A conversation with 'RuPaul's Drag Race' winner Yvie Oddly

Yvie Oddly arrives at the red carpet for "RuPaul's Drag Race," Season 11 at The Orpheum Theatre on Monday, May 13, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Yvie Oddly arrives at the red carpet for "RuPaul's Drag Race," Season 11 at The Orpheum Theatre on Monday, May 13, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Photo: Willy Sanjuan, Associated Press Photo: Willy Sanjuan, Associated Press Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close A conversation with 'RuPaul's Drag Race' winner Yvie Oddly 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

Yvie Oddly only has to laugh to make you love her.

The "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 11 winner quickly became known for her bracing honesty, unique style and that unmistakable laugh. She does it often. She does it forcefully. And it's impossible to resist.

She snatched the crown with a final lip sync performance to Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory" that surprised in its subtlety. No flips. No bends. Just fierce.

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Oddly just released a new music video, "Dolla Store," and promises this is just the beginning.

What will be your first act as reigning queen?

I did my first act last night when I untucked. I released a song and a music video yesterday about the 'Dolla Store' which I'm really excited about. That's kind of my first little statement, being like, "Hey, I can do the Ru girl music thing, too, but put my own spin on it."

What are three of your dollar store must-haves?

I always get something glittery, whether that's actual glitter, a child's costume, party decorations, just 'cause I like to cut up all those sparkly things and find ways to use them later. I typically by their house goods section and get all the super glue I'll need, glue all of my weird things to my body and my face. And you have to get a good dollar store snack, just to make sure that you have your energy to get back home.

Let's talk about the mask moment during your final lip sync.

When I was thinking about what I wanted to do for the finale, I just knew that I wanted to try and focus more on giving a really good, solid performance. But I wanted to look like living, walking art, and I wanted to show people a literal different side of myself. I just had this concept of having a dress and/or a person that looks the same from the front and the back. It built from there to take me to the edge of glory.

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I think people expect all the crazy flips and bends, so it was smart to surprise them.

I obviously didn't know I was going to be up against Brooke, but somewhere in my heart, I felt like it was just inevitable. And since the people have already seen me and Brooke go at it with all our flips and kicks and acrobatics, and end in a draw, I knew in my heart that if I wanted to win it, I'd have to approach this at a different angle and try and show a different artistry.

Is the Yvie who won the crown different from the queen who first walked into the work room?

She really honestly isn't. That's my favorite part about this. People expect that with $100,000 and with all this notoriety, that somehow it's gonna change me and I'm gonna get bougier and/or have learned some crazy life lesson. But I feel like I won "Drag Race," or at least even made it to the finals, because I knew very much who I was and I know very much what I'm passionate about in life. It doesn't always translate, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna stop trying to speak my message.

Photo: Joey Guerra, VH1 (screen Grab) Everything.

Your honesty won over fans but made for a bumpy ride on the show. Was there ever a moment you thought, "I probably shouldn't say this?"

After I'd gotten through most of the season, I actually did start holding my tongue a lot more, only because I realized that the more energy I poured out to the people who weren't willing to change and grow at all, that's energy I could be putting in toward my own performances. I think it's very different when people are willing to try and grow and learn. But I definitely did quiet down at the end of the season. I wasn't necessarily happy about it. It's also not like I walk through life without tact. I know when I shouldn't be saying what I shouldn't be saying. But sometimes it still needs to be said.

What are the ultimate goals for the future?

It's crazy because everything that I would love to do is definitely already on my schedule. I've wanted to travel the world. I've wanted to make art. And I've wanted people to get something from it. I'm just so excited because that's literally what this opportunity has afforded me, even without the crown. I'm just excited to try new things and shock people everywhere I go.

What advice would you give the little Oddlys coming up in the world?

Be persistent, because your vision is more important than anything else. However, you have to be willing to grow and change. When somebody offers you a challenge to try something a new way or to do something differently, take it. See how you can apply yourself and be who you really are in a situation that you've never experienced.

Your laugh needs to be a ringtone, immediately.

I know! I already wanted that ready. I'm working on it.

Joey Guerra is the music critic for the Houston Chronicle and also covers everything from "Drag Race" to "Idol." Follow him on Twitter. Send him news tips at joey.guerra@chron.com.

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