Willow Pill, winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” for historic win: “This is my future and reign, and it’s going the way I want it to”

Willow Pill made history this year when it won its 14th season. RuPaul’s Drag Race RaceHe became the first disabled or chronically ill (he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called cystosis) to receive the crown at home, as well as the first person without a disability.ᲧVella stars The winner who came out during the show’s run.

Fans were immediately delighted with Queen’s unusual sense of humor and off-the-runway looks, but it was her candor and self-doubt that got her to the finish line (and the $150,000 grand prize) in a season filled with excellent competition. . When the Emmy talks broke out, drag race He looks set to continue his streak of reality TV wins, but Willow Pill may gain recognition for the show this year in a new way: Her original song from the series finale, “I Hate People,” is getting an award, it’s rare. . . For a reality show contestant. youHOUR I spoke with America’s dominant dragon superstar about how he got into the art form he takes inspiration from and the importance of winning the show.

I wanted to start with what your life was like after that. drag race. Did you make any fun shopping with your earnings?

To be honest, I had a really hard time. I was so busy that I didn’t even have a moment to check my mental and physical health. I’m trying now in this month of pride to take that strength and rethink my mental and physical health. Honestly, I didn’t have time to buy more than food at the airport. I’ve done a lot of these interviews and some of them I was like, “Oh, wonderful.” And it’s not big. But I feel like I have a little more control and I’ve had some time to think. I’m ready to load up and start having more fun and taking care of myself.

I’m sorry to hear that. Will things slow down soon?

Things aren’t really slowing down. But they will slow down if I make them and make them. Because this is my future and my government and it happens the way I want.

The song you wrote for the finale, “I Hate People,” was commissioned by the Emmy. How did the idea come about and how did you implement it?

It felt like everything was carefully planned, but it was random and it landed in the right place at the right time. [Co-writer Leland and I] I wanted to play a song that was completely out of the realm of what anyone expected. At first we thought, “What if we were just making a song that reflects my time on the show? And I was like, “My brand doesn’t share a single note.” So we said, “Let’s add one more note.” Let’s add another fun thing that people eat. The theme of the pandemic and in recent years has been this growing heartbreak for people. And the government and everything bad in the world. So we thought we’d create an anthem that suited him.

before you be drag raceWhen did you move and how was it?

Everyone somehow walks away for a while. But my first real drag performance was in a student window at Colorado State University. Most people start with a small show in a bar with, say, 10 people. It was for 1,500 college students and I never procrastinated. And fun enough! [season 11 winner] Ivy Audley was also on the show. And I looked awful. I’m wearing a crepe top and a skirt. I went out and did a megamix of my five favorite songs, with backup dancers. At that time, it was the fastest speed I’ve ever had in my life. All these people were yelling at me and cheering me on, even though I wasn’t that good. It was the best first move I could ask for. I didn’t even know that someone I was on the show with would become one of my best friends, and then my family and [we would] Keep up the winners. To be honest, this was a very special first time on Drag.

ᲠODIS drag race Shall we go to your radar?

drag race He first appeared in my first season of Radar. But after that I started looking, after seeing. [contestant] Tammy Brown spits water on the car. I hugged him immediately. It was in eighth grade. For years it was a slow build to understand that this is what I wanted to do. The main players that really made me think this was what I wanted were Raja, Jinkx Monson and Ador Delano. They all really had a pulling style that they wanted to do. I didn’t start dragging until season eight, which I did six years ago. Even in the second, third and fourth seasons, I was like, “Oh my God, what do I have to do to be on the show?” But before Ivy called, I realized this was actually possible. The spectacle seemed to pass through that impenetrable wall. It’s like looking at a pop star or a successful star in a movie and thinking, ‘Oh, that’s impossible. You can never be like that.” How do you get there? After Ivy got involved, I was like, “Oh my God, you can do this.” And then I got to the third audition.

Did you think you were on some level of what you expected? Or was it something completely different?

Ivy should have told me what it’s like, but no one can tell me what it’s really like to be there. When you watch it, you watch it for an hour and a half, which is actually 48 to 72 hours. You don’t see the outside world. You are cut off from communication and just survive with this group of people you have never met in your life. I think it was more thorough and demanding when you were there, and it’s a lot harder. It’s a lot more tiring and you’re going to get closer than you think because you’re with these people 24 hours a day and they’ll become your life.

I’ve read that you draw inspiration from many old photos of your mother with photos from the 60’s and 70’s, as well as photos from the 90’s. What was the inspiration for your favorite runway this season?

My inspiration comes from retro glamour, hallucinations or dreams. These are the three places I go most often. The appearance of the house was from a dream: imagine a doll that is in a little house, but grows a lot. And finally the house really fits on top of it. Tang’s dress was a dream I had one night when I imagined Tommy was in the Bahamas, walking around in a bathing suit, and I jumped. I love the look that plays with the imagination, the size and the objects that are in your mind.

Much of its history deals with people with disabilities and the chronically ill. Did you get any particularly memorable messages from these threads?

Everyone was very kind and sweet. Especially at DragCon, there were so many chronically ill and disabled people telling me how happy they were that someone like me, or someone like us, was on the show. And also, winning the show. I didn’t really have time to be proud of the fact that I was a person with a disability and chronic illness who won the show. I’m proud of myself and proud of everyone who made this possible. And I am very proud of all the chronically ill and disabled who have enjoyed that pride with me.

You also wrote history as the winner of the first non-tranceᲧVella stars Season. How did drag or a show help you on this journey to getting clean?

If it wasn’t for Drag, I really wouldn’t have come to the conclusion that I was trans. I really don’t think there was any point where I realized anything. I think this is all a very slow practice. I think most people don’t wake up and one day everything will be clear, right? Burning slowly, and just playing with the traction and slowly, very slowly, over time, becoming more comfortable for my face and body. and my soul, and I’m surrounded by a lot of trans and stony people.

The interview is edited for length and clarity.

The story first appeared in a separate June issue of The Hollywood Reporter. Click here to subscribe to the magazine.