Drag Race Star Coming to Voyeur

Photo by Traver Rains

This year’s “Boys of Summer 8” at Voyeur (Aug. 12 at 9 p.m.) is being treated to some celebrity pizazz when Manila Luzon of RuPaul’s Drag Race comes to town. Luzon was the runner up this season – and she’s also one of the drag style divas on Drag U, a popular spin off that helps transform regular gals into queens for a day.

Joining Luzon at the event will be Philly’s own DJ Carl Michaels and 40 (yes 40) of the sexiest aussieBum lifeguard models – talk about a hot body contest.

Luzon – known as the Asian Glamasaurus – sat down with G Philly to tell us what it’s like being on the hit Logo show and how she balances celebrity with her longtime relationship with fellow Drag Race diva Sahara Davenport (they’ve been an item in New York City for the last five years).

So what do you have in store for “Boys of Summer” next month?

When it comes to what I do, it’s a lot of getting out there and winging it. If I’m having a good time – everyone is having a good time. And I love Philly.

Most people will probably recognize you from RuPaul’s Drag Race. You almost won this season!

I know! And I didn’t win. But money can come from anywhere, right? I would have bought myself something really pretty. …I did make it to the very, very end and I’m very happy with how I did on the show. I never would have imagined doing stand-up comedy or interviewing people or making fake sci-fi movies. Doing it all in drag is kinda crazy. But for me it was a lot of fun.

Courtesy of Manila Luzon

What was going through your head when you were waiting for the results?

I didn’t expect to win. Honestly, I never win anything. I never win at bingo. I’ve lost lots of money gambling. I suck at Monopoly. I suck at Chutes and Ladders, hunny – I always end up sliding down that long ladder. I’m just not used to winning stuff. And I thought, maybe this time…nope. But it was not about winning. I’m not that competitive anyway.

What’s it like dating fellow queen Sahara Davenport?

We’ve been together for five years. That’s a lot of sequins and a lot of bobby pins! It’s rough now though. Last year, she was traveling a lot after the show and I was stuck at home. Now she’s still traveling and now I’m traveling. Our schedules are very separate. We really have a hard time getting together.

And now you must also be busy with Drag U?

Yes – it’s a spin off where we take biological women that have some kind of personal issue and try to solve it by putting them in drag. Drag is so empowering. I do drag so much that I take it for granted – the fabulousness that comes with it and how your personality is able to come out. It’s great to see someone do it for the first time – and it’s a really fun show.

You said you’ve been to Philly before?

I’ve been to Philly a few times. I live in New York City, so it’s a hop on the train. I always feel like it should be a longer trip; I enjoy riding the Amtrak out there. I can’t wait to get there. The greatest thing after the show is that I get to travel a lot, but because I travel so much, I don’t really get a chance to stay very long. The last time, I flew in that day and performed that night and left the next morning at six o’ clock. I think I’m in Chicago the next day. So I’ll be in and out.

Well, the show has been such a hit. And you have a lot of “fanilas” here. We look forward to seeing you at Voyeur.

Thank you! There’s boys, it’s summer and Philly – and Manila – what more do you need?

Boys of Summer 8, Aug. 12, 9 p.m., Voyeur, 1221 St. James St.