Bianca Del Rio's Rolodex Of Hate

She’s the self-proclaimed “clown in a dress” and the season six winner of Logo TV’s sassy, dramatic and all round shady ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’. Bianca Del Rio is returning to Australia for her hilarious new show, the ‘Rolodex Of Hate’ comedy special.

Born and raised in Louisiana, the 39-year-old unapologetic performer (real name Roy Haylock) began her career in the entertainment industry just under 20 years ago. The majority of drag queens have been made famous by extravagant performances of song and dance, but Bianca has made herself known as a comedian.

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The story behind how she got her name isn’t your typical one.  “A friend of mine was like, ‘well you remind me of a friend named Bianca’… And then I found out later that it was a friend that was dead. I wish it was a better story but that’s really it. Drunk in a bar, and they said ‘you look like a Bianca’, and that was that. Which is probably why I always look like a corpse,” she jokes. “It just stuck.”

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Just last year, Bianca was crowned the winner of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’. From the beginning of the show, she says she knew exactly who she was. “I wasn’t a beauty queen, and I wasn’t a pageant queen … Going into something so big, everybody was going to have something to say about it. And I think with that, I figure you say it before everyone else does. I know what I am, and I have no problem with it. But it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.” Calling her look “cartoon drag”, as well as referring to it in ‘Drag Race’ as “clown realness”, she has a passion for big hairdos, sequins, and for her appearance to be overdone in general.

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In December of last year, Bianca won 'Best New TV Personality' at Logo TV’s NewNowNext Awards, and was overwhelmed by the experience. “There’s so much reality TV here in the States that it’s nice to be singled out and appreciated by a group of people. It’s all just part of this big appreciative blur that I’m in.” Since 2009, ‘Drag Race’ has been nominated for 15 different awards, including 5 NewNowNext Awards, and has won 8 in total.

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From the beginning of her time on ‘Drag Race’, she shared her honest opinion and “threw shade” at her fellow contestants when she needed to, but she admits that what viewers saw of her on the show was a reflection of her attitude under pressure. “We experienced this amazing opportunity together. In the moment, I don’t take back anything I ever said. Because I was annoyed, I did find some shit repetitive, or that they were a pain in my ass.” Being able to catch up with the contestants after the show finished however, meant that Bianca was able to get to know them without having to compete against them. She regularly attends some of their shows, and they attend hers.

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Bianca’s comedy revolves mainly around her ability to flick through the “rolodex of hate” in her brain to come up with instant comedic insults. These insults are then fired at unsuspecting audience members, and well-known public figures. “Everyone isn’t going to get it. I often say, to piss people off even more, that if you’re smart you'll understand it.”

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She refuses to be taken seriously, and urges that her type of comedy is purely entertainment. “I make jokes at myself, I know self-deprecation is very important, but also, you’re there to have a good time! We’re at a drag show, if you’re not coming here to laugh and have a good time and you can’t laugh at yourself, it really makes for a difficult situation.”

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Fans of Bianca will love the show she is bringing around Australia, and if you love insult comics and want a good laugh, you won’t be disappointed; she is telling her audience to “expect the unexpected.” It will include her famous quick-witted insults, a bit of background about how her talent came to be, some audience participation, and more. “It’s a more intimate situation where I can spend an hour with people, and give them a piece of my world. I had such a good time in Australia last time, and I can’t wait to go back.”

BIANCA DEL RIO TOUR DATES

Fri 27 Feb - Sydney Theatre
Sat 28 Feb & Sun 1 Mar - Brisbane Powerhouse
Mon 2 Mar - Arts Centre (Melbourne)
Wed 4 Mar - Astor Theatre (Perth)

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