Ra'Jah O'Hara on 'Drag Race,' death threats and what she wishes she wouldn't have said

Ra'Jah O'Hara is from Dallas. Ra'Jah O'Hara is from Dallas. Photo: VH1 Photo: VH1 Image 1 of / 26 Caption Close Ra'Jah O'Hara on 'Drag Race,' death threats and what she wishes she wouldn't have said 1 / 26 Back to Gallery

Every group has one. And Ra'Jah O'Hara was officially crowned the "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 11 lip sync assassin.

She survived three trips to the bottom, including a six-person pile up and a controversial shantay you stay over Scarlet Envy.

SCARLET ENVY: 'I would rather be misunderstood than too understood'

But No. 4 was too much for Mama Ru. Ra'Jah was sent packing after her design during an unconventional design challenge earned a comparison to "Guardians of the Galaxy" character Groot by Michelle Visage. Ouch.

Ra'Jah's journey was tumultuous, and she clashed with Plastique Tiara, Yvie Oddly and Scarlet during the competition.She was particularly emotional during this week's "Untucked" episode. We talked about it and why that isn't really her.

How has life changed since the show began airing?

My life has changed completely. It's been a whirlwind of emotions. There's so much love out there in the world, that I just really can't complain about some of the backlash that I'm getting from fans of the show.

What's it been like dealing with the heated reactions from fans?

I went into this experience thinking everybody's gonna love me like everybody loves me from (Dallas). I felt like being on a larger platform just means that more people get to love me and get exposed to me. I was a little bit surprised with the reactions, but I also was not because I do realize that everything I said and did was probably gonna affect somebody or make somebody feel some type of way. And knowing that my sisters have hundreds of thousands of followers and me being the least followed and the least liked, I was gonna back backlash. I didn't expect the death threats. I didn't expect all of the racism I've received from "fans" of a show. A show that's basically about loving not only others but loving ourselves, it's hard to deal with a lot of the backlash. But I still try to lead with love and keep my energy positive and keep it moving. Like Mama said, "If they not paying your bills, you can't pay them no mind."

ARIEL VERSACE: 'Go wig or go home'

How does it feel watching everything back on TV?

I feel like we didn't get to see a lot of my story. But what you say was my experience at the time. It's not necessarily a true reflection of the person that I am. A lot of the things that I had to say were a little bit hateful, a little bit jealous, a little bit in my bag. I was definitely in my bag. I was definitely a little bit jealous. I was a little bit emotional. But I do feel like my overall story and the message, it's about that inner saboteur. We as people have such high expectations for ourselves, and sometimes when we let ourselves down, it's OK to say that we let ourselves down as opposed to beating up on ourselves and continuing to feed that monster that lives inside of our heads. The takeaway for me is that as people we all go through things, but the way we deal with them and how we persevere and how we overcome those things is really what sets us apart.

Is there a particular moment you regret?

I probably would not have commented about Yvie (Oddly)'s smell. I feel like me attacking her drag or her attacking my drag is one thing. But I took it to a childish, playground reading level. I really wish I hadn't commented on her scent, just because everybody now asks me what does Yvie smell like. But I did not lie when I said what I said. I do stand behind it. I just wish I wouldn't have possibly said it.

What prompted you to audition?

I have watched faithfully since Season 1, and it was always something that people told me I needed to do. I was like, "Yeah, they're gonna call me. It's gonna happen." I never really put any effort behind it. I was just waiting for the opportunity to fall into my lap. After watching Kennedy Davenport make it to the final two in "Drag Race All Stars" 4 and Asia O'Hara making it to the top four of Season 10, I said, "I need to throw my bid in." They were my inspirations for continuing the representation and the legacy that is the Dallas drag scene.

What's unique about Dallas queens?

I think what's so special is you get a little bit of everything. In Dallas, there are endless possibilities. There are so many drag queens. Of course, it's pageant culture on top of some of the camp and some of the more creative aspects of drag.

What's something you want viewers to know about you that didn't come across on the show?

That I am loving. I'm kind. I do put others before myself. I am a person that is most definitely a people person. I say everybody loves Ra'Jah. And I say that because mostly everybody loves Ra'Jah. This show has given people an opportunity to see the harsher side of Ra'Jah and not maybe the softer side. There is a softer side to all of the shade.

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.