Interview by Denise J. Mallabo

PHOTOGRAPHER, EIC: IRVIN RIVERA, DEPUTY EDITOR: PHIL LIMPRASERTWONG, INTERVIEW: DENISE MALLABO

Brian Firkus arrived at the photo shoot in DTLA already beat for the gods allowing him to only have a few more steps ‘til he transforms into his drag persona, the flashy (but never trashy) Trixie Mattel. The 30-year-old Wisconsin-born was busy talking business over the phone while photographer and A Book Of Editor-in-Chief, Irvin Rivera, is setting-up his first layout of the day. Trixie was in the middle of his 29 American city tour Grown Up when it got yanked off the road because of Covid-19. Out of the 29 cities, Trixie was able to do 26.  “Before the full lockdown, venues of large groups over a thousand were affected first, so my shows were affected. We got pulled off the road very early and then all my shows basically got moved to 2021,” says the RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 3 winner. “I have to take every wig, every costume, every joke, and every song, and basically put it in a suitcase and in the closet. The show is there, it just currently lives in my closet.”

Amidst the pandemic, Trixie hasn’t stop being productive. When asked what skill has she learned during this period of being stuck mostly at home, she was eager to share it with us. “Oh my God! I lived so many of my dreams that I've always wanted to live. I always wanted to learn how to take product photos, so many of the Trixie Cosmetics product photos are taken by me, in my house. Literally me in my underwear, taking pictures of lipstick at 1AM,” she shares. She’s also been learning how to cook; mastering her baking skills since quarantine started, as seen on her YouTube channel where she’s mastering the Easy-Bake Oven, as well as doing livestreams to either cover some of her favorite songs or participating in online shows to raise funds for charities.

It’s safe to say that Trixie Mattel is one of the most hardworking queens and entertainers out there. Aside from having her own line of cosmetics and co-hosting web series (UNHhhh and I Like to Watch) alongside fellow queen Katya Zamolodchikova, earlier this year, she released her third studio album called Barbara, a double record with four tracks each that carries a good mix of surf rock and country tunes. Netflix also featured her documentary Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts, a film following Trixie’s tour, personal, and drag life. Just recently, Trixie and Katya took their friendship to the next level and put it on print. They released a book entitled Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Womanhood, a satirical guide to fashion, beauty, and home improvement. A Book Of sat down with the multitalented Trixie as she shares more about her albums, her love for the 60s, her doll collection, and why she and Katya click.

“Trixie is about providing escapism, which is why Trixie is great in pastels, bright colors, and larger than life make-up. I really want to distract people from their problems, that's my vibe.“