Tatianna says 'thank you' to 'Drag Race All Stars 2'

Tatianna, Season 2. Tatianna, Season 2. Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 29 Caption Close Tatianna says 'thank you' to 'Drag Race All Stars 2' 1 / 29 Back to Gallery

Tatianna started strong on "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 2," proving herself a worthy competitor with a week 1 win. Her spoken word opus "The Same Parts" was sexy, funny, smart and will likely go down in herstory. (See me with them hands.)

Alas, reality TV has a funny way of turning things upside down. Tatianna landed in the bottom after her Ariana Grande impersonation flatlined during Snatch Game. She was sent home by frontrunner Alaska, who opted to keep the RoLaskaTox (Roxxxy Andrews, Detox) dynamic intact.

Despite her early exit, Tatianna calls "All Stars 2" a "fun experience." And she had plenty more to say.

There was a lot of back and forth about the RoLaskaTox dynamic. What were your thoughts coming out of the situation?

Well, I wasn't surprised. I knew it was gonna be me. You could just tell by the verbiage. There was a moment when we were speaking. She was like, "I don't want you to think that I'm voting with RoLaskaTox." I would never think that unless you were gonna vote me off, which you're probably gonna do. I kind of already knew it was coming.

Do you think it might have gone differently if Katya won the lip sync?

It could have gone the same way. Who knows? I didn't do well. I'm aware of that. But that's not to say people still kind of brought friendships into it, which is totally cool.

Did you feel like the odd girl out coming from Season 2?

No. Not at all, really. People act like it was, like, '99 or something. It was 2010. It was six years ago. Nothing's really changed that much. Maybe drag has gotten a little bit edgier. But that's just style, which always changes.

COCO MONTRESE: On nerves and harsh critiques during 'All Stars 2'

It was strange to hear Phi Phi O'Hara say you might be at a disadvantage because you're "old-school" -- even though she was just two seasons later.

They also made it sound like I was 50 years old. I'm younger than everyone here except Adore (Delano). The only reason that someone could say I felt out of place or on the outside is because I didn't have anyone from Season 2 with me. The Season 5 cast, they got a reunion basically for "All Stars."

Were you friends with any of the queens before "All Stars?"

We all know each other from working together. But I probably was, going into it, closest with Adore. Me and her had hung out a few times, and we always had a really good time together. She's a really good, genuine person. And she's real. I think that's probably why we became good friends.

What was the feeling like while she was contemplating, and eventually, leaving the show?

It was crappy. She really was just going through it. I completely understand where she was coming from. I thought her reasons for leaving were completely valid. It's not a choice that I would have made. But I totally think that she made the right decision for her, and she had every right to do so, because they were kind of awful to her.

Do you feel like the judges were particularly harsh on her?

It was almost like they were gonna start (on her) from the gate because she's so beloved. She's Adore. Everyone loves Adore. I think because she's so successful, I felt that maybe that was why, they were like, "OK, let's make an example and show everyone that it doesn't make a difference how popular or how well-liked you are. We'll still read you." They just took it there. When we were standing there listening to it, we all kind of looked over to the side. It was like, "Girl. They're going in."

Let's talk about the Ariana Grande debacle during Snatch Game.

My mindset going in was, "I like her. I know enough about her. I've done illusions of her a thousand times before." Easy-peasy choice. I also brought Miley Cyrus. I didn't overthink it. Just like with Britney (Spears during Season 2), I didn't overthink it with that. I figured, "OK, let's get out there and see what I could do." And you know what? I didn't do very much. I don't feel like I was awful or horrible. But also because I won the first-ever Snatch Game, there is extra, added pressure. My mind was just hitting a blank.

What talents were you hoping to showcase in a future week?

I wanted to do a music challenge. I wanted to do a good acting one. I wanted to do a musical. And I wanted to dance. I wanted to sing, and I wanted to act and I wanted to dance. I'm a banging dancer.

Who did you click with during the competition?

Katya. I really enjoyed watching her on her season. In person, she's exactly the same. She will ask you questions about yourself and genuinely listen. And she'll ask you random questions. You'll give her an answer, and she's like, "Elaborate on that." She just wants to get to know you. So I really liked getting to know her.

Who's your pick to win "All Stars 2?"

And it can't be me? Katya. 'Cause she's funny, and she's smart and she's different. I just like everything about her.

What queen that hasn't been on an "All Stars" season would you love to see on the show?

Definitely Morgan McMichaels. She's so talented. Me and her are, like, besties. Out of everyone from Season 2, I'm closest to her. I thought that she was gonna be on "All Stars." I was surprised when she wasn't.

Here's your chance: What's most important for you to get across to "Drag Race" fans?



I'm here! I've been doing it. I've evolved. I've grown as a person and as a drag queen. I never really felt like I needed to redeem myself from Season 2 -- because I was top 4. I don't feel like I was an asshole just to be an asshole. I felt like on Season 2, every time I copped an attitude with someone it's 'cause someone was giving it to me first. So I didn't feel like I needed to go into ("All Stars") like, "I'm a good person" or "I'm not a bitch." I just wanted to show people, "This is what I've been doing. I'm alive."