RuPaul’s Drag Race – Phi Phi O’Hara
In our final RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 4 interview we sat down with runner up Phi Phi O’hara (we were going to make this a combo interview but Chad Michaels was unavailable) to talk about her Drag Race experience and a bit about her life. RuPaul said it perfectly when she said that no one had grown more in the contest then Phi Phi did. Now, you all know that Latrice is my girl (we have been friends for 15 years), but if Latrice couldn’t win I had my eye on Phi Phi. It was a pleasure to sit down with Phi Phi for this exclusive Hotspots Interview.
1) At what age did female impersonation become an interest?
At 18 when I was allowed to start going to the bars.
2) How did you pick your name?
My name was originally Phoenix O’hara. I picked Phoenix because I felt like I rose from the ashes. When I moved to Chicago Dida started calling me Phi Phi and it stuck. O’hara is from my drag mom Asia O’hara.
3) How did you go about getting on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Tell me about the experience?
It was my first time auditioning and I sent in the tape and told them what drag meant to me and luckily they called me in.
It was definitely an experience as I didn’t realize how competitive I was going to be.I also got to make friends which was unexpected. You also get to learn a lot of stuff from different people and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
4) What was your favorite mini challenge and what was your favorite regular challenge and why?
My favorite mini challenge was when we had to make the head pieces for Pia because I knew we were going to win and it was nice to do something for someone else, especially such a wonderful person like Pia.
My favorite regular challenge was the wrestling match because it was so much fun.
5) You made it to the end, who was your favorite queen and why?
My favorite queen was Latrice Royale because she was one of the only ones that I felt would talk to me as a friend rather than talking down to me. She was so supportive and kind. Plus her drag was amazing and she is sickening!
6) Did you and Sharon Needles become better friends?
Believe it or not, Sharon and I are now very close. She is so creative and I learned a lot from her about taking risks and thinking outside the box. I have done many drag performances with him since we finished filming and they have been some of the best shows of my life.
7) Tell me about the man behind Phi-Phi?
Phi Phi is really kind of a bitch and Jeremi is kind of a reserved guy. Jeremi is shy and timid, but very artsy. I am also a goofball and like to laugh and have a lot of fun. It’s a whole different person then Phi Phi. It’s like having 2 different personas.
8) Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you.
All of my business has been out there, but when people come to my show they realize that I am nothing like I seemed like on TV. I am really a nice person.
9) What’s ahead for Phi Phi?
What I am really excited about is my music. I love doing TV, but my passion is music. I am doing 2 different albums. Phi Phi will do a dance pop CD and Jeremi will do an acoustic/ R&B CD. My first single from the Phi Phi CD, “Queen of Clubs,” will be out in a few weeks.
For more information on Phi Phi go to:.PhiPhiOhara.com or catch her at Facebook.com/phiphiohara or Twitter.com/phiphiohara
