RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars seasons are known to showcase everything from score settling between adversaries to giving queens who departed their season early a brand new chance at Ru-demption.

This year, Crystal Methyd (a finalist during Season 12) displayed exactly why she rose to top three during her original season and went on to win RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 11! A combination of out of the box creativity and raw talent, Methyd took every challenge and embraced it in only the way that she could. I sat down to catch up with the latest crowned All Stars winner to catch up about her unique creativity, the twists and turns in the competition, and what she has planned for 2027!

First of all, con-drag-ulations!

Thank you!

You know, I’m having PTSD because the last time we did this, we were all in quarantine.I looked back at our last interview and it literally said, “So, while we’re still in quarantine…” Here we are again — just under much happier circumstances. How are you feeling right now?

Honestly, me and Joey (Jay) got to watch the finale the night before it came out. Afterwards I was like, “Okay…it doesn’t feel real.” I thought maybe it’d sink in once everyone else saw it. Since then it’s just been an overflow of love. The messages from friends, fans — it’s been incredible.

And the prize money doesn’t hurt either.

(Laughs.) Not at all! Not everybody remembers that part, but yes…I got a lot of money!

I love that you actually say it! Was there a point — either during All Stars or even before — where you realized people were seeing you differently? A moment where you thought, “I could actually win this.”

Honestly, I think that happened on Season 12. Before that I’d never been exposed to an audience outside my hometown. After Season 12, seeing how much the fans connected with me, I went into All Stars thinking, “What do I have to be afraid of?” People already kind of know what I do, and they like it. So now I can just turn it up to 100!

And you absolutely did. You are arguably one of the most creative queens to ever walk through those workroom doors. Where do these ideas come from?

I don’t even know! (Laughs.) Cartoons, probably. And honestly, my mother is kind of a crazy woman — in the best way. I love her so much. She’s the person who got me interested in women’s clothes because I’d sneak into her closet. My ideas just kind of happen naturally. I know people think they’re wild, but when I did “I’m Like a Bird,” that wasn’t one of ten ideas — it was my first and only idea.

That’s amazing. Have you ever stopped yourself and thought, “This is too Crystal. I can’t do that.”

Actually, yes. For the red carpet, I considered doing something really glamorous — a bombshell look. But then I thought, “That’s not even what I care about.” So I said, “Let’s just be as Crystal as I can.”

I love that philosophy.

Coming back for All Stars, you were competing with veteran queens and newer queens, but there was also this completely different bracket format. Silky (Nutmeg Ganache) really gagged you with the points twist. Were you thinking, “Can we just go back to old-school Drag Race?”

(Laughs.) I do love the old-school format where RuPaul just decides everything. But honestly, it was fun because it was so shocking. When Silky said, “Give me your point,” my brain immediately went, “Well…I only need one point. Why would I ask anybody else?” It just never crossed my mind.

You also stayed pretty cautious whenever people started talking about alliances.

Well, I was hoping I wouldn’t even have points to give away, so I didn’t want to promise people something I might not have.

That makes perfect sense. You lip-synced to “MacArthur Park,” which is legendary in Drag Race history thanks to Manila Luzon and Delta Work. I’m actually interviewing Manila later today. When you realized that was the song, did you think about those comparisons?

Of course. I knew it was a huge performance to live up to. I actually didn’t let myself watch any videos beforehand because I didn’t want to be influenced by anyone else’s performance.

Manila’s crossed eyes during that lip sync are still iconic.

(Laughs.) Oh my gosh — we’re obsessed with Manila and her crossed eyes!

If Season 12 Crystal could watch just one episode from your All Stars run, which episode would you show her?

Probably the talent show. I loved “Crowned Queen.” I think that episode would really show how much I’ve grown.

I think that’s a perfect choice. What does the future look like?

Oh my gosh…I have my one-woman show coming out in Spring 2027, which I’m so excited about. Until then, it’s traveling the world. I feel so lucky that I get to perform internationally and celebrate with fans everywhere. That’s really one of the biggest perks of Drag Race. It’s a lot of work, but I’ve done it before, I’ve learned so much, and now I feel ready.

I’ll finish with my favorite question that I’ve started asking everyone. If there were a Crystal Methyd theme park, what’s one ride that absolutely has to be there?

Oh my gosh…it has to be like VelociCoaster! It’s going to be wild — and every stop along the ride features one of my iconic looks.

Follow Crystal Methyd on Instagram @crystalmethyd