ALASKA 'S ARTISTIC ASCENSION [IN PRINT]
BY IRVIN RIVERA
PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA, FASHION STYLING: ANDREW PHILIP NGUYEN & DINA VIBES, ART DIRECTOR: PHIL LIMPRASERTWONG, HAIR & MAKE-UP: AURORA SEXTON, PHOTO ASST: JESSE ZAPATERO
Cover 1: Hat: GLADYS TAMEZ MILLINERY, Choker: 0770, Top & Pants: DAVID GIAMPICCOLO, Belt: UNCUFFED LEATHER
There are lots of things to say and stories to tell in terms of making things happen. There’s no specific way, or formula or set of ingredients that creates your path to achieving whatever it is that you want to achieve in life. You have to make that conscious decision and effort to follow your gut, and follow that dream, that itch that keeps you up at night, no matter how crazy it may sound to other people. If you feel it in the deepest trenches of your soul, do it. As Alaska Thunderfuck said in this issue, “So if you find that thing in your life, that might not make sense necessarily but your spirit and your soul says you have to do it.”
Cover 2: Headpiece: LANCE VICTOR MOORE, Dress: RITUAL FASHION
In this issue’s spotlight, we take an inspiring voyage with Alaska Thunderfuck, whose cosmic journey from the stages of RuPaul's Drag Race to the pinnacle of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars embodies the true spirit of following one's dreams against all odds. Through her captivating albums - Anus, Poundcake, Vagina, and Red 4 Filth; Alaska has not only charted the stars but also charted her own path, showing us the power of embracing our passions with unwavering conviction. Her story is a testament to the magic that happens when we pursue what truly moves us, regardless of the universe’s noise.
Within the pages that follow, Alaska shares her interstellar wisdom on navigating the cosmos of fame, creativity, and self-expression. Her candid revelations serve not just as a chronicle of her own journey but as a galactic map for anyone daring to pursue their true north. As you immerse yourself in our exclusive interview, allow Alaska's narrative to spark a fire within you. This is more than an invitation to read; it's a call to action - a beckoning to step into the orbit of your dreams with the boldness of a star ready to illuminate the night. Let Alaska's story inspire you to cast aside limitations, to embrace the full spectrum of your potential, and to remember that in the vast expanse of the universe, your light is meant to shine brightly.
Coat: VEGAN TIGER, Choker & Rings: JAGGED HALO
“Everyone's put on the earth to do their thing. So, mine happens to be cross-dressing, and what a blessing that I discovered that and that I didn't run away from that, instead, I ran toward it.”
Jumpsuit: SARAH REGENSBURGER, Gloves: WEISHENG PARIS, EARCUFF: NORITAMY
Hi, Alaska. How are you?
I’m good. How are you?
I'm doing great. Thank you for your time today.
Of course.
So what's keeping you busy nowadays?
Doing drag is keeping me really busy. I've been on tour a little bit. We did a Christmas tour. It was really fun. And now we're getting ready to do DRAG: The Musical in Los Angeles.
Exciting!
I know... I'm an actress.
Hat: GLADYS TAMEZ MILLINERY, Choker: 0770, Top & Pants: DAVID GIAMPICCOLO, Belt: UNCUFFED LEATHER
Okay, now reflecting on your journey from RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5 to winning RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 2; how has your drag evolved, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
Oh my gosh. Yes, I was first on Drag Race so many years ago. And I mean, it changed my life. It was like, there was before Drag Race and there was after Drag Race. And I don't know, I'm still learning how to do drag. I don't really know what I'm doing. I just like doing it so I do it. I guess along the way, I've learned that being a bitch and being a cunt doesn't work. Maybe it works for some celebrities, but it doesn't work for me. And so, you know, but you have to do that to realize that it doesn't work. So, to anyone who I've been a cunt to in the past, I'm very sorry. I was just learning.
And I love that you say that, that you have to do it to kind of know the difference, right?
Yes. Because being young, it's like… I was stupid when I was young. I'm still a little stupid, but I guess I try more now to not be.
And you're right. Is this the nicer Alaska I’m speaking with right now?
I don't know about nice, but I try to be more respectful. Like today, we're here on a shoot. Everyone has to come here early in the morning. I was 20 minutes late and I'm pissed because I fucking hate drag queens who are late. I'm always like, I'm the drag queen who isn't late because I come from the theater. Today, I was really late. I parked a mile away by accident and so, I apologize to everyone.
the LGBTQ+ community has faced scrutiny in recent times, particularly around drag performances for children, how does DRAG: The Musical contribute to this conversation surrounding appropriate drag for younger audiences?
Well, it's wild because we wrote the musical and we have this character in mind, who is like a young person who was like, I like drag and I want to do it. I don't know what that means and my dad doesn't want me to. And oh my gosh, and I'm meeting all these drag queens. We started writing this long before it became the number one political issue, it’s like, do children have a place around drag? And the answer to that is, yes. Certain types of drag. But that's like saying, children shouldn't see film. It's like, no, certain films are great for kids, certain films are not good for kids. And I feel the same way about drag. So DRAG: The Musical is great for kids though, bring the whole family.
Coat: VEGAN TIGER, Rings: JAGGED HALO
You also co-created the Drag Queen of the Year Pageant to showcase diverse drag styles beyond what is often seen in mainstream platforms like Drag Race. Why is it essential to provide visibility to a wide spectrum of drag expressions?
Yes, we sort of started the Drag Queen of the Year Pageant because we were like, oh, no, there's a bunch of performers out here who've been overlooked by Drag Race. And I feel like more and more, Drag Race is looking at one type of drag. But there's so many types of drag. So maybe let's see what that looks like if we elevate all of these artists and put them on stage together competing. And it was really cool, the result is amazing. And that's so inspiring to be there. And I'm like, oh, this is good.
And it's really great, like what you said, you're just highlighting all these different types and aspects of drag.
Yes.
And what's the most exciting new thing that you saw from doing that?
I love people who come at drag from a sideways perspective, who don't come at it straight forward, who have a little wink, who have a little twist, who are kind of a wacko like… I love that.
Top: KEITH BERES, Skirt: MONACO COLOMBIA, Rings & Necklace: RARE ROMANCE, Hat: GRAHAM CRUZ
As a multifaceted artist, involved in music, drag, podcasting, and more. How do you balance these different creative pursuits, and do you find that they influence each other?
I don't know how to balance it. Do you have any advice? I don't know, I just do it. I do a lot of things, and I found out that I have the same birthday as Michelangelo, who was like a Renaissance person who wanted to be a scientist, but also an artist and also like, build an airplane machine. So I feel like that. I feel like I have to do everything. I want to do a podcast and I want to make music and then I want to be on stage and then I want to write a movie and I like to do all of the things.
I love that because there's nothing wrong with doing what you love.
Yes.
And you're doing it really well as well on top of that.
Thanks. You know, just keep doing it. It's great.
Headpiece: LANCE VICTOR MOORE, Dress: RITUAL FASHION
If you're a book, what book would you be and why?
If I was a book... I like coloring books, I want to be a coloring book.
Why?
Because they're like so fun. They're like you get to recreate an event. And even if it's like that's the drawing that's there, you can like, use the marker and change it. I like that. I love it. And sometimes they give you blank pages. My answer is I'd like to be a book full of blank pages. Thank you.
