EllyRox

Once you’ve opened your presents, eaten pie and cajoled with far flung family and friends (sometimes involuntarily!)  get your ass to Kung Fu Necktie on New Years Day to see one of the funniest queens out there, WILLAM. (Tickets) In light of the upcoming hometown gig, Willam was lovely enough to answer a few questions for you, our dear readers, start your year off right with an excellent show and a tight tuck.

Willam is a former (controversial) RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant, an actress who has appeared in several major TV shows and films, and a model for OCC Cosmetics, American Apparel and Marco Marco. He’s also an accomplished performer with a Billboard No. 1-charting solo album and the host of Willam’s Beatdown, where those less fortunate on the internet get their asses handed to them with Willam’s sharp wit and even sharper tongue.

PGG: First of all, I want to thank you, I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you! I’ve loved Queens since my first pridefest at 15, and you are by far my favorite! Philly is your hometown, what do you get excited about coming back for?

Willam: The best part about coming home to Philly is all the stuff I can put in my mouth. Friends, food, still-drunken Mummers with low standards.

PGG: Do you play video games, if so, what are a few of your favorites?

Willam: I only play Mortal Kombat and anything Mario. Madden sometimes, too. (Editors note: Solid choices!)

PGG: Do you have a favorite aspect of drag? Least favorite?

Willam: My favorite part about doing drag is making people laugh- whether it’s because of my jokes, my poorly applied makeup or whatever I put in my butt on stage. My least favorite is answering the same questions over and over.

PGG: When you started doing drag, did you find your style quickly? How has that evolved over time?

Willam: My style in drag is just an extension of my normal style.

PGG: You’ve been painted by some of the best MUA’s in the business, do you have any looks that you loved in particular? What are some of your go to make up brands?

Willam: Really? You’re asking the face of Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics what their favorite makeup brand is ? F’real? The fuck you think I’m gonna say? NYX? OCC is obviously my favorite brand. For lashes, I love Makeup Forever and Sugarpill. I use Scott Barnes Body Bling and blush a lot too. (You can check out OCC Make up here.)

PGG: Did you think when you were starting out that you would become a ‘household’ name?

Willam: That’s like planning to win an Olympic medal because you know it’ll go with your outfits. That’s not how it should work.

PGG: How long does it take to film an episode of Beatdown? What is a typical day on set like?

Willam: BEATDOWN takes up my full day usually when I do it. It’s basically stand-up for a few hours that then gets chopped down. I’m exhausted by the end.

PGG: Do you feel like a role model for others coming up in the drag / lqbtq community?

Willam: I don’t feel like a role model and I don’t care to be.

PGG: Do you have any advice for young queer / lgbtq fans?

Willam: No teeth.

PGG: What’s coming up for you in 2016?

Willam: I have a book coming out in October from Hachette called Suck Less: Where There’s a Willam, There’s a Way and I’m continuing my YouTube asshattery at http://www.youtube.com/noextrai

Come out and see Willam on 1/1/2016, check out his videos and follow him on twitter!