By Denny Patterson

Few queens bring the heat like RuPaul’s Drag Race star Suzie Toot. 

Bursting onto our screens with a blend of charm, grit, and high-glamour camp, this South Florida darling quickly cemented herself as a fan favorite – thanks in part to her unforgettable Lip Sync LaLaPaRuza Smackdown win and her unapologetically vibrant persona. But long before she was strutting into the Werk Room, Suzie was making waves in Fort Lauderdale’s fierce drag scene, where she honed her skills and proudly represented the heart and soul of South Florida.

Now, post-Drag Race, Suzie’s star continues to rise. With her scene-stealing role in the outrageous cult horror-comedy Big Easy Queens (now streaming on Hulu) and her addition to the 2025 tour of A Drag Queen Christmas, she’s keeping fans gagged and glowing across the country.

OutClique recently caught up with Suzie to reflect on her unforgettable Drag Race journey, as well as what it means to carry Fort Lauderdale on her shoulders, how she brought twisted drag magic to the big screen, and what’s in store for the holiday tour that sleighs. 

Let’s toot it up!

Denny Patterson: Thank you for taking some time to chat with me, Suzie! Coming fresh off the most recent season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, how much of a whirlwind has this year been for you?

Suzie Toot: It’s hard to say because my life is completely, 100 percent different than it was. But in a lot of ways, I felt ready to do it because this is the amount of drag and creation I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve not been short of ideas or things to work on, but it’s been multiplied so much!

Denny Patterson: How did it feel walking into the Werk Room for the very first time?

Suzie Toot: It was surreal. We joked for a while about how it felt like we weren’t on Drag Race and this was just some fake, prank version. They’ll tell us three weeks later, we got you! It took a while for it to sink in. We would peek at the cameras, like the little view finders, and be like, wow, that’s us on Drag Race! Like I said, it was completely surreal. 

Denny Patterson: You talked a little bit about this on the show, but for our readers, what first drew you into the world of drag, and what continues to fuel your passion for it today?

Suzie Toot: What initially drew me to drag was Jinkx Monsoon. I remember thinking, oh, that’s what I want to do. I want to do Broadway, musical theater, and I can do that in drag. That’s so cool. However, it was discovering queens like Charles Busch, Varla Jean Merman, and Dina Martina that truly solidified my passion. That’s when I realized drag was for me. It’s what I love and want to pursue more than anything else.

Denny Patterson: What was the most surprising or challenging part of competing on RuPaul’s Drag Race that viewers didn’t get to see?

Suzie Toot: The most challenging aspect is the daily fatigue. When you’re watching, you don’t see the 20 minutes of silent downtime between every cut, every segment. This time forces you to sit and reflect on the decision you just made. There’s so much room for your brain to wander, and I’m someone who, given 10 minutes alone after a major decision, will overthink myself into the ground. 

Denny Patterson: Which challenge was your absolute favorite?

Suzie Toot: Though I didn’t win this challenge, the Rusical was an absolute blast! The most enjoyable part for me was during group rehearsals, watching Lexi, Arrietty, and Lana truly fall in love with the musical concept. They kept saying how much fun this was, and I was thinking, ‘Yes! This is my job, my major!’ I was having the best time.

Denny Patterson: You may not have snatched the crown, but you surely made a lasting impression, especially with winning the Lip Sync LaLaPaRuza Smackdown. How rewarding was that?

Suzie Toot: It was amazing. I believed I knew how my Drag Race journey would conclude. I thought I had a fantastic beginning, which then fizzled at the end, and that was acceptable. I figured I could still build a career from it. So, when the LaLaPaRuza opportunity came along months later, I was thrilled. I realized this could be a victorious ending, a chance to finish with a huge bang, just as I started. I’m incredibly grateful that’s how I got to depart, and I believe it truly made a difference.

Denny Patterson: If asked to compete on a season of All Stars, would you be down to do it?

Suzie Toot: I very much enjoyed my time on Drag Race and would absolutely do it again if the timing was right and everything aligned. However, I’m also very content with where my career is at the moment, so I wouldn’t commit to doing the very next season.

Denny Patterson: I’m thrilled that you’ll be involved with A Drag Queen Christmas this year. How does it feel to join such an iconic holiday production?

Suzie Toot: I couldn’t be more excited! I’ve been an avid fan of Drag Race since high school, and I always looked forward to seeing who would be cast in the Christmas production. It’s a significant honor, especially with four of us from our season, showcasing strong Season 17 representation. I feel incredibly fortunate and thrilled to have been chosen for this. My numbers are going to be exceptional.

Denny Patterson: Any hints on what we can expect from your set?

Suzie Toot: You can expect some classic Suzie Toot theatrical nonsense, but also some new and evolved stuff I’ve never done before. 

