By Denny Patterson
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race are excited to make your holidays a little extra special.
Murray and Peter proudly present the 10th anniversary of A Drag Queen Christmas, bringing its 2024 tour to the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts (December 26), South Florida’s Coral Springs Center for the Arts (December 27), the Straz Center in Tampa (December 28), and the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater (December 29). Featuring winners, all stars, and fan favorites, this annual production is a festive experience full of jaw-dropping performances and electrifying lip-sync battles.
Among this year’s iconic cast lineup is Roxxxy Andrews, fresh off her run with All Stars 9, where contestants competed for a $200,000 contribution to a charity of their choice. Back for the third time, Roxxxy showcased her evolution and growth as an artist, proving she remains a force to be reckoned with.
OutClique caught up with the superstar to talk more about A Drag Queen Christmas and what the holidays mean to her, as well as her return to the mainstage, why she chose the Miracle of Love for her charity, and redemption for pageant queens.
Denny Patterson: How excited are you to be a part of this year’s Drag Queen Christmas?
Roxxxy Andrews: Oh my God, so excited! I was involved with the earlier days of the Christmas tour, and seeing what it has evolved into 10 years later, it’s super fun to be asked back. I love the holidays.
Denny Patterson: And how exciting is it to perform and travel with so many queens from other seasons?
Roxxxy Andrews: What I love the most is when I get to travel with queens I’ve never worked with. I’m going to be with Crystal Methyd, several girls from Season 16, and Nina West was unable to be on the All Stars 9 tour, so I’m glad to do this tour with her. So, I’m excited to work with girls I have yet to work with, and the fact that it’s a tour, we’re going to get to know each other very quickly. We become like roommates (laughs).
Denny Patterson: Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect from your set?
Roxxxy Andrews: There’s two performances for each queen, and for me, I always start with a little holiday cheer. Then I go into good ol’ Roxxxy that everybody wants to see. A little shaking and a little bumping with a good classic number. I’m a lip sync assassin; I’ve got to keep that reputation!
Denny Patterson: What are the holidays typically like for you, and how do you celebrate?
Roxxxy Andrews: Honestly, I’m a go, go, go, kind of girl. Whenever there’s work, I’m there. I’ve never been a big family holiday person, because I basically have no biological family. Waking up in the morning with your mom and dad, seeing all these presents under the tree, and drinking cocoa while opening them up – that’s never been for me in my life. So, I try to make it in my own way and celebrate with my gay family. That’s why it’s nice to be able to celebrate this with all the girls, because that’s kind of what I do. It’s kind of what I’ve always done, and it’s always special in its own way.
Denny Patterson: Is there a specific holiday memory that you always hold closest to your heart?
Roxxxy Andrews: Not really, but I’ve always loved decorating. Those are the memories for me. Like, do I do a real tree or a fake tree? We’re in Florida, so it gets very hot. Do I even have time for a tree? Since I’ll be touring, I won’t have time to decorate this year, but getting on a stage every night to a whole Christmas themed stage, that’s like decorating in your own way.
Denny Patterson: There are several LGBTQ+ people who struggle during this time of year. What advice or words of comfort can you offer them?
Roxxxy Andrews: Listen, I feel you. I’m with you. I get it, and know that you’re not alone. If you don’t have family, celebrate with the people that you do love, because it’s the exact same. Just because you don’t have the same blood running through your body doesn’t mean you’re not family. And for the people who are struggling money wise, know it’s not about the materialistic things. It’s about those moments you get to spend with those people you love. I always tell people, just bring yourselves. They’re like, well, we don’t have any presents and whatever, and that shouldn’t matter. We just want to celebrate with each other, give a shout out to those who are going through tough times, and remember the people we lost. I go through Christmas morning reaching out to everybody I love. With today’s technology, it’s quick to send a text saying ‘Merry Christmas,’ ‘Happy Hanukkah,’ or whatever, but a phone call means so much more.
Denny Patterson: Switching gears, I’d like to ask a couple questions about Drag Race. Coming fresh off the most recent U.S. All Stars season, how much of a whirlwind has this year been for you?
Roxxxy Andrews: Insane! People, of course, have their feelings about the show, and I always say, everything that’s meant to be will be. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me, but the fans had a way of making every girl from All Stars 9 feel like a winner. It was for charity, the first of its kind, and we were so excited to raise money for all our charities. The whole shebang of All Stars 9 has literally been my favorite from all the seasons. Filming, touring, the girls. Sorry, RoLaskaTox, but this was a lot of fun for me.
Denny Patterson: After competing on Season 5 and All Stars 2, why did you decide to come back for a third time?
Roxxxy Andrews: I decided to come back because of the charity aspect. I was the only person who chose a local charity, and I really wanted to raise money for these girls. So, the charity aspect was first and foremost, because I felt like I’ve done everything I could on Drag Race, but I knew that my competition aspect on All Stars 2 was not as good as it could have been. I was in my head and I knew I could do better. I proved that by landing in the Top 3 again, showing that I am good at challenges, and just being myself.
