Gurl Talk: A chat with Laila McQueen

Laila McQueen, the Boston queen who showed it’s okay to be a little freaky, introduced us to the death splat, and sashayed away in one of the most shocking eliminations in RuPaul’s Drag Race herstory, chatted with us about drag, her time on the show, and auditioning from her toilet.

How did Laila come to be?
Well, I started doing drag when I was about fifteen years old. I was really into the whole transformation process, so I started going to parties in high school, looking like a real busted cross-dresser. It was real rough … I mean there is ‘first time in drag’ rough, and there is “me in high school going to parties” rough.

I had a hard time in school and I’ve always been very artistic, so when I was getting bullied and harassed, which made me feel like shit, instead of turning to drugs or alcohol I turned to drag. It was more of a creative outlet that I could get into and enjoy more than just getting fucked up and ignoring everything.

As soon as I turned 18, I started performing in bars. I mean, I had the connections to get a fake ID, so immediately after becoming an “adult” I started performing. At first, I was doing real poppy stuff and Top 40 that I knew people would like, but I didn’t necessarily enjoy. So, I would take those Top 40 songs and mash in a little bit of Marilyn Manson, or a rock song into it. Once I had them liking me, I slowly forced them to let me do my own thing.

I really immersed myself into the world of drag. I was listening to gay music, watching others perform, watching old movies, and really pulling from people I’ve met along the way. We are always changing and always learning.

You auditioned for the show three times, what finally caught Ru’s eye?
The first, and even the second time, I was trying a little to hard. I didn’t know what to do, and I kept giving them what I thought they wanted on the show. The third time I just had a few drinks, and decided to answer these questions how I want to. I didn’t want to give them the stock answers I gave them the last few times.

I spent half of my audition tape on a toilet seat.

I’m dead serious, if I could release my audition tape I totally would. Someday I will and you will look at it and think, ‘wow she is a moron.’

What was it like watching yourself on the show?
It’s weird … it’s so weird. It happened so long ago, that now I watch it and wonder why I did this, or why I wore that. We spend so much time filming, that an episode is just a soundbite of an entire day of filming. So, as I watch a remember some things that happened. It’s very bizarre.

Also, I’m not the type of person who likes to hear themselves talk. So it’s weird.

But, I’ve had a lot of support from fans. And, I haven’t had one person be mean directly to me. A lot of people are bummed that I’m off, but they’ve been really supportive.

How has touring the nation been?
Before the show, the furthest from Massachusetts I had performed was like Maine or Rhode Island. Nothing too crazy.

Touring is exhausting but really fun. Even though I’m not in any certain city for too long, it’s really exciting to travel outside of Massachusetts, meet new people, and see new crowds. It was really fun on the premiere tour because it was the first time we were all back together since filming. It was the first time we could all hang out without the pressure of competing hanging over us.

What can we expect from Laila in the future? 

My biggest goal is to move out of my parents basement.

I’m not going to limit myself. I went to art school, and I do have a background in art outside of drag that I would love to get more of a following with that. I’m just not going to limit myself, because this is an opportunity that is not given very often, nor is it guaranteed to last forever. So, I want to use this time to do anything and everything, and take all the opportunities I can get. Travel. Do performances. Make connections. Make art, whether in or out of drag. I am game for anything.

I probably won’t drop an album … but I’m not going to limit what’s to come.

What can we expect at the show tonight? 
I like to play off the crowd a lot. You can expect me to throw myself onto the floor, and do some outfit changes. I’m not a dancer, so don’t expect the kicks or flips.

I’m an idiot. I’m a rockstar.

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Laila will be performing at the Double Tree in Westminster tonight with the Colorado Tini Girls. Show starts at 9pm.