phillips in midfield, making Raheem Sterling a fixture or starting Bukayo Saka against Germany, Southgate has made a series of decisions that most might describe as well outside popular wisdom. The same popular wisdom, that is, which compelled previous managers to shoehorn Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and, occasionally, Paul Scholes into the same midfield.Nor does Southgate freak out when performances leave critics unsatisfied, like the 0-0 draw against Scotland or the second half against Czech Republic in the group stage, the latter of which saw England contrive to register 0.0 Expected Goals (which is frankly difficult to do).He has a plan, he sticks to it and he knows that, while short-term he might be judged by how well his teams play (and therefore risk a media battering), long-term he will be judged by how far they advance in tournaments (and, so far, so good).Southgate gets a basic concept that others seem to miss: Club football -- with its 38-game league season -- generally rewards teams that attack and play well, creating more than they concede. Tournament football, on the other hand, is a different animal, where risk-taking is discouraged.France won at the last World Cup by essentially sitting deep, not conceding and waiting for superstars at the other end to do something special. England have not quite gone that far -- and may not, given Philips is no Paul Pogba, Declan Rice is no N'Golo Kante, Sterling is no Antoine Griezmann and there is not a Kylian Mbappe in sight -- but the concept is not dissimilar.Gareth Southgate's approach has resulted in a squad that is at ease in tournament situations. Getty Images

3. England's players look like they want to be there

After most tournament disappointments in past years, the English media would run their inquests about what went wrong. This would be a familiar process. The coach's decisions would be criticised (always) and, usually, there would be a grand theory, sometimes involving an individual scapegoat, like David Beckham in 1998 or David Seaman in 2002 or Wayne Rooney most of the time, and sometimes noting a collective dereliction of duty.Inevitably, another of the sub-themes to come up was whether these players really wanted to wear the Three Lions and whether there were internecine rivalries that ripped the group apart. Eriksson famously remarked how players would eat and hang out with their club teammates, other managers have talked about how players felt "less protected" with England than at club level and others still noted how players felt it was a "chore," given the environment around the national team.And when things went awry, there was, punctual as ever, a story making its way into the national media. Maybe, if England get beaten by Denmark on Wednesday (3 p.m. ET, LIVE on ESPN), the cycle will be repeated.I don't think so, though, because there were none after the World Cup semifinal defeat to Croatia in 2018 and every indication is that, unlike past expeditions, there is no poison in this England camp. Credit for that goes not just to Southgate, but also to this group of players.

4. This group has the right blend of leaders and foot soldiers

2 RelatedThere is no question that, in terms of strength in depth, particularly in attacking positions, this England is as strong as any non-French speaking team in Europe. But there is also humility to the players Southgate has entrusted most over the past few weeks. There are very few alpha male, eyes-on-me, superstar types among the regulars, compared to yesteryear.Rice, Phillips and Jordan Pickford watch the Champions League on TV. The three Man City players are important to their club side without being indispensable, partly because of Pep Guardiola's strong collective ethos, partly because of the talent around them. Mason Mount is not an A-lister yet. Luke Shaw plays for Man United, but has had his share of setbacks. Harry Maguire is a natural leader, but was at Hull City until the age of 24.The one exception is Harry Kane, who has been carrying Tottenham on his back for many years, but in terms of ego and personality, he will not be mistaken for Zlatan Ibrahimovic any time soon. It is a blue-collar team for a blue-collar style of play, with plenty of talent and game-changers rotating in and out from the bench, whether it's Jadon Sancho or Phil Foden or Jack Grealish or Saka. This is not a side built around two or three individuals -- arguably, Kane apart, though even then you saw him go for long stretches with no service and he did not complain -- and that makes it different.

5. Success breeds success and confidence

This also feels different for the simple reason that many of the players know what national-team success looks like. England have reached the semifinals of major tournaments just six times, with Southgate and much of this this squad having done it twice, just like Sir Alf Ramsey and Co. in 1966 and 1968.England had gone more than 20 years without reaching the last four of a competition, before Southgate took them there in Russia. It does not mean the pressure is off, but it is not insignificant, because once a cycle begins, it is hard to slow down.Once you have experience actually achieving something meaningful, it becomes easier to do it again. This England team does not play with swagger, but the players do seem to have a quiet confidence. And that can be even more important.Southgate's England have managed to break the feedback loop of drama and disappointment. Not by necessarily playing better football or by having better players -- at least in terms of the ones who actually make it on to the pitch -- but in the way they carry themselves and the way the environment in the camp projects beyond them.It may not be entirely down to the manager. It may be the players. It may be the fans and the media who, after 18 months of pandemic, are just a little more chilled out and happy and wanting to highlight the positives.It also may or may not be enough to win the Euros, but it is a darn sight different from the past. Read the full article

[jessieleaf]

GENCON 2017 (Part 3)

Saturday: (The long post that is basically a blog post)

(Like...This is really long, but super interesting. So much happened and I want to share it all with you guys. I let you know when you can drop off after I relay my interactions with the cast, but if ye be brave enough, there was so much more that happened in that day and I encourage you to keep reading and ask me any questions about it.)

Pretty much describes my costume for that day.

I was super nervous about this costume, especially with how sheer the shirt was and how much it revealed. When my mom first took it out of the box, I couldn’t believe that this little thing was supposed to be what I was going to wear to the con.

Wardrobe malfunctions were bound to happen, so I had to get comfortable with the idea that yeah, some people might catch a peak at a little more than you had wanted them to, but in the end I decided that I really didn’t care. I’d prevent what I could and accept the inevitable. Also, in the Indianapolis humidity, this top was super breezy and comfortable, so I rolled with it and wore the thing proudly. I looked super sexy in it too, so that helped. (And if you are wondering, I had something on under the top, so nothing terrible would have shown in case of a malfunction).

The wings were from a company called Isis (no relation to the extreme terrorist organization) and were extremely fun to dance about in. The skirts took the longest to find/make since I was looking for a specific kind of wrap but hadn’t realized the name of what I needed was a sarong. The gold fabric is store bought, which I used to make the gold layer on the skirt and the bracers. We also used a little on the collar of the wings, just to make the colors blend more. Fun Fact: I wore the same shoes @gatherthewords​ did the previous day for her Allura costume.

We woke up that morning around nine pretty groggily (heh), as it was the day right after the live show. Halfway through getting ready, Chris began to realize that she’d lost something last night. Her wallet was nowhere to be found. She couldn’t go to the party without her Id. She couldn’t leave the state. She’d be stuck in Indiana until she either found it or got a temporary ID from the DMV or went through an interrogation process at the airport so that security could make sure she was who she said she was.

We eventually reasoned that since she had bought food from the theatre last night, it was probably either there, or in our Uber driver’s car. The theatre had another show that night, but didn’t open until later in the day around 5 pm. So, with a plan in mind to go searching for it after spending the day at the convention, we got ready and headed out around 11:45 to Lucas Oil Stadium to wait in line for the Critical Role signing with the cast. (Fun Fact: I did bring tea cups and little saucers for our cosplay for the fandom headcanon gag, but I forgot them at the house when we left.)

We put on the finishing touches to our costumes outside the Stadium and I tested out my wings for the first time. As expected, this happened.

Yep. Just as expected.

We headed inside and found the line, where there were about 15 or so people lined up who had tickets and several other hopefuls without. We met http://tieflingofcolor.tumblr.com (sorry the @ wouldn’t work) and popped a squat next to her. It was only 12:30 by this time and the signing was at three, but I had plenty to keep me occupied. 

(gif by @mobius_strip on twitter)

Then we took a lot of pictures. I won’t post all, but here are the best.

(Sarenrae and the Raven Queen had too much wine last night)

We then started to see the line form, and I saw some Pikes. I got very excited. Very Excited. 

I wouldn’t be Sarenrae if I didn’t fangirl over my favorite girl.

@arielleishere and @janebooks showed up, with Arielle still rocking the Ka’Varn cosplay. She killed it all weekend with that costume yo. We chatted, danced, took more pictures, and welcomed the cosplayers and fans that started to gather for the signing. 

Then Frank and Alex appeared, you know, the two dudes from Thursday that I met in line for one of Matt’s panels. Chris went to chat with them while I posed for pictures, and she got Frank’s players handbook for Matt to sign, since she herself didn’t have much for the cast to sign. 

Then...the cast showed up. Like...it makes your heart go a-flutter when you have them so close, wandering about, within arm’s reach but separated by a barrier. 

I get like everyone else, even though I try desperately to play it off. I try to convince myself with a “HEY THEY ARE NORMAL PEOPLE PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER AND HAVE A GOOD CONVERSATION WITH THEM,” pep talk, but you know how that goes. Never really works. 

The cast was looking up at the cosplayers in the stands when they first arrived, but I was able to catch Matt’s eye with a wave and hello, and his face...fucking lit up. Like that man’s smile sent me reeling backwards into the astral plane. I grabbed my wings and did a little demonstration and Sarenrae help me he looked so happy. The crowd behind me oohed a little so I tried my best to get visible for them and waved my wings about. I really don’t know how many of the cast saw me do that other than Taliesin. No one told me how they reacted, and I was too focused on Matt yelling to me and Chris “You look amazing!” I don’t remember exactly, but I do remember Taliesin complimenting us as well. My flipping heart was going to start doing palpitations.

We waited a bit after for the cast to get ready (Most of them were rolling to see what beholder ray they got hit by with @arielleishere ‘s cosplay and Sam had gone over to give @cowboybootsandhuntershelper the biggest hug for her Scanlan sitting on Bigby’s hand cosplay). When they started to let people filter in, they had one line waiting to sign up with their emails for the Scanlan de-call stickers and covers, while others could just go straight through if they didn’t want it. I had no need for the stickers (probably upset my roommate for not grabbing them) so...much to my dismay, we were  one of the first people to go up and get stuff signed. And Matt was first.

I had one image I wanted to get signed, after quite a bit of deliberation.

I had cleaned up this image (Which I shall post later when I find a scanner big enough to support it) and knew that most of the cast had probably not seen it. It didn’t do well on Twitter like I had wanted it to, and I had spent far too long and had lost too many hours of sleep to not see this image get the proper respect it fucking deserved (it did ok on Tumblr. More people here watch Steven Universe and enjoyed the cross-over.) Also, I made a promise to @the-jonesy that I would say hello to Liam for them, since they were bummed they couldn’t go. Then, when I realized that I would only have one item for the entire cast to sign, I doubled down and offered to bring an image for Liam to sign. Jonesy provided the wonderfully angsty art, and I got it signed.

Ok, back to me freaking out. 

