Drag Race's Chi Chi DeVayne on the Secret to Her Positivity

The Snatch Game finally arrived at RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars -- with mixed results. BenDeLaCreme slayed as Paul Lynde, the Hollywood Squares legend who was a master of innuendo regarding his gay sexuality. Shangela was also a standout as Jenifer Lewis, and Aja surprised as Pepper LaBeija.

However, some impressions did not impress the judges -- Chi Chi DeVayne as Maya Angelou (whose name she misspelled on her name card), Kennedy Davenport's Phaedra Parks, and Trixie Mattel's RuPaul. Ultimately, both Shangela and Ben won the lip-synch, giving each the power to send a contestant packing. They both chose Chi Chi.

The Advocate spoke to Chi Chi after the elimination.

The Advocate: Why did you want to be on All Stars?
Chi Chi: I wanted to be on All Stars because the fans wanted me back. I really felt like I didn't have anything to prove, but since the fans wanted it, I felt it was important to go back.

How did you get ready?
I don't get ready, I stay ready!

What was it like to step into that work room again?
It felt like I was at home. I felt like I was in one of those cheesy '90s kids movies where they all meet up at camp every year. It was just like summer camp.

Drag Race (like drag) has changed a lot in recent years. Are you surprised that the show
has become so mainstream?
Yes. I am so surprised it's gone mainstream. Just a couple years ago we were paying $300 for extra cable to that we could watch it, and now it's on VH1 right next to Love and Hip Hop. It's an amazing thing.

Who were you happiest to see among the contestants?
I was happiest to see Kennedy, of course. We've gotten a chance to work with each other, but this was the first time we actually got to compete with each other.

Why did you choose Maya Angelou for the Snatch Game challenge?
I grew up reading her works, and it was important to me to pay homage to her.

Your impersonation fell flat for the judges. If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?
I would definitely do Cardi B! With Maya Angelou I would've done an entirely different character and it was much harder than I thought it would be.

Whose impersonation was your favorite, and why?
Definitely Ben's Paul Lynde. Ben was phenomenal, and everything she said was so funny. She was so spot on with the brand, the era, it was amazing.

This was your fourth time in the bottom, and you seemed at peace with an elimination. This is the opposite reaction of most contestants! Why did you feel that way?
Because it was so hard. This competition was so much harder than Drag Race. I just knew it was my time, how could I be bitter about it. It was my curse.

You always brought positivity to the show, even with your exits -- a big contrast with some other queens this season. What's the secret to your positivity?
The secret to my positivity is my mom used to tell us when we were growing up is you're not going to win everything, but you should always try and be the best. Do your best, but don't always expect to be the best, and that makes me a real person.

What would you show the world if you got another chance at the crown?
I would show the world that Chi Chi can be funny and I can do anything I want to do if I put my mind to it.

What's next for you?
Recording a couple songs and putting them out there to see how the fans respond to Chi Chi actually singing.

Thanks, Chi Chi! Don't miss RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars Thursdays on VH1.