In Week 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars Season 3, Ru told the remaining all-stars that they would be auditioning as a group for the “Kitty Girls” where they would have to come up with their own personas, write their lyrics and perform on the main stage. When she was done explaining that, she said “oops, I forgot to tell you that you will be competing against the five girls who were already eliminated.” In the end the remaining all-stars won with Ben and Bebe being the top two. After the Lip Synch for their legacy the winner was Ben and she had to decide which eliminated queen would come back in the completion and which remaining all-star (Shangela, Kennedy or Trixie) would go home. Ben picked Morgan to come back into the competition and decided to send home herself. She said it was the easiest decision she made the entire season and that she got what she came for and that the competition means more to the remaining queens.
How has your life changed since you were on Drag Race?
Immensely! I have been doing this for 11 years before the first time around, and had a local following in Seattle. Since Season 6 I have been doing the same thing but just internationally and for more money. It’s much more satisfying.
What has been some of your favorite cities to visit as a RuPaul Alumni?
Helsinki, Finland—it’s super beautiful. The best part about traveling is that you get to meet all these people and personalities that you would never cross paths with.
How exciting was it to get called back for All-Stars? Did you consider not coming back, and if so what made you come back?
I was not expecting the call and honored when I got it. I actually initially declined since I was feeling satisfied as an entertainer. But then I started questioning myself about what could happen, so I took the opportunity.
How did you prepare differently for All-Stars than you did the first time you were on the show?
I went in differently since I am four years older and wiser as a performer. The main difference is that the first time I was super nervous. On All-Stars I had a better sense of who I am and felt there was less to lose by fully doing things my way.
I mean Paul Lynde was genius! Where did that come from?
I have never have done him before since I generally don’t do impressions. Paul Lynde was a last minute decision a few days before I left. I was planning on doing Kellyanne Conway, but I didn’t want to will her into existence any more then she already is. I have loved Paul Lynde since I was a kid watching Bewitched.
What made you decide to leave and now, all these months later, do you stand by it or regret it?
I definitely stand by it. I made a point to be home in Seattle at a viewing party and wanted to be amongst friends. I felt very proud when I saw the episode. It was my clearest decision the entire time I was there.
WATCH:
Now that you have been eliminated (well, not really), who do you want to win?
At this stage in the game I don’t think there is a clear front runner. Every queen specializes in something different. It really depends on what the next challenges are.
What’s ahead for Ben?
I am back out on tour and next week, and I will be doing a live version of “Death Becomes Her” with Jinkx Monsoon and Peaches Christ. I am also touring my 1 woman show in the US and Internationally. In addition, I have a secret project for the holidays, but I can’t talk about it yet.
I have to ask you about what’s been trending here in South Florida…where did you get “White- Out” from? (Writers note: I must give credit to Athena Dion who as the first one to come up with this question)
There was an element of fate involved. When all the girls were back in the same room together I remembered that Thorgy would paint her fingernails with white out. I went over to her and asked her to borrow it. She did ask me why, but I brushed her off and told her she would find out why soon.
For more information on Ben go to: bendelacreme.com.
