Known for her cutting edge rocker looks and a unique narrative during her time on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” fourteenth season that took her from apparent early elimination to “villain” to fan favorite finalist, the incomparable Daya Betty is soon returning to NYC for a truly evil show. [Cover photo: Eric Magnussen]
Thotyssey: Hey Daya, thanks so much for finding time in your busy schedule to chat with us! So how is March treating you so far?
Daya Betty: It’s Pisces season, so I’ve been feeling calm, cool, and collected! We will see how long that lasts!
You were just in NYC pretty recently, for a New York Fashion Week event with The Blondes and some other RuGirls! How did that go?
Yes! I was only in NYC for two days, so it was a very short trip. However, if you would’ve told me a couple years ago that I would’ve been sitting front row at NYFW with Aquaria, Jaida Essence Hall, and Tayce I would’ve never believed you. The show was so special to see, and felt electric from the moment you stepped foot into the venue… or in my case, crawled in, lol.
Generally, do you have any favorite venues to go in the City?
I always have the best time at 3 Dollar Bill. Brooklyn drag is just …IT! Something about that atmosphere feels so uniquely New York!
Of course you’re on the road a lot, but are you still technically Chicago-based these days?
I currently live in Chicago, which is a great place to be… especially when you are flying around a bunch; its a hub for most airlines! However, my heart has recently been yearning for Seattle. So, I think that is in my near-ish future.
Did you watch the Oscars?
Ya know, I didn’t! I tend to get terribly bored of watching anything longer than about an hour, so I usually just wait till the next day to watch YouTube clips from any major standout moments. With that being said, the only clip I watched was Billie Ellish’s performance of “What Was I Made For.” When the orchestra appeared, I audibly gasped and then immediately began to cry.
It’s been a few years now since you slayed our screens as part of Rupaul’s Drag Race Season 14 cast. Does that whole period of filming the show and then months later watching it for the first time all seem like a far-off blur or dream, or do you remember it all vividly still?
Oh God, well to be honest I don’t even remember what I did yesterday, lol! However, it is always interesting watching your experience through a different lens, literally and figuratively. That’s what makes it fun! But something I find funny to watch back, especially now, is the progression of how tired I began looking week after week in my confessionals. It’s like watching a slow progression of my Botox wearing off and skin breaking out.
Does something about the filming experience stick out as an all-time favorite moment?
The filming process is something I really enjoy. Before Drag Race, I had never been in an environment like a large set or soundstage. Being able to see how everything works is really captivating to me; it’s an artform in its own. So some of my favorite memories actually were from conversations and moments I encountered with all the people behind the camera that bring the show to life. Specifically in the mornings, while getting mic’d up by the audio team–they always were such a great start to my day. It takes a village!
There were many interesting guest judges on your season, including Alicia Keys, Lizzo, Taraji P. Henson and the late, lovely Leslie Jordan! Do you have any strong memories of him or any of the other judges?
I remember standing next to Leslie Jordan while rehearsing for the “Moulin Ru” episode and he turned to me and looked up to me in amazement. The height difference between him and I was comical! He even jokingly offered the top of his head as an arm rest for me! It was such an endearing moment that made me crack a smile in the midst of the stress I was under at that time of filming.
You had one of the greatest “arcs” in a season of Drag Race: seemingly eliminated in an early ep, only to be quickly invited back and making it all the way to the finale! So many other contestants who have early setbacks in the season get deflated and eliminated quickly. What do you think inspired you to perform so strongly after that first Sashay?
When I set intentions for anything, I set them at 100%. So because I was eliminated then brought back, I had to remind myself that everyday was a new day. It didn’t matter if I lost the week before, or won the week before… today brings a new set of challenges, and that is what I always set my focus on. Someone just showed an image to me that’s been circulating online of my track record throughout the season, and I never realized–until now–that I’ve been pretty much every placement you could possibly receive on a single season. Well, all except “Winner,” lol!
In the currently airing season, there was a recent goth design challenge and runway. Most of the queens actually turned out pretty great stuff, but I’m guessing you would’ve murdered this challenge if it happened on your season! Who had your favorite look of those, and what do you think you might’ve done?
I rarely say this, but I think all of the girls this episode slayed it! However, if I would’ve had the ability to choose the winner that week it would’ve been Nymphia. She was giving Morticia Addams down! Unfortunately, the headpiece I think is what robbed her of that challenge win.
Oh, I would’ve loved to be a part of this challenge. If I had the ability to do this challenge, I would’ve probably built a look referencing Edward Scissorhands! That way if I did walk the runway with any rips or tears, I could say it was intentional!
