We have waited for months for our favorite feel-good show to return and finally Logo premiered the seventh season of our guilty pleasure, RuPaul’s Drag Race. With 14 new queens all vying for the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar, who is my favorite, you ask? Well, without really knowing them, and basing this just on looks, I am living for Miss Fame. I love her old style Hollywood look. However, I will not make a prediction for a few weeks. The first challenge was a big one with the theme of Fashion Week Extravaganza. The contestants had to have two looks: one for spring and one for fall. When Violet Chachki flipped her fall look over to reveal another complete look, it was over for this week and I knew she would win. The runway challenge was entitled Naked and Afraid, where the contestants had to have a resort look that tore away into a nude illusion. Most of the girls made a nude body suit, but some of the girls were brave and went totally naked. In the end, Kandy Ho and Tempest DuJour were in the bottom two and Tempest was sent home.
At what age did female impersonation become an interest and how did you pick your name?
I think I have always been fascinated by drag, since I was a kid. But I liked camp drag like Nipsey Russell on Match Game and Klinger on M*A*S*H*. Tempest comes from an homage to Shakespeare as I worked in theater a lot. DuJour is just kitschy and campy and it fit well.
How many times did you apply to be on RPDR and how did it feel when you found out you were chosen?
I tried three times and one time I came very close so finally making it was huge for me. It meant that I achieved that top-shelf drag that I wanted to be a part of.
Is there additional pressure now that RuPaul has been on for six seasons?
The pressure comes from myself, but we all had to step up our game as every season the talent gets better. But ultimately you have to be yourself or people will read right through it, so I gave them genuine Tempest and hopefully that appealed to people.
Tell me about your RuPaul’s Drag Race experience.
It was amazing. It’s everything you expect it to be and more. It was the highest high and the most devastating low in one day.
How are you going to leverage your time on Drag Race?
This has given me a platform that people spend their whole lives trying to achieve. I have been overwhelmed with the amount of love and support since last night. This reinforces that I am doing the right thing.
Tell me about your weight loss.
I lost about 150 pounds. I just got to a point where I was very heavy and got into a bad car accident that made me wake up and realize I had to lose weight for myself and my children. It’s a day to day struggle; I am hungry all the time.
Have you taken a hit out on Kandy Ho?
I have my people in Puerto Rico looking for her…LOL…In all seriousness, we have reconciled and we are now great friends.
Who do you want to win?
There are several people who are deserving, but I would love to see a big girl win. Also Katya is one of the funniest people I ever met in my life, and then there is Kennedy who is super refined. But I still think it’s a big girl’s turn.
Tell me about the man behind Tempest.
I hope that I am a great father, husband and friend. I have an amazing life that I am incredibly grateful for. Drag is the icing on my cake. I want to believe I am a relatable guy who is always nice. What you see is what you get.
Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you.
I raise show chickens at my house. Chickens, to me, are God’s little comediennes, and my kids love them.
What’s ahead for Tempest?
World domination, I hope! Hopefully a very long drag career. I will continue to show up as long as the audience does, and I will give it everything I have.
Website = TempestDuJour.com
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: TempestDuJour
