Alyssa Edwards talks being 'a lovely fifth alternate' on 'All Stars 2'

Alyssa Edwards hails from Mesquite, TX. Alyssa Edwards hails from Mesquite, TX. Photo: Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images For Logo Photo: Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images For Logo Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Alyssa Edwards talks being 'a lovely fifth alternate' on 'All Stars 2' 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

Alyssa Edwards made a promise when she was abruptly ousted as "a lovely fifth alternate" during this week's "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 2."

"Trust the duchess when she says this. Y'all thought y'all had packed me? It ain't over just yet, baby."

It plays out next week when one of the eliminated queens – Edwards, Ginger Minj, Tatianna or Coco Montrese – returns to the competition. RuPaul has promised revenge with a twist, of course.

Here's hoping our Texas queen is the one who gets it.

What was different for you this time around?

I think that I left Season 5 with so many regrets, and I'm not a regretful person. This time around, I told myself, 'Worry less, and laugh a lot. Have fun. Dive in, no floaties allowed. Jump in that 12 feet of water and go for it.' I can tell by watching this. I'm having a real good time this time around.

What was your biggest regret from Season 5?

I held myself back. I was too quick to say, 'I'm not good at that. I can't do it.' Rather than what I teach kids every day: The more crazy you look, the more foolish you feel, then you're doing it right. You're exuding that showmanship that's needed to be a star. About time that I take my own advice.

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You're one of the show's breakout stars. What's the journey been like?

Just follow the yellow brick road. That's kinda what I kept telling myself. I think what happened is I learned my strengths, but more importantly, I learned to embrace my weaknesses. And I laughed. All those characteristic flaws that I was afraid of, I laughed at them. I have so much to be thankful for. This movement that RuPaul has created, and World of Wonder and Logo has allowed to be aired, it's so much than just gay men carrying on in high heels and wigs and fake fingernails. It's truly a story of courageous souls. And I'm grateful that I'm a part of this.

Was your elimination fair in the context of the rules the cast created?

Look, this is like playing 'Survivor.' If you wanna survive on the drag island, the smaller it gets, you have to fend for yourself. I don't know if I necessarily got the worst critiques. I know I didn't get the best. But I just think what I presented in the past would have been enough to keep me safe. Every performer will have a bad night. It's just inevitable. I think at that point it came down to playing a game in a competition.

You seemed to figure that out before the other girls and were honest about it.

If we're gonna play fair, we have to be realistic. You can't just say because of judges' critiques. Michelle (Visage) didn't think my camera dress was that fascinating. Well, that's a subjective critique. That's not really a fair critique. It's unconventional fabric. I just didn't agree with that. I don't think Ru would have sent me home last night.

Michelle was particularly harsh on you and Adore Delano, who have created two of the most successful post-show personal brands.

I didn't know what she wanted from me. I was like, 'OK, I didn't ask for a free pass or nothing like that. I think tonight I fell short, and it happens. This isn't the second time.' The ones who she should have said that to were the ones that had been in the bottom. I don't think my character (in the acting scene) was as big as Alaska's. And in the end, one person was gonna be safe, and one teammate was gonna be in the bottom. I just think she was that good. It was my turn to be there. I don't think there was anything else I could have done differently. I thought I stated my case. I thought I said it eloquently. I thought I was fair, and I was upfront and honest.

THANK YOU: Tatianna talks 'All Stars 2'

Could you hear what Phi Phi O'Hara was saying about you from behind the two-way mirror?

I couldn't hear everything at first, and then they were like, 'Oh, yeah, she's saying that about you.' Why would you do all that? It was kinda over with at that point. She didn't know I was there. It was very unnecessary. I didn't understand it, honestly, and I wasn't coming for nobody else. She didn't think my runway measured up to the other girls. I'm like, 'Well that's your opinion, but, OK.' I didn't throw anyone under the bus. And I said it to them. They were in the bottom. We were having an adult conversation.

Phi Phi made a big deal about being a changed person, but she's reverted back to a lot of her Season 4 ways as the competition has progressed (despite her protests on Twitter).

I just think a person is a person, and sometimes it's inevitable. I mean, you can't really change a tiger's stripes. I will say I think people grow and evolve, and I think she hasn't allowed herself internally to do that.

Part of your appeal is all those catchphrases. Where did your newest – Beast! – come from?

I think it was just one of those things. Beast! Honestly, I don't know where I come up with half the sh** I say. I was laughing last night when I said, 'Trust the duchess.' She always knows best.