I was laughing and joking around up until that point when one of the geek & sundry officials ushered us forward. I was even teasing Chris because her face was basically expressing how I felt on the inside. Then I got closer to Matt and my heart leapt into my throat. My hands started to shake and I turned to Chris and basically went “ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh there he is.”

Matt, as I’m sure you will all agree, is probably the most respected and one of the most prominent cast members. He is kind, open, accepting, lovable, nerdy, and to me, the kind of person I’d love to be best friends with. I admire his work and everything he puts his heart into, and wish nothing but happiness for him. 

I remember walking up and smiling, saying “Hi Matt!”

He brightened up again. Fuck. “Hi! You look amazing!” 

“Thank you so much! We were going to have tea cups, but I forgot them in a rush to get here.”

He laughed at that and said something along the lines of that being brilliant. He knew. My mind went around back to it later...but the man knew about the fandom headcanon. I had no indication before that the cast knew about this one particular fandom idea, one that I loved dearly and had done so much thinking and artwork for. They knew about it and liked it. Be still my beating heart I am so happy.

I told him that I had been Kima yesterday, the one who took off her dress, and Raven Queen send my soul back to my body his face lit up again. 

“Oh yeah! You guys looked great!” (Reminder this is just a paraphrase since I don’t recall all of the conversation, or what particular order it is in)

I mentioned that I had been a bit anxious about how the joke had gone over when I did it for him after the VIP Q&A. He threw that idea out the window and said that he had loved it. I didn’t feel the heat because I was too dazed but anyone else watching would have probably seen my face turn red.

I gave him my picture to sign, which he gave an “Oh wow!” to, and wrote on top of Trinket with a little “Happy Bear” to go with. 

I don’t recall when this happened, if it was at the end or in the middle of this encounter, but Matt took both of my hands in his and looked me right in the face with the most genuine expression and said thank you.

His hands were really soft. His eyes were so flipping big. Fuck you guys. I’d put myself in front of a train for this man. I didn’t stop shaking after that.

I brought my picture over to Taliesin, and talked with him for a bit about the image, since he hadn’t ever seen it before (Like I said, it didn’t make too many rounds on twitter). He really seemed to like it, which made my heart all happy. I really admire the man, almost as much as I admire Matt, and to hear him say that just...aug it feels so good. 

Marisha was next, and I told her how much I liked the new design for Keyleth with shaved hair and tattoos. She really liked the tattoos as well, and I told her that they were my favorite part to draw. That’s pretty much it, other than the fact that she seemed to like the picture too. 3/8. 

I got to Liam and he looked the piece over while I took out Jonsey’s art. I told him that Jonsey said hi and that they’d wished they were there to meet him. I gave him their art to sign, and then he went back for my art. It was supposed to be one item per cast member, but he signed my art anyways.  This was the first time I’ve ever met the man up close, but he had this god-dammed smug ass look in his eye. I had wanted to tell him how much I appreciated his support, how much his attention to what I did meant to me. But this man...I forget exactly how it was brought up, something along the lines of Marisha asking who the artist was, me telling her it was my own work, and then her showing Liam the piece, repeating that I had drawn it. That man looked me dead on and said “I know who you are, I recognize the style.” 

FUCK YOU LIAM! YOU SHUT ME DOWN LIKE THAT AND I COULDN’T EVEN FORM WORDS TO THANK YOU PROPERLY! Damn my dudes, I hurried off to the Sam right after that, I was too lost for words.

The conversation with Sam was short after his initial “Oh wow” at the piece. I told him that he could either sign Tary or Scanlan (he chose Tary since he doesn’t get to sign for that character often) and let him know that his Scanlan inspired my own bard. I forget what we talked about after that, apologies. My hands were shaking.

I got over to Laura and Travis, asked them how their con was going, informed them that I had indeed drawn the piece, and thanked them after they signed. Not much happened there. 

I told @brianwfoster that he could sign Scanlan, since Sam had taken Tary. He decided to sign under Scanlan’s crotch like the proper troll he is. 

(I apologize if this is getting long. You don’t have to keep reading if you were only here for my cast interactions. The day is hardly over, and I have so much more to talk about, so I encourage you to continue, but I understand if you would like to move on.)

I was shaking so much after that, I couldn’t get my stuff put away properly. Chris came over and informed me that Liam had said “Thanks mom,” as she had moved down the line, and she had replied “Goodbye bird son.”

Frank was just about as excited as I was when Chris handed him back his Player’s Handbook with Matt’s signature. He didn’t stop beaming for, like, an hour. We heard screaming and cheering from the hopeful’s line and lo-and-behold, Steve was there playing Der and Der and had rolled a Nat 20. I went over to say hello, and started to chat with him when I saw a few Jenna, Devin, and his dad from Teri’s group. I demonstrated my wings for them and did a little spin. When I turned back around, I stopped to realize that everyone was staring. 

My god. I never have had so many eyes on me. I get goosebumps every time I think about it. I asked why everyone was suddenly so quiet, and someone said that, well, obviously they would be when I looked the way I did. 

Fuck ya’ll, I didn’t know until that moment how good of a decision this costume was. I usually just walk about in jeans and a red v-neck. I don’t get that much attention often.

I was then bombarded with picture requests, along with Christina (Because I may have looked good, but that girl looked just as stunning and got just as many (maybe even more) requests for pictures. 

(picture by Sabina )

Tony found us, having come to the signing in the hope that we’d be there. Glad he was able to. 

We had a ton of time to kill before we went to the theatre in search of Chris’s wallet. After we’d taken all the pictures, Tony, Alex, Frank, and the two of us headed to the convention hall in order to parooz around for a bit. We were stopped a ton by photographers, but we eventually made it. 

The first booth that we stopped at had some really neat dice, and Satine Phoenix seemed to think so too. She and Ruty were at the booth, and we said hello. They they were on their way out, but had stopped to view dice. At least, Satine had and Ruty was getting impatient because this didn’t appear to have been the only time Satine had stopped on their way out. I bought some cool dragon dice tho and Chris and I got mugs full of dice. Twas a good haul.

After a little while, Chris discovered she’s lost her glasses, which had been stored in her bag. 

I can only imagine how bad she must have felt, loosing two things in one day. Important items, vital to her trip and well-being. After taking a breather from the crowded exhibit hall, the six of us went back to the most logical place that she could have left them at. I had observed a gap under the stadium and field earlier where a friend’s water bottle had rolled under. I deduced that since our bags were up against that wall, and that Chris had been taking items out of her bag frequently in line, they must have fallen out under the stadium seats.

Rushing back to the stadium, we grabbed and official, who told us that they hadn’t found any glasses fitting the description we gave, but had one dude go over and look around the area. I followed him over and waited for a moment before he came back, holding the glasses. 

One item down, one to go. Chris got pretty emotional and I have to thank Sabina and @rollnat20charisma for going over and giving her love and hugs. Those girls are amazing. Teri sent pictures of us on the field from her spot in the line up in the stands, and I went up to inform her where we were going and where we would meet her. Then, someone asked me in the line who I was dressed as and I did my little wing display, which actually got some claps and cheers. Thanks to all those critters who liked my costume. I was super happy with it’s design and outcome. I’ve got nothing but love for everyone in the community.

Steve decided to join our when I came back down, so the six of us all went outside to Uber it over to the Theatre. Chris deemed us the Search Party. I’m the Bard, Chris is the Druid, Frank is our Cleric, Steve is the Monk, Alex is a Bard-Barian, and Tony is the Fighter. 

We get to the theatre, and lo-and-behold, the wallet was found and presented to Chris. Happily, we all decided to grab some grub before the Alpha party, as we didn’t know it was going to be open bar and buffet. 

We met up with Teri, Devin, and Jenna in line before Sabina and @rollnat20charisma sauntered up. We all got in and thus a night of drinking and dancing began. Since this post is long as it is, I’ll bullet point a few highlights for you.

- Ivan, Amy Dallen, Satine, Ruty, Ryan Green, @wendydoodles , @megzilla87 , @anodesu , Becca, Amy Vorpal, Sax, @critrolestats , Matt Abernathy and many others were among the Geek and Sundry attendants there. Travis from @theadventurezone was there too, and I’m sure I would have been much more excited to see him if I listened to the podcast.

- I immediately started to dance with Tony for a real long time.

- I was able to talk with @anodesu (who I identified because I had asked to see what she was sketching and recognized her style immediately), Ryan Green , one of the correspondents for the Alpha’s social media, and one of the recent hosts from project pixel on alpha (which, if you are an artist, you should definitely check out).

- I danced off and on all night, but I came back in once to begin to party again and @qunaributts had taken off her Tary facial hair and wig (not that it wasn’t attractive), @cowboybootsandhuntershelper (who had come in a variant of her party gilmore cosplay) had let her hair down, and Sabina was letting her blond curls loose. The song was upbeat, we were dancing, and then those girls...well, I drew something to show you what I felt during those couple of songs: 

(I’m such a hopeless bi-sexual. I don’t know how Chris puts up with me.)

- I was telling one man about how I hadn’t yet seen Amy Dallen or Amy Vorpal at the party yet, but he told me Amy D was there and offered to go get her for me. I’m not the kind to have someone just go up and demand the attention of someone I admire and pull them away from a conversation (unless I’m trying to show a cosplay gag, then I have all the confidence in the world). I gave him an uneasy “Eh, I don’t know,” to which he responded with a smile and said  he’d be right back with Amy flipping Dallen.

Tony, bless him, asked me if I really wanted the guy to go and get Amy. I shook my head and Tony bolted inside to go and stop him, but he was too late. After a minute, Amy came out, the man who had retrieved her beaming from behind, and Tony approaching after apologetically. I apologized to Amy for taking her from her conversation but she brushed it off. I introduced myself, telling her I’d been at the geek and sundry panel yesterday, that I was the one who showed her and other Amy my artwork for their show Vast. She asked if I could show her my twitter page, and as soon as I pulled it up, she gasped. Oh my gods, she gasped and said she knew me. She looked like she was fan-girling. She asked to give me a hug. I stuttered out an “Ok, of course,” hugged internet sensation Amy Dallen, and proceeded to not compute what had just happened. Amy Dallen had fan-girled over me. Like...I still can’t comprehend.

So...that was Saturday. I talked with a ton of people I have been admiring for ages, got lots of love from the critter community, felt proud and confident in my costume, hung out with the amazing dudes that make up The Search Party (who I miss dearly), found my girlfriend’s wallet and glasses, and danced the night away at the geekiest of geek parties. Despite the several hang ups, it was the best day I’ve ever had. I’m glad I get to share it with you guys, and if you’ve made it all the way through this, I congratulate thee. 

