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‘RPDR’ winner Alaska 5000 has kind words for people struggling to live their truth: 'Know there’s a community for you'
Don’t let the literal glitz and glamour fool you. They may look sickening and gag-worthy (both are high praises in the drag world) all the time, but drag queens around the world had to fight for their rights to get to where they are now.
And on Wednesday night, select members of the media had the privilege of meeting Alaska Thunderfuck 5000, "RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars 2" champ, one of the most Powerful Drag Queens in America in 2019, and an all-around fierce queen.
Born Justin Andrew Honard in Erie, Pennsylvania, Alaska 5000 has had her share of struggles. Since being part of "Drag Race," she has written songs with strong themes such as equal rights, AIDS awareness, body positivity, and feminism — her own way of speaking truth to power.
“I like to write songs about what is going on with me or what’s going on in my mind or what’s going on with the world. And those things are — gratefully (sic) — conversations that people are having on a bigger scale right now.
It’s very important for us to talk about that stuff,” Alaska shared at the “An Evening with Alaska” press conference at Fairmont Makati on Wednesday night.
“I love making songs about really stupid stuff, like hair and make-up and walking into clubs, but I also like writing songs about important things. That’s all really real stuff,” she adds.
When asked to give advice to people still struggling to live as their true selves, Alaska 5000 only had kind words.
“Being a young person is really hard and it’s especially hard if you feel different or when you don’t feel represented when you look at the TV or magazines,” Alaska began. “I would just say... stay strong. Know that there are people out there who are going through the same thing.”
Alaska reminded them they are never truly alone because there are others feeling the same way.
“Whatever you’re feeling, there are people somewhere in the world who are feeling the exact same things. And know that there’s a community for you,” she said.
Whichever community your heart belongs to, if you’re having a hard time loving yourself, Alaska has some words of encouragement for you.
“Stick with it. Go toward the things that you’re afraid of,” she said. “The things that you are ashamed of about yourself, turn those into sources of your strength and power.” — LA, GMA News
Catch Alaska 5000 in “An Evening with Alaska: Live in Manila” by LA Comedy Live on August 29, 2019 at Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier in BGC. Tickets are available at www.smtickets.net.