Denny Patterson: Did you feel a difference in the fan reception this time?
Roxxxy Andrews: Oh my God! The fans were so Team Roxxxy, it was nuts! As we know, the fandom can get a little rowdy and they want to express their feelings, but everyone needs to be respectful of how the show turns out. I was so grateful for how the fans responded to this season, and I love you guys for loving me.
Denny Patterson: The charity you chose was Miracle of Love. Can you tell us more about this organization?
Roxxxy Andrews: Miracle of love is the main charity, but under the umbrella of Miracle of Love is a group of girls called Divas in Dialogue. I chose this charity because of them because I see the outreach they do. It’s for trans women and men of color, and you don’t have to be of color, but it was made under trans women and men of color, and they help the trans community get off the streets. They teach them how to get their names legally changed, what routes they have to go down, and build resumes to help find employment. Back then, trans women were primarily street and sex workers, and that’s not how it has to be nowadays. You can have a job. You don’t have to be in the path of going to jail or being in trouble with what you’re doing. Divas in Dialogue also go to clubs and hand out information about getting tested at the Miracle of Love, how to receive PrEP, and just want to make sure everyone is being safe. I see the outreach that they do firsthand, and they’re such a small organization, so that’s why I wanted to raise money for them. They don’t have national exposure like so many other charities.
Denny Patterson: And because this season was for charity, there were no eliminations. However, the winner of each challenge not only won a Beautiful Benefactress Badge, but was able to snip a fellow competitor with the Ruby Scissors. What were your overall thoughts about how the game was being played?
Roxxxy Andrews: I’m an older, seasoned girl, and the people tend to see me as the drag queen’s drag queen. They saw me as competition, and I understood that aspect. So, getting snipped on the first episode, I was like, okay, but then getting snipped many times after that, I didn’t get it. Everybody played their own kind of game, but for me, I was going to think of what the next challenge would be. When you’ve been on Drag Race so many times like me, you kind of know the formula. This week was an acting challenge, so many next week will either be singing or sewing, so you might want to cut somebody that’ll do good after that. Everybody had their own game, and we knew it had to be done. I know I had a very emotional snipping one week because I had already gotten my eye for an eye, and the rest of the girls looked at me like a mother. To snip them, I felt like I was cutting them off from their dream. I know it’s the game, but at the same time, it was very hard to do.
Denny Patterson: I must admit, it was funny seeing you and Angeria go back and forth with the scissors.
Roxxxy Andrews: (Laughs) The fans loved it! Especially that one week I didn’t snip her, but then she snipped me the next week. Like, girl, I didn’t snip you, and you’re coming for me? Oh, I was very mad that day!
Denny Patterson: You and Plastique Tiara teamed up for the real estate comedy challenge, which was iconic, and you’ve gone on record saying that victory was a redemption for ‘Snatch Game’ and a redemption for girls that tend to get that pageant edit. Can you talk more about that?
Roxxxy Andrews: Opposed to queens who do things outside of the box, pageant girls have been deemed to be not as good of competitors on Drag Race because we’re wanting to look good and be perfect at all times, and that’s not what a drag is always about. It’s about having all those aspects of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. Getting that perception of it and being able to be seen as a pageant girl, but go in and execute a comedy challenge very well and actually win, it was amazing because that’s what you want to prove. You’re not just in that pageant box anymore. We’ve evolved, and we’re all stars.
Denny Patterson: We certainly saw a different side of you for Rosemarie’s Baby Shower: The Rusical!
Roxxxy Andrews: You know, I don’t think that rusical received as much praise as it should have! Every single girl was so good, and I’m so glad I got to be a part of it. It should never be forgotten.
Denny Patterson: If asked to compete on Drag Race for a fourth time, would you do it?
Roxxxy Andrews: I would not do it because I feel like I’ve had my run on Drag Race. I’m ready to move on to other things, and I feel like there’s so many other girls that need that chance. I want to see them flourish from how they started. I know how I have, and I’ve had three wonderful chances to showcase what Roxxxy is all about. I’m so thankful. I would do anything else with Drag Race, but as far as competing on another season, I want other girls to have those chances.
Denny Patterson: What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your career and platform?
Roxxxy Andrews: Everyone loves my drag, so I’m always looking to produce drag for people, as far as wigs, costumes, and things like that. I’m starting a business, so I want to do other things on the other side, rather than always being on stage.
Denny Patterson: Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you’d like to mention or plug?
Roxxxy Andrews: Just keep an eye out because I may be in a city near you. I’m touring right now, and then I’m going to go right into the Christmas tour, so I hope to see you there!
Stay up-to-date and connect with Roxxxy by following her on Instagram and TikTok. For more information and to purchase tickets for A Drag Queen Christmas, visit DragFans.com.
