Losing is the new winning.
Especially when you leaveRuPaul’s Drag Racea bigger icon than you entered.
Such is the case for Season 17’sJoella, the “Slaysian Diva” or LA.
Image by Zanda Rice, MTV
The community icon came into the show talking a big game.
Bringing raw emotion to theUntucked, Joella has become the season’s meme queen thus far.
Even though she’s an early out, Joella has become one of the breakout stars of the show.
Image via MTV
So, whatisit like being an icon of her community?
It’s the LA icon herself, Joella!
JOELLA: I am so good this morning.
I am doing great now.
After we chatted pre-season, I told our mutual friendAustiethat Joelle is like so cool.
I need to hang out with her.
You just proved that this season, you are just a fun, good-time gal.
JOELLA: Yes, ma’am, I’m definitely the ki.
And I’ve definitely been told that a lot.
If you could describe yourDrag Race17 journey in three words, what would they be?
What has shocked you the most now that the season has been airing?
Let’s talk about your feedback to the girls.
You were simply brilliant.
You’re a dueling reads with Hormona.
Reading Acacia the house down boots about beating Hormona.
It was all iconic.
So Joella, is it the tea or shade?
Are you just a brutally honest sister?
JOELLA: I think that I’m just a brutally honest person.
I think it might be the way that I say things.
I took in a lot of media to kind of catch up.
I don’t know.
I guess it’s good for TV, so that’s why I’m here.
All right, so the premiere featured the appearance ofKaty Perry.
What was it like sharing that moment with her in the Werk Room?
JOELLA: Oh my God.
I just love her so much.
Whether people understand it or not, I’m a very big Katy Perry fan.
When I first met her, it was so insane to me.
And then I started doing drag, and then getting onDrag Racewas this mind-blowing dream come true.
I was so gagged by it.
I had to pinch myself every day.
And then I get there, and then Katy Perry is also gonna be there.
So in my mind, I don’t even know how to describe it.
It’s like having two orgasms at the same time.
I don’t know how else to describe it, but that is how it was.
It was just two things I’ve dreamed of, I live for, I love.
Two dreams come true, coming true at the same time.
Joella Talks About Being an Icon
You are a marketing genius.
The Busted tee is brilliant.
What I love about you is that you’re owning everything.
How much fun are you having taking your time from the show and capitalizing on it?
I thought it was only going to be like two or three.
What is it like being an icon in your community?
I’m gonna say yourUntuckedbreakdown was iconic and will go down in history.
I’m comparing it to Melinda Verga.
What has it been like seeing all these memes and reactions that have resulted?
And, for years, I’ve always wanted to be one of them.
And now, seeing myself become one of them is just a dream come true.
This week was all about some iconic moments in Drag Race herstory.
You got to recreate the greatest hits.
Do you have a favorite all-time moment that wasn’t featured?
JOELLA: I can’t remember if it was featured or not.
I don’t think it was.
It is pretty brilliant.
What was it like working with your team?
And is there anything you would have done differently in this challenge?
I feel like something I wish I would have done different is bring a different runway.
And that’s what I would have done different.
Let’s talk about the comforter.
I need to know the history behind it.
JOELLA: So actually, the back of it wasn’t supposed to just a pure airbrush painting.
That would have been very cool.
How has that conversation with Onya inspired you today?
I don’t know why I chose that to be the moment I did that.
So I guess when I got casted, it was when I was getting woken up to that.
And when I was starting to actually become proud of being Chinese.
Being Asian, being Chinese will always be a part of me.
I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I was never Chinese or Asian.
I’m happy that I’m Asian.
Yeah, you definitely inspired a lot of people this season.
So congratulations on that.
JOELLA: Thank you.
You were feeling it again this week inUntucked.
You walked away, and then you had Hormona sit with you.
How important was it to just have her there and hold your hand?
Things I was saying when I was there were very real.
Very real struggles that I was going through at that time.
I had been going through, and I hadn’t been honest with myself.
With the people around me.
I needed that moment because it was the first time I needed to take care of myself.
And I’ll say, I’m taking insulin now for my diabetes.
I have taken care of myself.
I have been watching what I eat, what I drink more.
I went to the doctor.
Got prescribed to insulin.
I’m taking new meds now for my diabetes.
I’m taking care of myself like I said I was.
I’m just in a much better place in my life than I was a few months ago.
That’s amazing to hear.
The cartoon queen with an artistic flair sadly becomes the Porkchop of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 17.
All right, let’s begin withLucky Starzzz.
JOELLA: Whoa, whoa.
We’ll do that.
JOELLA: Absolute bonkers.
JOELLA: bang out A.
Lexi Love.
JOELLA: I don’t know.
Oh, I would have.
Let’s just put that.
JOELLA: I would have to say for her, I would have to say buffoonery.
JOELLA: Charismatic, charisma.
JOELLA: The devil
Acacia Forgot
JOELLA: my sister.
That’s my LA sister.
And finally, Joella.
JOELLA: The next dream for Joella is to just push drag into mainstream as much as possible.
And to just grow as much as possible.
JOELLA: Yas!!!
Previous seasons ofRuPaul’s Drag Raceare available to stream on Paramount+.
