Every season of RuPaul’s Drag Race needs that oddball weirdo that pushes the boundaries of drag. That queerdo whose perspective on the art form is out of the box, opens up a realm of new artistic possibilities. On Season 17, that representative was Lydia B Kollins. And yes, the B stands for Butthole. With a name that RuPaul adored saying week after week, this crafty DIY queen made her mark on the competition. She even won the heart of another competitor, Kori King.
What made Lydia stand out was the fact that no one could do what she could do. Her brilliant brain provided some of the best moments of the season. Oh, and she just so happened to be quite funny! But when it came to the scripted acting challenges, this filmmaker knew she was better behind the camera. But, no matter what, Lydia had the time of her life on Drag Race. As she said, “It was a crazy ride. It was tough. But it was everything that I could have ever wanted.”
Lydia Spills the Tea on Her ‘Drag Race’ Romance
Because everybody loves butthole. It’s Lydia Butthole Kollins. How are you?
LYDIA B KOLLINS: I am doing so well. Thank you so much. I’m feeling excited about, the events.
Well, congratulations on a fantastic run on Drag Race. If you could describe your Drag Race Season 17 journey in three words, what would they be?
LYDIA: I would say stiff, tight and, really difficult, honestly. It was a crazy ride. It was tough. But it was everything that I could have ever wanted, so I don’t know what I would change.
What has shocked you the most now that the season’s been airing?
LYDIA: I think the ravaged fan response, at the actual gigs and meeting the fans at meet and greets and things like that. Getting to see what they think of the show firsthand in person. I didn’t expect everyone to be so excited about it. Like I knew that they would be because I was a fan as well and still am, but, it’s been really cool to see that.
This is a question that I’ve been posing to a lot of people, and I still can’t come up with an answer. Maybe you can. For an entire season, RuPaul refused to say Tessa Testicle, but she’s beyond giddy to say Lydia Butthole Kollins. Is it safe to say that Ru prefers Butthole over Testicle?
LYDIA: You know, maybe Ru is an ass man. I have no idea. An ass woman, but yeah, I think so.
It’s just been so funny. So afraid to say testicle, but loves saying butthole.
LYDIA: But butthole is sickening, yeah.
You have such a unique and beautiful perspective on drag. Talk to me where that comes from.
LYDIA: Well, thank you, first of all. I think that it comes from having no other option. No other way to do drag. I just can’t imagine, this is how I’ve always done it. So I’m definitely open to learning new things, but I feel like at this point, this is all I’m sort of accustomed to. So it’s ingrained in me. There’s just no other way to do it, kind of.
Now, obviously, we’re going to talk about Kori. What was it about Kori that caught your eye?
LYDIA: Well, first it was her big manly arms. But then after that, she just was a very fun person. She’s just very, very sweet and very funny. I felt like she was not afraid to let the girls have it. Let the girls know her opinions throughout the season, and I feel like I had sort of a shield from that. I like that she was very protective.
This week in the workroom, the girls clocked it. You were wearing Kori’s sweatshirt. Did you keep any other pieces of her wardrobe?
LYDIA: I don’t know. I mean, yes, I wear her clothes. I wear her clothes a lot, but no, it’s just been the sweatshirt that I’ve held on to. Her clothes are too big, we have to take them all in.
That checks out. Any more tea on the fans’ favorite couple?
LYDIA: No, just tune into Kori’s vlogs and love you guys. Mwah.
The Acting Challenges Challenged Lydia
Alright, I need to touch on Snatch Game for a moment. I loved your tribute to David Lynch.
LYDIA: Oh, thank you.
Sorely underrated. Talk to me about the creation of this character because it was spot on.
LYDIA: Thank you so much. I think I could have went a little further with the voice watching it back, but, I’ve just always loved his persona. And I mean, it’s not even a persona. I’ve just loved his personality. It’s really hard to capture it and twist it in a Snatch Game sort of way, but I tried my hardest. I just loved David. I loved David Lynch for my entire Iife. I went to school for film, so my entire cinematic career is sort of authored by David Lynch. It was just kind of like a no-brainer as to who I would impersonate.
We had another scripted acting challenge this week. What were your thoughts going into it?