Sunday’s recounting is pretty short and won’t have very many pictures, if any at all, but I’ll still have a separate post for it. See ya’ll tomorrow!

[rtscrndr53704]

Last Words: Alexis Michelle Reflects On Her Time On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

Throughout the ninth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Huffington Post Queer Voices will interview each departing queen on the Saturday following the air date of their elimination episode. Check HuffPost Queer Voices weekly to read about these queens’ reflections on their time on the show, as well as their legacies as queer artists and performers. Check out the previous interview with Jaymes Mansfield, Kimora Blac, Charlie Hides, Eureka O’Hara, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Aja, Farrah Moan, Valentina and Nina Bo’nina Brown.

With only one more episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” before the reunion and season finale, we’ve really come down to the best of the best this season ― and we witnessed a top five who each deserved to be there for their own unique reasons.

However, someone has to go, and this week it was NYC queen Alexis Michelle. In a season lacking major drama or arch villains, Alexis often seemed to find herself at odds with the other girls these last few episodes. However, even during her shadiest moments broadcast on the show, Alexis always managed to come off as a professional and on top of her game and she scored a number of wins throughout the season.

It was Alexis’ NYC sister Peppermint who sent her packing this week, leaving us with a top four of Pep, Trinity Taylor, Shea Couleé and Sasha Velour. In this interview with HuffPost, Alexis reflects on her accomplishments while on the show, the season as a whole and what she wants to do with her platform as this season of “Drag Race” begins to draw to a close.

HuffPost: Looking back on “Drag Race” since you filmed last summer, how do you feel about the experience? Do you feel like you achieved everything you set out to achieve when you first hit the soundstage?

Alexis Michelle: If I really look back at it, I can’t say that I achieved everything that I was trying to achieve. I think I achieved a lot, but I’m known at home for being a very visual, polished queen and I feel like I brought an element of polish to the show ― but perhaps there were a couple of times where visually, whether it was the pressure or whether it was a bit of misjudgment, I maybe didn’t put my strongest foot forward. And, of course, I would’ve liked to go all the way to the top. So I can’t say I accomplished everything I set out to but I did accomplish at lot.

Is there look or a specific episode or element the show that you were the most proud of?

I definitely felt very proud of my performance in the Kardashian musical ― getting to work with Todrick Hall was such a dream come true. And I have such a fascination with Kris Jenner, so getting to portray her in the musical was so fun and I feel like that was a real shining moment. And, of course, the episode after that was Snatch Game and that was just a great time all around, both to be able to pay tribute to Liza [Minnelli] and to get to make RuPaul laugh. And then to get to do Breathless Mahoney [from “Dick Tracy”] for the Madonna runway was such a dream come true. A big full circle moment for sure.

How do you feel about your portrayal on the show, particularly towards the end of the season? These last few episodes seemed to portray you in somewhat villainous light. Do you think this portrayal is accurate?

Well, let me just clarify by saying I’m not calling any kind of shade on editing. I think that as the competition goes on, the pressure gets higher and stress levels get higher. And then, that being said, I felt a great friendship with all of my sisters and I think that perhaps in a season that really felt a lot like “RuPaul’s Best Friend Race” at times, if there was ever a moment of tension, that’s really going to stand out for people. So perhaps that’s where this perception is coming from but I assure you I was far from the shadiest person in the room [laughs].

As I’m sure you’ve gathered, so much of the show’s fan base now is made up of young teen and preteen girls. Why do you think “Drag Race” resonates so profoundly with this demographic of viewers?

I think that “Drag Race” speaks to a lot of young people in particular because young people in their adolescence are at a time when they’re really defining who they are and drag is all about self expression of who you are. As I’ve been out in the world and I’ve met a lot of these young fans, it’s become clear to me that the inspiration they derive is in us being able to live as ourselves so fully. And I think that to a young person who is figuring themselves out and really defining who they are in the world, that is where the inspiration comes from about living fully, living truthfully and very glamorously, at that. A lot of these young boys and girls love make-up among other things and getting to see us express ourselves so visually, I imagine, is very stimulating.

With “Drag Race” being aired on VH1 this season, do you see any political implications with the show being on such a mainstream network at this moment in history? What are your thoughts about that whole shift?

The move to VH1 is definitely indicative of the fact that the show is more popular than ever and will probably continue to gain popularity. With the move to VH1 we basically doubled the number of people that view the show and that’s really huge and major. And it’s very exciting. I’m glad that perhaps in reaching more people that it’s also reaching people that may not have watched it before. Maybe it’s now more of a mixed crowd watching the show, and I think that’s helpful in the world because connection is what the world lacks a lot of the time and it’s what the world needs the most, I think, is connection.

What do you want to do with the platform that “Drag Race” has given you?

There’s so much that I want to accomplish personally when it comes to acting and singing on stage and on screen. I know that expressing myself in that way does do a lot for a lot of people, as I’ve learned in my travels. But I also just want to make sure that if I have this visibility I can use it to speak my truth politically. We’re in such a time of unrest – and for good reason because there’s a lot of crap going down in the world socially and politically. So if there’s anything I can do to bring light to the right side of history than that’s what I want to do.

Out of everyone left in the competition who are you rooting for?

It’s such a hard question because even with the girls that left previously in the competition there were such good contenders. Any of these girls that are left could win – I kind of want them all to win for different reasons. I love that Trinity represents pageantry and polish but she showed herself to be such a diverse competitor by coming out in very different kinds of looks as well as doing really awesome in acting challenges. I think Shea is so well-versed and well-rounded as a queen. I love that Sasha brought something so intellectual and artistic to the show but so polished at the same. It really never felt rough around the edges with Sasha. And Peppermint is just such a tour de force. You’ve got to see her live – she just sparkles on stage and lights up the room when she’s on the microphone. It’s so hard to say – there’s really something great about all of them.

What do you want people to know and understand about who Alexis Michelle is as an artist going forward?

The first thing everybody should know about me is that I am here to entertain and make you feel great – well, to make you feel. It’s not just about feeling great, it’s about making you feel. Entertainment can sometimes be about distracting from the harsh realities of the world but I say, for me, I want you to feel good, I want you to slip away from all that, but I also want to hold the mirror up to society and perhaps make you think a little bit. And beyond that ― beyond entertaining I want people to know that I’m here to spread love. I think that’s what the world is missing when it gets messed up and that’s my message – just like RuPaul says, “Everybody say love!”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs on Friday nights at 8 PM ET/PT on VH1. Check out “Untucked” below. Missed last week’s interview with Nina Bo’Nina Brown? Head here.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rQ3CLs

[repwincoml4a0a5]

Last Words: Alexis Michelle Reflects On Her Time On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

Throughout the ninth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Huffington Post Queer Voices will interview each departing queen on the Saturday following the air date of their elimination episode. Check HuffPost Queer Voices weekly to read about these queens’ reflections on their time on the show, as well as their legacies as queer artists and performers. Check out the previous interview with Jaymes Mansfield, Kimora Blac, Charlie Hides, Eureka O’Hara, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Aja, Farrah Moan, Valentina and Nina Bo’nina Brown.

With only one more episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” before the reunion and season finale, we’ve really come down to the best of the best this season ― and we witnessed a top five who each deserved to be there for their own unique reasons.

However, someone has to go, and this week it was NYC queen Alexis Michelle. In a season lacking major drama or arch villains, Alexis often seemed to find herself at odds with the other girls these last few episodes. However, even during her shadiest moments broadcast on the show, Alexis always managed to come off as a professional and on top of her game and she scored a number of wins throughout the season.

It was Alexis’ NYC sister Peppermint who sent her packing this week, leaving us with a top four of Pep, Trinity Taylor, Shea Couleé and Sasha Velour. In this interview with HuffPost, Alexis reflects on her accomplishments while on the show, the season as a whole and what she wants to do with her platform as this season of “Drag Race” begins to draw to a close.

HuffPost: Looking back on “Drag Race” since you filmed last summer, how do you feel about the experience? Do you feel like you achieved everything you set out to achieve when you first hit the soundstage?

Alexis Michelle: If I really look back at it, I can’t say that I achieved everything that I was trying to achieve. I think I achieved a lot, but I’m known at home for being a very visual, polished queen and I feel like I brought an element of polish to the show ― but perhaps there were a couple of times where visually, whether it was the pressure or whether it was a bit of misjudgment, I maybe didn’t put my strongest foot forward. And, of course, I would’ve liked to go all the way to the top. So I can’t say I accomplished everything I set out to but I did accomplish at lot.

Is there look or a specific episode or element the show that you were the most proud of?

I definitely felt very proud of my performance in the Kardashian musical ― getting to work with Todrick Hall was such a dream come true. And I have such a fascination with Kris Jenner, so getting to portray her in the musical was so fun and I feel like that was a real shining moment. And, of course, the episode after that was Snatch Game and that was just a great time all around, both to be able to pay tribute to Liza [Minnelli] and to get to make RuPaul laugh. And then to get to do Breathless Mahoney [from “Dick Tracy”] for the Madonna runway was such a dream come true. A big full circle moment for sure.

How do you feel about your portrayal on the show, particularly towards the end of the season? These last few episodes seemed to portray you in somewhat villainous light. Do you think this portrayal is accurate?

Well, let me just clarify by saying I’m not calling any kind of shade on editing. I think that as the competition goes on, the pressure gets higher and stress levels get higher. And then, that being said, I felt a great friendship with all of my sisters and I think that perhaps in a season that really felt a lot like “RuPaul’s Best Friend Race” at times, if there was ever a moment of tension, that’s really going to stand out for people. So perhaps that’s where this perception is coming from but I assure you I was far from the shadiest person in the room [laughs].

As I’m sure you’ve gathered, so much of the show’s fan base now is made up of young teen and preteen girls. Why do you think “Drag Race” resonates so profoundly with this demographic of viewers?

I think that “Drag Race” speaks to a lot of young people in particular because young people in their adolescence are at a time when they’re really defining who they are and drag is all about self expression of who you are. As I’ve been out in the world and I’ve met a lot of these young fans, it’s become clear to me that the inspiration they derive is in us being able to live as ourselves so fully. And I think that to a young person who is figuring themselves out and really defining who they are in the world, that is where the inspiration comes from about living fully, living truthfully and very glamorously, at that. A lot of these young boys and girls love make-up among other things and getting to see us express ourselves so visually, I imagine, is very stimulating.

With “Drag Race” being aired on VH1 this season, do you see any political implications with the show being on such a mainstream network at this moment in history? What are your thoughts about that whole shift?

