Lil Jon featuring DeJa Skye? Yay-uh!, we see it. On the latest season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the Fresno queen was met with enormous praise for her impersonation of the hip-hop giant, including Jon himself, joining an elusive line-up of Snatch Game winners such as Chad Michaels, Jinkx Monsoon, Bob the Drag Queen, Aquaria, Gigi Goode and Gottmik. “I was so gagged! When I didn’t win the challenge prior – which I thought I ate up and left no crumbs – I literally told myself, ‘What can I win then?'” DeJa tells GAY TIMES. “So with Snatch Game coming I said, ‘Fuck it, just have fun and hope you are safe.'”
Although DeJa landed in the bottom two in the first episode, the remainder of the competition saw her on an upward trajectory. As well as Snatch Game, DeJa decimated the Super Tease trailer, sung and danced the house down as a member of The Ru-Nettes and led a DragCon panel about the multi-faceted world of menzes to perfection. This week, however, her time came to an end as she failed to make the panel cackle with her roast of Ross Matthews – until her now-iconic “needs no introduction” bit, of course. “I’m better at improv than anything,” she explains. “I just couldn’t think of extremely funny things to say about everyone. But, I may have fumbled on this particular challenge but it does not take away my consistency in the competition.”
After her double exit with Jorgeous, we spoke with DeJa about her time on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14 including her triumphant turn on Snatch Game, why Lil Jon had a “lot to lose” by publicly praising her impersonation and why she felt “underestimated and overlooked” by the fanbase.
DeJa, you are officially a RuGirl! How does it feel to officially be part of RuPaul’s empire?
It feels surreal! Almost like a dream. It’s a show that got me into drag, so being part of the dynasty is just mind-blowing. I’m so humbled and cannot wait to do more in the franchise.
There was a lot of discourse in the werkroom about your status as the lip-sync assassin of the season. Let’s clear it up: are you, in the fact, the lip-sync assassin of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14?
Mama, I am the verified lip-sync assassin! RuPaul herself said it, and it is her show. I will say Jorgeous is hands down the best lip-sync dancer. So, I’d be completely fine sharing the title.
When you sashayed away with Jorgeous, it seemed like you were pretty content with your elimination. What was going through your mind after RuPaul gave you the chop?
I was. I always told myself throughout the competition, ‘When it’s my time I’ll know, and I’ll be completely okay with it.’ I got to leave with my best friend. At that point, I knew all three of us would turn it in our own way and it was simply up to Ru to decide who she wanted to stay.
Despite lip-syncing for your life in the premiere, you were on an upward trajectory in the competition. Being sent home right before the top five, how did that make you feel?
I would have loved to be included in the top five, and did think I deserved a spot. However, so did everyone else. It was a matter of they ran out of time and some of us had to go. I am so proud of myself for consistency throughout the competition. During the end, I definitely found my footing, but I guess it was just too little too late.
Honestly, I thought your “needs no introduction” line was the funniest moment from the entire episode…
Thank you! I actually really agree, and while I was there, the laughter was even louder than you saw on TV. Dulce [Sloan] was cracking up! I wish I was able to do that the entire roast. You know, it’s a different monster having to write jokes. I’m better at improv than anything. I just couldn’t think of extremely funny things to say about everyone. I may have fumbled on this particular challenge but it does not take away my consistency in the competition.
I have to condragulate you on your Snatch Game. Your homage to Lil Jon is one of the franchise’s best and I cannot stop hearing, “Yay-uh!” In an interview before you appeared on Drag Race, you said this is the challenge you’d struggle with the most, so how gagged were you to win?
I was so gagged! When I didn’t win the challenge prior – which I thought I ate up and left no crumbs – I literally told myself, ‘What can I win then?’ So with Snatch Game coming I said, ‘Fuck it, just have fun and hope you are safe.’ And when it was laugh after laugh amongst the judges and queens and everyone on set, I just knew I had it in the bag.
What is the secret to winning Snatch Game?
Impersonation is great, however the key is to make Ru laugh! I could have done Lil Jon with an English accent and bright pink wig on, but if I was funny, that’s all that matters. Think of it as an over-the-top bogus version of that person and you’ll be okay. Also, if you fumble, make it work. For instance, my grill gag – I had never practiced with the grills before. In my first lines, I felt it slipping so I said, ‘Next question, I’ll make a thing out of it and to so many people it looked real.’ You gotta roll with the punches.
You were the only one, out of eight queens, to receive positive reviews. When you were filming, did you ever anticipate that all of your competitors would be in the bottom?
No! In all honesty I thought Bosco and Willow would murder this challenge. They’re just so clever and creative and I really thought it would be their shining moment, so being between them and seeing them not do what was expected was a shock.
The impersonation was also met with praise from Lil Jon himself, who said you “killed it”. That is major!
You know, he had quite a bit to lose. He’s in an industry that doesn’t exactly accept someone of the queer community – I mean ask Lil Nas X. So for him being a cisgendered straight male in the hip-hop industry to acknowledge me, knowing that it might be met with some backlash, that was amazing to see. I hope there is a collab soon with Lil Jon and Not-So Lil Jon.
On social media, fans are united in their love for DeJa Skye. Heading into the show, did you ever expect to achieve fan-favourite status?
You know, I don’t really know how to take it. I think, for so long, I was underestimated and overlooked by the fandom in so many ways – which is still kind of how I feel – that it’s taken a while for me to adjust. I think what resonates with fans about me is my positivity, wit and personality. Countless messages of people telling me how I’ve inspired them to embrace their curves and be themselves is just the icing on the cake. I love my fans, they are quality not quantity for sure.
RuPaul introduced a Willy Wonka-inspired twist this season in the form of a candy bar, which was met with polarised reactions from viewers. How do you personally feel about this new format?
As a competitor, it meant that I could possibly get a second chance so I was here for it. I thought it was so cute.
You have been such a joy to watch, from your Snatch Game to your performance as “Nerve” in the Moulin Ru Rusical. What are you taking away from this experience?
I’ve learned so much about myself and skills that I never knew I possessed. I had a connection with Ru and Michelle and all my season 14 sisters. I think, for me, the crown isn’t the end-all be-all for DeJa. I gained experience and had fun. For me, that’s enough.
What’s next for DeJa Skye?
Oh my god. I want to travel the world and do drag! Perform, host and meet the fans. I want to reap the benefits of being a Ru girl. I also would love to release my own line of makeup one day – makeup is one of my strengths – and just get more content. Also, hopefully on the horizon I’d love to have DeJa’s Cheer Camp. So be on the lookout!
Catch RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14 every Saturday on the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus. Subscribe via http://uk.wowpresentsplus.com/
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