Alaska Thunderfuck On New Book, New Music, and More

When it comes to being a drag icon, Alaska Thunderfuck checks all the boxes.

First introducing herself on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season Five with her signature “Hiiiieeeee!,” the legendary queen proved to be tough competition. Although she did not win, she came back with a vengeance and snatched the crown on All Stars 2. Since then, Alaska has become one of the industry’s most successful and hardest working artists

From acting and singing to hosting her own comedy special, to performing in the hottest of sweaty nightclubs and co-hosting the hit podcast Race Chaser alongside fellow Ru Girl, Willam, there’s not much the self-proclaimed alien enchantress can’t or won’t do.

In November, Alaska released her debut memoir, My Name’s Yours, What’s Alaska?, which gives readers an unfiltered look at Alaska’s life and meteoric rise to fame, and she is currently releasing singles from her highly anticipated Red 4 Filth album. This fall, she will kick off the Red 4 Filth North American tour, which will be her first-ever headlining production. As expected, it will feature high fashion, backup dancers, and her signature brand of comedy.

OFM caught up with the drag superstar to talk more about her multiple projects.

I would like to begin by congratulating you on your memoir, My Name Is Yours, What’s Alaska?, which has received very positive reviews. What inspired you to write this book?

It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do and finally got a chance to do it. Drag has given me a chance to do all these crazy things I’ve always dreamed of doing, and this was one of them. I was like, “Why don’t I write a book that’s about my whole life and up to this point?” It turned out to be very reflective, and I’m glad I got to do it. 

Ultimately, what do you hope readers take away from it?

I hope they learn from my mistakes, which I guess is the point of anyone sort of telling their story. There’s always something to be gained by saying, “Don’t do the dumb shit I did when I was younger.” My mom cannot get over the fact that I hitchhiked to Burning Man when I was in my early 20s. She never knew about that, and she’s really scandalized by it. To me, it’s like, “Yeah, that’s something that happened.” (Laughs)

What was something you learned about yourself throughout the writing process?

I learned that writing is really hard. I’ve always considered myself a writer because I’ve always enjoyed writing, but in doing this process, it shows me how fucking difficult it is to write a book. So, I have so much more respect for book writers everywhere.

Is there a section of the book that was your favorite to talk about?

Definitely! My favorite part is the before Drag Race Alaska because she’s so chaotic and doesn’t really know what she’s doing, but she’s doing it anyway. Not a lot has changed, but I love going back to that time period.

Of course, you also reflect on the personal and intimate details of your life, such as your very public relationship and breakup with Sharon Needles. Was it challenging to revisit these tougher memories, or therapeutic? Perhaps, both?

It was painful and hard, but like you said, it was also therapeutic. Therapy is not exactly easy. It’s going back to times that were traumatic, hurtful, or heartbreaking, and going deep into them. Then going over them repeatedly to make sure all the commas are in the right place. But yes, it was hard.

Looking back to the moment you first started drag, did you ever think the path would lead you to where you are today?

Never. I can’t believe it. When I was a little kid, I always dreamed I would be a woman singing songs in a room full of people. I didn’t know what that meant, but then this thing called drag found me and changed my life. Now, that is literally what I do, and it’s so wild that your childhood fantasy can become a real thing. It defies any logic. It makes no sense, but I’m grateful for it every single day.

Speaking of singing, I am loving the new singles from your upcoming Red 4 Filth album. Can you talk more about its concept and inspiration?

I’m obsessed with 90s and early-2000s music because that’s when I first discovered that I love music, and I love listening to the same CD over and over again. Like, my No Doubt CD was burned out, my Ace of Base tape, Toni Braxton’s Secrets CD—They are all such a part of me, and I hope kids still experience music that way. That music imprinted on me so much, so I was like, “Why don’t we take that kind of sound and feeling and update it? Make it new again.” So, we did that. We’ve been doing that with all these different genres and sounds, and it’s been really fucking cool.

How would you say Alaska is constantly evolving as a musical artist?

I like doing stuff that I haven’t done before and exploring new things. On this album, I’m singing more than I ever have before, so I had to learn how to use my voice, and that kind of stuff interests me. I just do it because I like it.

Unfortunately, the Red 4 Filth tour has been postponed to later this year thanks to COVID. As your first-ever headlining production, what are you looking forward to the most about it?

I’m really excited about the people that it’s going to bring together, which is why we had to postpone it. We’re in this moment right now where this virus is spreading so much and so fast that the audience would be unsafe. Secondly, the crew to mount a tour like this is a bunch of people, so getting us all in one place to do it right now was impossible. So, we had to postpone it, and that was the right choice. When we start the tour, I am looking forward to bringing these people together. I get to work with some amazing dancers and creative people, and I’m super excited about that.

Now that you have some more time, do you plan to make any tweaks or changes to the show or keep everything as is?

Probably. I’m just that way. I’m changing shit right up until that last minute. 

You are constantly juggling multiple projects at once. How do you manage them all?

I take things moment by moment and day by day as much as I can, and I like to quote the movie Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead. The boss, Rose Lindsey, says to the girl who just got hired, “Don’t feel overwhelmed. Just do one thing at a time.” I think that is timeless life advice.

Not only are you a winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, but you are also a hardcore fan of the show, What are your thoughts on the current season, and is there anyone you see as a frontrunner yet?

Oh my God, I love it! I’m having so much fun, and we have to keep in mind that these girls are doing drag during a difficult time. The supply chain is a real-ass thing for drag queens because most of our job is getting shit sent from over there to over here, then gluing it to ourselves. That is a huge part of our job, and it’s really difficult to do that right now. To do fittings and commission pieces. The fact that they’re able to go there, look great, and do this is remarkable. I’m having a great time watching. As for the standouts, I think Kornbread was a standout the second she was on Meet the Queens. It’s also exciting to see Kerri Colby. Those are my L.A. girls.

And we have our first heterosexual male drag queen, Maddy Morphosis. 

Yes! We can’t run around saying drag is for everyone, and then be like, except you! If you want to do drag, God bless you.

I still have my fingers crossed that there will be a winner season of All Stars in the future. Who would you want to compete against?

Gosh, the winners are so good. I don’t want to compete against any of them! Could you imagine having to go against Aquaria or Bob the Drag Queen? It makes my heart race just thinking about it. They’re all too good!

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you would like to mention or plug?

There is a thing on my website called Code Red, and if you click it, it asks you to put in a secret password. Now, I’m not going to tell you how to get the secret password, but maybe if you watch the music video for the song, “Red,” there might be a secret message at the end of the music video. That is if you want to join the super-secret Alaska fan club. This is an exclusive just for you! Other than that, I encourage you to get drunk on SERV Vodka with my picture on it. Drag queens and vodka is the perfect pairing.

Stay up-to-date and connect with Alaska by following her on Instagram @theonlyalaska5000, or visit her official website, AlaskaThunderfuck.com.

Photo Credits Albert Sanchez