The move to VH1 is definitely indicative of the fact that the show is more popular than ever and will probably continue to gain popularity. With the move to VH1 we basically doubled the number of people that view the show and that’s really huge and major. And it’s very exciting. I’m glad that perhaps in reaching more people that it’s also reaching people that may not have watched it before. Maybe it’s now more of a mixed crowd watching the show, and I think that’s helpful in the world because connection is what the world lacks a lot of the time and it’s what the world needs the most, I think, is connection.

What do you want to do with the platform that “Drag Race” has given you?

There’s so much that I want to accomplish personally when it comes to acting and singing on stage and on screen. I know that expressing myself in that way does do a lot for a lot of people, as I’ve learned in my travels. But I also just want to make sure that if I have this visibility I can use it to speak my truth politically. We’re in such a time of unrest – and for good reason because there’s a lot of crap going down in the world socially and politically. So if there’s anything I can do to bring light to the right side of history than that’s what I want to do.

Out of everyone left in the competition who are you rooting for?

It’s such a hard question because even with the girls that left previously in the competition there were such good contenders. Any of these girls that are left could win – I kind of want them all to win for different reasons. I love that Trinity represents pageantry and polish but she showed herself to be such a diverse competitor by coming out in very different kinds of looks as well as doing really awesome in acting challenges. I think Shea is so well-versed and well-rounded as a queen. I love that Sasha brought something so intellectual and artistic to the show but so polished at the same. It really never felt rough around the edges with Sasha. And Peppermint is just such a tour de force. You’ve got to see her live – she just sparkles on stage and lights up the room when she’s on the microphone. It’s so hard to say – there’s really something great about all of them.

What do you want people to know and understand about who Alexis Michelle is as an artist going forward?

The first thing everybody should know about me is that I am here to entertain and make you feel great – well, to make you feel. It’s not just about feeling great, it’s about making you feel. Entertainment can sometimes be about distracting from the harsh realities of the world but I say, for me, I want you to feel good, I want you to slip away from all that, but I also want to hold the mirror up to society and perhaps make you think a little bit. And beyond that ― beyond entertaining I want people to know that I’m here to spread love. I think that’s what the world is missing when it gets messed up and that’s my message – just like RuPaul says, “Everybody say love!”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs on Friday nights at 8 PM ET/PT on VH1. Check out “Untucked” below. Missed last week’s interview with Nina Bo’Nina Brown? Head here.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rQ3CLs

[porchenclose10019]

Last Words: Alexis Michelle Reflects On Her Time On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

Throughout the ninth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Huffington Post Queer Voices will interview each departing queen on the Saturday following the air date of their elimination episode. Check HuffPost Queer Voices weekly to read about these queens’ reflections on their time on the show, as well as their legacies as queer artists and performers. Check out the previous interview with Jaymes Mansfield, Kimora Blac, Charlie Hides, Eureka O’Hara, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Aja, Farrah Moan, Valentina and Nina Bo’nina Brown.

With only one more episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” before the reunion and season finale, we’ve really come down to the best of the best this season ― and we witnessed a top five who each deserved to be there for their own unique reasons.

However, someone has to go, and this week it was NYC queen Alexis Michelle. In a season lacking major drama or arch villains, Alexis often seemed to find herself at odds with the other girls these last few episodes. However, even during her shadiest moments broadcast on the show, Alexis always managed to come off as a professional and on top of her game and she scored a number of wins throughout the season.

It was Alexis’ NYC sister Peppermint who sent her packing this week, leaving us with a top four of Pep, Trinity Taylor, Shea Couleé and Sasha Velour. In this interview with HuffPost, Alexis reflects on her accomplishments while on the show, the season as a whole and what she wants to do with her platform as this season of “Drag Race” begins to draw to a close.

HuffPost: Looking back on “Drag Race” since you filmed last summer, how do you feel about the experience? Do you feel like you achieved everything you set out to achieve when you first hit the soundstage?

Alexis Michelle: If I really look back at it, I can’t say that I achieved everything that I was trying to achieve. I think I achieved a lot, but I’m known at home for being a very visual, polished queen and I feel like I brought an element of polish to the show ― but perhaps there were a couple of times where visually, whether it was the pressure or whether it was a bit of misjudgment, I maybe didn’t put my strongest foot forward. And, of course, I would’ve liked to go all the way to the top. So I can’t say I accomplished everything I set out to but I did accomplish at lot.

Is there look or a specific episode or element the show that you were the most proud of?

I definitely felt very proud of my performance in the Kardashian musical ― getting to work with Todrick Hall was such a dream come true. And I have such a fascination with Kris Jenner, so getting to portray her in the musical was so fun and I feel like that was a real shining moment. And, of course, the episode after that was Snatch Game and that was just a great time all around, both to be able to pay tribute to Liza [Minnelli] and to get to make RuPaul laugh. And then to get to do Breathless Mahoney [from “Dick Tracy”] for the Madonna runway was such a dream come true. A big full circle moment for sure.

How do you feel about your portrayal on the show, particularly towards the end of the season? These last few episodes seemed to portray you in somewhat villainous light. Do you think this portrayal is accurate?

Well, let me just clarify by saying I’m not calling any kind of shade on editing. I think that as the competition goes on, the pressure gets higher and stress levels get higher. And then, that being said, I felt a great friendship with all of my sisters and I think that perhaps in a season that really felt a lot like “RuPaul’s Best Friend Race” at times, if there was ever a moment of tension, that’s really going to stand out for people. So perhaps that’s where this perception is coming from but I assure you I was far from the shadiest person in the room [laughs].

As I’m sure you’ve gathered, so much of the show’s fan base now is made up of young teen and preteen girls. Why do you think “Drag Race” resonates so profoundly with this demographic of viewers?

I think that “Drag Race” speaks to a lot of young people in particular because young people in their adolescence are at a time when they’re really defining who they are and drag is all about self expression of who you are. As I’ve been out in the world and I’ve met a lot of these young fans, it’s become clear to me that the inspiration they derive is in us being able to live as ourselves so fully. And I think that to a young person who is figuring themselves out and really defining who they are in the world, that is where the inspiration comes from about living fully, living truthfully and very glamorously, at that. A lot of these young boys and girls love make-up among other things and getting to see us express ourselves so visually, I imagine, is very stimulating.

With “Drag Race” being aired on VH1 this season, do you see any political implications with the show being on such a mainstream network at this moment in history? What are your thoughts about that whole shift?

The move to VH1 is definitely indicative of the fact that the show is more popular than ever and will probably continue to gain popularity. With the move to VH1 we basically doubled the number of people that view the show and that’s really huge and major. And it’s very exciting. I’m glad that perhaps in reaching more people that it’s also reaching people that may not have watched it before. Maybe it’s now more of a mixed crowd watching the show, and I think that’s helpful in the world because connection is what the world lacks a lot of the time and it’s what the world needs the most, I think, is connection.

What do you want to do with the platform that “Drag Race” has given you?

There’s so much that I want to accomplish personally when it comes to acting and singing on stage and on screen. I know that expressing myself in that way does do a lot for a lot of people, as I’ve learned in my travels. But I also just want to make sure that if I have this visibility I can use it to speak my truth politically. We’re in such a time of unrest – and for good reason because there’s a lot of crap going down in the world socially and politically. So if there’s anything I can do to bring light to the right side of history than that’s what I want to do.

Out of everyone left in the competition who are you rooting for?

It’s such a hard question because even with the girls that left previously in the competition there were such good contenders. Any of these girls that are left could win – I kind of want them all to win for different reasons. I love that Trinity represents pageantry and polish but she showed herself to be such a diverse competitor by coming out in very different kinds of looks as well as doing really awesome in acting challenges. I think Shea is so well-versed and well-rounded as a queen. I love that Sasha brought something so intellectual and artistic to the show but so polished at the same. It really never felt rough around the edges with Sasha. And Peppermint is just such a tour de force. You’ve got to see her live – she just sparkles on stage and lights up the room when she’s on the microphone. It’s so hard to say – there’s really something great about all of them.

What do you want people to know and understand about who Alexis Michelle is as an artist going forward?

The first thing everybody should know about me is that I am here to entertain and make you feel great – well, to make you feel. It’s not just about feeling great, it’s about making you feel. Entertainment can sometimes be about distracting from the harsh realities of the world but I say, for me, I want you to feel good, I want you to slip away from all that, but I also want to hold the mirror up to society and perhaps make you think a little bit. And beyond that ― beyond entertaining I want people to know that I’m here to spread love. I think that’s what the world is missing when it gets messed up and that’s my message – just like RuPaul says, “Everybody say love!”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs on Friday nights at 8 PM ET/PT on VH1. Check out “Untucked” below. Missed last week’s interview with Nina Bo’Nina Brown? Head here.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rQ3CLs

[repwinpril9y0a1]

Last Words: Alexis Michelle Reflects On Her Time On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

Throughout the ninth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Huffington Post Queer Voices will interview each departing queen on the Saturday following the air date of their elimination episode. Check HuffPost Queer Voices weekly to read about these queens’ reflections on their time on the show, as well as their legacies as queer artists and performers. Check out the previous interview with Jaymes Mansfield, Kimora Blac, Charlie Hides, Eureka O’Hara, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Aja, Farrah Moan, Valentina and Nina Bo’nina Brown.

With only one more episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” before the reunion and season finale, we’ve really come down to the best of the best this season ― and we witnessed a top five who each deserved to be there for their own unique reasons.

However, someone has to go, and this week it was NYC queen Alexis Michelle. In a season lacking major drama or arch villains, Alexis often seemed to find herself at odds with the other girls these last few episodes. However, even during her shadiest moments broadcast on the show, Alexis always managed to come off as a professional and on top of her game and she scored a number of wins throughout the season.

It was Alexis’ NYC sister Peppermint who sent her packing this week, leaving us with a top four of Pep, Trinity Taylor, Shea Couleé and Sasha Velour. In this interview with HuffPost, Alexis reflects on her accomplishments while on the show, the season as a whole and what she wants to do with her platform as this season of “Drag Race” begins to draw to a close.

HuffPost: Looking back on “Drag Race” since you filmed last summer, how do you feel about the experience? Do you feel like you achieved everything you set out to achieve when you first hit the soundstage?

Alexis Michelle: If I really look back at it, I can’t say that I achieved everything that I was trying to achieve. I think I achieved a lot, but I’m known at home for being a very visual, polished queen and I feel like I brought an element of polish to the show ― but perhaps there were a couple of times where visually, whether it was the pressure or whether it was a bit of misjudgment, I maybe didn’t put my strongest foot forward. And, of course, I would’ve liked to go all the way to the top. So I can’t say I accomplished everything I set out to but I did accomplish at lot.

Is there look or a specific episode or element the show that you were the most proud of?

