He first charmed the world decades ago when he was put on camera for recurring segments as a late night talk show intern, and over the years has seen success as a comic, writer, actor and fashionista. Today he makes millions laugh on “The Drew Barrymore Show” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” while inspiring us with his better health journey. And this summer, you can catch Ross Mathews doing all that he does best in a city near you!
Thotyssey: Thanks for finding time during your busy touring schedule to chat with us, Ross! I must first observe… your TV menswear wardrobe is top notch! Is it super difficult for you to pack when you’re on the road?
Ross Mathews: Thank you! I love designing my own line and wearing it on Drag Race and on tour. My ROSSxROSS pants are stretchy and don’t need ironing (must be magic?) and the sequin bombers don’t need to be ironed either, so I just shake them and hang them up before a show. I believe we can be fabulous and lazy at the same time! And everyone can shop everything I wear at HelloRoss.com.
Touring must be a challenge when you’re a relative newlywed! Are you two Zooming all the time, or does hubby Dr. Wellinthon García join you on the road occasionally?
I’m the luckiest man alive. My husband is the kindest, smartest human I’ve ever met, and he’s somehow managed to join me on most of my tour dates. I love when he sits on the side of the stage and I can see him laugh – he’s my one man focus group.
You’re recent weight loss and health journey have been so inspiring to watch. I understand you got here the old fashioned way, i.e. diet and exercise and not Ozempic!
Yep – I lost it the old-fashioned way, not that I judge anyone else. I know that I feel better than ever. I didn’t do it to look better or to impress anyone – I did it so I can stick around on this planet for as long as humanly possible.
You have had such a fascinating career that I want to ask you million questions about, but for sake of time management and sanity I will narrow it down to a few! You really broke through as an intern-turned-correspondent on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. When you first started appearing on camera for segments there, was that a complete fluke thing that no one saw coming?
I was the only one who wasn’t surprised. I knew I’d be working on television since I was seven and saw Regis and Kathy Lee for the first time. I just knew it. So when the Leno miracle occurred, I just thought to myself, “Oh – this is how it’s all gonna happen.”
I was a big Chelsea Lately fan back in the day, where you appeared frequently on the comedy round table panel to rip apart pop culture moments. Almost every sketch and bit from that show would probably not hold up in today’s very different comic sensibility, lol! But so many of those folks also went on to great things: Whitney Cummings, Greg Fitzsimmons, Loni Love, Fortune Feimster, Heather McDonald, Chris Franjola, Jo Koy… I think even Kevin Hart was on there! Are you all still in a group text, or something?
That show was so fun! We all just made each other laugh constantly. We’ve always been supportive of each other, and we continue to be to this day. All of those people you mentioned are still my friends, and we are all in touch and supportive of one another. We’re like family. Chelsea, too.
And OMG you were on Days of Our Lives! What was that experience like?
It’s so funny to think about it now, but back then they were like “Our offices are near your offices (at NBC). Wanna pop in for an episode or two?” I just thought it’d be fun! I think I ended up doing 17 episodes or something. I just loved seeing how it all worked, and how quickly it all went. The crew and cast on daytime dramas are very talented, and don’t get the credit they deserve–they work hard, fast and efficiently. I learned a lot from them.
Watching you as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race is an absolute delight… you have a way of giving criticism that’s constructive and never too negative. Also, your quips and puns are always the best! I understand that filming those runway scenes can be absolutely insane, with so much going on at once. Do you come up with all of that on the spot, or do you have prepared material?
I’ve loved being a judge and producer on Drag Race for the past decade. This show has become a worldwide phenomenon, and rightly so. It has shifted the culture and highlighted artists who may have never had that kind of platform. And, yes, we make all our jokes up on the spot! No rehearsal or prep.
Do you and Ru and all the other judges ever hang out when not taping, or are you all too busy?
We are all super busy, but we absolutely hang out when we can and text all the time. I love each of them with all my heart.
What on Earth is going on with these attempts at legislative drag bans in states like Tennessee, Texas and Florida? It must really be frustrating as someone who works so closely with drag artists to see this development.
It’s heartbreaking and scary, but it’s also totally boring. Why are they rehashing all this and trying to use us as a political edge issue again? Girl, it’s not gonna work. You can’t put this genie back in the bottle. We aren’t hiding anymore… and you know what? People aren’t scared of us anymore. They know us. They love us. And they won’t vote against us.
I also enjoy watching your daily segments on The Drew Barrymore Show, which has really found its legs post-lockdown! You two have such great chemistry together. How did that relationship come about, and is Drew as wonderfully dramatic and lovable in real life as she is on TV?
Drew is like the sister I never knew I didn’t have. We met in October of 2020, right after she launched her show mid-pandemic in an empty studio. I popped in for a day and never left. We just clicked. I love her so much. It was all authentic, and I think that’s what has resonated with audiences. Going into Season 4 feels amazing because it feels like the audience has really discovered us and “gets” what we are about: keeping it real, keeping it intimate, keeping it funny and keeping it interesting. Drew says we are “a bright spot, not a blind spot.” I think that’s why we are the fastest growing show on daytime TV.
You’re currently touring with your standup comedy show “I Gotchu Girl,” which arrives at Newark’s Victoria Theater on June 25! What sort of things inspired the material for this show?
I missed being out in the world with people. And after these past few crazy years, I know more than ever that we have to have each other’s backs. So I wanted to go out on tour and reconnect with people in real time–shut the door on the outside world and just have fun again. Remember fun?!?
I know your shows are often audience interactive: do you have a “craziest thing an audience member said or did during a show” moment?
OMG, countless crazy things happen and are said by audience members in each city! I’m shocked at every show! But I’m sworn to secrecy. LOL!
What’s an important thing for everyone to be doing or thinking about this Pride month?
Pride Month feels different this year because they’re trying to erase the progress we’ve made over the last few decades. We need to be louder, stronger and more united than ever before.
And finally: what show would you rather compete in: Drag Race, Dancing with the Stars or The Masked Singer?
The Masked Singer for sure. I’m a karaoke king!
Thanks Ross, have a great tour!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Ross Mathews’ upcoming area appearances, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and his website.
Thotyssey 