YOUR FAVORITE LOGO TV SHOWS ARE ON PARAMOUNT+

RuPaul's Drag Race Exit Interviews! Venus & Phoenix Dish on the Queens, Elimination and Who's Shady & Overrated!

Venus and Phoenix: They sashayed, but had a few things to say...

We're now officially getting deep into the heart of Season 3 of RuPaul's Drag Race now, kids. Two queens have been sent home, and already people may be picking their faves as to who's gonna snatch the crown and title of America's Next Drag Superstar.

But what about those divas who departed already? What did they think about their premature evacuation??? Were they shocked? Are they grateful to have been included at all? Do they have harsh words for the remaining ladyboys?

We lost Venus after her Christmas drag was found not to be merry enough. And we lost Phoenix last week, apparently because her campy sci-fi movie trailer performance wasn't campy enough. But we wanna hear about it from them, so... After the jump, read a Q&A exit interview with each to find how it felt to be writing on that mirror in lipstick in weeks one and two.

And which of their cast-mates are mean? Who are the nicest? And who's downright overrated?

READ ON!

VENUS D-LITE's Exit Interview

How do you feel about leaving the show when you did?

Although I was the first to leave the show, I truly felt like a WINNER leaving. I am forever grateful to RuPaul for giving me the chance of a lifetime. It has since changed my life and has given me tremendous exposure for my art.

I don't feel that I had the opportunity to share my fun personality nor creativity. My drag skills of almost ten years were ready to serve some serious competition. I did, however, have an amazing time on the show and the buzz on the show about me being a Madonna Impersonator was quite flattering especially since she was my main inspiration for doing drag in the first place.

What was the biggest lesson you learned from the competition?

I learned to accept taking more risks and chances in drag and to never be afraid of just letting yourself go sometimes! Life can't always be perfect, just have fun!

Regarding your elimination, what would you like to say to the judges in your defense? Any parting points you’d like to make?

My costume was one of the more festive as far as Christmas-themed. I feel my hair was extraordinary, and I worked the runway like a supermodel. And given the limited resources, I did the best that I could and I felt that my outfit was well-constructed and original. I am very proud for wearing it. I showed my skills as a couturier, spending the entire 4 hours in making the costume.

A few of the girls didn’t even bother using up all the time that was allocated to us! I made sure I paid attention to every little detail on the outfit and made it durable. I didn’t want it to fall apart on stage during a potential lip-sync for my life session, as was the case with a few of the outfits during my elimination episode. Nor did I want my ass hanging out of a lantern!

Your “lip-synch for your life” got very physical and intense. What was going through your mind during it, and right after?

Well I had to make sure that I was going to show off my Drag Queen "Mortal Kombat" Skills sometime. LOL. I wasn't trying to beat her up or anything. We were just giving the audience a playful drag queen show down battle. I would never hit another drag queen. (wink)

Venus, D-lightful as a "Sticky and Sweet" Madonna!

What happened behind the scenes that you think we should know about? Any fun interactions you wish we could have seen?

None come to mind really.

Who was your favorite fellow competitor? Why?

I would have to say my favorite competitor would be Manila Luzon. She is a new drag force not to be reckoned with. She embraces just about every aspect of drag—glamour, comedy, and camp. She delivers so much artistic talent that there are times when I just have to get on my knees and say AMEN!!!

What was the most difficult thing about the competition?

I would have to say it would be being away from my boyfriend, family, friends and fans of my show. Oh and not to mention my cell phone.

What was your favorite moment throughout the competition?

My favorite moment was arriving on the set. I didn't know what to expect and I was very curious to know who the other girls were and who was going to be the bitch of the show! Just waiting for the next girl to come out of the door and sizing up the competition was my favorite moment. Then seeing RuPaul come out for the first time and meeting her was truly amazing.

Also, I loved doing the photo shoot [in the premiere episode] and I felt that my photo came out really strong thanks to celebrated photographer Mike Ruiz. Another favorite pastime was enjoying Absolut cocktails in the Interior Illusions Lounge, of course!

