“I’ve Had The Best Time Ever” LaLa Ri Reflects On Her Drag Race Down Under Vs The World Journey

The Atlanta entertainer made it all the way to the top five on Drag Race Down Under Vs The World before being eliminated during the semi-final makeover challenge.

After Art Simone and Michael Marouli were named the top two of the week, Michael won their lip sync to the Spice Girls’ “Who Do You Think You Are” and selected LaLa Ri to leave the competition.

Her elimination left Art Simone, Michael Marouli, M1ss Jade So and Vybe as the season’s final four.

Speaking to The Star Observer following her elimination, LaLa revealed she had no doubts that she could make it deep into the competition again.

“I never doubted it, not once, honey,” she said.

“I think the top five is my sweet spot. I made the top five on All Stars as well, so maybe that’s my new thing—top-five princess.”

LaLa Ri Had Stepped Away From Drag

LaLa Ri first appeared on season thirteen of RuPaul’s Drag Race, where she finished in tenth place and was crowned Miss Congeniality.

She later returned for All Stars 8, placing fifth and winning the series’ Fame Games competition.

However, after her second stint on the show, LaLa surprised fans by announcing she was stepping away from drag.

It made the news of her return for Drag Race Down Under Vs The World even more unexpected.

“It kind of was [a surprise] because I had recently quit drag at that time—or thought I was quitting drag—but clearly that didn’t happen,” she said.

“When they called me, it was a surprise, but I was happy. I’m always happy to go back and film Drag Race.

“I enjoy doing TV, which is my favourite part of the whole thing. So, yeah, I was really excited about it.”

Despite announcing her departure, LaLa revealed her break from drag lasted less than three months.

“When I said that I was leaving drag, more bookings came in, which was kind of crazy to me,” she laughed.

“It was like, ‘Did you not read that I said I was leaving?’

“I guess people were trying to book me before I was officially done, but they kept booking me throughout the year, so I just never really stopped.”

While burnout contributed to her decision, LaLa also wanted to explore a career away from entertainment—something she has chosen to keep private.

‘I Give Them The Raw LaLa Ri Experience’

For LaLa, returning to Drag Race was less about walking away with a crown and more about entertaining audiences around the world.

“There was nothing that I wanted to take out of it. I just really wanted to go back,” she said.

“I enjoy being on TV. I enjoy making good TV and showing the good, the bad and the ugly—and being more of an inspiration to people.”

The performer said fans regularly tell her they connect with her authenticity and the infectious energy she brings to the screen.

“I hear that a lot from fans around the world: that I’m an inspiration to them because I stay true to who I am,” she said.

“I never put on a façade or anything. I give them the raw LaLa Ri experience, for lack of a better word.”

“I wanted to remain an inspiration to the fans and just have fun. I have fun entertaining the world.”

That attitude remained with LaLa until the moment she was eliminated.

Despite being just one step away from the finale, she told the other queens she was content with her journey and prepared to leave.

“I remember saying, ‘I don’t care if I get sent home today. I can get eliminated. I don’t care. I’ve had the best time ever,’” she recalled.

“I was content with it, so it wasn’t a shock when she called my name.”

‘I Never Trust Any Drag Queen’

LaLa was no stranger to the pressure of being eliminated by a fellow competitor.

During All Stars 8, she was sent home by Alexis Michelle after landing in the bottom alongside Kandy Muse.

Having already experienced the format, LaLa had a feeling her time was coming when she looked around at the remaining Down Under Vs The World queens.

“I never trust any drag queen, okay?” she laughed.

“I had a feeling they were going to send me home. I was looking around the room at this top five and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, girl, they’re going to sacrifice me this week.’

“I went ahead and prepared myself, darling, because I’ve been here before. I’m not new to this.”

Before her elimination, LaLa secured one of the biggest victories of the season when she won the Rappin’ Roast challenge alongside Michael Marouli.

However, behind the scenes, the celebratory moment came during an incredibly difficult period in her personal life.

“That week was a lot for me,” she revealed.

“It was the week my father had surgery because he had cancer at the time. I don’t think I talked about this on the show, but I was also going through a very bad breakup.

“For me to win and celebrate something was a nice escape from all the emotion I was feeling about the things happening back home in America.”

Although contestants are generally unable to communicate with their families during filming, producers allowed LaLa to contact her father on the day of his surgery.

“They allowed me to contact my father the day of his surgery to make sure everything went well,” she said.

Finding Friendship Across The World

While LaLa connected with the entire cast, she formed a particularly close friendship with Drag Race España star Estrella Xtravaganza.

“They didn’t show it a lot, but I really clung to Estrella,” she said.

“They did show me crying super hard when she was eliminated because we grew a connection with each other.

“I love me some her. I was really, really heartbroken when she was eliminated.”

She also developed a close bond with Down Under season three queen Flor, despite the pair initially appearing to be frenemies.

“Flor and I talk a lot outside of Drag Race,” LaLa said.

“We were like frenemies during the season, from the first or second episode, but I love me some Flor. We grew really close as well.

“She’s a Virgo just like me, so I understood her shade.”

Other highlights included working with Michael Marouli again, sharing the competition with fellow Atlanta queen Nicole Paige Brooks and performing alongside Art Simone.

LaLa was also thrilled to reunite with Michelle Visage, who took over hosting duties for the Down Under franchise following RuPaul’s departure.

“I love me some Michelle,” she said.

“I have a soft spot in my heart for Michelle. It was amazing.”

Despite the change at the judges’ table, LaLa said the experience did not feel dramatically different.

“I love when it’s Ru and Michelle. I love when it’s just Michelle. I would love it if it were just Ru,” she said.

“Those are the only two I’ve known throughout my entire Drag Race journey, so I love them both.”

LaLa Ri Is Ready To Return—But Not To Compete

After three appearances and two top-five finishes, LaLa is not ruling out another return to the franchise.

However, next time she would prefer a role that does not involve fighting for the crown.

“As long as they call me, I will go,” she said.

“But I kind of want them to call me and tell me to come and be the commentary queen or something on another season. I don’t really want to compete right now.

“I’ll come back and talk and make good TV. Put me in some type of role like that instead of me actually competing.”

She even has a few suggestions for producers.

“I can come in and be the behind-the-scenes coordinator or something,” she laughed.

“Interview the girls or something. I don’t know. Figure it out, WOW.”

Whether it is behind the judging desk, interviewing queens backstage or making another unexpected entrance into the Werk Room, LaLa is certain this is not the last viewers will see of her.

“Until next time,” she said.

“Hopefully it’ll be Drag Race Brazil or something. I’m ready.”

 

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