Alyssa Edwards, American Icon
Something’s in the air, and it’s Alyssa Edwards. In the promo shoot for RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars, now streaming on Paramount+, the queen hangs above ground on star-shaped gymnastics rings, representing the USA on arguably the most Olympics-esque drag stage in the world.
“I’m afraid of heights,” she says defiantly, as me and a group of photographers follow her through crowds of tourists and journey through multiple elevator rides to get to the top of the Empire State Building. It’s a rainy and windy day, and we’re literally in the clouds on the 102nd floor observatory with no skyline in sight. Nonetheless, the queen tongue pops and insists on getting some shots outside, if only for 10 seconds.
There’s no better drag queen to represent America than Alyssa Edwards. The Texas born-and-raised triple threat is no stranger to creating unforgettable Drag Race moments, being the lovable standout from both of her previous seasons. But on Global All Stars, which features 12 queens from 12 different countries (there are currently 16 countries that have their own Drag Race), Edwards is ready to win the gold. As she always says, “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to is.”
Below, Alyssa manifests her Global All Stars win, recognition from Kamala Harris and even her own line of cowboy boots.
How are you?
Good. I love your cowboy boots, by the way. Very fitting for today’s event.
I was like, “I’m meeting Alyssa Edwards. I gotta wear my boots.”
I love it. You got your boots. It’s about the details.
I’m from Texas, too.
Oh, really? From where?
Sugar Land.
Okay, Houston. See, Texas is home to a lot of good folks.
Do you own a pair of cowboy boots?
Do I own a pair? Or how many pairs? I mean, I got rhinestone. I got casual. I got knee-high cowboy boots. I got low-top cowboy boots. I got cowboy hats. I got Wranglers, ropers. I grew up in Mesquite, Texas, home of the rodeo. You know I’m a country gal.
You need your own line of boots.
Oh my gosh, that would be a good idea. The “Always and Forever.” Or the “Cow Gal.” And it can be solid Swarovski crystals, right? With fringe on the side. You just gave me a good idea. You know I’m a business lady.
Going into Global All Stars, you’re representing the USA, but did you also bring in some Texas representation at all?
I mean, deep in the heart of Texas. Home is where the heart is, and [Texas] will always be home for me. But I think I represent the world of drag. I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world and meet so many people that have been so celebratory and so supportive of me throughout my journey. It’s terrifying going on a television show, putting your art on a stage that will be judged, not only by a panel of judges, but by people that will watch the show religiously. I think every queen that steps on that stage is courageous and brave, and it definitely takes nerve. So I think I represent the entire world that celebrates drag.
What is Alyssa’s secret to winning Global All Stars?
Well, I was a lovely runner up in season 5 and a gorgeous runner up on All Stars 2. I think this time around, I am just authentically and unapologetically being myself and loving every single moment. If that’s worth the win, then baby I’ll wear that crown so proudly and confidently. But at the end of the day, winning isn’t everything but wanting to is. I always say that, and it’s something I teach my students at Beyond Belief Dance Company. So it’s a model that I also live my life by, and I already feel like a winner. I mean, here I am sitting talking to you at PAPER Magazine. Who would have ever thought years ago that little gay Justin from Mesquite, Texas would be in New York City?
At the top of the Empire State Building.
At the top! Clouds and all. Rain and wind.
Say that Global All Stars was like All Stars 1 and you had to compete in pairs. If you had to choose another queen to be your partner, who would it be and why?
The shade. You know, y’all always try it, and I’m here for it. If I had to work in pairs … This is a loaded question, so I’m going to give you three. I really admire that Queen Kong is a fellow dancer [who] studied modern and contemporary dance and incorporates that within their art. I would say that Eva’s beauty and grace and kind soul really touched me so deeply, and we had an instant connection. And my gosh, I’m not going to give away any spoilers but that Tessa Testicle. Good ole Miss Tessa is a good time gal.
What about if you were to pick another US queen?
You know, me and Bianca [Del Rio] are kind of like Thelma & Louise. All right? That would be something. That would be crazy. Did you all see us on that Pit Stop? That’s my good Judy. I love her. It would be like fire and ice, night and day, the angel and the devil.
She can’t dance like you, though.
Not at gunpoint. I could teach her, though. I could teach her to do a little shuffle, a little pas de bourrée. Something.
I’ve never seen her lip sync.
Neither have I. She never had to do that, right? I ain’t jealous of it, though. I needed to lip sync, shit. I surely can’t do the things that she does. Which, what does she do? Cuss everybody out! That lady is crazy. Okay, is this gonna be written or voice?
Written.
Oh, then I’m over here putting on a damn show for nothing. I’m actually doing it for myself. Fuck it. There’s a mirror over there. Go ahead.
If you were to compete in an actual Olympic sport in Paris, which would it be?
I would be a rhythmic dancer. Is that the one that twirls the baton? Baby, that baton will be on fire. Yeah, that’s what I would do, because I ain’t getting on the balance beam. Honey, she would fall off. I’m not gonna try and do that vault. I watched that video of that person where the spring broke and bolted that person all the way across the damn auditorium. That would be me. I’m not going to get on the uneven bars because I would be uneven once I landed on the rowing. Oh, I could probably do the ground. The rowing, I could do the rowing. The swimming, I’ll be last place.
Sharp shooter?
Now, Annie Oakley could be the sharp shooter. What if I just did all-around? I attempt all of them. Okay, so PAPER Magazine, y’all have me come over here, and we’re gonna set this up. And y’all can tell me what I’m the best at.
How would you describe your runway looks this season in one word?
Here’s the thing: I’ve never been a runway gal. We all remember the camera dress. I don’t care what anyone says, it was campy, it was over the top, and it was draggy. It was inspired by the movie The Goonies. But Michelle didn’t get the reference. Y’all know when he opens the trench coat, and it’s got all the gadgets? That’s what I wanted mine to be. Ru loved it, but Michelle didn’t get it. How would I describe my runway looks this season in one word? Cooked.
Cooked.
Crispy and hot. I cooked them hoes. I came out around that corner, and it was a fucking wrap. Bitch, they were burnt. They were crisp, because I ain’t gonna say fierce and slaying, girl. That ain’t for me. I cooked it, bitch. I fried it.
What song would soundtrack your Global All Stars Olympics opening ceremony?
[singing] “I’m comin’ out / I want the world to know!” And everybody starts coming out. Wouldn’t that be fabulous? Can y’all imagine the Olympics having Diana Ross up there and all the feathers, and then drag queens start coming out, two or three hundred. Gay as fuck, that’s what I want. That’s my dream. Can we make that happen?
We can make it happen.
Okay. Well, hopefully we’ll be calling Kamala. And I must say, baby, at the end of your reign and at the beginning of your second reign, we want these Olympics to be gay. I want you to bring Pete [Buttigieg] up in there, too, to make a speech, telling the folks, “Best of luck.” And then RuPaul. Can you imagine? Diana Ross, RuPaul, Pete, Kamala.
And Alyssa Edwards.
Imagine if they said, “Alyssa Edwards, Global All Stars winner.” The world would — well, half of the world — would be shattered! The glass ceilings would really be cracked, okay? Alright, that’s it for today.
Photos courtesy of SHOWTIME/ MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks
Something’s in the air, and it’s Alyssa Edwards. In the promo shoot for RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars, now streaming on Paramount+, the queen hangs above ground on star-shaped gymnastics rings, representing the USA on arguably the most Olympics-esque drag stage in the world. “I’m afraid of heights,” she says defiantly, as me and…