Eureka Speaks: ‘The Elephant Queen’ on a New Single and Her Relationship With The Vixen
Back after an abbreviated Season 9 stint due to a knee injury, Eureka O’Hara came roaring back into the RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10 werqroom, and boy did she have something to say.
The self-proclaimed “Elephant Queen” tore through the completion, and despite a couple missteps (and battles with fellow cast member The Vixen) she climbed the ranks to the season’s Top Four.
Sitting down with Hornet to discuss her Season 10 experience, Eureka O’Hara was reflective and her signature hilarious self, opening up about everything from her new video “The Big Girl” to her battles with cast members to finally — and most importantly — finding her worth.
HORNET: Looking back on Season 10, how would you sum it up?
EUREKA O’HARA: Girl, it was a lot. I mean, coming off of Season 9, I was all kinds of nervous and apprehensive to be doing it again, but as you saw, I found what was slowing me down and something really clicked, especially after I had to lip sync for my life so early. After that I stopped questioning myself and discovered my worth in the competition.
That was a very important lesson for me this year: worth. It was learning what I was worth during this competition and how this big and loud queen could carry that worth out of the competition. I think I have finally learned that, and that is a great lesson to take with me.
You were part of the first triple lip sync challenge in Drag Race herstory! What was that experience like?
It was crazy! It was great lip syncing with my sisters up there, but as you could maybe see, it was super chaotic up there with all of us lip syncing and trying to dance around each other. And honey, Aquaria — she was hungry! She really wanted it, and we could tell. It looks like it paid off for her, right? Good for her!
Your new single, “The Big Girl,” has premiered. What’s the message behind the song and video?
Those fierce bold and plus-sized people are the best message. I put out a casting call and they came and turned it out! I was so happy to be able to give everyone a fun dance anthem to just dance to and be fierce. I loved doing that video and showing off some big and bold gorgeous people and having such a positive message to go along with it.
Your season-long feud with The Vixen threatened to dominate the season, particularly some parts of Untucked at times. Do you think you’ll ever be able to patch things up?
You know, I really think we will. I am an overly optimistic person, so take that with a grain of salt. [Laughs] But yeah, I think we just may be able to get there. She is a confident, strong and fierce black woman, and I am a loud and sometimes-too-much big girl who is equally fierce. We have a lot in common, and I think we can eventually get there.
Unfortunately sometimes the Drag Race fans can be even more vicious than the competition. If you could meet some of the more vicious fans, what would you say to them?
I would hug them. I would give them a big old hug and tell them I love them and that they’re worth it. I think so many of these people who want to lash out really just want to be heard. I hear them. But being hateful like that isn’t the answer.
Eureka O’Hara, what is your proudest moment from Season 10?
I think I am most proud of my relationships. I have built such positive relationships with my sisters, from both seasons, really. They are there for me, and I am there for them. I have found a sisterhood with them. And we are able to influence other people, especially the younger generation, and be an example to them also. That always gives me a ton of pride, baby.