I definitely felt very proud of my performance in the Kardashian musical ― getting to work with Todrick Hall was such a dream come true. And I have such a fascination with Kris Jenner, so getting to portray her in the musical was so fun and I feel like that was a real shining moment. And, of course, the episode after that was Snatch Game and that was just a great time all around, both to be able to pay tribute to Liza [Minnelli] and to get to make RuPaul laugh. And then to get to do Breathless Mahoney [from “Dick Tracy”] for the Madonna runway was such a dream come true. A big full circle moment for sure.

How do you feel about your portrayal on the show, particularly towards the end of the season? These last few episodes seemed to portray you in somewhat villainous light. Do you think this portrayal is accurate?

Well, let me just clarify by saying I’m not calling any kind of shade on editing. I think that as the competition goes on, the pressure gets higher and stress levels get higher. And then, that being said, I felt a great friendship with all of my sisters and I think that perhaps in a season that really felt a lot like “RuPaul’s Best Friend Race” at times, if there was ever a moment of tension, that’s really going to stand out for people. So perhaps that’s where this perception is coming from but I assure you I was far from the shadiest person in the room [laughs].

As I’m sure you’ve gathered, so much of the show’s fan base now is made up of young teen and preteen girls. Why do you think “Drag Race” resonates so profoundly with this demographic of viewers?

I think that “Drag Race” speaks to a lot of young people in particular because young people in their adolescence are at a time when they’re really defining who they are and drag is all about self expression of who you are. As I’ve been out in the world and I’ve met a lot of these young fans, it’s become clear to me that the inspiration they derive is in us being able to live as ourselves so fully. And I think that to a young person who is figuring themselves out and really defining who they are in the world, that is where the inspiration comes from about living fully, living truthfully and very glamorously, at that. A lot of these young boys and girls love make-up among other things and getting to see us express ourselves so visually, I imagine, is very stimulating.

With “Drag Race” being aired on VH1 this season, do you see any political implications with the show being on such a mainstream network at this moment in history? What are your thoughts about that whole shift?

The move to VH1 is definitely indicative of the fact that the show is more popular than ever and will probably continue to gain popularity. With the move to VH1 we basically doubled the number of people that view the show and that’s really huge and major. And it’s very exciting. I’m glad that perhaps in reaching more people that it’s also reaching people that may not have watched it before. Maybe it’s now more of a mixed crowd watching the show, and I think that’s helpful in the world because connection is what the world lacks a lot of the time and it’s what the world needs the most, I think, is connection.

What do you want to do with the platform that “Drag Race” has given you?

There’s so much that I want to accomplish personally when it comes to acting and singing on stage and on screen. I know that expressing myself in that way does do a lot for a lot of people, as I’ve learned in my travels. But I also just want to make sure that if I have this visibility I can use it to speak my truth politically. We’re in such a time of unrest – and for good reason because there’s a lot of crap going down in the world socially and politically. So if there’s anything I can do to bring light to the right side of history than that’s what I want to do.

Out of everyone left in the competition who are you rooting for?

It’s such a hard question because even with the girls that left previously in the competition there were such good contenders. Any of these girls that are left could win – I kind of want them all to win for different reasons. I love that Trinity represents pageantry and polish but she showed herself to be such a diverse competitor by coming out in very different kinds of looks as well as doing really awesome in acting challenges. I think Shea is so well-versed and well-rounded as a queen. I love that Sasha brought something so intellectual and artistic to the show but so polished at the same. It really never felt rough around the edges with Sasha. And Peppermint is just such a tour de force. You’ve got to see her live – she just sparkles on stage and lights up the room when she’s on the microphone. It’s so hard to say – there’s really something great about all of them.

What do you want people to know and understand about who Alexis Michelle is as an artist going forward?

The first thing everybody should know about me is that I am here to entertain and make you feel great – well, to make you feel. It’s not just about feeling great, it’s about making you feel. Entertainment can sometimes be about distracting from the harsh realities of the world but I say, for me, I want you to feel good, I want you to slip away from all that, but I also want to hold the mirror up to society and perhaps make you think a little bit. And beyond that ― beyond entertaining I want people to know that I’m here to spread love. I think that’s what the world is missing when it gets messed up and that’s my message – just like RuPaul says, “Everybody say love!”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs on Friday nights at 8 PM ET/PT on VH1. Check out “Untucked” below. Missed last week’s interview with Nina Bo’Nina Brown? Head here.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rQ3CLs

[chpatdoorsl3z0a1]

Last Words: Alexis Michelle Reflects On Her Time On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

Throughout the ninth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Huffington Post Queer Voices will interview each departing queen on the Saturday following the air date of their elimination episode. Check HuffPost Queer Voices weekly to read about these queens’ reflections on their time on the show, as well as their legacies as queer artists and performers. Check out the previous interview with Jaymes Mansfield, Kimora Blac, Charlie Hides, Eureka O’Hara, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Aja, Farrah Moan, Valentina and Nina Bo’nina Brown.

With only one more episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” before the reunion and season finale, we’ve really come down to the best of the best this season ― and we witnessed a top five who each deserved to be there for their own unique reasons.

However, someone has to go, and this week it was NYC queen Alexis Michelle. In a season lacking major drama or arch villains, Alexis often seemed to find herself at odds with the other girls these last few episodes. However, even during her shadiest moments broadcast on the show, Alexis always managed to come off as a professional and on top of her game and she scored a number of wins throughout the season.

It was Alexis’ NYC sister Peppermint who sent her packing this week, leaving us with a top four of Pep, Trinity Taylor, Shea Couleé and Sasha Velour. In this interview with HuffPost, Alexis reflects on her accomplishments while on the show, the season as a whole and what she wants to do with her platform as this season of “Drag Race” begins to draw to a close.

HuffPost: Looking back on “Drag Race” since you filmed last summer, how do you feel about the experience? Do you feel like you achieved everything you set out to achieve when you first hit the soundstage?

Alexis Michelle: If I really look back at it, I can’t say that I achieved everything that I was trying to achieve. I think I achieved a lot, but I’m known at home for being a very visual, polished queen and I feel like I brought an element of polish to the show ― but perhaps there were a couple of times where visually, whether it was the pressure or whether it was a bit of misjudgment, I maybe didn’t put my strongest foot forward. And, of course, I would’ve liked to go all the way to the top. So I can’t say I accomplished everything I set out to but I did accomplish at lot.

Is there look or a specific episode or element the show that you were the most proud of?

I definitely felt very proud of my performance in the Kardashian musical ― getting to work with Todrick Hall was such a dream come true. And I have such a fascination with Kris Jenner, so getting to portray her in the musical was so fun and I feel like that was a real shining moment. And, of course, the episode after that was Snatch Game and that was just a great time all around, both to be able to pay tribute to Liza [Minnelli] and to get to make RuPaul laugh. And then to get to do Breathless Mahoney [from “Dick Tracy”] for the Madonna runway was such a dream come true. A big full circle moment for sure.

How do you feel about your portrayal on the show, particularly towards the end of the season? These last few episodes seemed to portray you in somewhat villainous light. Do you think this portrayal is accurate?

Well, let me just clarify by saying I’m not calling any kind of shade on editing. I think that as the competition goes on, the pressure gets higher and stress levels get higher. And then, that being said, I felt a great friendship with all of my sisters and I think that perhaps in a season that really felt a lot like “RuPaul’s Best Friend Race” at times, if there was ever a moment of tension, that’s really going to stand out for people. So perhaps that’s where this perception is coming from but I assure you I was far from the shadiest person in the room [laughs].

As I’m sure you’ve gathered, so much of the show’s fan base now is made up of young teen and preteen girls. Why do you think “Drag Race” resonates so profoundly with this demographic of viewers?

I think that “Drag Race” speaks to a lot of young people in particular because young people in their adolescence are at a time when they’re really defining who they are and drag is all about self expression of who you are. As I’ve been out in the world and I’ve met a lot of these young fans, it’s become clear to me that the inspiration they derive is in us being able to live as ourselves so fully. And I think that to a young person who is figuring themselves out and really defining who they are in the world, that is where the inspiration comes from about living fully, living truthfully and very glamorously, at that. A lot of these young boys and girls love make-up among other things and getting to see us express ourselves so visually, I imagine, is very stimulating.

With “Drag Race” being aired on VH1 this season, do you see any political implications with the show being on such a mainstream network at this moment in history? What are your thoughts about that whole shift?

The move to VH1 is definitely indicative of the fact that the show is more popular than ever and will probably continue to gain popularity. With the move to VH1 we basically doubled the number of people that view the show and that’s really huge and major. And it’s very exciting. I’m glad that perhaps in reaching more people that it’s also reaching people that may not have watched it before. Maybe it’s now more of a mixed crowd watching the show, and I think that’s helpful in the world because connection is what the world lacks a lot of the time and it’s what the world needs the most, I think, is connection.

What do you want to do with the platform that “Drag Race” has given you?

There’s so much that I want to accomplish personally when it comes to acting and singing on stage and on screen. I know that expressing myself in that way does do a lot for a lot of people, as I’ve learned in my travels. But I also just want to make sure that if I have this visibility I can use it to speak my truth politically. We’re in such a time of unrest – and for good reason because there’s a lot of crap going down in the world socially and politically. So if there’s anything I can do to bring light to the right side of history than that’s what I want to do.

Out of everyone left in the competition who are you rooting for?

It’s such a hard question because even with the girls that left previously in the competition there were such good contenders. Any of these girls that are left could win – I kind of want them all to win for different reasons. I love that Trinity represents pageantry and polish but she showed herself to be such a diverse competitor by coming out in very different kinds of looks as well as doing really awesome in acting challenges. I think Shea is so well-versed and well-rounded as a queen. I love that Sasha brought something so intellectual and artistic to the show but so polished at the same. It really never felt rough around the edges with Sasha. And Peppermint is just such a tour de force. You’ve got to see her live – she just sparkles on stage and lights up the room when she’s on the microphone. It’s so hard to say – there’s really something great about all of them.

What do you want people to know and understand about who Alexis Michelle is as an artist going forward?

The first thing everybody should know about me is that I am here to entertain and make you feel great – well, to make you feel. It’s not just about feeling great, it’s about making you feel. Entertainment can sometimes be about distracting from the harsh realities of the world but I say, for me, I want you to feel good, I want you to slip away from all that, but I also want to hold the mirror up to society and perhaps make you think a little bit. And beyond that ― beyond entertaining I want people to know that I’m here to spread love. I think that’s what the world is missing when it gets messed up and that’s my message – just like RuPaul says, “Everybody say love!”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs on Friday nights at 8 PM ET/PT on VH1. Check out “Untucked” below. Missed last week’s interview with Nina Bo’Nina Brown? Head here.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rQ3CLs

[grgedoors02142]

Last Words: Alexis Michelle Reflects On Her Time On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

Throughout the ninth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Huffington Post Queer Voices will interview each departing queen on the Saturday following the air date of their elimination episode. Check HuffPost Queer Voices weekly to read about these queens’ reflections on their time on the show, as well as their legacies as queer artists and performers. Check out the previous interview with Jaymes Mansfield, Kimora Blac, Charlie Hides, Eureka O’Hara, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Aja, Farrah Moan, Valentina and Nina Bo’nina Brown.