A few quick questions about your fellow contestants:

Who’s the prettiest?

Carmen Carrera

Nicest?

Delta Work

Shadiest/Meanest?

Mariah and Shangela

Smartest?

Raja

Most talented?

Manila Luzon

Most overrated?

Shangela

Anything more you’d like to say to any of the other girls? To anyone in particular?

Wishing all my Drag Sistas the best in everything that happens with their careers and to always remember "Don't f**k it up!"

Complete this sentence: After leaving RuPaul’s Drag Race, I just want to...

Down a whole bottle of Absolut vodka! I actually want to thank RuPaul and the entire crew/staff on Drag Race for opening a new door and chapter in my drag career. I am forever grateful for the experience and appreciate the show emphasizing my talent as a Madonna impersonator. You can see more photos and videos of me as Madonna at www.venusdlite.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/venusdlite.

Disco Kisses and Thank you !!!!!

Venus (far left) and Phoenix (center, back to camera) and the fellow queens meet in the workroom.

PHOENIX's Exit Interview

How do you feel about leaving the show when you did?

Well of course I was a little upset. I mean I don’t believe it was my time to go. I had so much more to show the world, plus some of the people that are remaining shouldn’t still be there... But that’s the difference between TV and real life. We are all casted for certain reasons, sent home for certain reasons, and kept for certain reasons. It’s not always based on actual talent. Now it’s time to plan for the future. I have an amazing stepping stone to use and fulfill so many things that I want to do, and I am very grateful for that.

What was the biggest lesson you learned from the competition?

Be careful judging people right away. There was definitely one or two people that I wasn’t sure about in the beginning, but by the end and now, I have completely changed my opinion on them and consider a friend. Then there are some that my opinion still stands.

What happened behind the scenes that you think we should know about? Any fun interactions you wish we could have seen?

There was so many things me—and I’m sure all the girls—wish you guys could see. Editing can paint a picture that maybe isn’t completely accurate, so sometimes we definitely wish you guys could see the whole story...

Who was your favorite fellow competitor? Why?

Hmmmmm, probably Raja. I am entertained by people who arent afraid to do something different, and are not always worried about only being "pretty." Every challenge I was always curious to see what she was about to do. I've known her for a few years and think she's super f**king talented.

Phoenix glams it up at the Drag Race premiere party in West Hollywood.

What was the most difficult thing about the competition?

Keeping your nerves in check. It's a very stressful situation and it’s very easy to get completely overwhelmed.

What was your favorite moment throughout the competition?

The photo shoot for the all the promo you see on the channel and in all the press images. It just felt so glamorous and fierce.

A few quick questions about your fellow contestants:

Who’s the prettiest?

LOL, hmmm besides me? It’s really hard to answer that. ’Cause there are several girls that I think are very pretty, and they all have very different looks…

Nicest?

Delta

Shadiest/Meanest?

After watching the show, India. She smiles in your face, and cuts you behind your back. Shady Lady...

Smartest?

Probably Raja, she is so schooled in so many different areas.

Most talented?

That’s a hard one cause there are several girls who are so talented in different ways.

Most overrated?

Hmmmm, I’ll just keep this one to myself. But there are DEFINITELY a few.

Anything more you’d like to say to any of the other girls? To anyone in particular?

See you on the reunion show. Ha!

Complete this sentence: After leaving RuPaul’s Drag Race, I just want to...

I want to use this opportunity that I have been given to really get myself out there. I have worked very hard to get where I am at. I've been doing this for almost 10 years and have invested so much of myself, money, time, and energy into my craft. And I am very excited to now be getting the exposure I think I deserve.

Finally, what’s next for you? Where can your fans find you?

I have all kinds of things planned. We are currently working on some tour dates, I've been approached by a few music producers... Who knows? Just like my drag, expect the unexpected. You never know what you'll be seeing me get into. And my website will be launching very soon at http://www.fireofphoenix.com and my Facebook page www.facebook.com/phoenix.atl.

Latest News