Last Words With Drag Race's Morgan McMichaels

Thursday marked the long-anticipated return of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, where fan favorites from past seasons get one more chance to snatch the crown.

Host RuPaul wasted no time getting down to high jinks, unveiling a surprise additional contestant (spoiler): season 1 winner Bebe Zahara Benet. Before one had time to gag, the queens were already reading one another in the mini-challenge, before preparing for a variety show to show off their talents.

As in last season of All Stars, the winner of each episode gets to decide who will sashay away. This week, it was Morgan McMichaels, a season 2 alumnus. The Advocate spoke with McMichaels after her elimination.

The Advocate: Why did you want to be on All Stars?
McMichaels: I wanted the $100,000, get the crown, be on that wall, and all that good shit. I also wanted to compete on that main stage again!

How did you prepare?
I've been preparing since season 2 aired!

What was it like to step into that work room again?
It was so surreal to walk back into that work room, and I'd step back in there in a heartbeat if they wanted to bring me back again.

Drag Race (and drag) has changed a lot since season 2. Are you surprised that the show has become so mainstream?
Honestly, I'm not surprised at all. I've always felt that it was only a matter of time until Ru kicked down another door.

Who were you happiest to see among the contestants?
I was so happy to see all of them, really. They all deserved to return to All Stars, because each one brings something so unique and incredible. It's a really eclectic group of people this season.

What was your reaction to seeing Bebe?
My reaction to seeing Bebe was grateful, amazed, and I was really happy she was back. It was quite moving to see her.

You said you would eliminate the strongest competitor if you had the chance -- a controversial stance. Do you still stand by your strategy, even if it might have led to your elimination?
I have absolutely no regrets. I stand by my strategy 100 percent, and I'd do that same strategy again.

You also mentioned that the other queens were "fan favorites," which necessitated that you have a different strategy than them. Can you explain a little what you meant by that?
I really didn't give a shit what social media or fans thought about my decision-making, I make all my decisions based on what I think I should do and want to do for myself. I think that a lot of queens often listen to their fans and their social media following, and will do what their fan expect of them.

How did you prepare for your variety show act?
I knew that I wanted to do something different than what I've done before, so I wrote a song and went to record it. I really wanted to take a risk and do something that was unique for myself.

Your outfit was amazing -- where did you get it?
I get all of my outfits custom-designed by Tony Iniguez and his company, Manaz by Tony. He's truly amazing and always makes the most incredible outfits for me.

Whose act was your favorite?
Thorgy's [violin performance] was my personal favorite. I was so impressed by it, because it was so out of the box and different. I also loved Trixie's, but everyone's talents and acts are so varied that they're all great in their own way.

The judges loved your look -- but not your performance. Did you agree with their critiques, as well as your place in the bottom 2?
Well, it doesn't really matter if I agree or not, because it's their job to judge us and not mine. But I do agree that I was nervous, yes, but that was the only critique I got. If the worst thing I did was be nervous, then I can walk out with my head held high.

Looking back, would you have done anything differently to avoid elimination?
No, I wouldn't have done anything different. I wanted to challenge and push myself, and I felt that I was able to do that.

Ru hinted you might have another chance at the crown. What would you show the world if you got that chance?
Ru never said I might come back, just that she had my back - so you'll have to stay tuned to see what that means! If I do get the chance to come back though, I'm ready to show the world how amazing of a show Morgan McMichaels gives.

If winning meant being a handmaid forever with Alaska and Chad, would you still want the crown?
Absolutely. I would 100 percent still want that crown!

How has Drag Race changed your life?
Internationally, I'm a known celebrity. Everyone around the world in our community knows who I am, which is truly incredible. I've gotten to travel around the world and meet so many inspiring people. There's honestly nothing terrible that comes from Drag Race -- it's all really amazing.

Does being a drag queen mean something different to you today, in a time when LGBT rights in the U.S. are under attack?
In this political climate, it just amplifies and magnifies the importance of what I've done before with fighting for our friends and community. But now it's on an international platform, so it means that I need to push myself even more to do as much as I can for LGBT rights.

Where can we see you perform next?
Anywhere really, but if you go to my website (MorganMcMichaelsOfficial.com), there's a weekly schedule of what I'm doing that I always update.

Thanks, Morgan!