Shuga Cain on her drama-free 'Drag Race' ride, loving Charo and that surprise chop

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Raise your hand if you think Shuga Cain's Charo impersonation should have won the Snatch Game challenge.

The Salvadorian/Spanish/Apache queen looked, sounded and acted like the legendary performer. Charo herself approved. But the judges are all about big personalities this season, which often left Shuga hovering in the middle of the pack.

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Even this week, she was abruptly sent home despite being part of the stronger team during a magic show challenge. And the lip sync to Mary J. Blige's "No More Drama" was set up for a Vanjie win.

But Miss Shuga is still sweet on "Drag Race." And hopes there's more to come with Charo.

Are you happy with the way you were portrayed on the show?

It's very different experiencing it. I think I was in the weeds of everything and trying to do my best and work hard. I think a lot of things I either didn't see or was focused, and so now seeing it back, it's totally different. But I'm very proud of my journey. I see the work. I definitely think I went home too soon -- and that, I didn't really know when I was there. I was just taking it as it happened. Obviously, I wanted to go further, but now seeing it, I didn't feel like it was my time. That was a surprise I didn't expect.

A lot of fans agree. Were you shocked that, despite being on the winning team, you were in the bottom?

Absolutely. I totally was. Absolutely. When we did our thing, we did so well, and it felt so good. We were just super confident, "All three of us are gonna be here next week." When they said I was in the bottom and they just started reading me for everything, I was at a loss for words. When I had to lip sync, I think I was just so overwhelmed. I didn't expect to be there. It was a strange, strange day.

The judges kept on you to show more, do more, be more. How did you take those critiques?

It was difficult. I don't really complain. I'm just like, "OK, that's the critique. I'm obviously not giving them something. I need to give them more." So I was working every week to do more, but I just kept getting the same critique on the show. I could see it here and there. Other times, I was like, "I'm really working hard in comparison to other cast members." Definitely it was difficult watching it back. But everything's subjective.

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What was the dynamic like for you, who was obviously working hard, to see the judges eating up other queens who were relying a lot on personality?

It is frustrating, 100-percent. I would be lying if I said it wasn't. But what can I do? It's done. I'm glad that I came across as who I am. Seeing the response from the kids who watch the show and love Shuga, that just means so much more to me than anything ever could.

You stayed out of the drama all season. Is that just who you are?

I just don't put up with drama. I don't do drama. I am 41 years old. That part left my life many, many years ago. I was also super focused. I really wanted to do well. I mean, I was paying attention, I was listening and called out the girls when I needed to. You would have never seen me in a fight with someone or causing a ruckus just to cause a ruckus. That's just not who I am.

Give us the tea on the heart you paint on the tip of your nose.

All these girls do the exclamation point. I just didn't want to do it. I was looking at my nose and the way I had contoured and was like, "It looks like a heart." I painted this heart that was the cutest f***ing thing. I love it. It's so representative of who I am. My favorite thing is that spark of joy from people when they see that heart. Their face lights up.

Your Charo during Snatch Game should have arguably taken the win.

Charo is amazing. We grew up watching Charo. My parents love Charo. I just always remember her being this amazing light, just this beautiful energy. I thought I did really, really well! When she reached out to me and commented on Instagram, I lost my mind. At the time, she had only followed, like, 15 people on Instagram and I was one of them. When I go live, she pops up and chats with the kids. It is so surreal. I would love to collab with her on something, somehow, some way. My parents are in their 70's, and they can't believe that Charo knows who I am.

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.