With only one more episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” before the reunion and season finale, we’ve really come down to the best of the best this season ― and we witnessed a top five who each deserved to be there for their own unique reasons.

However, someone has to go, and this week it was NYC queen Alexis Michelle. In a season lacking major drama or arch villains, Alexis often seemed to find herself at odds with the other girls these last few episodes. However, even during her shadiest moments broadcast on the show, Alexis always managed to come off as a professional and on top of her game and she scored a number of wins throughout the season.

It was Alexis’ NYC sister Peppermint who sent her packing this week, leaving us with a top four of Pep, Trinity Taylor, Shea Couleé and Sasha Velour. In this interview with HuffPost, Alexis reflects on her accomplishments while on the show, the season as a whole and what she wants to do with her platform as this season of “Drag Race” begins to draw to a close.

HuffPost: Looking back on “Drag Race” since you filmed last summer, how do you feel about the experience? Do you feel like you achieved everything you set out to achieve when you first hit the soundstage?

Alexis Michelle: If I really look back at it, I can’t say that I achieved everything that I was trying to achieve. I think I achieved a lot, but I’m known at home for being a very visual, polished queen and I feel like I brought an element of polish to the show ― but perhaps there were a couple of times where visually, whether it was the pressure or whether it was a bit of misjudgment, I maybe didn’t put my strongest foot forward. And, of course, I would’ve liked to go all the way to the top. So I can’t say I accomplished everything I set out to but I did accomplish at lot.

Is there look or a specific episode or element the show that you were the most proud of?

I definitely felt very proud of my performance in the Kardashian musical ― getting to work with Todrick Hall was such a dream come true. And I have such a fascination with Kris Jenner, so getting to portray her in the musical was so fun and I feel like that was a real shining moment. And, of course, the episode after that was Snatch Game and that was just a great time all around, both to be able to pay tribute to Liza [Minnelli] and to get to make RuPaul laugh. And then to get to do Breathless Mahoney [from “Dick Tracy”] for the Madonna runway was such a dream come true. A big full circle moment for sure.

How do you feel about your portrayal on the show, particularly towards the end of the season? These last few episodes seemed to portray you in somewhat villainous light. Do you think this portrayal is accurate?

Well, let me just clarify by saying I’m not calling any kind of shade on editing. I think that as the competition goes on, the pressure gets higher and stress levels get higher. And then, that being said, I felt a great friendship with all of my sisters and I think that perhaps in a season that really felt a lot like “RuPaul’s Best Friend Race” at times, if there was ever a moment of tension, that’s really going to stand out for people. So perhaps that’s where this perception is coming from but I assure you I was far from the shadiest person in the room [laughs].

As I’m sure you’ve gathered, so much of the show’s fan base now is made up of young teen and preteen girls. Why do you think “Drag Race” resonates so profoundly with this demographic of viewers?

I think that “Drag Race” speaks to a lot of young people in particular because young people in their adolescence are at a time when they’re really defining who they are and drag is all about self expression of who you are. As I’ve been out in the world and I’ve met a lot of these young fans, it’s become clear to me that the inspiration they derive is in us being able to live as ourselves so fully. And I think that to a young person who is figuring themselves out and really defining who they are in the world, that is where the inspiration comes from about living fully, living truthfully and very glamorously, at that. A lot of these young boys and girls love make-up among other things and getting to see us express ourselves so visually, I imagine, is very stimulating.

With “Drag Race” being aired on VH1 this season, do you see any political implications with the show being on such a mainstream network at this moment in history? What are your thoughts about that whole shift?

The move to VH1 is definitely indicative of the fact that the show is more popular than ever and will probably continue to gain popularity. With the move to VH1 we basically doubled the number of people that view the show and that’s really huge and major. And it’s very exciting. I’m glad that perhaps in reaching more people that it’s also reaching people that may not have watched it before. Maybe it’s now more of a mixed crowd watching the show, and I think that’s helpful in the world because connection is what the world lacks a lot of the time and it’s what the world needs the most, I think, is connection.

What do you want to do with the platform that “Drag Race” has given you?

There’s so much that I want to accomplish personally when it comes to acting and singing on stage and on screen. I know that expressing myself in that way does do a lot for a lot of people, as I’ve learned in my travels. But I also just want to make sure that if I have this visibility I can use it to speak my truth politically. We’re in such a time of unrest – and for good reason because there’s a lot of crap going down in the world socially and politically. So if there’s anything I can do to bring light to the right side of history than that’s what I want to do.

Out of everyone left in the competition who are you rooting for?

It’s such a hard question because even with the girls that left previously in the competition there were such good contenders. Any of these girls that are left could win – I kind of want them all to win for different reasons. I love that Trinity represents pageantry and polish but she showed herself to be such a diverse competitor by coming out in very different kinds of looks as well as doing really awesome in acting challenges. I think Shea is so well-versed and well-rounded as a queen. I love that Sasha brought something so intellectual and artistic to the show but so polished at the same. It really never felt rough around the edges with Sasha. And Peppermint is just such a tour de force. You’ve got to see her live – she just sparkles on stage and lights up the room when she’s on the microphone. It’s so hard to say – there’s really something great about all of them.

What do you want people to know and understand about who Alexis Michelle is as an artist going forward?

The first thing everybody should know about me is that I am here to entertain and make you feel great – well, to make you feel. It’s not just about feeling great, it’s about making you feel. Entertainment can sometimes be about distracting from the harsh realities of the world but I say, for me, I want you to feel good, I want you to slip away from all that, but I also want to hold the mirror up to society and perhaps make you think a little bit. And beyond that ― beyond entertaining I want people to know that I’m here to spread love. I think that’s what the world is missing when it gets messed up and that’s my message – just like RuPaul says, “Everybody say love!”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs on Friday nights at 8 PM ET/PT on VH1. Check out “Untucked” below. Missed last week’s interview with Nina Bo’Nina Brown? Head here.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rQ3CLs

[rtawngs20815]

Last Words: Alexis Michelle Reflects On Her Time On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

Throughout the ninth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Huffington Post Queer Voices will interview each departing queen on the Saturday following the air date of their elimination episode. Check HuffPost Queer Voices weekly to read about these queens’ reflections on their time on the show, as well as their legacies as queer artists and performers. Check out the previous interview with Jaymes Mansfield, Kimora Blac, Charlie Hides, Eureka O’Hara, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Aja, Farrah Moan, Valentina and Nina Bo’nina Brown.

With only one more episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” before the reunion and season finale, we’ve really come down to the best of the best this season ― and we witnessed a top five who each deserved to be there for their own unique reasons.

However, someone has to go, and this week it was NYC queen Alexis Michelle. In a season lacking major drama or arch villains, Alexis often seemed to find herself at odds with the other girls these last few episodes. However, even during her shadiest moments broadcast on the show, Alexis always managed to come off as a professional and on top of her game and she scored a number of wins throughout the season.

It was Alexis’ NYC sister Peppermint who sent her packing this week, leaving us with a top four of Pep, Trinity Taylor, Shea Couleé and Sasha Velour. In this interview with HuffPost, Alexis reflects on her accomplishments while on the show, the season as a whole and what she wants to do with her platform as this season of “Drag Race” begins to draw to a close.

HuffPost: Looking back on “Drag Race” since you filmed last summer, how do you feel about the experience? Do you feel like you achieved everything you set out to achieve when you first hit the soundstage?

Alexis Michelle: If I really look back at it, I can’t say that I achieved everything that I was trying to achieve. I think I achieved a lot, but I’m known at home for being a very visual, polished queen and I feel like I brought an element of polish to the show ― but perhaps there were a couple of times where visually, whether it was the pressure or whether it was a bit of misjudgment, I maybe didn’t put my strongest foot forward. And, of course, I would’ve liked to go all the way to the top. So I can’t say I accomplished everything I set out to but I did accomplish at lot.

Is there look or a specific episode or element the show that you were the most proud of?

I definitely felt very proud of my performance in the Kardashian musical ― getting to work with Todrick Hall was such a dream come true. And I have such a fascination with Kris Jenner, so getting to portray her in the musical was so fun and I feel like that was a real shining moment. And, of course, the episode after that was Snatch Game and that was just a great time all around, both to be able to pay tribute to Liza [Minnelli] and to get to make RuPaul laugh. And then to get to do Breathless Mahoney [from “Dick Tracy”] for the Madonna runway was such a dream come true. A big full circle moment for sure.

How do you feel about your portrayal on the show, particularly towards the end of the season? These last few episodes seemed to portray you in somewhat villainous light. Do you think this portrayal is accurate?

Well, let me just clarify by saying I’m not calling any kind of shade on editing. I think that as the competition goes on, the pressure gets higher and stress levels get higher. And then, that being said, I felt a great friendship with all of my sisters and I think that perhaps in a season that really felt a lot like “RuPaul’s Best Friend Race” at times, if there was ever a moment of tension, that’s really going to stand out for people. So perhaps that’s where this perception is coming from but I assure you I was far from the shadiest person in the room [laughs].

As I’m sure you’ve gathered, so much of the show’s fan base now is made up of young teen and preteen girls. Why do you think “Drag Race” resonates so profoundly with this demographic of viewers?

I think that “Drag Race” speaks to a lot of young people in particular because young people in their adolescence are at a time when they’re really defining who they are and drag is all about self expression of who you are. As I’ve been out in the world and I’ve met a lot of these young fans, it’s become clear to me that the inspiration they derive is in us being able to live as ourselves so fully. And I think that to a young person who is figuring themselves out and really defining who they are in the world, that is where the inspiration comes from about living fully, living truthfully and very glamorously, at that. A lot of these young boys and girls love make-up among other things and getting to see us express ourselves so visually, I imagine, is very stimulating.

With “Drag Race” being aired on VH1 this season, do you see any political implications with the show being on such a mainstream network at this moment in history? What are your thoughts about that whole shift?