Denny Patterson: What are you looking forward to the most about traveling and connecting with queens from previous seasons?

Suzie Toot: I’ve met a couple of the queens I’ll be touring with, and I’m especially excited to meet Shea. I was a huge Shea Couleé fan when Season 9 aired, and it’s wild to think we’ll be waking up on the tour bus together. I’m not looking for deep, heartfelt moments, but rather those casual kiki moments – standing outside the venue and just hanging out with the other queens. 

Denny Patterson: How do you typically celebrate the holidays?

Suzie Toot: I grew up in a mixed household, celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas. I always preferred Christmas; it felt gayer, and it just is. My fondest memories are of decorating the tree with my mom. My two brothers weren’t interested, but as a gay person, I was all in. We’d string lights on the tree while watching It’s a Wonderful Life on a small DVD player. In the first ten minutes, my mom would start to cry, and we’d have to pack it up and finish it the next day (laughs).

Denny Patterson: There are also several LGBTQ+ people who struggle during this time of year. What advice or words of comfort can you offer them? 

Suzie Toot: I believe that tradition can be built from anywhere. I’ve gone through periods of my life where I wished for a particular aspect of a family unit. No matter what, if it’s not now, it can be soon. You can find your chosen family, and they can be absolutely anybody. Traditions and holidays can be built; it doesn’t have to be a childhood thing. It’s always possible. 

Denny Patterson: Proudly representing Fort Lauderdale and South Florida throughout your drag career, how has the local scene shaped who you are as a performer?

Suzie Toot: I believe I’m a very different kind of queen because I came up in Fort Lauderdale. Realistically, I should have been in New York, but the adversity, the need to fit in, and the adaptability I developed there truly prepared me for Drag Race. It’s why I made it as far as I did, and I’m very grateful to Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors. That whole fight in Untucked when everyone was coming for me and didn’t understand me, I was so prepared for that moment. I’ve had that conversation a million times before.

Denny Patterson: What makes South Florida’s drag scene unique compared to other cities?

Suzie Toot: I find it incredibly beautiful, and you can truly discern when young gay individuals haven’t benefited from the guidance and wisdom of older queer individuals. I have encountered numerous positive and inspiring examples of gay people later in life who have established themselves, found contentment, and persevered through the AIDS crisis and all the challenges of the past 50 years. I believe this is a truly magical experience for a young person, and I think it has significantly shaped the drag scene, the overall vibe, and the unique character of Fort Lauderdale.

Denny Patterson: What’s your go-to Fort Lauderdale spot for a night out or to catch a drag show?

Suzie Toot: Oh, that’s a good question! I must give a shout out to my home bar, Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale, which was formerly known as Lips. If you go there, you are bound to see some great drag and have a fabulous night!

Denny Patterson: I’d also like to congratulate you on your film Big Easy Queens, now streaming on Hulu! How did you initially get involved with that project?

Suzie Toot: When I first started doing drag, I reached out to Miss Bouvier, who had me as a guest at her show a couple of times. When they were putting together this movie, they were searching for someone to play Mimi. I wasn’t originally supposed to get the part. They had a reading, and since Suzie is a drag queen who acts, they asked me to read as a fill-in to hear the script. However, they were very impressed with my reading. The film’s writer, Robert Leleux, told me that after I left that day, Bouvier and he looked at each other and were like, we found her! That was such a cool moment for me. 

Denny Patterson: And what was it like blending drag performance with campy horror and Southern gothic realness in the film?

Suzie Toot: It made so much sense to me. I always felt at home making silly, high-camp videos, throwing on a wig and creating something ridiculous. That’s where my roots are. Being on the set of Big Easy Queens, I remember closing my eyes, taking a moment, and realizing: this is what I’ve always wanted to do. It doesn’t need to be a big-budget production; in fact, that often sours it. It should be small and queer. Those are the kinds of movies I love. It felt completely natural to me.

Denny Patterson: If a sequel were to happen, where would you want your character to go next?

Suzie Toot: I envision Mimi’s triumphant return, grander and more accessible. I yearn for another opportunity to embody her, to showcase her evolution from the raw, early Suzie. I want her to conquer the world, complete with a spectacular musical number, dancers, elaborate costumes, and perhaps even a touch of murder – if I could be drenched in blood once more.

Denny Patterson: What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your career?

Suzie Toot: This is my favorite question in the world. I currently have a short film that is touring film festivals right now, and I also have a script being built with some Broadway aspirations. I want to do everything with Suzie. I have so many plans that will be in the works!

Stay up-to-date and connect with Suzie Toot by following her on Instagram @suzie.toot. For more information and to purchase tickets for A Drag Queen Christmas, visit DragFans.com.