Drag queen Victoria Mami was crowned the winner of season five of Universal Sydney’s Slay 2 Stay drag competition on Wednesday night and plans to use her win to fund a long-awaited trip to visit her family overseas.
Reflecting on her drag journey to date, she shared with Gay Sydney News how overcoming challenges, embracing her Latin heritage, and staying true to herself have defined her drag career.
Read our interview with Mami below.
Gay Sydney News (GSN): Congratulations on your big win! How does it feel to be crowned the winner of Universal’s Slay 2 Stay drag competition?
Victoria Mami (VM): Winning Slay 2 Stay Season 5 feels like coming full circle. It all started when I first stepped onto the Universal stage as a baby drag performer, competing in small drag competitions and performing at open stages. Now, to be crowned and hold the title means everything to me – from humble beginnings to this incredible achievement.
GSN: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your final performance that captivated the judges and audience?
VM: For my finale performance, I chose to embody resilience, as it truly encapsulates my drag career. Despite the numerous obstacles and challenging moments I have faced, I firmly believe that staying true to what is right and refusing to give up will always allow your light to shine through.
In terms of song choices, I decided to go with a mix of empowering and energetic tracks. First on the list is “Rise” by Katy Perry. Next up, I chose “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child, adding to the mix “SOS” by Rihanna. And finally, I included “Let’s Get Loud” by JLo to represent my Latin community.
GSN: What challenges did you face during the competition and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge in this competition was maintaining self-belief each week. It’s a tiring process, but resilience ultimately helped me overcome everything. That’s why I chose to do my final performance on that theme.
GSN: What was your favourite challenge during the competition and can you describe what you wore and lip-synced for it?
VM: “Physical Week” was undoubtedly my favourite challenge. It serves as a refreshing break for everyone in the competition, allowing us to embrace a sense of childhood joy once again.
GSN: How has your drag journey evolved since you first started and what does this victory mean to you personally?
VM: My drag journey has been an incredible evolution from the very beginning. It was all about finding my identity and voice on stage. Over the years, I’ve grown more confident and embraced my uniqueness.
This victory means everything to me personally. It’s not just a recognition of my hard work and dedication; it’s a validation of my journey and the challenges I’ve faced along the way. It also inspires me to keep pushing boundaries and to encourage others to embrace their own journeys.
GSN: What message do you hope to send to other aspiring drag performers who look up to you?
VM: I hope to inspire aspiring drag performers to always embrace their true selves. It’s important to be authentic and confident in who you are, no matter how different you may feel. And always fight for what is right.
GSN: What do you plan to spend the $10,000 prize money on?
VM: With the prize money, I’m planning to go home [Rengo, Chile] for a little holiday. I haven’t seen my family in about six years, and I miss them a lot. Also, drag is much cheaper over there, so I can’t wait to spend some money and bring things back here.
GSN: How has the support from the drag community and your fans impacted your journey in drag?
VM: The support from the drag community and my fans has been absolutely transformative on my journey in drag. The encouragement from fans fuels my heart. Their presence at shows and on social media reminds me why I do this; to connect, entertain, and express myself. I’m incredibly grateful for this community and the love we share!
GSN: Who made your winning costume and can you describe it in a bit of detail?
VM: The outfit I wore for the finale was created by a Latin designer based in America, named Adrian Rojo. Pure Lavish also helped enhance it by adding more details, and they designed my huge finale dress.
GSN: Where can people see you regularly perform or run bingos etc?
You can find me every Sunday at Universal for Sunday shenanigans and every Escándalo.
BG: Is drag a full-time gig for you?
VM: In this economy? No way! Hahaha! I actually have three jobs. I work at a theatre as a front-of-house staff member for “Titanique”. I also work at a cat café, where I take care of cats, rescue them, and put them up for adoption. Finally, I perform in drag.
GSN: As someone who is part of the queer scene, you’d know that it has been through a lot over the past few years. It seems quieter than ever before except for major events and public holiday weekends. The prices of drinks are going up, younger people can’t afford to rent in the city, nightlife seems to be suffering. What needs to change?
VM: The queer scene definitely needs more affordable spaces and events to thrive again. We need to create inclusive environments where everyone, especially younger folks, can enjoy nightlife without breaking the bank. More community support and activism could help bring life back to our spaces.
Gay Sydney News editor