Sure, she may hail from Back Swamp, North Carolina, but Miss Stacy Layne Mathews ain’t no muddy-water backwoods Barbie ... Pushed aside for her kin-folk “country,” Stacy Layne has elbowed out her naysayers week after week on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Miss Stacy—a definite contender for the ultimate win—and I kick it Old Southern-style, skipping two tall glasses of sweet tea for something sassy for this true Southern belle ...
New York Q News: What is, with all the back-handed, smear campaigning smack, that always makes you the topic of conversation among the other queens?
Stacy Layne Mathews: You know, I was invited to be on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and I thought to myself ..., “How am I going to approach this?” So I went into the competition thinking, “I’m just going to be myself,” and I guess the other girls couldn't handle that ... someone who was REAL. I guess you can say that I gave them all the opportunity to talk smack about me. It gives others the opportunity to like me even more (laughs).
NYQN: Some of the egos are as big as the wigs on “Drag Race.” You’re competing with what RuPaul calls, “The best America has to offer.” Do you think it’s a fair competition, as some dolls have little or no prior experience?
SLM: I think it is a fair competition, because we were all put in the same situation, to be judged on our ability to do drag. So I think it’s very important that we have some sort of diversity. It makes the competition interesting.
NYQN: Delta Work accused you of perpetuating the weighty stereotype of “a fat girl in drag.” Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle a bit too black?
SLM: Well, I feel like some people have to turn the attention on other people to cover up their own insecurities. A lot of people in the competition had the feeling that I was insecure, but in reality I’m very confident. And for me, not to be the only "BIG GIRL" in the competition, I think there were a lot of black kettles!
NYQN: Your smile lights up a room, but your painted lips have been called a frown by one judge. Have you considered standing on your head (wink)?
SLM: I stand on my head for no one ... (laughs), so I won’t be changing the way I do what I do ... It works for me and that’s all that matters ... How boring would it be if we’d all done our makeup the same? And from my understanding, DRAG was all about making things larger than life, crossing the line and being different. Or am I dreaming?
NYQN: Just like Dorothy in Oz, she too made it “out of the woods and out of dark.” Do you see yourself relocating to LA or New York?
SLM: I totally see myself relocating to somewhere, but I’m not sure where just yet. I have to get away from all the corn fields and bullfrogs. I know certain people played on the idea that maybe I was surrounded by bullfrogs, but I can't tell you the last time I have seen any sort of frog where I live ... Funny, huh? OH, and I’m not the biggest fan of Sweet Tea either!
NYQN: Watching all three seasons, I found that your lip-sync is, hands down, the sharpest. I’m impressed and so were the judges. How do you make it so damn believable?
SLM: It’s all about dedication. And I feel that if a person is going to be a drag queen or a female illusionist, then she MUST be the illusion at all times.... so LEARN THE WORDS!
NYQN: Back Swap doesn’t define who Stacy Layne Mathews is, and neither does a cash prize of seventy-five thousand dollars, but girl that is one sweet bag of loot! If you do win, what do you plan on doing with all that lettuce?
SLM: Well, seeing how hard my mom has worked all these years to help and support me, I feel like it would be great to help her out and give her the break that she needs.
NYQN: You teased us in a silver body suit, spandex leotard, and a one-piece, minus the biscuit. Mama does like to flaunt her lady-lumps, huh (wink)?
SLM: This is true. I mean, I'm a plus-size queen, but that doesn't mean I can't love my body for what it is ... If you’re going to do it, do it big.
NYQN: You have stated that there is nothing in Back Swamp but cornfields, and Shangela has been known to shuck a designer cob on her wrist. Is it kismet of the kernel kind, you two developing a sisterly-bond?
SLM: Well I think Shangela is amazing. She is one of the realest people on the show and I would sit and shuck corn with my sister any day, and then we can sit and throw corn cobs at some of the other girls.
NYQN: Before I get back to the bright lights and big city, one thing is for certain, that there aint nothing finer then some Stacy Layne Mathews in all of Carolina!
SLM: I couldn't have said it better myself...
After this interview, Stacy Layne had reached the end of her Drag Race. Stacy Layne Mathews, a true diamond in the crown of queens!
Keep up with your favorite Drag Racer at www.Logotv.com and www.stacylaynemathews.com.
