I had a chance to sit down with the lovely Ginger Minj about a week after the finale. I usually do not do predictions on who will win (except for last year when I knew from week 2 that it was Bianca all the way), but after like three or four weeks, I thought it was Ginger all the way. She came very close to the title, but did accomplish a something that no other plus-sized girl had before, she made it to the top 3. It was really nice to sit down and chat with Ginger, who is a very intelligent, together, and honest entertainer and human being!
How surprised were you to make the top 3 and did you expect to win?
I went in expecting nothing, but I was determined to do anything I could to make sure I did as good as I could. I really fought to make top 3, so I wasn’t surprised, but certainly happy. I thought I had a really good shot at winning.
How good did it feel to be the only plus-sized girl to make the top 3?
It felt good. It made me feel like I had already won. There is a lot of pressure for those of us who don’t fit a certain aesthetic. I am proud to represent.
How happy are you for Violet?
I am extremely happy for her. She had her mind on winning from the beginning, and I think she is going to work very hard to make this year count for her.
At what age did drag become an interest, and how did you pick your name?
I have always been interested in drag, as I was a theater baby. It was really a natural progression about 10 years ago in the Orlando Fringe festival. It stuck; I took to it very quickly.
My name was given to me. I was working at Sleuths! Theatre and there was a story…it’s too long to get into here, but my name is British slang for a red vagina. I was told by the owner that if I took the name he would will pay for all my wigs, make-up and everything I needed to do drag as a career….so I said yes, and Ginger was born.
How many times did you apply to be on RPDR and how did it feel when you found out you were chosen?
I only auditioned once. It really wasn’t in my plans to audition, but I was working with so many of the other girls who had been on the show and they kept telling me I should apply. A little while later, World of Wonder called me and asked me if I would be interested in auditioning, so I sent everything in, and a few weeks later I got a call and was cast. It’s not something I thought I wanted originally, but it’s been the best experience of my life.
Is there an additional pressure now that RuPaul has been on for 7 seasons?
I think every year they up the ante even more, so it gets more difficult. It becomes new and different every year to keep the girls on their toes.
Tell me about your RuPaul’s Drag Race experience.
It was one of those things that when you are in the thick of it you are tired, hungry, and sick. It wasn’t until I got on the plane to come home that it hit me that I just had the most amazing experience of my life. I pushed myself to do things that I would have never done if I was not cast on the show. I think Drag Race made me a better person and a better entertainer.
Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you.
I think people would be surprised to know that I am an extremely emotional, sensitive, introverted person. I am a good Christian person, unlike Ginger who is loud and brassy. 🙂
What’s ahead for Ginger?
There is so much going on. I am currently working on my full-length album. I did a duet with Jinkx Monsoon, one with Margaret Cho, and I am getting ready to do a duet with Carnie Wilson. I am also doing a remake of a very famous Divine song.
I also have my national tour of my one woman show (starring me and 3 other people) entitled Crossdresser for Christ: The Musical. It’s my life story from when I was very young until I got involved in drag.
For more information on Ginger, go to GingerMinj.com, and follow her on social media on Facebook at “Ginger Minj Official Fan Page”; and on Twitter and Instagram @ TheGingerMinj.
