J S . 30
W W W JU STOUT C O M
SEPTEMBER 3 2010
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She’s been compared to Susan Lucci. She
does a mean Carol Channing. And who are
we kidding, she looks more like Kathy Griffin
than Kathy Griffin does sometimes.
She’s Pandora Boxx, ne Michael Steck, 38,
of the second season o f RuPaul's Drag Race
and she’s coming to town for September’s
Peep Show— “lashes, lip gloss, heels and a hip
flask” in tow.
Just Out caught up with Pandora the
morning after she hosted DragTastic: NYC , a
standup comedy special filmed for the Logo
network (airdate TBA). Below, the Boxx
opens up.
-Amanda Schurr
,
Just Out: How did you arrive at your mythi
cal drag persona?
Pandora Boxx: I thought the name conjured
up all sorts o f images. I think it makes you
never know what to expect and I liked that!
needed it. I would tell anyone, don’t be too
quick to judge any of us [based] on what you
saw on the show alone.
JO: W hat was your favorite challenge? Fa
vorite guest judge?
PB: My favorite challenge was the “Snatch
Game” [when Boxx channeled Channing]. It
was so much fun! Making RuPaul laugh was
like getting a kiss from Baby Jesus.
We had so many great guest judges! I mean,
getting to perform in front of Cloris Leach-
man and Debbie Reynolds? Legends! I about
died. My favorite judge was, of course, Kathy
Griffin. I just think she is amazing.
?
JO: How is life post Drag Race
PB: My whole life has changed because of
Drag Race. I am so thankful and feel so blessed
to be able to travel all over the country. I t’s
amazing to see the impact that the show has
had. People love it! ... I really feel like I have
the most wonderful, loving fans in the world.
They call themselves “Fandoras.” So adorable!
JO: W hat do you think it was that had the
public rooting for you—let’s call you “The
People’s Drag Queen”— in particular?
PB: Are you gearing up for my political
campaign? I smell a slogan! I’m really happy
JO: W hat do you think it is about the art of
that my personality resonated so well with drag that has so connected with audiences, gay
people. I really just tried to be as real as I and straight, lately?
could be on the show and I think people liked
PB: I think drag has always been popular. It
that at least one person wasn’t a huge drama just goes in waves. I t’s cyclical like all things in
queen. Although there are several gals from life.... I t’s fun, bawdy and sexy. People love to be
Drag Race who are sweethearts, too.
entertained and don’t we need a little bit of that
right now? Drag is an escape for people. Drag is
JO: How accurately do you feel the show so bold and in your face but does so with a femi
portrayed you ladies?
nine touch so it becomes non-threatening. Drag
PB: I think they definitely captured a part of queens are like the gateway drug. It opens up
all of us— certainly not us as whole individuals, people’s minds to the whole World of Gay!
but that’s reality television.... You definitely
didn’t see a lot of the camaraderie that we all
JO: Tell us about DragTastic: NYC. How did
had. Everyone was really willing to loan each you come to get involved?
other things or really help out if someone
PB: I just got a call one day from All O ut
R estau ran t and Bar
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