Sometimes, all it takes is patience and determination.

Season 5 runner-up and fan favourite Alaska auditioned for every season of RuPaul's Drag Race until he was eventually cast.

The US reality TV series has spawned eight seasons since 2009.

The show documents 55-year-old US drag queen RuPaul's search for "America's next drag superstar" via weekly challenges that test contestants' skills in fashion design, musical performance, comedy and runway walking.

Alaska, 31, whose real name is Justin Honard, said in an e-mail interview with The New Paper: "I'm very happy with the timing of getting on the show. I wouldn't have been ready any time before Season 5 (in 2013).

"I cried a lot (on the show). I had a good run. If I could go back and do it again, I would try to win more challenges."

He added: "I wanted to be a Ru Girl (contestant) as soon as I realised what being a Ru Girl was. I'm very grateful for the opportunity and I encourage young queens everywhere to follow their dreams."

Although Alaska did not win, he was the contestant everyone was rooting for.

He was also one of only six queens on the show who were never in the bottom nor did they have to lip-sync to avoid elimination.

Week after week, he would come up with the craziest outfits and impersonations that won over viewers, like wearing a horse mask and creating hilarious skits.

"I'm just insane, I guess. But really these are things that just exist, and I just listen to the Lord and to the Universe and play with them," joked Alaska.

He named Madonna, RuPaul and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles heroine April O'Neil as his drag inspirations.

TOURS

Since his stint on the show, Alaska has helmed a string of solo tours.

He will be in Singapore on Sunday for the R18 drag revue RuPaul's Drag Race Battle Of The Seasons 2016 Extravaganza Tour, which is into its third year.

It features a line-up of past winners, finalists and favourites from the show. They include Manila Luzon, Detox, Ginger Minj, Ivy Winters, Pandora Boxx, Violet Chachki, Phi Phi O'Hara and an opening DJ set by Pearl. (See report on right.)

"(The shows are) always different because we're feeding off the energy of the crowd. So whatever you guys bring is what we give to you.

"I try to keep Alaska fresh by doing laundry and bathing at least once a month," Alaska joked.

His favourite part about touring?

"I like hanging out with my sisters. Our time together is always so fun because they make me laugh so much. Any time with these girls is a blessing," he said.

Alaska has also enjoyed success in the music industry with the release of his debut album Anus last June, which topped the iTunes dance chart.

But acting seems to be the path he hopes to eventually take.

In 2014, he starred as straight-laced Charlotte in a stage production of TV series Sex And The City.

He said: "(RuPaul's Drag Race) has given me a lot of opportunities and opened a lot of doors. I now have a full-time job doing drag, which a few years ago would have been unheard of. So I'm very grateful.

"I love acting, so doing roles as a man or a woman would be something I'd love to do in the future."

But before that, Alaska will return to the small screen for the second season of RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race.

Is he planning to lip-sync better, sew faster and death drop harder than ever before?

"I'm just going to go in with a positive attitude and try to do my best. I still don't really know how to sew though," said Alaska.

"This time round, the judges and the audience are familiar with my work, so it becomes a matter of doing what I do, but pushing myself further."

RuPaul's Drag Race Battle Of The Seasons 2016 Extravaganza Tour

WHERE Kallang Theatre

WHEN Sunday, 7pm

TICKETS $88-$188 from Sistic (6348-5555 or www.sistic.com.sg)