LYDIA: Terror. It was a lot of fear because my last scripted acting challenge did not go too well. So, I was just a little cautious going into it. I was excited. I just came off of a win, but I mean, obviously, we saw how it played out. It was not the best for me. Just horrified.
Were you familiar with Capote vs the Swans?
LYDIA: A little bit beforehand. Yes, but not entirely.
It was a very interesting reference point to go with, but it was still funny. I enjoyed it. I love those kinds of things.
LYDIA: Yeah. Oh, absolutely. Love a reference.
What was it like having Cheyenne Jackson there? Did you yawn in front of him?
LYDIA: That is shady. I did not, actually. My nerves were fried that day, but he was very kind. He was very nice to all of us. He was a good director. He was just a very chill, laid-back person and made the whole experience a lot less traumatic.
I feel like your approach to the character was very cinematic, and knowing you have a cinema background, do you think you could have amped up your character to go bigger and campier?
LYDIA: Absolutely. I think that it’s so difficult to see what you’re doing in the moment and feel what’s actually happening. So I commend the girls that get it. I commend the Suzie Toots, the Sam Stars, the Onya Nurves. I really think that that is such a coveted skill, and I’m working on it. I definitely think I would amp it up for sure if I were to go back and do it again.
This week, the dreaded question made its appearance.
LYDIA: Yes it did.
“Who should go home and why?” Why did you pick Onay?
LYDIA: Okay, so I feel like the choices of who was to go home next was rather limited, and I wasn’t trying to sort of damage anyone’s feelings any harder. And I figured Onya and I could just sort of talk about it later. And she did choose me. So I was like, you know what, this is an easy out, I’m just going to say Onya and save the feelings. I’m empathetic. I don’t know.
Lydia Talks Scissors
Now you and Lana had three bottom appearances. Did you feel like you could have beaten her?
LYDIA: You know, fate is a strange thing. I think what happened happened for a reason. I’m not sure. I definitely think in a different circumstance, on a different day, if I woke up on a different side of the bed, then maybe. But I don’t know if I would it change it currently.
Maybe in a different outfit, because Lydia, the scissors, what had happened?
LYDIA: Listen, I don’t know, the scissors were pressed to my chest for the entire day, so I was just ready to use them. In hindsight, I could’ve practiced, maybe, I don’t know how. The adrenaline got to me and my legs would not come out, honey.
No, it was scary. Every time we see scissors on the main stage during a lip sync, I’m like, “Oh, I’m so scared!” Safety first.
LYDIA: Yeah. Safety first. And then also, how is that going to work in a lip sync setting? So, yeah, yeah. Interesting stuff.
We’re going to play a round of Tea Time. I’m going to give you the name of one of your Drag Race Season 17 sisters, and you’re going to give me the first word or phrase that comes to mind. Are you ready to play?
LYDIA: Okay. Yes, let’s do it.
Let’s start with Lucky Starzzz.
LYDIA: Artist.
Acacia Forgot.
LYDIA: Dolly Parton.
Arrietty.
LYDIA: Sickening.
Crystal Envy.
LYDIA: Sister.
Joella.
LYDIA: Mother.
Hormona Lisa.
LYDIA: Oh, mother times two.
Jewel Sparkles.
LYDIA: Ariana Grande.
Onya Nurve.
LYDIA: Fupa.
Lana Ja’Rae.
LYDIA: Legs.
Sam Starr.
LYDIA: What?
Lexi Love.
LYDIA: Oh, oh, that’s mother times three.
Kori King.
LYDIA: That, oh, that’s wife.
And Lydia Butthole Kollins.
LYDIA: Gone too soon.
It’s true, it is true. Now that you have been on Drag Race, what is the next dream for Lydia?
LYDIA: I would love to be in a horror movie. That is something that I’ve always dreamed of. I want to be the final girl. Or the first kill. I don’t know. I would love to be in a horror movie, though.
Do you have a favorite horror movie of all time?
LYDIA: Of all time? I think the Evil Dead franchise takes the cake. But until one of those comes out, Let me, I think it’s the Smile series. Smile 2, specifically, is a really good movie that’s come out recently.
I think we need a drag queen in the Smile series.
LYDIA: I don’t know. Smile 3!
I’m here for it. Well, congratulations on an incredible run. I cannot wait to see what you do next. You really are brilliant.
LYDIA: Thank you so much. I appreciate your time today.