Why Shannel said yes to participating

“Bring my girls back,” RuPaul famously said; now they’re here again on “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars 9.”

Angeria Paris VanMichaels, Gottmik, Jorgeous, Nina West, Plastique Tiara, Roxxxy Andrews, Shannel and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo are the returning queens and they are doing something good for the world. In a new twist, they are no longer competing for prize money; instead, they support their favorite charities.

The competition will follow a non-elimination format. Instead, the top two queens will earn benefactor badges each week. By the end of the season, the top queens with the most badges will compete for the crown, a place in the “All Stars” Hall of Fame, plus prize money for their charity. The queens also receive an allowance for their wardrobe.

Speak with Variety, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” producer Tom Campbell said the show will be anything but boring: “We’re taking on causes that are very important, but we’re doing it with love, laughter and silliness. This is not a serious season. This is a hot season with some of the best drag you’ve ever seen.”

Nina West and Shannel joined Campbell to discuss why they wanted to compete this season and what audiences can expect from the competition.

Tom, what was the genesis of the decision on this new format and the focus on donating to causes that the queens believe in?

TOM CAMBEL: It all started with Carson Kressley. He met Terrence Meck, co-founder and president of the Palette Fund, which focuses on various LGBT+ causes. Terrence said he wanted to be involved in “Drag Race” in some way. Back in season 7 of ‘All Stars’ we did an episode where the queens played for their favorite charity. It felt good and the producers thought, “What if we did a whole season of them playing for charity?” And we just loved it. It felt like something fresh and new.

Can you reveal how much clothing allowance the queens received? Being a drag queen and creating those looks isn’t cheap.

CAMPBELL: We gave them clothing allowance. Let’s just say it’s a reasonable amount. When it comes to the competition, it is a playful competition. And each queen had the chance to make money for their charity, so it’s kind of a win-win situation.

What do you most want to get redemption for when you go on the show?

SHANNEL: I don’t know if it’s about the idea of ​​getting redemption or Ru redemption since I was the OG, the first queen to literally ever walk on set when the series started. We didn’t know anything about what the show was going to be. It was on the logo and there was no blueprint. There was no template. I had no idea what was going to happen.

At this point I felt like I didn’t have to be a novice at anything. The fact that it was a charity season was a must for me. I loved the idea of ​​giving back and it was a no-brainer. And to be part of the best of the best and the most versatile queens this season. We really all bring something magical and unique to this season, but in such different ways that the caliber, differences and camaraderie really create something beautiful and magical.

NINA WEST: I love season 11. I feel like the show has given me so much success. I had a controversial elimination and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Everything went the way it did because it told my story. One of the things that is very important to emphasize is that the producers of “Drag Race” do a very eloquent job of telling our stories. I felt like my story had been told and I was not being punished. I didn’t need redemption. People got to know me for who I truly am, and they saw me tell a story I never intended to share. That connected me to millions of people around the world. It changed the entire trajectory of my career.

The reason I came back to ‘All Stars’ was because a big part of me is dedicated to charity and to organizations that seek to uplift and strengthen people’s lives and provide freedom of choice. So when I was asked – and this is the third time I’ve been asked that – I said, “Yes.”

It’s still competitive, but what was great was the fact that we were all playing for different charities, and what was important to me was The Trevor Project, so I jumped at the opportunity.

Shannel, you fight for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, can you tell us a little about your chosen charity?

SHANNEL: It’s something that’s very close to my heart as someone who suffers from anxiety, not so much depression. Anxiety is something that started and stemmed from my childhood with an upbringing I had, very specifically from my grandparents. There have been times in my life when I’ve had an anxiety attack and some of the “normal things” that happen to you when you have an attack, like deep sweating and heart palpitations.

When 2020 hit as the world went into lockdown, and for someone who suffers from health anxiety, it was the ultimate state of paranoia. Eventually I got involved in therapy and went through three different therapists. It was a matter of, ‘Let me prescribe you a pill,’ and that was extremely frustrating for me because this isn’t about a pill. This goes so much deeper and is something that needs a voice. So this charity season, and with the ADAA, showed me that there are organizations and people going through the same thing.

For me, with this platform and this voice, I want to be able to show the world that if it’s something that I can deal with, and come to terms with and be honest about, then hopefully it will be a voice give to other people. dealing with the same thing. The ADAA provides you with the tools and resources to help you find the resources you need.

So, what can we expect if we don’t see eliminations?

CAMPBELL: You’ll see stiff competition and crazy, amazing wardrobes. The challenges we had during the season were phenomenal and there was a lot of camaraderie. There is a lot of love between the girls in the show. You may remember from season 7 of “All Stars” that there was a platinum plunger. Well, there’s one more device to shake things up a bit.

SHANNEL: Tom and I have been together since day one. But it’s crazy to think what the show has become and that drag isn’t so taboo anymore. It’s so mainstream, and thank goodness for queer culture, and so many celebrities embracing drag into the art form and bringing it out. I always encourage you to get out and vote. It’s an election year and it’s never been more important for voices to be heard and to stand up for what you believe in.