‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’: Who is Joey Jay? Meet the self-proclaimed ‘filler queen’ from Arizona who rocks boy hair
There is always something about seeing a "kooky" queen own it on 'Drag Race'. These are the ones that often change the course of the show itself by breaking the norms — we saw it when Sharon Needles won Season 4, when Jinx Monsoon won Season 5 and when Yvie Oddly went on to win Season 11. And it looks like this season, we might just have another queen who is ready to switch it up and go beyond the ordinary — Joey Jay.
"I am, like, the lipstick lesbian of Phoenix" is what Joey has to say, regarding her drag and we can't wait to see more. And, turns out, there's a lot more to the dancing queen than what meets the eye.
Joey has auditioned two times before
Getting on to 'Drag Race' is no easy feat. There have been queens who've auditioned relentlessly before getting their shot at fame. For example, All-Star winner Alaska auditioned five times, before finally being cast into Season 5. Joey didn't make the immediate first cut either, all though she didn't have to go through five rounds to make it, she managed to do so the second time around.
There is some value in taking time to get on the show though — it lets you spend more time perfecting your art and what is drag if not a performing art?
She often chooses not to wear wigs
If there's one thing about Joey's drag look that sticks out, it could be her hair, and we mean that literally. Joey follows suit in a long list of queens who often opt out of wearing wigs, such as Season 1 and All-Star Ongina and Season 9 winner Sasha Velour. Although the 'Drag Race' alumni are bald and choose to rock it, Joey, on the other hand, has no qualms owning every look in her short-cropped 'boy hair'.
It isn't a rule set in stone though while Joey did go au naturel for the promo shoot, she also donned a wig for her entrance look. We love a versatile queen. However, we are really curious to see what Michelle Visage has to say about this.
She's the second queen in all of 'Drag Race' from Arizona
Over the years, 'Drag Race' has seen queens from all over the USA, along with queens from Australia and France (Who can forget the gorgeous Courtney Act and the stunning Nicky Doll?). But turns out, the Grand Canyon State has had only two queens go on the show so far, the first being Tempest Dujour from Season 7 and now, Joey Jay.
Tempest, who was the first to be eliminated on her season truly had a lot to offer, but the audience never got to see it, thanks to her early elimination. We're hoping Joey is able to stick around longer and fully express herself through her drag to the world. We're really hoping that the "filler queen" line of hers isn't foreshadowing!
Joey doesn't do drag full time
Turning drag into a full-time gig is no easy feat. While Joey moonlights as a drag queen, she does have a day job - she works at a software company. It definitely keeps things interesting, to say the least, seeing that Joey does use her real name as her drag name, implying that her being a drag queen isn't much of a secret. Then again, you can't exactly be a drag queen in secret when you're a part of the most recognized drag show in reality TV history!
Catch RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 13 on VH1. For more information, check your local listings.
