Vanity Vain won the first lip sync of the season and a $10,000 cash tip, more than the grand prize given to the winner of “Drag Race Sweden,” where she placed third. Vanity went on to survive two lip syncs for her life, ensuring her placement as an assassin.
If I were the other queens, I’d be glad there was no Lip Sync LaLaPaRuza Smackdown. Vanity would have torn it up. She spoke about learning to enjoy herself, family support and being a real-life Disney character.
You had quite the journey on the show. What’s it been like watching it back on TV?
Completely different from my experience. Watching it feels different than shooting it. But I love both of them. I want to keep the experience so close to my heart because it was one of the most fun things I’ve done in my whole life. So now I’m just happy.
As a viewer, it felt like you were present in the moment.
I’m glad that shows. I tried to find things to enjoy during every single challenge. Like, I have the most airtime. I got the chance to showcase all my lip sync abilities and my performance abilities, to be very camp and do my “Mahna Mahna” nonsense words and to do the rock n’ roll, passionate “I Drove All Night to “Spice Up Your Life.” I had the opportunity to show off everything. OK, I was at risk of leaving and I had to go home now. But, hello, I have two of the most iconic lip syncs of the season. I’m just happy.
How did you feel going into the “Believe” by Cher lip sync?
I’m not that delusional. I knew I was going home. When they put me against Kitty (St. Claus), no, they’re gonna send me home either even if I do better than her, which I probably did. But if this was the first time in a bottom, Kitty would have gone home. I love my Kitty cat. I love her. But that’s the truth.
You spoke about the Celine Dion lip sync being special because your mom loves her. You were also wearing your mom’s jacket.
I thought I was going home. They’re never going to send home Pythia home in that outfit to a Canadian song. I just wanted to put on the clothes, the outfit that I wore for my talent show because that was the one I won in. I wanted to go home in that one. Celine is my mom’s biggest idol in the whole wide world. I wanted to do it for mom. I’m getting emotional talking about this. When the music started, everything disappeared. I was little me when I was young in the living room performing for my mother. That was the one thing that I had in my heart. I just saw my mother in front of me in the spotlight. I have the loveliest parents. I’m so close to my family.
It must feel great having that support in everything you do.
My best friends have always been my parents because growing up I didn’t have friends. I didn’t have friends at all until I was a teenager. They’ve always said that to me and my sister, whatever makes you happy, we will support. Maybe we don’t understand, but we can learn.
Coming into the show, what did you want people to know about Vanity Vain?
That I am the real life Hannah Montana. When the wig is on, the pop star is there. To do “All Stars” is second chance. When I did my original season, it was such a painful thing because I was so much in my head. I had a lot of anxiety. I didn’t enjoy it at all. I just wanted to go into this and have fun. Let me feel everything and enjoy it. And I did. I’m so happy, and I feel like the real winner of “Drag Race Sweden.”
What is next for Vanity Vain?
I’m a club manager for a gay club here in Stockholm. Also new music is coming and touring. I’m so excited to show what’s going to happen in the future.