Checking in with Ru Paul Drag Race star Manila Luzon

Name: Manila Luzon
Career: Graphic designer by day/Fabulous by night!
Home: New York City
Hails from: Twin Cities
Relationship Status: In a wonderful Kai Kai relationship with Sahara Davenport (RDRseason2)
Next Project: Training to be a ninja…or laundry
Spotted on a typical New York Saturday night: At the most fabulous parties New York City gay nightlife has to offer, or in the back of a cop car (I’m always getting taken in for being just so damn beautiful!)

You are so gorgeous and we love you on RuPaul’s Drag Race. What was it like being a contestant on season 3?
It was amazing–like summer camp for drag queens; arts and crafts, just a lot fiercer. I am a lucky person for getting the chance to be part of such a fun show.

You’re definitely a fan favorite. What have some of your favorite challenges been?
I had so much fun during the “Drag Queens In Outer Space” challenge. Growing up, my mother would show me classic science fiction movies like Journey To The Center of The Earth or Forbidden Planet. It was also fun to just let lose in front of the camera and not really care if I looked pretty (or if I was even tucked).

It’s a great group this year. How do you think Season 3 is different than the past two seasons?
I was a huge fan of both seasons, especially Season 2 with my baby, Sahara. The queens set the bar really high, and it was really hard to even try to surpass it. I am sure RuPaul had a tough time casting all of us so perfectly. We have such a wide range of styles of drag, backgrounds and personalities. And then Ru made sure that the challenges were harder than ever, throwing us curve balls left and right. Wait, did I just make a sports reference? Let’s just say this season is proving to be the biggest, baddest season EVER. I hope that I have a little something to do with it.

I’m sure you knew some of the other contestants before filming. Was there anyone you really hit it off with on the show?
I knew of some queens, but the only one I really knew was my (naked) friend Carmen Carrera. I also really hit it off with Delta. She’s an amazing queen who always made me laugh. She was motherly, in a way, especially with her GIANT JUGS. And Raja and I became very close. We first bonded as Tweaker and Hermaphrodite in the space challenge and realized that we had tons in common; we are both half Asian/half white, and we share a passion for art and fashion. The four of us, Carmen, Delta, Raja and I, became really close friends.

What is the best thing about being on the show?
After getting my BFA in graphic design, I moved to NYC in hopes to live the life of the fabulous artists I’ve grown up reading about. Working a day job kind of deflated that dream over the years. Despite working in a creative field, I always used drag as my creative outlet. The show really gave me the opportunity to challenge myself again artistically. And now I get to sit in my living room and view the art that I got to make.

Do you have any advice for drag divas vying to apply for season four?
Be creative always. Sometimes I feel like creativity is lacking these days where everyone is just trying to be or do whatever everyone else is (and by everyone else, I mean Gaga). Find beauty in everyday things, explore yourself and let people see what you’ve got. And learn how to send a piece of fabric through a sewing machine.

Tell us, you’re a New York party girl at heart. What are your favorite bars & clubs in New York?
There’s such a variety. I love the downtown scene; if Susanne Bartsch and Kenny Kenny are there it’s going to be a great night. I love the big dance parties that Brandon Voss and Tony Fornabaio throw like Club57 or Rockit. And sometimes I like something more chill like the loungey nights Michael Cohen and Kevin Wiltz throw.

Favorite cocktail?
I’m a vodka girl. Simple vodka crans and vodka tonics do me just fine. But on the show I was introduced to Absolut’s new flavor Wild Tea! Sweet Mary, it’s like I’m sitting in my favorite soul food restaurant eating fried chicken and waffles and sipping on a homemade sweet iced tea. YUMMERS! Absolut Wild Tea and Lemonade, yum. And I’m not just saying that because Absolut was a sponsor for the show.

Oh, honey, I’m going to buy a case of Absolut Wild Tea. Hey, Valentine’s Day is coming up, do you have any ideas for a romantic dinner for two?
I love making any meal special with the person I love. Some of Sahara and my most memorable and most romantic meals happen at Wendy’s or a little pizza joint or sitting in front of the TV with delivery from the Indian place. Don’t get me wrong, I also love going to some fancy restaurant with reservations a month ahead of time, especially if Sahara pays.

Okay, not only do I agree with you on the pizza party for two but I love that you and Sahara Davenport are a couple. How did you two meet?
Ha! Um, we picked each other up at a little gay bar uptown (as boys). It was the one-night-stand that’s lasting almost five years.

Do you and Sahara have any Valentine’s Day plans?
You know I have no idea what we have planned. I’m sure Sahara will get a giant heart-shaped box of chocolates (it’s a requirement for me). And after all that talk of sweet tea and soul food, maybe we’ll go get some soul food at Spoonbread. But since we are always working in the nightlife, we like to enjoy our company with a pleasant evening at home…wink!

Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday this year, can you recommend the best place to catch RuPaul’s Drag Race after dinner?
Of course you should go to Therapy to see the big Absolut viewing party of RuPaul’s Drag Race. They have an advanced copy of the show, so you don’t have to watch the commercials with those depressing cats and dogs. “In The Arms of an Angel!” But get there early because it gets PACKED. Although it usually clears out once Mimi Imfurst starts her show right after. SLAM! Take that, Mimi!

Snap.
I’m joking, of course.

If someone’s in New York for 24 hours, what should they do?
Eat Food. Go to any restaurant and just eat something you’ve never tried before. Then go puke in a bathroom so you’ll have room for the next restaurant. 24 hours straight of eating–the house down boots.

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