On Thursday, September 21st, Alaska 5000 will be performing as part of the first day of Champaign-Urbana’s incredible PYGMALION festival. Alaska got her start on RuPaul’s Drag Race, first as a competitor in season five and then as the winner of season two of All Stars. Since then, she has appeared in film and television, released albums, written a book, and even produced her own musical. Currently she is touring the world and will begin her new holiday show, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Alaska in December. Alaska was kind enough to answer some questions ahead of her show.
Smile Politely: Where is home when you aren’t on the road?
Alaska 5000: I live in Los Angeles.
SP: Do you see yourself staying there?
Alaska: Sure. The weather is nice and I have three plants and hummingbirds that come by all the time.
SP: How do you stay original and inspired?
Alaska: I like to work with people who love what they do. I also gravitate to working on projects that are different from anything I’ve done before. Getting to do Drag I kind of get to do everything. I also smoke weed sometimes.
SP: What is the enemy of drag?
Alaska: The enemy of Drag is anyone who places rules and restrictions on what Drag is. Drag is an art form I love because as soon as you think you have it figured out it changes into something else.
SP: Where is your favorite place your job has ever taken you and what made it the best?
Alaska: I love Fire Island. There’s a magical energy there and it feels precious and rare and I’m allowed to be naked on the beach without getting arrested.
SP: What are you most proud of in your career?
Alaska: I’ve done Drag on 6 of the 7 continents of the world, and I’m in serious talks with Hamburger Mary’s Antarctica to do a South Pole bingo brunch.
SP: You take a lot of influences from the Y2K era. Do you have a favorite look that you’ve done? And do you ever see another Alaska Era?
Alaska: My favorite look will always be a dress made of black garbage bags. They’re beautiful and I feel pretty in them and they make noise when I walk. I’m not sure what era is next, but when I know I’ll let you know.
SP: Your book My Name’s Yours, What’s Alaska? was a personal look into your life. Do you plan to write more books?
Alaska: Yes. I want to write fiction about Drag queens.
SP: You’ve been busy, producing, acting, and co-hosting your podcast. What will Alaska be doing five years from now?
Alaska: I’ll be accepting my third Oscar on the planet Mars.
SP: What do you like to do for fun?
Alaska: I love watching tv and eating gluten free pizza with ranch dressing.
SP: Anything else you want people to know?
Alaska: My new fragrance Red For Filth is available now.
Alaska 5000 and Monet X Change
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
500 S Goodwin
Urbana
Th September 21st
9:45 p.m.
Tickets available online; $35/$100 meet and greet
