Denver’s Willow Pill is the Essence of Eccentric

A quirky drag artist who can dig deep and deliver a wicked sense of humor, Denver queen Willow Pill instantly became a fan favorite on Season 14 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which is currently airing.

Describing herself as an “angelic whore,” except on the days where she feels like being a “demonic fairy,” the bottom line is Willow is not changing for anyone. She does what she wants, when she wants, and you are going to love it.

“I like something to be slightly off because that’s the lens that people have always viewed me through,” she says in her promo interview with Entertainment Weekly. “The queer, young-looking, whimsical kid. My drag is usually very cute; it’s slightly psychedelic; it’s always a little bit twisted. I like there to be a fashion-forward aspect to everything that has a little bit of an ugly appeal. That’s, to me, how the world is. It’s beautiful in all its facets, but it’s also kind of gross.”

In addition to fulfilling her dreams of competing on Drag Race, Willow is also representing people who face lifelong illnesses and proving that a chronic condition does not have to limit you. She battles a rare but life-threatening disease called cystinosis, which impacts several parts of the body, especially the kidneys. During her “Meet the Queens” interview for VH1, Willow shared that she has to take at least 20 pills a day.

Willow has received nothing but support from the Drag Race fandom, and we absolutely cannot get enough of her. She took some time to talk with OFM about her experience on the show, using drag as a form of healing, and representing the Mile High City.

Allow me to begin by asking the big question, how does it feel to see yourself on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14?

It feels so weird (laughs). It’s like one long, arduous trip. I’d be lying if I said it was all great because it’s very odd to see yourself on screen. It’s a bit yucky and exciting at the same time, so I’m kind of learning with each episode to develop a taste for watching myself on television.

What are you ultimately taking away from this experience, and how has it changed your life?

Honestly, the biggest takeaway has been the friendships that I’ve made with the other girls. I know that’s such a pageant answer, but it’s true. They have been the best part of this through and through, especially after COVID when your new friends list is quite low because you’re not interacting with new people. It’s been great to meet all of them, dive into their drag, and humble yourself along the way with how there are so many other amazing drag artists. The bonds that I’ve shared with them, especially a select portion, is life changing.

Drag Race was your first time doing drag since the pandemic started?

Yes. As soon as the pandemic began in the U.S., I touched drag maybe three times, and it was only in those first few months of the pandemic. The day that I arrived into the Werk Room was my first time in drag in a little over a year.

Wow, so you jumped right back into it.

Exactly. I jumped right back into it, and it was kind of scary to go from no drag and having lots of peace to throwing myself back into the chaos. 

What initially made you want to try out for the show, and have you auditioned before?

This was my third time auditioning, and I wanted to be famous and have a lot of attention (laughs). That is partly the truth, but I think I’ve always wanted to be on Drag Race ever since I saw the show. Even before I started drag myself. I just didn’t know it yet. It was kind of something that I yearned for and couldn’t quite put into words. I think I just wanted to challenge myself and see if I could really do it, see if I could get on in the first place. Then if I got on, see what would happen and what parts of me would come out.

So, you’ve been a long-term, hardcore fan of Drag Race?

Definitely. I’ve watched Drag Race since Season One, episode one, when it was on The Soup with Joel McHale.

You are originally from Denver, but currently live in Chicago?

Yes. I lived in Denver from age 0-26, and I just decided it was time to try something different.

But you are representing Denver on the show. What does it personally mean to you to represent the Mile High City?

Representing Denver is exciting because I’m only the second and a half queen from Denver. Nina Flowers kind of represented Denver because she had just moved there at the time when she started, and then Yvie Oddly was the first queen truly from Denver. It means a lot because Denver has been where I’ve built myself at the sticky little clubs doing comedy shows, sometimes for three people. The scene is still very much developing, and it has its trials and tribulation, but that’s where I’m from, and it means a lot to me. It’s home.

Do you have a hometown bar?

I don’t really have a home bar in Denver, but I would say it’s kind of a mix between Tracks and (the now-closed) Gladys. Gladys is where I did my own shows, and that’s where I developed my skills as a host, a drag queen, and a comedian. Tracks has been a great home for me as well.

By the time this piece is published, we will only be halfway into the season. If you win, what do you hope to accomplish with your platform, and what kind of impact do you hope to make?

You know, I haven’t really thought about what will happen if I win. I’m trying to just soak in what’s happening right now. So, I’m going to have to figure that out if it happens. I would love to do so many things. I would love to travel, make music, make movies, do all sorts of crazy shit. Let chaos ensue, and have a very memorable and distinguishable reign.

