In the galaxy of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” the cast of “All Stars 9” was truly one of the most dynamic yet.
Season 1 queens returning (Shannel) to queens returning for another shot at the “All Stars” title (Roxxxy Andrews), the cast this year was stacked with powerhouse performers. Rising to the top of the pack this season, Angeria Paris VanMichaels started the season with an electric lip sync, and culminated with winning the All Stars title (and $200,000 for the National Black Justice Coalition). I caught up with VanMichaels to chat about her brand-new title and what it means to her, what it was like working to raise money for an important charity like the National Black Justice Coalition, and why winning the “All Stars 9” crown is manifestation at its best.
Condragulations on winning the crown on “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 9!” Your crowning video was wonderfully emotional and you looked personally stunned. Would you say that is the absolutely correct word to use?
That is the perfect word to use, I was stunned! Just shocked hearing my name. Not doubting myself at all, but when you want something so bad, that moment of hearing RuPaul actually say it, there were so many thoughts and emotions in one moment.
Taking it one step further, whose name did you expect to hear RuPaul say as the winner?
You know, I was prepared for either. I had prepared myself for Roxxy’s name, my own name, or Vanjie’s name. I was prepared either way, that is my mindset. I come from pageants and when it’s time to announce the result, I am prepared either way. I don’t though, think I was fully prepared to think about everything in that moment. It wasn’t just hearing my name, it was hearing my name and thinking about everything that was about to happen for me.
During our initial conversation this season, I mentioned to you that the first lip sync to the season that you did to Whitney Houston’s “Million Dollar Bill” (Freemasons Mix) was one of the best remixes in Drag Race herstory, complete with washcloth borrowed from the hotel! When is the moment that you thought you actually could win the whole competition?
I think I started to feel that way when I won my third challenge, but it was my second one in a row. For me, that was something that I had never done on Drag Race. The fact that it was my third win, but also it was two weeks in a row, I remember feeling like the front-runner and thinking that I could really win this time. The first time, I won both of my challenges in the beginning, and I didn’t really win again. This time, to feel halfway through I really think that my chances are really good, that really started to set in. I felt like a main character, a front-runner in my mind, and I was like “Okay let’s go.”
After your win, we got to see so much love online towards you, particularly from your Season 13 sisters. Even these years later that must be an amazing feeling. Also, you and Lady Camden both have spoken about a conversation the four finalists had about your goals and you specifically said you wanted to win “Drag Race.” Talk about manifestation!
Yes we all sat down in Australia over dinner and we went around the table, “What do you want to accomplish, what do you want to do?” I said, “I want to go back to ‘Drag Race’ and I want to win; I don’t even know how else to put it to you.” They were like “Okay girl!” I meant it too. After Season 14, I had already told myself that I wanted to return and have at it again, I wanted to win. I knew that if I went back, I would be very serious about winning. They have all been so supportive of me and have all reached out by phone as well, and all the other girls from my season have reached out as well. I’ve spoken to all of them either by phone or text.
Does having such tremendous support make it a bit easier when you end up seeing the mindless trolls online?
Oh it is just the softest pillow, it really is. It really cushions every single piece of hate that I could see. I am going to be honest, I have had my blockers on all week and I saw one or two negative comments and said, “Nope!” I am not doing a lot of the social media, I need this moment, I worked hard for it, I deserve to enjoy it. It’s funny, I have seen more posts of people defending me than actual hate. That is what feels the best, knowing that I have people’s support and that I have people in a way, of defending me and my title. Someone once told me, “You know when you’re loved when you don’t have to say a word because everyone else will.”
I usually am able to ask what the winner is able to do with the prize money, but his year, you get to give money to the National Black Justice Coalition. What does that feel like?
It feels great. I chose the National Black Justice Coalition because it is an amazing organization that cares about something that I care about. I had that in the back of my head the entire competition and they have been so supportive of me. I kept saying, “I’m gonna win it for you,” and that has been my attitude the whole time. I’ve spoken to the founders of the organization since winning and they are so happy and so proud. They are saying “You said you were gonna do it and you did it.” It just feels great.
For me, it was not about the money, it was about the title and charity; that was it. For me, I really wanted to win because I really care about being the winner of ”Drag Race,” that is something that I wanted. As far as the money, I feel so great to be able to have given it to an organization that means so much to me and that fights for something that I believe in.
We truly got to see you all giving back to organizations this year that meant a lot to you and it seems that post “All Stars 9,” you all have emerged as close friends from your experience.
Oh yes. There were only two people that I was not as close to, and that was Plastique (Tiara) and Shannel. I hadn’t really even met them before we walked into that werkroom together, maybe I had met them once. Now, those are two of the people that I am the closest to now. Especially Shannel, I just can’t tell you what that means to have this bond with Shannel after watching her in real time being 14 years old.
Since manifestation was crucial to your “All Stars 9” success, where do you want to be a year from now?
I think my biggest thing a year from now is that I would love to be in a movie, either a movie or a show. Whether it’s being worked on or filmed, that is my big goal. I want more TV for my career. Manifesting a major role in either a hit sitcom or preferably something with comedy since that is my thing, or maybe even a movie. That is what we are manifesting; a major role!
Follow Angeria Paris Van Micheals on Instagram @angeriavm
