"Television has caricatured gays for too long." : Paloma, winner of Drag Race France, frankly surrenders

how does it feel to win Drag Racing France ?

Paloma : Thank you. I didn’t think the winner would be a weird, artist bit bubblegum. For the first time I am the winner of something, the chosen one. It sounds very good to me. I also feel the weight of responsibility. And I will be the representative of an entire community that does not have a spokesperson. I have a huge responsibility, which I gladly accept because we can change a lot of things.

What was your reaction when you found out about this? drag race Would it take place in France?

I was so surprised! I had a wind of panic inside me because I always said I wanted to do this show, I know everything by heart. I signed up to myself.What have you got to lose?I stopped responding to emails from there. I come from the theater, the cinema, and I know that there is snobbery towards television in these circles. Luckily, if success is to come thanks to Paloma, go.

Ru Paul’s show in the US created expressions and forms of communication. Do you think the French show will experience the same effect?

I think so too. The show was a huge hit, a hit, and the French version will be a reference for many, but not necessarily those who watch the American version. Kam, Big Bertha, La Grande Dame… we will be their reference. There will be a French style to be replaced. The real challenge for the production and the writers was getting us to go crazy with the expressions, and it got funny. For example, we stopped saying “.it is shaded“we were saying”Oh, it’s touching” (laugh).

One of your most influential performances on the show?

Lip Synk’s (Editor’s note: Immersives interpret the song by mimicking and moving their lips) at Mylène Farmer. I had the best Mylène look and “If anyone in Mylène needs to do Lip Synker, it’s me.“I had come to a point in the competition. control freakI could look cold and solid and not too hot so it was a good time to show who I am, I was very vulnerable in this department to show a little bit of my soul. The moment I mention Mylène is undoubtedly one of my most intimate moments. I used to be a little embarrassed to love Mylène Farmer when I was younger, and there I could truly celebrate my love for her, the fact that she helped me through my teenage years. A very popular icon who has done a lot for many people and many children who are a bit lonely. I loved every second of that moment, I felt sexy and powerful.

You’ve positioned yourself as a drag queen with a significant cultural background, do you think that’s a plus in winning the competition?

I have very connected references to French culture. I grew up in a family that gave me this culture, I’m lucky. While there is some snobbery in the references in the theatre, that’s the point in drag. We are people on the edge to perform using pop culture. I have the impression that you are showing me many things from adolescence. We end up creating a character that resembles the heroines of our childhood, for me it’s a mix of Mylène. lady oscar. The character Paloma also comes from the cinema, I’m a big fan of French cinema, actresses and Almodovar.

Has your participation in this show prompted the new generation to start off as a drag queen?

I get thank you messages every day, great stuff. I have fan art, songs, dozens of drawings a day. It’s also great because I didn’t have a reference on TV. My generation lacked references from the LGBTQIA+ community on television. Television has caricatured homosexuals for a very long time, so much so that many hosts and people on television have never fully accepted their orientation. When I was younger, I needed representation, I didn’t have a queer icon. We are creating a whole generation of young people queer It’s French and that’s great, I’m proud of it.

Have you lived in Clermont-Ferrand, do you think drag queen shows are pretty common in France?

when was there a key Ru Paul’s Drag Race It came to Netflix in 2016 and then had a blast in France. There are lots of drag shows that open with drag queens and drag kings. It is gratifying to see such progress.

What do you want people to remember as a result of your participation?

Kindness among all transvestites, we love each other very much. I also hope that people will remember my creativity and sensitivity.

Drag Racing France Renewed for season 2, are you ready to be a member of the jury?

If offered to me, yes. I feel indebted to France Télévisions and Endemol. They did a great job! They knew the culture. queerthere were people queer It was done in the team, with intelligence and with great respect. If they call me, of course I’ll be there.

What message would you send to a young person struggling to take responsibility for being a member of the LGBQIA+ community?

Assume in general. I was a pariah at school until I was 15, nobody talked to me, I never had any friends because I didn’t admit my homosexuality. “The day I came to schooli am gay“And before you even have a chance to insult me, I’ll say it, I felt better. Assuming who we are, stops chewing on everybody. People will always respect someone who’s 200% without apologizing. It’s being themselves.

What are your future projects?

I’m going on tour with Live Drag Race, the show of the show that we will start from September 1 at the Casino de Paris. We will travel to France, Belgium and maybe other places. There’ll be 10 of us plus Nicky, and I’ll have a music video coming out next week. I will continue your animation follivoresIt’s a very big evening at the beginning of the school year on September 3rd. Star Academy. Every week I’m throwing a party with Kam Hugh, a big blind test. I have cinema and theater projects and I would like to have a chronicle on television, for example, I would love to do sketches.

Malo Morcel