How did you discover your passion for drag, and can you talk more about how it has become a creative outlet for you?

Like I said, I’ve been watching the show since I was 14 years old when the first season came out, but I didn’t really begin drag myself until I was 21 because I wanted to wait until I could do the whole thing. Be in the club, perform, drink, have the whole experience. Honestly, what pulled me to drag was just that queer urge to be feminine. When I was first attracted to drag, I don’t really think I knew what I was doing. I just did it because it was a fun thing to do, and I loved the show. I think I understood why I was doing drag later in my career, and it’s a big form of healing for me. I honestly think I had to do drag just to heal myself.

On the first episode, you opened up about your struggles with cystinosis. Were you at all nervous to talk about it on the show since this is something you don’t always share?

No, I wasn’t that nervous to talk about it. I’m a very, very open person. I don’t hold that much to myself, so I was kind of excited to talk about it because I hadn’t seen something like this on the show before, at least to the extent I went with it.

You are sending a clear message that a disability or illness is not going to stand in the way of happiness and creative expression.

Absolutely. There are so many artists out there who are either mentally or physically ill or have disabilities. I hope to represent people that are chronically ill and show a side of it that’s not so happy or candy-coated.

Yvie can completely relate to that. 

She’s been very helpful, and we’ve helped each other a lot in the process of digesting what drag truly means for us. It’s not quite the same as most drag queens, and I want to share that message.

It’s nice to know that you two are drag sisters. How did you and her initially meet?

The very first drag show I ever did was a student drag show that Yvie was in, and we had kind of seen each other in passing since then. I did some backup dancing for her, but it wasn’t until I did a documentary about her for a college class that we really got to know each other. Then it was a pretty slow friendship build from there. We started gravitating to the same circles, and she didn’t pay much attention to me because I was a junior queen. They’re a dime a dozen. Eventually, I started to prove that I wasn’t someone to mess with, and Yvie pays attention to someone who’s a threat. It kind of speaks for itself. Then we started to become friends because she grew to have respect for me.

What was her reaction when she found out that you were cast on Drag Race?

She was not surprised. Since this was my third time trying, I think we both felt that this was the time that it was going to happen. There was something in the air. Like, this is it. When I told her, she was like,  “Let’s get to it!”

Did she offer you any advice before going in?

She did, and Yvie is not really one to lend out advice (laughs). She’s not a very motherly person. I am more that way, but she told me before I left, whatever I’m doing on the show, always choose the option that sounds more fun. That was honestly the best advice I could have gotten. So, everything I do on the show is whatever I think is going to be the most fun for me to have.

Now that you’ve experienced Drag Race, what advice can you offer to future queens auditioning?

This is such a cliché answer, but just know yourself, and push that to the absolute limit. Shove yourself down their throats, and don’t hold back on just siphoning all of you into that video. They want to see you. Yes, there’s sewing, dancing, lip-syncing, and all that stuff, but you want to brand your personality. That’s what makes the difference between someone who gets on the show and someone who doesn’t.

Besides Yvie, are there any other past queens who inspire you the most?

I get a lot of my inspiration from Tammie Brown. I enjoy a queen who’s in their own world and doesn’t really care about critiques and all that stuff. I have a lot of respect for her. A lot of people like to make fun of her, and she is funny, but she’s also kind of a genius.

Since you are a long-term fan of the show, I can only imagine how surprised you were when the Willy Wonka chocolate bar twist was introduced. What were your thoughts on that?

When they introduced the Willy Wonka chocolate bar situation, I was like, “This is some bullshit twist they’re throwing to throw us with.” They’ve done everything on that show. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were going to eliminate us all right there. When you get on the show, you quickly learn to roll with whatever punches they throw at you because every day is something completely different, and they truly do not prepare you for any twist they bring. I wouldn’t have been surprised if we had to lip sync in a fish tank with piranhas.

Before we wrap up, is there anything else you would like to add? Any upcoming project you’re allowed to mention or plug? 

I don’t think I can mention anything right now. Everything’s under wraps and in the works, but keep an eye out because I have a lot coming up, and make sure to watch me on RuPaul’s Drag Race!

Stay up-to-date and connect with Willow Pill by following her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @willowpillqueen, or visit her official website, WillowPill.com.

Images courtesy of Willow Pill and RuPaul’s Drag Race.