The fanbase seems to be getting more volatile and rabid every year in both defending their favorite competitors and smearing their least favorites. Is all the online negativity still a difficult thing to navigate at this stage of your career?
Navigating negativity online is not something I worry about anymore. I’ve come to learn that those people are all just crabs in a bucket.
On the other end of things, do you have a “this is the nicest thing a fan said to me / did for me / gave me” moment?
I have so many incredible “Safety Pins.” That is what my support system is called, because they hold me together! One of the nicest things anyone has ever did for me was make a “Diabetic Care Kit” while on tour for “Werq the World.” In this package were personal care items specific for diabetics…like blood glucose tablets, juice, and a few healthy (and unhealthy) snacks.
Also, something that always takes me by surprise is when people show me tattoos of me they got on their body! Like I’m honored… but I wouldn’t even want to look at my face that much!
As a vocal diabetic (hence your name), what are your thoughts on people hoarding certain meds meant for diabetes treatment because said drugs also assist with weight loss? Should consumers not be doing that, or should pharma be doing more to make sure that people who really need these meds get them?
I actually just posted a video on my Instagram about this very topic; Ozempic, to be forward. While I do understand people using this for a quick fix for weight loss, I don’t agree with the way health care providers and medical professionals are not prioritizing who they are giving out prescriptions to. It almost feels as they are just handing prescriptions out to anyone.
The original intended purpose of Ozempic is to help regulate and control blood sugar levels for diabetics, not for celebrities like Kelly Osburne who has been very vocal about how she uses it as a “quick fix” for weight loss. And to build on top of that, I feel celebrities are glamorizing the usage of Ozempic for weight loss in the media, which is so irritating because they are the ones who actually have the financial backing to hire personal trainers, get the surgeries, etc. But instead. they are hoarding these medications for their own personal ego and aesthetic. Then you have immunocompromised people that are trying to use this medication just to be able to live a regular life! And unfortunately these individuals don’t have access to it. That’s just scraping the surface of my thoughts on this, I’m very passionate about this subject.
You’re one of Bob the Drag Queen’s favorite RuGirls! Have you two gotten to work together a lot?
I’ve actually only met Bob once! She came to DragCon and gave me the best hug; she actually picked me up off the floor! Her support during my season really meant a lot to me… more than she will even know. I would love to work with her sometime in the future; I’m putting that into the universe!
I’ve really enjoyed your appearances and interviews in the past few years where you playfully owned your “villain edit” status, and have basically summed up past drama as “it’s just a TV show.” You still seem to have friendly relationships with your co-stars as well! Do you regularly keep in touch with many of them?
Yes; I think our cast is one of the closest in Drag Race Herstory! The Top 5 are especially close, we have regular check-ins and work together very frequently! Despite some petty drama throughout our season, we all came out on the other side as friends. Well… most of us.
That brings us to “The Villain Edit,” a show you’ll be a part of at your favorite NYC venue 3 Dollar Bill on April 10th (8pm) care of producers Alexis Kmieck and Jazmine. You’ll be joined by two other favorite RuVillainesses, Kandy Muse and Mistress Isabelle Brooks… not to mention Dragula’s notorious Jay Kay. How fun will it be to mix it up with this Legion of Doom, and what can the children expect?
Goodness, well if it’s one thing I do know it is that the children can expect this show to be full of unapologetic personalities–which that in and of itself is a recipe for success! So I’m very much looking forward to this event.
What’s your best advice for Plane Jane, this season of Drag Race’s resident “villain,” in navigating a post-show life?
In my opinion, Plane knows what exactly what she is doing. I have no notes. She has my phone number, and knows she can always reach out to me if need be.
What else is coming up for you that we need to be on the lookout for?
So many exciting things coming up! Currently I am performing in RuPaul’s Drag Race Live in Las Vegas at The Flamingo Hotel until late April. Then, starting in May, [Season 14 finalists] Bosco, Lady Camden, and I will set out on our For the Girls Tour. I’m especially stoked for this because its a passion project I’ve wanted to do for a while and now I get to do it with two of my favorite people!
Incredible! In between shows, are you gonna read RuPaul’s new book?
Funny you asked this; I’ve actually started listening to the audiobook a few days ago! One thing she speaks about thematically throughout the book are universal signs and happenstances, which is a topic I also feel very connected to in the moment. I’m so happy to see a queer person dominating mainstream media the way RuPaul does, and I admire her work ethic greatly. I think a movie about her life should be next; I love getting to know more about her on a personal level; it’s inspiring!
And finally, what’s an important random thing we need to know about Daya Betty right now?
That im not only a bitch, I’m the bitch!
Thanks, Daya!
Check out Thotyssey’s calendar for Daya Betty’s upcoming area appearances, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and her website.
Thotyssey 