We watched as this buxom, bizarre beauty brought an entirely unique energy to first one, then two, seasons of the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” competition: crazy Canadian clown realness meets sexy high concept stripper horror / kid’s show hostess. But it was her third go at the franchise that was the REAL charm, and now the world can’t get enough of Jimbo! Well, New York won’t have to wait too long to bite her boloney… and there will be even more chances down the road!
Thotyssey: Hello Jimbo, thanks for finding time in this Super Busy Jimbo Era to chat with Little Old Us! As Drag Race’s newly crowned All-Star, you’ve been traveling quite a bit recently. Have you had any favorite experiences touring, or discovered any new favorite cities or venues?
Jimbo: Hello! Thank you, Thotyssey! I’ve been bouncing, twirling and creaming my way through Canada, US, UK and Europe! My favourite night was my crowing for All Stars Season 8 in New York with the legendary Susanne Bartsch and my sister Kandy Muse! My family came, and it was magic!
By the way… how many of those giant pairs of titties can you fit in a suitcase, lol? And is packing for a touring show a nightmare in general?
I think I travel with the most luggage, lol… and yeah, it’s a bit of a struggle sometimes. The Giant Titties max out at two sets per bag! I travel with my booty, my smaller “meet and greeters” and my larger breastplate in my carry-on! They always get an eyeful at security, and I remind them to swab front to back.
Your pregnant baloney ghost haunts my dreams, but leaves me wanting more! Is (s)he someone that you created long before Drag Race, or was that the first time we all saw her debut?
I got my start performing as a clown in Victoria-based theatre troupe Atomic Vaudeville. I was known for creating unique costumes and funny characters, so they asked me to create a Casper-like character for a Scooby Doo sketch. Casper the Boloney Ghost was born! I’ve always thought Boloney was a funny food and a good prop, so I became a professional boloney juggler, smuggler and slinger.
And for the record, I could watch a whole Hulu special of you as Shirley Temple hosting an old-timey Hollywood game show, or something. But then again, I’d love to see more of your Joan Rivers on the screen, too! You must really thoroughly study what makes these icons so special to portray them so well.
Thank you, I’d love to see that too! I’m actually working those characters into my one woman show “JIMBO’s Drag Circus.” I didn’t do a ton of studying or preparation to do those characters. Clowning involves a lot of improvisation, and I just relied on the collective unconscious and the universe to channel their essences in those performances. I surprised myself, and that’s what makes it so fun and exciting. I didn’t know what I was going to do, and I just winged it!
Did Melissa Rivers ever react to any of your Joan impressions?
Melissa hasn’t yet! I hope she has watched and had a laugh! It’s all in love and admiration.
All-Stars 8 has been the third installment of the Drag Race franchise you competed in. You were certainly a fan favorite of your original Canada season, your early elimination in the UK Versus the World run was quite controversial, and your recent All-Stars win was so gloriously deserved and fun to watch. Did you come into any of these seasons with any sort of preconceived idea of how well you would do, or was the end result always a surprise?
Competing on three seasons and being the only queen to have walked into three international Drag Race Werk Rooms has been a dream and an honour! I love drag, performance, television and competition… so it really is my happy place. I walked into each competition with my mind set on winning, and my heart set on having a good time. At the time losing CDR and UKVS was difficult, but I see now how important that was for my journey to the Crowned Queen I am today. I couldn’t be more surprised or happier, I pinch myself and I’m grateful to Mama Ru and WOW everyday.
You were touring with Kandy Muse a lot before you two became finalists this season. She always makes for good TV. What’s something that might surprise the world about the real Ms. Muse?
Kandy and I have a great time on the road together, and we had so much fun filming and competing in a supportive way. Kandy puts on this tough “don’t fuck with me” persona, but they are really a big softy! Kandy is so sweet, loving and badass in person. They are a great friend and a good time!
Is Monica Beverly Hillz’s “Not a Soul Can Clock” on your Spotify Favorites? And in addition to your epic Halloween anthem, do you have any plans of releasing your own original music?
I am obsessed with MBH, and “Not A Soul Can Clock” will be played at my funeral. I too have some original music coming out! I have a song “Stitch” debuting Sept 15th–the song is about my beautiful cat that was taken too soon. This song is about the life I dreamed for her as a budding artist, actress and model. It’s a song for anyone who’s had a cat clock their soul.
