Born and raised in Puerto Rico, RuPaul’s Drag Race season three contestant Alexis Mateo moved to Florida in 2001. Winner of numerous Florida pageants and titles, she’s worked as a cast member at Orlando’s Walt Disney World and, during the year prior to its closure, St. Petersburg’s Suncoast Resort. Currently based in St. Pete, Alexis performs regularly at Georgie’s Alibi. Check out her full schedule of appearances at AlexisMateo.com.
Sweet, upbeat, energetic and enthusiastic, Alexis shared her thoughts about being on the show, the Tampa Bay drag scene, Florida’s notoriously non-sweet/upbeat/energetic season two winner Tyra Sanchez, and, of course, RuPaul.
WATERMARK: What do you think of the local drag scene?
ALEXIS MATEO: It’s good right now and I feel comfortable with myself and am having a blast. But it was not easy at [first] because there are a lot of transsexuals I have to compete with because we have a lot of diversity. In my area you have it all. You have club kids, transsexuals, boy queens like me, dancers, actors, comedy queens. You have it all. If you have the chance to come and see a show you will get a full package because the shows are designed to entertain more than one person. Everywhere you go in Tampa Bay you will have a great show.
Why did you audition?
The first time I saw the show I was like, oh my god, this is new, fresh and totally me. I saw the season one pilot and it was amazing. I mean, drag for me is everything.
What was the reaction like within the local drag scene when you got cast? Supportive or bitter and jealous?
Everybody was really excited. When they saw I was cast, they all called me. I’m loving it because a lot of people still don’t know, and when they find out they call and send email and I’m feeling the support of my sisters in the Tampa Bay area.
Did you ever get to meet previous Drag Race contestants and discuss the show with them before you were on?
I did meet Shannel from season one. She came to George’s Alibi. It was not like a meeting where we could sit and talk about the whole process, but more like, ‘I saw you personally and it’s nice meeting you.’ It was a short moment but a great experience.
How did RuPaul measure up to expectations in person?
RuPaul is crazy, I love it! An amazing person. When I was little, before I was the age where I could explore gay life, all I can remember is RuPaul. That’s all we see as a drag queen in Puerto Rico. To see him in front of me is out of this world. He’s very professional, he’s a businessman and talented. Everything I was expecting RuPaul to be, he is.
And what about being on the show itself? Was it what you expected?
Totally different. Oh my god, being in the show, it’s nerve-wracking. You never know what’s going to happen and what you’re going to go through. You probably see it at home and think it’s so easy and you can do that in a better way, but when you’re there and going through having to compete with the other girls, it’s really hard.
Who is this year’s ‘bitch’?
I hope it’s me! She’s always the one everyone remembers the most. If not me, it probably will be Manila Luzon from New York. She’s a bitch! I love Manila, we’re very good friends, but if not me it’s going to be her.
What did you think of last year’s winner, Tyra Sanchez, whom of course is a fellow Floridian?
I was so proud. I remember seeing Tyra a year before the show, she was entering newcomer pageants and I always thought she was so talented. To see her win, it inspired me to go back and try to audition for season three. She was great.
You originally hail from Puerto Rico. What can you tell us about the drag scene there?
There’s something really big going on called ‘Extravaganza Drag,’ which is a mix of Cirque du Soleil clowns with drag. It started like voguing, underground, and it’s becoming very famous and every bar in Puerto Rico has this style of Extravaganza Drag.
What did you learn about yourself from this Drag Race experience?
I learned that I can be whatever I want, and I should not be second guessing myself, because I had it all. There’s a reason why I made the show and do the things I do and I’m really happy and proud of myself.
And what will you do if you win?
Probably pass out. I’ll probably cry and laugh and get drunk and celebrate.
