The glitzy-glam Vegas showgirl and born entertainer weathered the complex energies of “RuPaul’s Drag Race’s” intense Covid-era fandom (plus a few of her costars) to emerge as a booked, blessed and bright superstar. Get ready NYC, Elliott With 2 T’s is shantaying into town this week! [Cover photo: Davide Laffe]
Thotyssey: Elliott, hello! Thanks so much for chatting with us today! So where in the world are you as we speak, and what were you just doing before this conversation?
Elliott with 2 T’s: I’m currently in Las Vegas getting ready for my trip to NYC. I’m hosting a charity gala for DIFFA while in town, as well as packing for Japan! It’s my first time traveling to Asia, and I cannot wait to see Tokyo.
I see that you were recently at the GLAAD Awards, amazing! What was the overall vibe of that night, and who were you most excited to see and / or meet?
It’s so incredible to be in a room filled with so much love and joy, and of course to meet your favorite celebrities. What I love about the GLAAD Awards is we are all just having dinner together like one big happy family; everyone’s willing to chat and take photos like it’s no big deal. Cynthia Erivo was so lovely and beautiful, and even took the time to chat with me. Patti LuPone thinks I’m beautiful, I got to reconnect with Wayne Brady, and sat by Victoria Justice. Just a magical night.
You are known for being a glamorous Las Vegas showgirl. When you’re in Vegas, where are might people be most likely to see you perform?
I’m currently spending my time traveling and working all over, but new things will be coming to Vegas soon!
Just a random question, but have you seen Pamela Anderson’s The Last Showgirl?
Unfortunately, I’ve not seen it yet, but Jamie Lee Curtis character is the realest thing in the film. It was also so amazing to see that some of my girlfriends from Dita Von Teese’s residency in the movie.
I was wondering if you could tell us a but about how you discovered drag, and what your earliest drag days were like?
An old worn out VHS of The Birdcage was my first time seeing drag. I remember thinking it was so magical. I started drag when I was 15 years old, in Dallas, Texas. I truly believe the best drag is in Texas. So being a baby queen was hard because you wanted to reach so much higher, but that takes time. I used to sleep in my car behind the clubs after shows so I could wake up early to serve at the local cafe. The hustle was real!
Does filming the 13th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race (2020) and then watching the season for the first time all feel like a million years ago, or yesterday?
It still doesn’t feel real; it feels like an entire life time ago. It’s something I never thought was possible, but I’m so proud that I was able to achieve it.
You were in the tricky situation of filming your season during a real turn towards nastiness from the fanbase–thanks to Covid, Trump, and just the general poisoned discourse of social media. Although you of course won many fans, you also got a brunt of the overall social media “haters'” venom thanks in part due to comments made by some of your costars discussing their views of your off-screen behavior.
Given especially that you are openly living with depression, that must’ve been an incredibly dark period to sour the joy of sharing your art and talent on national TV. Many people who do that show, or appear on other huge platforms, now have to regularly bear that severe negative feedback. How might you advise future stars on how to deal with that? Is the key to just disengage?
Countless sleepless nights, canceled gigs… and I’ve lost about 30 pounds from the stress of everything. To this day, every time I do a show I feel like something bad is going to happen to me. It’s a horrible way to live.
But on the other hand, those that actually know me know that I am a loving, kind, gentle, sensitive person, who just wants to spread joy and love to all.
You have to remove yourself from negativity, and keep your circle very small. Don’t share parts of yourself with people who don’t see the real you. And sometimes the best thing to do is step away from it all, and pave your own path.
I’ve known many people who have worked with you that praise your talent, professionalism and kindness.
I’ve never really had a bad experience in person–because again, once people meet me, they see who I am. The internet is just very cruel and misguided. It’s so unfortunate that we rely so much on social media for what we do… but it is what it is. I love meeting new people, and chatting with everyone. I’ve been a ballet dancer my entire life, so I have always been an on time, professional, hard-working person… and I feel as though I’ve lasted this long because of that.
Do you have any favorite positive memories of filming or watching your season?
Getting to have RuPaul sing happy birthday to me was pretty cool. The baby mini-challenge was filmed on my actual birthday so in a way the birthday song was for me lol.
And what about favorite moments as a performer post-Drag Race?
Getting to perform as Jessie J with Jessie J live on stage was incredible; Michelle Visage made that happen for me. I’ve also performed on Broadway in NYC with Broadway Bares, and walked New York Fashion Week twice. Look out for me in London and New York this fall, walking runways again.
Some Drag Race alums are now showing up on other reality shows and competitions like The Traitors and House of Villains. You already appeared on Patton Oswalt’s game show The 1% Club last year. Any desires to be on another type of show, competitive reality or otherwise?
I truly want to produce my own show. I feel as though competition shows have become more about fighting and drama, and I don’t think that’s something that should be celebrated or considered “good TV.” I want to bring more uplifting, fun, inspirational queer TV to the masses–something that the whole family can watch.
Do you have any thoughts about who might win the currently airing 17th season of Drag Race, or do you have any overall thoughts about it?
I think this year’s cast has been very young, lol. Drag to me is something that comes with time–learning who you are, and growing from that. I think Suzie Toot has a good shot at going all the way with the Jinkx Monsoon storyline, simply based on what the show wants us to see. The producers are very good at what they do, lol!
You’ve performed in New York a bunch of times! Do you have any favorite venues here, or favorite NYC queens to work with?
I mean, I’m a good ole country girl–so Flaming Saddles is always a fun time. I also love Jim Caruso’s Cast Party on Monday nights at Birdland; you never know who’s gonna show up and sing. And New York queens I love are Brenda Dharling, Ruby Roo, Marti Gould Cummings, Champagne Bubbles, Kimmi Moore and Nick Gaga. I know I’m missing so many, but there’s so many amazing queens in NYC.
Tell us where we can find you in New York this weekend! I know you have a brunch, for one thing.
I’m very excited! I love a brunch, and NYC brunches are always a good time. I love working with queens for the first time; it’s always fun to experience a new venue, and how everything back stage runs. Just the showgirl in me.
While in NYC, I’m performing at Pieces on Friday [with Ruby Roo and Marti Cummings], then the brunch at Balcon Sunday [with Jasmine Rice LaBeija and Lexington Banks] and Playhouse Sunday night (with Kimmi Moore]!
What else is coming up for you?
I’m working more cruises as cruise director for the Big Gay Cruise charters, traveling to Japan, London and New York in the fall for Fashion Week, and hopefully more red carpets!
Finally: these are weird, scary and uncertain times for all queer folks–but especially trans people and drag performers. What are your thoughts about how to navigate this new landscape, and what do you think we should all be doing and paying attention to?
I think everything going on is absolutely insane. We need to remind these politicians that they work for us. They work for the trans community, the drag queens, the queer people. We pay their bills. It is impossible to say how to navigate it all, but we have to stay informed, know our rights, and know what our resources are. The Human Rights Campaign is a powerful organization to be a part of, that knows how to protect us. We all need to stick together, not bully or put each other down. If we spend all our time on Twitter attacking each other, we will lose our rights and freedoms and have no one to blame but ourselves. We have to stay strong, loud, and lead with love.
Thank you, Elliott!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Elliott With 2 Ts’ upcoming area appearances, and follow her on Instagram and YouTube.
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