After a sold out 16-city tour through Europe, the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race will unleash their own brand of hilarity and hijinks upon the USA this fall with the extension of their WERQ THE WORLD TOUR. Produced by Voss Events in collaboration with VH1 and World of Wonder, the tour will launch October 11th in San Diego and end October 29th in Chicago. Michelle Visage will host with performances by some of the series’ most unforgettable queens including Alyssa Edwards, Detox, Kim Chi, Shangela, Latrice Royale, and Violet Chachki. Joining them will be season nine favorites Sasha Velour, Trinity Taylor and Valentina.
Alyssa Edwards competed in the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race where viewers fell in love with her personality and sense of humour. Last year, Alyssa was on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2 where she once again mesmerized the audience at home, and now she is busy touring the globe on the WERQ the World tour alongside some of the most prominent stars of Drag Race.
CelebMix spoke with Alyssa Edwards about the upcoming North American leg of the WERQ the World tour, the influence of RuPaul’s Drag Race and her love for dance.
CM: Hi Alyssa! How are you?
ALYSSA: I’m well sweetie! Thank you for having me.
CM: You’re currently on the Werq the World Tour, how’s the tour going?
ALYSSA: The tour is amazing, it’s good to be surrounded by the best of the best, as we all love and appreciate each other’s’ craft and commitment. It feels like we’re always building each other up and working as this tight-knit team, and that’s something that you don’t see every day, it’s just been such a great group to travel with.
CM: What can fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race expect from the shows?
ALYSSA: You know that feeling you get when you’re watching Drag Race and they’re about to begin the Mainstage portion of the episode, and obviously from the Runway part to the LSFYL, there’s this whole chunk of time you’re like “YAS BITCH!”? Well, think of that but in a two-hour live show format! It gives me this feeling that I am Jennifer Lopez or Britney Spears and I have this residency at Planet Hollywood, and there’s this huge production with lights, video, insane sound as well pyrotechnics (when possible), our carefully thought-out moments make the audience lose their minds!
CM: You have visited so many amazing places on this tour, which city or country has been your favourite?
ALYSSA: I love every place we visit; they’re all so unique in each experience that it’s hard to pick one out. If I had to pick one, maybe Montreal, we had so much fun there the first time we went. We went to a strip club and everything.
CM: What are you most looking forward to on the US leg of the tour this fall?
ALYSSA: The show in all honesty, we produce a show that isn’t like the others. It’s a bit next level. We all know how much Drag Race has grown, well… so has the live shows. Our producer, Brandon Voss, truly has an eye for this kind of entertainment and we are so excited to show the rest of the world how we Werq.
CM: What has been the most memorable moment from the tour so far?
ALYSSA: Playing ‘Heads Up’ until 4 am on the tour bus. I won. I won all of it!
CM: How have the fans reacted to the shows?
ALYSSA: They ask us to come back next year! They have been very receptive on the format and the level of fierce it exudes.
CM: How does it feel knowing that you’re an inspiration to so many people?
ALYSSA: Daunting, but I am inspired by them too, so I know the feeling as well. I learn from the kids as much as they do from me.
CM: Why do you think that shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race are so important in this day and age?
ALYSSA: Drag Race doesn’t take itself too seriously. And that is a winning formula. Let’s make fun of ourselves and be open with one and another. Success is right around the corner.
CM: The world has come far in the past few decades but the LGBT+ community still faces huge struggles globally – do you feel a responsibility to spread awareness and be politically active?
ALYSSA: Absolutely. I feel like Drag Race was the conduit for that, and I am a messenger. Things take time, but it’s a blessing to be able to work and be philanthropic at the same time. In the future, I plan on being more involved within my own community as well. Especially, since I just bought a house in said community.
CM: Do you think that RuPaul’s Drag Race helps straight people to be more open-minded and understanding?
ALYSSA: Yes ma’am! I am meeting boyfriends and mothers and fathers of LGBT+’s and they are sometimes more into the show than the ones who roped them in the first place. It’s incredible!
CM: You’re running the Beyond Belief Dance Company, how has dance influenced your life and drag career?
ALYSSA: Dance is my life and one of the only ways that can really make me center myself. Without dance, I feel a little lost. Drag was almost another facet of my dance life and it just came natural to me. So I feel very lucky, having that experience to bring me where I am now.
CM: Earlier this year it was announced that you’re getting your own web series titled ‘Haus of Edwards’, can you tell us more about it?
ALYSSA: If I open my mouth, I will spill all. Ganja (Laganja Estranja) has a knife to my throat. All I can say is that it’s coming.
CM: What can your fans expect to see from you in late 2017?
ALYSSA: Werq The World and various gigs! Check out my Instagram to keep to up to date.
Don’t forget to get your tickets to see Alyssa Edwards and the other queens on the North American leg of the Werq the World tour.