Also, congrats on the success of It’s My Special Show! on WoW Presents Plus, a talk show you host in front of a studio audience. What are the joys and challenges of being the face and star of a show like that?
Thank you! It’s been so fun to watch it all come together. It’s been my dream to have a talk show and with a live audience! The biggest challenge is finding time in the schedule to shoot. This queen is booked and blessed, and so are my sisters! I have my fingers crossed for a Season Two!
I also see that you’ve been trying to start production for a “kids show for adults” type of program similar to Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, which I think would be a perfect way for the world to experience what you do.
Yes, House of JIMBO! It’s been a work in process and has taken longer than I thought, as I have filmed three seasons of Drag Race and I’ve been touring around the world! We are currently working on the pilot episode. We’ve shot about 75% of the first episode, and we’re hoping to get a few more episodes “in the can” before releasing.
So your native Canada recently released a travel warning for queer people regarding the U.S., which is pretty embarrassing and upsetting… but sadly understandable. As a high profile drag performer working around the world today, do you ever get afraid of, or just furious with, this anti-drag, anti-queer movement?
It’s a really scary situation, but I’m glad it’s being acknowledged and taken seriously by government agencies. I do get afraid, but I don’t let it control me. Change is a process, and this movement is bigger than today. I will forever be a part of the queer movement toward a future where there is space for everyone to live free, healthy and fulfilled lives.
Just generally speaking, is it always lovely to be recognized and beloved by so many global fans, or does it get weird?
I love meeting my fans and being clocked around the world! I made a wish years ago to be able to connect with strangers as friends, and my dream came true!
Tell us more about your experiences performing in New York, if you will.
I’ve always loved the energy, excitement and scale of New York! I brought my giant light-up rainbow to World Pride in 2019 with my partner and brothers. More recently, I performed in NYC at 3 Dollar Bill–the night of my crowning! It was sold out and electric! It was one of the best nights of my life, and I loved that it was in one of the most magical cities in the world!
You’ll be back at Brooklyn’s 3 Dollar Bill for “TRISH,” hosted by Rify Royalty and Charlene! That’s this Thursday, September 14 at 8pm. Local girls Mariyea, Kiki Ball-Change and Dawn will be there as well.
Yes, I can wait for round two! I’ve wanted to come do a show in NYC with Rify since before All-Stars, so I’m happy it’s all coming together!
And then later in the year you’ll be part of Murray & Peter’s “A Drag Queen Christmas” tour, which will stop at the State Theater in New Brunswick, NJ on November 21st (8pm)! Are you a Christmas-loving queen, or not so much?
I love touring with my sisters on “A Drag Queen Christmas.” We have so much fun on the road spreading Christmas joy and feeling the fantasy! Christmas has been a hit-and-miss in my life; there is so much pressure and expectation. I love that I’m able to take what I like from Christmas and create my own traditions! I guess I’m a Chrissy Missy Sissy after all.
Looking way ahead, you’re headlining another Murray & Peter production which you mentioned earlier: “JIMBO’s Flying Circus!” Local folks can see that at Town Hall in Times Square on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 (8pm).
“JIMBOs Drag Circus” is my first large scale “one queen show.” It’s going to be a showcase of some of my characters shown on Drag Race, and some new stuff too! It’s going to be an adventure, and I’m just in the process of figuring it all out. It’s very exciting, and another dream come true!
What else is coming up for you that we should be on the lookout for?
I have a drag cruise coming up with my sisters Heidi N Closet, Kandy Muse and Jessica Wild in February 2024. More information and my merch are available on my website.
And finally: when someone builds an actual, physical Drag Hall of Fame, will you donate your three-times-a-charm Drag Race “confessional” patriotic look, or do you need to save it for the next few All-Stars Winner seasons? Or maybe save it for All Stars: Earth if we ever encounter intergalactic drag queens?
My lucky shirt!? I would definitely hang it in the All-Stars Hall Of Fame! “On loan from the House Of JIMBO,” of course. If I ever compete again, I think I would have a little hammer beside the glass case that says “Break Glass In Case of All-Winners.” And I would happily compete in Star Trek: Drag Race, too! Beam me up, Mama Ru!
Thanks, Jimbo!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Jimbo’s upcoming area appearances, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and her website.
New episode of Thotyssey NYC & Red Eye Radio’s exclusive nightlife gossip / news podcast “Thotlight” hosted by Jim Silvestri & Freddie Cosmo out now, available on all major streaming platforms!
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