Columbia drag queen set to shine on new season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”

Photo Courtesy: MTV

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — “In shady times, let there be light” — reads the caption on a new advertisement for the internationally popular television show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

A shining light in Columbia and across South Carolina, drag queen Kenya Pleaser, will brighten the show’s main stage when it airs on MTV this coming January.

But as usual, she’ll have plenty of competition — with 13 other queens also unveiled on Tuesday, and all vying to win the Season 18 crown, as well as the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.”

The winner also walks away with a cash prize of $200,000.

ABC Columbia’s Lee Williams caught up with Kenya at a mutual friend’s birthday party as she performed for the 1st time since the announcement became public — the event also serving as a special fundraiser for SC Equality on “Giving Tuesday.”

LW: How are you feeling now that the cat’s out of the bag?

KP: “I am feeling so overwhelmingly loved from the fans! It’s different (than getting) love from your community and love from people that do drag around town. But to have the love of fans of an international television show, saying how much they love you is so weird. It’s so — it’s kind of chilling in a good way. It’s so humbling. It’s exciting! It truly feels like a dream and a blessing, honestly.”

LW: What are you looking forward to the most in life now that you’re officially a “Ru-girl”?

KP: “I’m most excited, honestly, to travel and to take my talents outside of this great city and to show the world a little bit of Kenya Pleaser. You know, I love performing and I love pushing myself. I felt kind of stagnant here, working the bar gigs. But being able to push my drag to a national stage and show people my personality…tell my story… and show America, and the world what I have to offer, not just in drag, but as a person.”

LW: And who is Kenya Pleaser?

KP: Kenya Pleaser is an effervescent, larger-than-life character that just so happened to get up in drag. See, Kenya is a regular person that does drag. It’s so funny. It’s a duality thing.  Because, out of drag, I think I’m the same way. My personality is the same way. But when I get in drag, I get this sense of confidence that I don’t really access in my day-to-day life. So Kenya definitely is a confident, fierce, Black b***h.”

LW: How long have you been doing drag?

KP: Going on four years!

LW: Where were you born?

KP: So, I actually was born and raised in Manning, South Carolina. I started sneaking out to the clubs. Literally, no one (from my hometown) knew I did drag until today. My family found out I do drag today! So honestly, it’s been a crazy experience. But for me (I was) sneaking out, doing drag, and not feeling safe in my body, in my home — and me moving out — it just blossomed, you know? 

LW: What bar do you consider your home bar?

KP: I’m a cast member at The Capital Club on Gervais Street in Columbia. I work there almost every other weekend, honey. 

LW: You’ve said you believe in being humble, kind, and spreading positivity. Elaborate for me.

KP: “So, a lot of people think that when you get in drag, (because we live in a space where we “read” people, or “throw shade” or say snarky comments. Yes, that’s all fun and games. But at the end of the day, what type of person are you? Are you an actual kind person? And I always like to lead with kindness, and I always like to lead with being humble. Because my thing is, we are not the best at everything that we do. We always can critique ourselves, we always can get better. So staying humble is really important to me because my Aunt Hattie always used to tell me, ‘Don’t get too much of a big head.’ Because when you start doing that, you kind of create a monster. So being humble truly grounds you. It tethers you down to reality for me. And I love that.”

LW: How old are you?

KP: I turn 27 this week. 

LW: Happy early Birthday! Can you tell me *anything* about RuPaul?

KP: The first day seeing RuPaul in the workroom, I felt like I was watching TV. I wanted to be like, “Oh, where’s my remote?” It felt so fake. She did not look real! I was like, “Oh, this seven-foot-tall man is standing in front of me, telling me my fate on this show. And I loved every second of it. I loved it. As crazy as it was, I loved it. Loved it. I love it. The first time I saw her, she was sickening! It was crazy! 

LW: Anything else you’d like to share?

KP: “Honestly, just thank you so much, South Carolina. Born, bred, and raised — it has taught me so much. Even the Christian values — all of that. I truly am thankful to be from this wonderful state and (be) one of the firsts to represent South Carolina. So I’m beyond humbled and blessed to be a representative.”

(Kornbread Jete, Nina Bo’nina Brown, Milan, and Victoria Porkchop Parker are also Drag Race contestants from South Carolina)

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 will air January 2nd on MTV at 8 p.m.