Monique Heart Discusses Race in the Drag Community and Who Could Potentially Snatch the Crown

Monique Heart was what many would call a “truth cannon” on this season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She spoke freely with both the audience and her fellow queens. Both a nuanced drag style and a sincerity behind her words made Monique Heart an honest addition to the cast.

While she may have departed the show last week, Monique Heart managed to find some time to catch up with Hornet post-elimination. We talked about her notorious and divine playing card dress, which other Kansas City queens would make a fantastic addition to Season 11, and if she thinks there’s a race issue in the drag community.

OK, right off the bat, many viewers felt you should have snagged the first main challenge win with that sublime and creative dress you crafted almost completely out of playing cards!

Bitch, who you telling!? They told me to step my pussy up, and these other ho’s have hot glued shit to a costume! I felt that maybe if I had done the hat bigger, it would have been a win. But to hear that it was just safe … Girl! It was like my project days came back, and I was like “bitch, try me.”

Do you think there was a lot more you had to show both on the main stage and in challenges?

I had so much more to show. I wanted to have that moment where RuPaul holds up a picture of your younger self and asks you what you would say to that person.

But I got to talk to the world and to America during this process. The world saw me be crafty, creative, funny and sickening— all of it. I never got to have that full heart to heart moment though and that is what I really wanted to have.

This season, there seems to be a very strong feeling of sisterhood that is threaded throughout the episodes. And despite some bumps in the road, that spirit is felt throughout the cast. Is that accurate?

Yes, absolutely. It is so funny that they did not show more of that. There were times that we would be in the workroom and we would just stop and say that we were so thankful of everyone who was in this group.

Fans may speculate, but we were truly happy with all the queens. Even with Eureka, who I had reservations about coming back again. There really could not have been anyone else in Season 10 but this group.

Is there anything that happened that we did not get to see?

You know, it’s funny, I wanted to do a weekly commentary on the show where I would show everyone some things that really did happen, but VH1 did show everything. Even the fight that happened with Vixen; she was very provoked and felt very attacked, so she responded to that. Now America can deal with that, and they may want to tag her as the villain, but she was attacked and VH1 showed that. I thank God that VH1 is very honest with everything. There was no shade. They did not leave anything out. This is what happened honey, and that is what was said.

You are a queen from the fabulous city of Kansas City, Missouri. Who do you think would be a fabulous addition to the Season 11 cast of Drag Race from your city?

I would definitely say Moltyn Decadence, and maybe Heidi Banks as well. There are so many really!

You are a queen who sometimes seemed to have a very realistic perspective on things. As you like to say, #FactsAreFacts. Do you think that the race card played into any of the issues with the other ladies this season?

I feel like that is a very hard question. For the first time, they had five black girls on the cast. It wasn’t like they had five basic black queens either. Anyone of us could have snatched that crown. Outside of the fact of me not knowing my words, which was my kryptonite last night, bitch we slayed.

So for you, racism is still a very viable thing outside of the show?

Let’s be real. There is no way that you can think it’s not. People want to live in a world where they say. “It’s 2018! I’m surprised that racism still exists.” Bitch, stop lying to yourself. Let’s be real and own it, and not shy away from it. Live in that uncomfortable place for a moment because I have to live in it every day. I mean, I’ll get on Grindr and see “No Fats, No Femmes, No Blacks” and think, “well, OK, that’s me.”

It’s real.

It is starting to get down to the wire. Who do you think could be the one to snatch the crown?

I definitely am going to go with one of my sisters. I am here for Asia, Vixen or Monet definitely.

It’s a very challenging world, especially for drag queens of color. What keeps you on a positive path and inspires to do your best work?

John:15 says that “every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes.” I talk to my dad about everything and I talk to the Holy Spirit. Knowing how he has had grace with me and my shortcomings, you have to have grace with other people and their bullshit.

Just like we said, sometimes you have to look at a situation and speak some truth. That is how I am. I don’t keep beating a dead horse or harboring bitterness. I mean, why am I going to end up wrinkled over your raggedy ass? It makes no sense. I know we give people that power too often. I am an adult and the power is mine and I am going to live in that positive place. It is just exhausting to be negative. Get laid, do something and find joy! (laughs).

RuPaul’s Drag Race airs on Thursday night at 8 pm (check local listings).