‘Leaving with closure felt untouchable’: Vybe’s powerful journey on the Olympics of drag

We loved watching the ultimate showgirl and Sydney drag staple, Vybe, make it to the top four of Drag Race Down Under vs the World. She brought beauty and energy to the series and the runway, but it didn’t start that way, even with her best friend by her side. 

What a wild ride it was for Vybe to return to the Drag Race franchise and not only have her fellow sister and competitor Lazy Susan judging her, but also have your best friend, Coco Jumbo, alongside you.

After placing fourth in last week’s final episode, she told us the experience “felt like a family affair”.

“Before we started filming the season, when I knew that Lazy Susan was going to be a judge, we had a really cute chat, and I said to her, ‘I’ve never done Drag Race without you’.”

“It was really cute to do Drag Race again with her and Nikita, and also with my sister Coco. It’s a weird thing to step into the Olympics of drag, but have so many people on your team cheering for you. I felt comfortable; I could be myself, and it was a really positive experience.”

But it wasn’t smooth sailing for the Sydney icon, who admits she struggled at the start of filming.

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You delivered such a high standard of drag perfection on your original run of Down Under; how do you level that up stepping into vs the World?

“I’ve worked on my drag for years and years, and I don’t think anyone ever gets to the point where you’ve done it, you’ve ticked it off. Drag is something that changes. It’s so transformative, and it’s different for every single person you meet.”

“Trying to elevate from doing well on season four and having that translate into this season was actually a bit of a challenge. That first episode, being around so many incredible drag queens that I’ve idolised for years, it put me on a bit of a back foot with myself. I was second-guessing myself.”

“I didn’t feel up to the Vybe standard as I could in those first two episodes or so. And I just had a moment where I reminded myself to pull your finger out. You’re here for a reason. You’ve done the hardest thing, which is getting on the f**king show. Now enjoy yourself. It’s how the cookie crumbles, but I’m proud of every single decision I made and thing I did.”

Our final four displayed the diversity of the drag art form beautifully. What was it like for you mixed in with the group?

“It was wild; let me start with Miss Art Simone. I’ve been a fan of Art for years. I used to be mildly intimidated by her because she is drag perfection. She is the stamp of Australian drag. If I could define Australian drag, it lives through Art Simone. This season was so gorgeous because we built a sisterhood that came from an acquaintance.”

“Outside of the show, we really didn’t interact too much. But this season I really built a sisterhood with someone who I absolutely am in love with and am so proud of. That was the same with Michael Marouli. I felt such a connection with them. Australian and UK drag have a lot of crossover, and we really built a really close sisterhood and friendship. That was one of the things that also wasn’t shown too much throughout the season.

“And then M1ss Jade So, the Goddessa, the esoteric diva-that’s the best of the best. She really is an experience, and an experience that, if you submit yourself to it, is one of the most incredibly endearing, enjoyable, chaotic things that I can even explain to you. She is an icon for a reason, and seeing the magic behind what we see through phone screens and from Australia looking overseas was such a blessing. I have such a soft spot for Jade. I wish I could do the drag that Jade does, but I will never be that pussyana.”

Is there a moment throughout filming that you are particularly proud of?

“I will forever be proud of the Snatch Game performance, and not just for myself. Knowing Coco’s stress with Snatch Game, and even on the season, seeing her do so well was such a heartwarming moment for us both. I was just proud as can be. And I don’t think I’ve ever looked more beautiful than I have as Aphrodite.”

Also, your shoulder pad game this season was divine, but so was watching you perform in that final group number, Get Down (available on all fabulous streaming services).

“It was really good, and I feel like it was the perfect way to end the season. It was such a high note. I feel like I did something different with the lyrics in comparison to the more comedy routes I’ve taken in the past. It just felt like it had a bit more attitude.”

“We were all big fans of the song as well. Some of these Drag Race songs aren’t as groundbreaking as they can be. But this song felt so perfectly matched to the top four, and such a good moment to be part of. I would not change a single thing. We got to dance with those sexy guys as well.”

After having so much fun doing the number, what was it like for you when Michelle told you it wasn’t your time?

“I felt it coming; I knew I wasn’t going to be doing a crowning this season. I can’t really put a pin on exactly when I felt it. I’m a very intuitive person. That was one of the reasons why I wanted to enjoy every second. To be the idiot that you can be and just do good drag.”

“There’s a benefit to knowing your placement as well. With Down Under season four, I waited however long that was just to see how well I did. Leaving with closure felt untouchable. I did exactly what I came here to do, and the door is open for future opportunities. So keep an eye out.”

Besides Coco, of course, who did you forge a connection with in the cast?

“It’s my gorgeous, darling angel, baby, beautiful zombie boyfriend stealing Leslie to my Barbara Miss Floor. Floor is such a bastard, and I love her for it. She is camp and sassy as hell. She became the third sister in our little family of Coco and I, and I will love her until the sun explodes and consumes us all.”

Before we wrapped the interview, Vybe turned the tables and had a question for me!

She asked me what my favourite moment was of the show.

I was put on the spot but told her I loved watching the drag number in the makeover challenge. Everyone was having so much fun and looked ridiculously camp. So of course, Vybe gave us some final tea from the challenge that changed her duo’s final runway outfits.

“I had a set of outfits that were like nude illusion cat suits with some sunscreen splotches that I later realised looked like I’d just been hit with a big fat heavy steamy load. But I realised as soon as Michelle said we don’t want family resemblance or twins that I couldn’t do that.”

“So I took an existing outfit I had; it was pants, a corset and that cape. I completely cut two holes out of the pants, made a bra, fit the corset to him, made two separate outfits out of the one thing that I had, and we gave Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar.

We need Vybe back on our TV screens immediately. She has an energy and heart that can’t be bottled, and we can’t wait to see her level up her artistry for years to come.

You can watch all episodes of Drag Race Down Under vs The World now on Stan.

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