The "large-and-in-charge "Latrice Royale represented the big girls on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race on the Logo Channel.
She came out of the closet—also disclosing a checkered past that includes a prison history and tough times—on the show. Her light shone through though, with a "chunky but funky" personality that kicked the competition to the curb, making her a top four finalist.
This Florida "bold and beautiful" queen now travels around the country and is heading to a new group of fans in the Windy City.
Windy City Times: Hey, Latrice. How are you?
Latrice Royale: I'm wonderful. How are you?
WCT: Great. I watched the whole season, of course. Is this the first time you have been to Chicago?
Latrice Royale: I have been there but this is the first time performing.
WCT: You perform mainly in Florida?
Latrice Royale: Pretty much. I have been here for 21 years.
WCT: What is your opinion? Is Florida the South or not?
Latrice Royale: It has some tendencies, but I wouldn't call it the South. We have our own situation there. [Laughs]
WCT: I read that you started wearing drag on a dare in the beginning.
Latrice Royale: Absolutely. You know friends…
WCT: "I dare you to put on that wig!" It just stuck?
Latrice Royale: As soon as I won my first little contest, a star was born and that was it. I saw drink tickets and a hundred dollars. Yes, honey—I can do this!
WCT: What made you want to be on RuPaul's Drag Race in the first place?
Latrice Royale: I was at a crossroads in my career. I needed to do something because I was at the point where I wasn't really progressing. It is hard when you are just doing club gigs. I had to do something different, change my position and put me in a better place than I was. That is why I auditioned.
WCT: Then you did really well.
Latrice Royale: Who knew? I just wanted a little bit of exposure and represent the big girls, of course. We haven't been fully represented properly so I thought I could do it.
WCT: And you did. Not only did you last a long time, but your personality was important on the show.
Latrice Royale: Well, thank you. I was really me being me. I am a nurturer kind of person. That is just who I am. I didn't realize there were so many wounded souls on the show. We were definitely a wounded cast.
WCT: Do you feel pressure to lose weight after the show?
Latrice Royale: Oh my gawd, you know what? It would be lovely. I have lost a few pounds because I have been traveling a lot but I am so happy in my skin. I am content. Love me fat, love me skinny, love me tender—that is just me.
WCT: That must have been quite an honor being asked to be on Drag U.
Latrice Royale: That was definitely an honor. I feel so blessed because not everybody gets to go into that situation. We were the chosen ones. I am glad I was able to make a big enough impression to keep going because I want to stay relevant.
WCT: I watched the first episode and—Heyyy!—guess who is on it?
Latrice Royale: I didn't even know I was on the first episode until this moment!
WCT: Surprise!
Latrice Royale: Right out of the box, baby! I love it, yes.
WCT: The show is about helping women that have had some tough times, so I think you are a perfect candidate to help them.
Latrice Royale: Yes; it definitely hit home. My mom was a single mom. I didn't grow up in the most ideal household situation. I can relate to those women very well.
WCT: I have been singing, "Jesus Is a Biscuit" all morning.
Latrice Royale: I love it!
WCT: You know how everyone wants to have a music career after RuPaul's Drag Race?
Latrice Royale: Right?
WCT: This is my idea for you. You should put out a gospel album with "Jesus Is a Biscuit" as a track and some Mahalia Jackson, maybe a Winans cover song?
Latrice Royale: Wow; a full-out whole other genre of music, an inspirational album. No one does that. It is always club beats. I definitely want to do "Jesus Is a Biscuit" with all of the other girls in the video, too.
WCT: All I ask for is a "special thanks" on the album.
Latrice Royale: Exactly. [Laughs]
WCT: First, you are doing an appearance at Hydrate on Saturday, then coming back the following Thursday for Roscoe's with the whole gang.
Latrice Royale: It is going to be crazy but I am excited though.
WCT: Are you staying in town the whole week?
Latrice Royale: No, I am going back home for a few days then coming back.
WCT: You are still friends with everyone from your season, correct? You didn't burn any bridges like Miss O'Hara.
Latrice Royale: No, not at all. I really love everyone genuinely. There is not anyone that I don't like. I keep in touch with some more than others. Ideally I talk to everyone pretty much.
WCT: Did you do the Al and Chuck boat cruise?
Latrice Royale: I did the first little mini one. It was interesting. [Laughs] I had never been on a cruise before so I was expecting a lot of things to be different. The cruise line sucked so this next time hopefully it is a better ship.
WCT: So it was not the Love Boat?
Latrice Royale: No. When they closed down the buffet I was ready to get off the boat.
WCT: I don't know if I would get seasick on there.
Latrice Royale: I did a lot better than I thought I would. That wasn't so bad but when they shut down the buffets early, that was bad.
WCT: Not nice.
Latrice Royale: Especially for a fat girl…
WCT: I love that you represent my generation because we are around the same age.
Latrice Royale: Awesome. We are from the old school, boo-boo. We have to school these new girls. See? That is the problem. You see why they go rogue and go raging mad? They don't have a background and have no training.
WCT: People like [competitor] DiDa [Ritz] came a long way on the show, though.
Latrice Royale: Real quick, didn't she?
WCT: Anything else about Drag U this season?
Latrice Royale: I am very excited because they truly revamped it. Because I am a fan of the show, I was always that one person who thought that when they came out of the Dragulator that they didn't look like the picture. That used to really irritate me. When I tell you that they have changed that; these bitches are done! I was very impressed and excited. I am looking forward to even the episodes that I am not in.
WCT: There are some good guest stars, such as Robin Givens and Brittany Snow. Who are you a fan of as far as celebrities?
Latrice Royale: I get star-struck easily because people I have been watching on TV I have been able to meet lately—people like Kelly Osbourne and Adam Lambert. I made a little connection with Kelly when we met. That's my girl.
WCT: She is great. Well, I will see you this weekend.
Latrice Royale: Alright, baby. See you then!
For more Royale-T, visit www.latriceroyale.com . Don't miss the Absolut RuPaul Tour at Roscoe's Tavern, 3356 N. Halsted St., on Thursday, June 14, at 10 p.m.
Drag U premieres Monday, June 18, with listings at www.logotv.com .