The move to VH1 is definitely indicative of the fact that the show is more popular than ever and will probably continue to gain popularity. With the move to VH1 we basically doubled the number of people that view the show and that’s really huge and major. And it’s very exciting. I’m glad that perhaps in reaching more people that it’s also reaching people that may not have watched it before. Maybe it’s now more of a mixed crowd watching the show, and I think that’s helpful in the world because connection is what the world lacks a lot of the time and it’s what the world needs the most, I think, is connection.

What do you want to do with the platform that “Drag Race” has given you?

There’s so much that I want to accomplish personally when it comes to acting and singing on stage and on screen. I know that expressing myself in that way does do a lot for a lot of people, as I’ve learned in my travels. But I also just want to make sure that if I have this visibility I can use it to speak my truth politically. We’re in such a time of unrest – and for good reason because there’s a lot of crap going down in the world socially and politically. So if there’s anything I can do to bring light to the right side of history than that’s what I want to do.

Out of everyone left in the competition who are you rooting for?

It’s such a hard question because even with the girls that left previously in the competition there were such good contenders. Any of these girls that are left could win – I kind of want them all to win for different reasons. I love that Trinity represents pageantry and polish but she showed herself to be such a diverse competitor by coming out in very different kinds of looks as well as doing really awesome in acting challenges. I think Shea is so well-versed and well-rounded as a queen. I love that Sasha brought something so intellectual and artistic to the show but so polished at the same. It really never felt rough around the edges with Sasha. And Peppermint is just such a tour de force. You’ve got to see her live – she just sparkles on stage and lights up the room when she’s on the microphone. It’s so hard to say – there’s really something great about all of them.

What do you want people to know and understand about who Alexis Michelle is as an artist going forward?

The first thing everybody should know about me is that I am here to entertain and make you feel great – well, to make you feel. It’s not just about feeling great, it’s about making you feel. Entertainment can sometimes be about distracting from the harsh realities of the world but I say, for me, I want you to feel good, I want you to slip away from all that, but I also want to hold the mirror up to society and perhaps make you think a little bit. And beyond that ― beyond entertaining I want people to know that I’m here to spread love. I think that’s what the world is missing when it gets messed up and that’s my message – just like RuPaul says, “Everybody say love!”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs on Friday nights at 8 PM ET/PT on VH1. Check out “Untucked” below. Missed last week’s interview with Nina Bo’Nina Brown? Head here.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rQ3CLs

[pat78701]

Last Words: Alexis Michelle Reflects On Her Time On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

Throughout the ninth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Huffington Post Queer Voices will interview each departing queen on the Saturday following the air date of their elimination episode. Check HuffPost Queer Voices weekly to read about these queens’ reflections on their time on the show, as well as their legacies as queer artists and performers. Check out the previous interview with Jaymes Mansfield, Kimora Blac, Charlie Hides, Eureka O’Hara, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Aja, Farrah Moan, Valentina and Nina Bo’nina Brown.

With only one more episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” before the reunion and season finale, we’ve really come down to the best of the best this season ― and we witnessed a top five who each deserved to be there for their own unique reasons.

However, someone has to go, and this week it was NYC queen Alexis Michelle. In a season lacking major drama or arch villains, Alexis often seemed to find herself at odds with the other girls these last few episodes. However, even during her shadiest moments broadcast on the show, Alexis always managed to come off as a professional and on top of her game and she scored a number of wins throughout the season.

It was Alexis’ NYC sister Peppermint who sent her packing this week, leaving us with a top four of Pep, Trinity Taylor, Shea Couleé and Sasha Velour. In this interview with HuffPost, Alexis reflects on her accomplishments while on the show, the season as a whole and what she wants to do with her platform as this season of “Drag Race” begins to draw to a close.

HuffPost: Looking back on “Drag Race” since you filmed last summer, how do you feel about the experience? Do you feel like you achieved everything you set out to achieve when you first hit the soundstage?

Alexis Michelle: If I really look back at it, I can’t say that I achieved everything that I was trying to achieve. I think I achieved a lot, but I’m known at home for being a very visual, polished queen and I feel like I brought an element of polish to the show ― but perhaps there were a couple of times where visually, whether it was the pressure or whether it was a bit of misjudgment, I maybe didn’t put my strongest foot forward. And, of course, I would’ve liked to go all the way to the top. So I can’t say I accomplished everything I set out to but I did accomplish at lot.

Is there look or a specific episode or element the show that you were the most proud of?

I definitely felt very proud of my performance in the Kardashian musical ― getting to work with Todrick Hall was such a dream come true. And I have such a fascination with Kris Jenner, so getting to portray her in the musical was so fun and I feel like that was a real shining moment. And, of course, the episode after that was Snatch Game and that was just a great time all around, both to be able to pay tribute to Liza [Minnelli] and to get to make RuPaul laugh. And then to get to do Breathless Mahoney [from “Dick Tracy”] for the Madonna runway was such a dream come true. A big full circle moment for sure.

How do you feel about your portrayal on the show, particularly towards the end of the season? These last few episodes seemed to portray you in somewhat villainous light. Do you think this portrayal is accurate?

Well, let me just clarify by saying I’m not calling any kind of shade on editing. I think that as the competition goes on, the pressure gets higher and stress levels get higher. And then, that being said, I felt a great friendship with all of my sisters and I think that perhaps in a season that really felt a lot like “RuPaul’s Best Friend Race” at times, if there was ever a moment of tension, that’s really going to stand out for people. So perhaps that’s where this perception is coming from but I assure you I was far from the shadiest person in the room [laughs].

As I’m sure you’ve gathered, so much of the show’s fan base now is made up of young teen and preteen girls. Why do you think “Drag Race” resonates so profoundly with this demographic of viewers?

I think that “Drag Race” speaks to a lot of young people in particular because young people in their adolescence are at a time when they’re really defining who they are and drag is all about self expression of who you are. As I’ve been out in the world and I’ve met a lot of these young fans, it’s become clear to me that the inspiration they derive is in us being able to live as ourselves so fully. And I think that to a young person who is figuring themselves out and really defining who they are in the world, that is where the inspiration comes from about living fully, living truthfully and very glamorously, at that. A lot of these young boys and girls love make-up among other things and getting to see us express ourselves so visually, I imagine, is very stimulating.

With “Drag Race” being aired on VH1 this season, do you see any political implications with the show being on such a mainstream network at this moment in history? What are your thoughts about that whole shift?

The move to VH1 is definitely indicative of the fact that the show is more popular than ever and will probably continue to gain popularity. With the move to VH1 we basically doubled the number of people that view the show and that’s really huge and major. And it’s very exciting. I’m glad that perhaps in reaching more people that it’s also reaching people that may not have watched it before. Maybe it’s now more of a mixed crowd watching the show, and I think that’s helpful in the world because connection is what the world lacks a lot of the time and it’s what the world needs the most, I think, is connection.

What do you want to do with the platform that “Drag Race” has given you?

There’s so much that I want to accomplish personally when it comes to acting and singing on stage and on screen. I know that expressing myself in that way does do a lot for a lot of people, as I’ve learned in my travels. But I also just want to make sure that if I have this visibility I can use it to speak my truth politically. We’re in such a time of unrest – and for good reason because there’s a lot of crap going down in the world socially and politically. So if there’s anything I can do to bring light to the right side of history than that’s what I want to do.

Out of everyone left in the competition who are you rooting for?

It’s such a hard question because even with the girls that left previously in the competition there were such good contenders. Any of these girls that are left could win – I kind of want them all to win for different reasons. I love that Trinity represents pageantry and polish but she showed herself to be such a diverse competitor by coming out in very different kinds of looks as well as doing really awesome in acting challenges. I think Shea is so well-versed and well-rounded as a queen. I love that Sasha brought something so intellectual and artistic to the show but so polished at the same. It really never felt rough around the edges with Sasha. And Peppermint is just such a tour de force. You’ve got to see her live – she just sparkles on stage and lights up the room when she’s on the microphone. It’s so hard to say – there’s really something great about all of them.

What do you want people to know and understand about who Alexis Michelle is as an artist going forward?

The first thing everybody should know about me is that I am here to entertain and make you feel great – well, to make you feel. It’s not just about feeling great, it’s about making you feel. Entertainment can sometimes be about distracting from the harsh realities of the world but I say, for me, I want you to feel good, I want you to slip away from all that, but I also want to hold the mirror up to society and perhaps make you think a little bit. And beyond that ― beyond entertaining I want people to know that I’m here to spread love. I think that’s what the world is missing when it gets messed up and that’s my message – just like RuPaul says, “Everybody say love!”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs on Friday nights at 8 PM ET/PT on VH1. Check out “Untucked” below. Missed last week’s interview with Nina Bo’Nina Brown? Head here.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rQ3CLs

[exfrenchdorsl4p0a1]

Last Words: Alexis Michelle Reflects On Her Time On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

Throughout the ninth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Huffington Post Queer Voices will interview each departing queen on the Saturday following the air date of their elimination episode. Check HuffPost Queer Voices weekly to read about these queens’ reflections on their time on the show, as well as their legacies as queer artists and performers. Check out the previous interview with Jaymes Mansfield, Kimora Blac, Charlie Hides, Eureka O’Hara, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Aja, Farrah Moan, Valentina and Nina Bo’nina Brown.

With only one more episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” before the reunion and season finale, we’ve really come down to the best of the best this season ― and we witnessed a top five who each deserved to be there for their own unique reasons.

However, someone has to go, and this week it was NYC queen Alexis Michelle. In a season lacking major drama or arch villains, Alexis often seemed to find herself at odds with the other girls these last few episodes. However, even during her shadiest moments broadcast on the show, Alexis always managed to come off as a professional and on top of her game and she scored a number of wins throughout the season.

It was Alexis’ NYC sister Peppermint who sent her packing this week, leaving us with a top four of Pep, Trinity Taylor, Shea Couleé and Sasha Velour. In this interview with HuffPost, Alexis reflects on her accomplishments while on the show, the season as a whole and what she wants to do with her platform as this season of “Drag Race” begins to draw to a close.

HuffPost: Looking back on “Drag Race” since you filmed last summer, how do you feel about the experience? Do you feel like you achieved everything you set out to achieve when you first hit the soundstage?

Alexis Michelle: If I really look back at it, I can’t say that I achieved everything that I was trying to achieve. I think I achieved a lot, but I’m known at home for being a very visual, polished queen and I feel like I brought an element of polish to the show ― but perhaps there were a couple of times where visually, whether it was the pressure or whether it was a bit of misjudgment, I maybe didn’t put my strongest foot forward. And, of course, I would’ve liked to go all the way to the top. So I can’t say I accomplished everything I set out to but I did accomplish at lot.

Is there look or a specific episode or element the show that you were the most proud of?

