Untucked with Brian: Interview with Chad Michaels of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season Four

For the past three seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the majority of the star contestants who have paved the street for future drag contestants have been queens and impersonators of the younger age, primarily in the early to mid-twenties. As for one Chad Michaels, he is no stranger to drag and the art of female impersonation because he is one of the top Cher impersonators in the country and you’ll be seeing her later this month as we kick-off the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. RuPaul’s Drag Race airs the premiere on January 30th and Seattle Gay Scene will be on the red carpet for the premiere party on January 24th blogging live and getting video interviews of the contestants and judges. You can support Chad Michaels through Facebook and Twitter and visit her website, www.chadmichaels.com. Before you jump over the the social networks or her website, find out what we dished about with this drag star…

Chad Michaels as Cher. Michael Schmidt/Julia Gerrard Inspired Costume Recreation: Crusade Photo Credit: Corazon Media Graphic: William Cuccio

B.Michael Peterson: Where did your drag name come from and how has it become a part of your career?

Chad Michaels: Greetings gorgeous Seattle!! Well, my drag name used to be Brigitte Love! I had to kill her. I dropped that AKA when I moved to Las Vegas to work with an “Evening at La Cage”. La Cage required that each entertainer be introduced by a male stage name and mine just stuck! People came to know and love me by the name Chad Michaels and I didn’t wanna fuck it up! I love all the lov’in I can get!! 🙂 Sometimes I miss Brigitte, but she really was a bitch!!

Peterson: Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

Michaels: I grew up in San Diego, CA and still reside there. I love living on the West Coast in the sleepy beach community I call home. It’s a total 360 from the wacky world of my career as an entertainer. I get to escape all the craziness of drag just by clicking my heels!!! Surfs up dude!

Peterson: Welcome to season four, hunty, how many times did you have to audition to get on this show?

Michaels: Well, HUNTY (insert a little attitude here<-), I actually submitted audition tapes for seasons 2 and 3! I finally put out for season 4 and got a spot. Don’t ask who I had to blow.

Peterson: What animal do you represent in the jungle?

Michaels: I would say my inner jungle animal is a cougar, well, because that’s what I am, a Drag Cougar! 40+ and looking for good times and easy prey!!! LOL!!!

Peterson: Excluding RuPaul and Lady Bunny, what previous drag race contestant do you aspire to, or look up to and why?

Michaels: I love and celebrate Season 3 cast member Delta Work!! and not just because she’s one of my best girlfriends! Delta is gorgeous, has the most dangerous curves in the biz, has a sharp tongue and wit, but most importantly, she’s a great big old softy with a heart of gold! “The Whore with the Heart of Gold”!! Yes!!! Book title!!!

Peterson: Without revealing details about the show (of course), how would you describe this season in comparison to the previous seasons?

Michaels: All I can say about this season of RPDR4 is that ya’ll aren’t ready for all the high-high drama, fun and fantasy, and the pure emotion. It is truly going to bring America to it’s knees. Emmy Please! Thank you!

Peterson: How confident are you in getting crowned the next Drag Superstar?

Michaels: I can certainly say that I get all my confidence from KNOWING that I am the most beautiful Bitch in the cut… and the most humble, of course! 😉

Chad Michaels as Joan Crawford. MAC/ PAPER MAGAZINE Event Photo Credit: Mike Ruiz

Peterson: On many reality shows, people have said that they are not here to make friends. What’s your take on making friends on reality shows?

Michaels: I’m a really friendly Queen to begin with so making friends for me is part of what makes my career as a Female Impersonator most rewarding. Making friends in a competition like RPDR4 is or course natural and it can be very comforting to have someone to lean on. Making enemies also tends to be part of this kind of competition…. stay tuned Babes!

Peterson: Are there any special groups that are formed this season with some of the girls?

Michaels: You can expect to see the Queens of RPDR4 pulling all kinds of stunts and shows this season! It is an extremely diverse cast or girls with all different backgrounds and styles. When they put us all together, BIG THINGS HAPPEN!!

Peterson: Every season, there is always a sewing challenge on the show. Do you sew and if so, how well are you gifted at this trade?

Michaels: I can confirm that there will be some pretty rigorous sewing challenges this season! I design and sew many of my own costumes and garments so I feel as though I’m ready for anything Ru throws my way!! I can’t say that some of the girls were as competent with a sewing machine as I was!

Peterson: There are a handful of fabulous guest judges for this season. How well did you respond to the criticisms of Michelle Visage and Santino?

Michaels: Michelle and Santino can be harsh critics! However, if a competitor is willing to swallow their pride and listen to what the judges are saying, success is very attainable. RuPaul and the judges are basically telling you what they want to see from you and it is your responsibility to apply the advice they give you during the course of the competition! All you have to do is listen Baby!

Peterson: What is your strength and what is your weakness as a drag queer and artist?

Michaels: My strengths as an entertainer and artist include creativity, uniqueness, nerve, and talent!! Well, these talents will get you in the competition, but I also do my own sewing, hair, make-up, music mixing, I have dance training, and I can run my mouth on a microphone! I’m a very talented Girl! I guess my only weakness would be my wooden leg.

Peterson: Where does drag fit into your overall career?

Michaels: Drag is my overall career. I have been completely dedicated to entertaining the masses for over 10 years now. I haven’t had a day job since 2001. Drag is my passion. I love the creative process and live to perform live! It’s all so unpredictable and exciting! As far as weaknesses go, I am a bit of a sissy and sometimes all the rhinestones on my costumes can be a little heavy and taxing!! 😉

Peterson: What is your current relationship status? Single? Partnered? Widowed?

Michaels: I have been with my partner Adam for eight years. My relationship with him is the thing I am most proud of and hold most dear in my life. Adam is talented, funny, caring, handsome, and has been my rock when  seas get rough. We want to get married but have decided to wait until we can legally do so in California. We are STILL waiting and fighting for our rights!!

Peterson: What three words would you say to Michele Bachman if she were standing right in front of you?

Michaels: You Stupid Bitch!

Peterson: What person, dead or alive, would you love to spend an entire day with and why?

Michaels: I would love to spend the day with, of course, Cher! We would go shopping, have lunch, do the spa, and swap cosmetic war stories! I know we would have a grand time and would probably end up being organ donors for each other as our DNA is clearly a match! You see the resemblance, right??!! Love you Seattle and hope to see you soon!!!