Utica On ‘RPDR’ Experience: ‘It Was Magical’

March 29, 2021

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Ru informs the girls that the mini challenge will be them starring in their own make-up tutorial on how to create the perfect glam selfie with the new Norvina Palate from Anastasia Beverly Hills. The best part is they will be doing it in pairs, where one will be the face and the other the arms. The guest judge is Norvina, the president of Anasatasia Beverly Hills. The winners are Rose and Kandy who each win $2,500 of Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics. For the Maxi challenge they are throwing a roast of some of the former Miss Congeniality winners from previous seasons: Heidi N. Closet, Nina West and Valentina. Since Rose and Kandy won the mini challenge, they get to decide the order that the queens perform.

The queens get to rehearse in front of Michelle and Loni Love, who give the girls very constructive comments.

On the runway, joining Ru, and Michelle were Ross and Loni. At the roast, although Rose was the most comfortable on stage and the only one without cards to read off of, Kandi Muse’s jokes were incredibly funny from the beginning to the end. Another stand out was Gottmik. Olivia was not good, but she was better than the bottom two, who were Symone and Utica with Utica sashaying away.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Utica for this exclusive Hotspots interview:

HS: At what age did drag become an interest for you and how did you pick your name?

I started in high school as I was in an improv troupe, and it was so inspiring. I didn’t come out with my name until I was a year in the drag scene. I wanted to pay homage to the town that raised me which was Utica, Minnesota.

HS: How excited were you when you got the call that you were cast, and what was the first thing you did?

I screamed off the balcony on my friend’s terrace. I wanted everyone to hear me roar.

HS: How hard was it to keep the secret that you were on “Drag Race”?

It was actually pretty easy since the people I hang out with are mostly my team who helped me.

HS: Tell us about your “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 13 experience?

It was an honor; a privilege and it was magical. I feel like I had a wonderful run where I got to share my stories, my fashion, and my heart.

HS: Is there something you wish you had done differently?

A bunch of stuff. But mostly I wish I had more time to create.

HS: Without revealing anything you may know, who do you want to win and why?

I love them all so dearly so that’s a really hard question. Gottmik and her drag are fabulous and I do really enjoy Symone. They are both very important souls to me.

HS: I think the best way to describe you is quirky. Have you always been that way?

Yes, I have always been quirky. I grew up in a farm town and I learned my personalities from the farm animals.

HS: What’s your marital status?

I am dating right now. Nothing official, but I do have my eyes on some wonderful human.

HS: What’s ahead for Utica?

I want to continue the storytelling and take all the opportunities I can get. I also want to meet the fans once the pandemic is over.

HS: Is there anything I didn’t ask you that you want to talk about?

I want to stress that I had so much fun on the show and my journey was very unique and a blessing. I hope the viewers had just as much joy watching as I had filming.