I definitely felt very proud of my performance in the Kardashian musical ― getting to work with Todrick Hall was such a dream come true. And I have such a fascination with Kris Jenner, so getting to portray her in the musical was so fun and I feel like that was a real shining moment. And, of course, the episode after that was Snatch Game and that was just a great time all around, both to be able to pay tribute to Liza [Minnelli] and to get to make RuPaul laugh. And then to get to do Breathless Mahoney [from “Dick Tracy”] for the Madonna runway was such a dream come true. A big full circle moment for sure.

How do you feel about your portrayal on the show, particularly towards the end of the season? These last few episodes seemed to portray you in somewhat villainous light. Do you think this portrayal is accurate?

Well, let me just clarify by saying I’m not calling any kind of shade on editing. I think that as the competition goes on, the pressure gets higher and stress levels get higher. And then, that being said, I felt a great friendship with all of my sisters and I think that perhaps in a season that really felt a lot like “RuPaul’s Best Friend Race” at times, if there was ever a moment of tension, that’s really going to stand out for people. So perhaps that’s where this perception is coming from but I assure you I was far from the shadiest person in the room [laughs].

As I’m sure you’ve gathered, so much of the show’s fan base now is made up of young teen and preteen girls. Why do you think “Drag Race” resonates so profoundly with this demographic of viewers?

I think that “Drag Race” speaks to a lot of young people in particular because young people in their adolescence are at a time when they’re really defining who they are and drag is all about self expression of who you are. As I’ve been out in the world and I’ve met a lot of these young fans, it’s become clear to me that the inspiration they derive is in us being able to live as ourselves so fully. And I think that to a young person who is figuring themselves out and really defining who they are in the world, that is where the inspiration comes from about living fully, living truthfully and very glamorously, at that. A lot of these young boys and girls love make-up among other things and getting to see us express ourselves so visually, I imagine, is very stimulating.

With “Drag Race” being aired on VH1 this season, do you see any political implications with the show being on such a mainstream network at this moment in history? What are your thoughts about that whole shift?

The move to VH1 is definitely indicative of the fact that the show is more popular than ever and will probably continue to gain popularity. With the move to VH1 we basically doubled the number of people that view the show and that’s really huge and major. And it’s very exciting. I’m glad that perhaps in reaching more people that it’s also reaching people that may not have watched it before. Maybe it’s now more of a mixed crowd watching the show, and I think that’s helpful in the world because connection is what the world lacks a lot of the time and it’s what the world needs the most, I think, is connection.

What do you want to do with the platform that “Drag Race” has given you?

There’s so much that I want to accomplish personally when it comes to acting and singing on stage and on screen. I know that expressing myself in that way does do a lot for a lot of people, as I’ve learned in my travels. But I also just want to make sure that if I have this visibility I can use it to speak my truth politically. We’re in such a time of unrest – and for good reason because there’s a lot of crap going down in the world socially and politically. So if there’s anything I can do to bring light to the right side of history than that’s what I want to do.

Out of everyone left in the competition who are you rooting for?

It’s such a hard question because even with the girls that left previously in the competition there were such good contenders. Any of these girls that are left could win – I kind of want them all to win for different reasons. I love that Trinity represents pageantry and polish but she showed herself to be such a diverse competitor by coming out in very different kinds of looks as well as doing really awesome in acting challenges. I think Shea is so well-versed and well-rounded as a queen. I love that Sasha brought something so intellectual and artistic to the show but so polished at the same. It really never felt rough around the edges with Sasha. And Peppermint is just such a tour de force. You’ve got to see her live – she just sparkles on stage and lights up the room when she’s on the microphone. It’s so hard to say – there’s really something great about all of them.

What do you want people to know and understand about who Alexis Michelle is as an artist going forward?

The first thing everybody should know about me is that I am here to entertain and make you feel great – well, to make you feel. It’s not just about feeling great, it’s about making you feel. Entertainment can sometimes be about distracting from the harsh realities of the world but I say, for me, I want you to feel good, I want you to slip away from all that, but I also want to hold the mirror up to society and perhaps make you think a little bit. And beyond that ― beyond entertaining I want people to know that I’m here to spread love. I think that’s what the world is missing when it gets messed up and that’s my message – just like RuPaul says, “Everybody say love!”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs on Friday nights at 8 PM ET/PT on VH1. Check out “Untucked” below. Missed last week’s interview with Nina Bo’Nina Brown? Head here.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rQ3CLs

[stormdoors78476]

Last Words: Alexis Michelle Reflects On Her Time On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

Throughout the ninth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Huffington Post Queer Voices will interview each departing queen on the Saturday following the air date of their elimination episode. Check HuffPost Queer Voices weekly to read about these queens’ reflections on their time on the show, as well as their legacies as queer artists and performers. Check out the previous interview with Jaymes Mansfield, Kimora Blac, Charlie Hides, Eureka O’Hara, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Aja, Farrah Moan, Valentina and Nina Bo’nina Brown.

With only one more episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” before the reunion and season finale, we’ve really come down to the best of the best this season ― and we witnessed a top five who each deserved to be there for their own unique reasons.

However, someone has to go, and this week it was NYC queen Alexis Michelle. In a season lacking major drama or arch villains, Alexis often seemed to find herself at odds with the other girls these last few episodes. However, even during her shadiest moments broadcast on the show, Alexis always managed to come off as a professional and on top of her game and she scored a number of wins throughout the season.

It was Alexis’ NYC sister Peppermint who sent her packing this week, leaving us with a top four of Pep, Trinity Taylor, Shea Couleé and Sasha Velour. In this interview with HuffPost, Alexis reflects on her accomplishments while on the show, the season as a whole and what she wants to do with her platform as this season of “Drag Race” begins to draw to a close.

HuffPost: Looking back on “Drag Race” since you filmed last summer, how do you feel about the experience? Do you feel like you achieved everything you set out to achieve when you first hit the soundstage?

Alexis Michelle: If I really look back at it, I can’t say that I achieved everything that I was trying to achieve. I think I achieved a lot, but I’m known at home for being a very visual, polished queen and I feel like I brought an element of polish to the show ― but perhaps there were a couple of times where visually, whether it was the pressure or whether it was a bit of misjudgment, I maybe didn’t put my strongest foot forward. And, of course, I would’ve liked to go all the way to the top. So I can’t say I accomplished everything I set out to but I did accomplish at lot.

Is there look or a specific episode or element the show that you were the most proud of?

I definitely felt very proud of my performance in the Kardashian musical ― getting to work with Todrick Hall was such a dream come true. And I have such a fascination with Kris Jenner, so getting to portray her in the musical was so fun and I feel like that was a real shining moment. And, of course, the episode after that was Snatch Game and that was just a great time all around, both to be able to pay tribute to Liza [Minnelli] and to get to make RuPaul laugh. And then to get to do Breathless Mahoney [from “Dick Tracy”] for the Madonna runway was such a dream come true. A big full circle moment for sure.

How do you feel about your portrayal on the show, particularly towards the end of the season? These last few episodes seemed to portray you in somewhat villainous light. Do you think this portrayal is accurate?

Well, let me just clarify by saying I’m not calling any kind of shade on editing. I think that as the competition goes on, the pressure gets higher and stress levels get higher. And then, that being said, I felt a great friendship with all of my sisters and I think that perhaps in a season that really felt a lot like “RuPaul’s Best Friend Race” at times, if there was ever a moment of tension, that’s really going to stand out for people. So perhaps that’s where this perception is coming from but I assure you I was far from the shadiest person in the room [laughs].

As I’m sure you’ve gathered, so much of the show’s fan base now is made up of young teen and preteen girls. Why do you think “Drag Race” resonates so profoundly with this demographic of viewers?

I think that “Drag Race” speaks to a lot of young people in particular because young people in their adolescence are at a time when they’re really defining who they are and drag is all about self expression of who you are. As I’ve been out in the world and I’ve met a lot of these young fans, it’s become clear to me that the inspiration they derive is in us being able to live as ourselves so fully. And I think that to a young person who is figuring themselves out and really defining who they are in the world, that is where the inspiration comes from about living fully, living truthfully and very glamorously, at that. A lot of these young boys and girls love make-up among other things and getting to see us express ourselves so visually, I imagine, is very stimulating.

With “Drag Race” being aired on VH1 this season, do you see any political implications with the show being on such a mainstream network at this moment in history? What are your thoughts about that whole shift?

The move to VH1 is definitely indicative of the fact that the show is more popular than ever and will probably continue to gain popularity. With the move to VH1 we basically doubled the number of people that view the show and that’s really huge and major. And it’s very exciting. I’m glad that perhaps in reaching more people that it’s also reaching people that may not have watched it before. Maybe it’s now more of a mixed crowd watching the show, and I think that’s helpful in the world because connection is what the world lacks a lot of the time and it’s what the world needs the most, I think, is connection.

What do you want to do with the platform that “Drag Race” has given you?

There’s so much that I want to accomplish personally when it comes to acting and singing on stage and on screen. I know that expressing myself in that way does do a lot for a lot of people, as I’ve learned in my travels. But I also just want to make sure that if I have this visibility I can use it to speak my truth politically. We’re in such a time of unrest – and for good reason because there’s a lot of crap going down in the world socially and politically. So if there’s anything I can do to bring light to the right side of history than that’s what I want to do.

Out of everyone left in the competition who are you rooting for?

It’s such a hard question because even with the girls that left previously in the competition there were such good contenders. Any of these girls that are left could win – I kind of want them all to win for different reasons. I love that Trinity represents pageantry and polish but she showed herself to be such a diverse competitor by coming out in very different kinds of looks as well as doing really awesome in acting challenges. I think Shea is so well-versed and well-rounded as a queen. I love that Sasha brought something so intellectual and artistic to the show but so polished at the same. It really never felt rough around the edges with Sasha. And Peppermint is just such a tour de force. You’ve got to see her live – she just sparkles on stage and lights up the room when she’s on the microphone. It’s so hard to say – there’s really something great about all of them.

What do you want people to know and understand about who Alexis Michelle is as an artist going forward?

The first thing everybody should know about me is that I am here to entertain and make you feel great – well, to make you feel. It’s not just about feeling great, it’s about making you feel. Entertainment can sometimes be about distracting from the harsh realities of the world but I say, for me, I want you to feel good, I want you to slip away from all that, but I also want to hold the mirror up to society and perhaps make you think a little bit. And beyond that ― beyond entertaining I want people to know that I’m here to spread love. I think that’s what the world is missing when it gets messed up and that’s my message – just like RuPaul says, “Everybody say love!”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs on Friday nights at 8 PM ET/PT on VH1. Check out “Untucked” below. Missed last week’s interview with Nina Bo’Nina Brown? Head here.

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