EXCLUSIVE: ‘Queen of the Universe’ Winner Grag Queen Shares Her Dreams for What’s Next

Newly crowned Queen of the Universe Grag Queen ended 2021 on a high note as the inaugural winner of $250,000 on the hit Paramount+ series. The WOW Report checked in with the busy superstar on her big dreams for what 2022 has in store.

From the very first episode, Grag blew away judges Michelle Visage, Trixie Mattel, Leona Lewis, and Vanessa Williams with amazing performances like this rendition of “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.”

How does it feel to be the inaugural winner?

So it’s really crazy. The only word I could use to describe this thing is “unreal.” I never dreamed for this to be so big and to come true. It’s crazy and it feels so good. I wish everyone in their life could achieve this state of happiness!

How is your life going to change now that you have all this money?

Baby, it’s so cool! I’ll be able to go to a private doctor, or give my mother and my father some security to live in Brazil. You may not understand, but it’s kind of dangerous. It will be so cool to go to the supermarket without looking up to the prices! And for that girl Grag Queen who won the show, she will be using it for working, to do some video clips, to get my album done, to get some good wigs, it’s going to be so amazing for her!

Grag Queen brings down the house with “Rise Up“:

What did your mom and dad say when you told them you had won?

After a liter of tears… we were just crying for 30 minutes, because we were together and because of everything that passed by. This mouth that said I won was the same mouth who told them I was gay. Who told them I was a drag queen. Who told them I was kicked out of one, two, three schools. Who told them I was kicked out of some jobs because I used to shave my brows. So this same f***ing mouth told them I was Queen of the Universe and you should not worry any more, because there was nothing to fix, nothing to repair, because we are living in a very very good way, a right way.

How were your parents when you first came out to them? I know a lot of young people look up to you and may want to know what it was like to come out.

It was very, very hard. I would never say “It was so cool.” Now we have a very good relationship, but I was kicked out of my house… I just remember my mother’s eyes full of water seeing me go out of the house like she never could do anything about that. Then she started getting up to her reality, and she understood that there was not an ex son or ex daughter, but there could be an ex-husband! And she just f***ing came to him and said “OK, if I have to choose someone, I am going to choose my son. And you’re going to have to understand how love is.” I never hated them for that because I always knew it was a lack of information. And I know if we do not give up on them, we can make something change as I did. I know it’s not for everyone, and if they don’t change, you don’t have to be about that for the rest of your life, punishing yourself. But I’m so glad it worked for me. And we have a very good relationship right now. And that was just the secret for me. Never give up on your love, because it f***ing heals!

Can you briefly describe what it’s like for LGBTQ people in Brazil?

We have a f***ing crazy guy commanding us and representing crazy people who believe what he believes as well. And that’s what scares me, because he empowers these kinds of people. I’m not scared of him, but I’m afraid of people who are empowered by him. If Pabllo Vittar were the president I would feel so powerful, but there is an a**hole in power. He is always going against our healthcare, our education, retired people’s rights. He really wants us dumb. He really wants us ill. He wants us very, very easy to manipulate… I actually get very emotional about that, because it’s unbelievable that we let a guy like this be running a country that is so full of joy, full of different people. We have elections coming up and I really really hope it changes.

We loved your album Desperta, but it was way too short! Are you supporting that album this year, or do you have plans for other work?

Of course I will have new things! I’ve got a full album ready. It’s in English, it’s in Portuguese, it’s in Spanish. I cannot wait for you to listen to it. We are talking about which days to launch it. We’re starting to do some video clips now that I’ve got some money, with some good looks, good wigs! It’s going to come out!

Have you announced the title of the new album yet?

No. I think I’m going to wait.

Check out this kiki before Grag was named to the top three with fan faves Ada Vox and Aria B. Cassadine:

Who were the drag queens who inspired you when you were starting out?

I can never say anyone but RuPaul. And my people here in Brazil also, Pabllo and Gloria. But I also love the queens of Season Five. Alyssa Edwards, Coco Montrese… That was the point at which I just fell in love with drag. I used to watch RuPaul‘s Drag Race when I hadn’t even come out. I used to watch it hidden from my parents. I just fell in love. I had never put any brushes on my face, I didn’t know how to do any makeup. But I just felt something so so legit about this. It was RuPaul, Pabllo, Gloria, Monet Exchange… I love those girls!

What would you say to someone who watched Queen of the Universe and wants to start out in drag?

I would say, “Bitch watch out! You can end up looking like me someday!” [laughs] It doesn’t matter if you have nothing to do with that. You are not safe! You are not safe!

Now that you are a superstar, who are some other superstars you would like to meet?

I have a very huge list. I would start with my idol Lauryn Hill. My hugest high idol. I would love to meet Lizzo, who is so funny and fun like me. I would love to know Demi [Lovato] and Beyoncé and Ariana [Grande]. Bruno Mars is my husband, but he doesn’t know yet. He’s going to know! Everything is so overwhelming to me. Meeting the judges Leona Lewis and Vanessa Williams and Michelle Visage and Trixie… that was just pure gold for me. And I saw the possibility that there was a chance to know more faces like that! And of course RuPaul, oh my God! The main one is always RuPaul. RuPaul is my Beyoncé, I think.

Grag and Rani Ko-He-Nur “Damn That Man“:

In addition to the album, what other things do you have planned for 2022?

In 2020 I would never have planned to be in Queen of the Universe, so I’m just afraid of planning! [laughs] I think if I plan, I’m going to limit myself. My plan is still making my mama proud, taking in the joy of my people, representing my Brazil, representing myself, loving myself as I’ve never loved in my life, and giving you material, feeding my children, with content and couture and fun!

Where is the best place for fans to reach you and keep up with you?

You can find me on Instagram [@gragqueen], Twitter [@gragqueen], and YouTube. I’m viral, bitch! I’m everywhere!

Grag shared her boppin’ rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock” on Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GRAG QUEEN (@gragqueen)

Is there any final advice or wisdom you’d like to share with people?

I know it sounds very corny, but never give up on your dreams! Believe in yourself and be yourself. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know yourself yet, you’re going to know that. Just move on. It doesn’t matter where, it doesn’t matter how. Just move on, put your energy to work. And have some faith that it’s going to be yours!