RuPaul’s Drag Race Interview: Shuga Cain On Her Elimination: 'It Did Not Make Sense to Me'

By Christopher Rudolph


Shuga Cain had been doing drag for far less than two years as soon as RuPaul summoned her to be on Season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Shuga contained her own on the series, up until this week any time Ru asked her to sashay away immediately after her efficiency in the categorize challenge proved to be far less than magical.


MTV News discussed with Shuga about whether she thinks the judges made the correct call, her preference candy, and what suggestions she has for queens auditioning for the next season of Drag Race.


MTV News: How are you feeling today?


Shuga Cain: Ummm, I have been better! [Laughs]


MTV News: Ha! Generally any time Whenever I ask the women that they mention they feel great!


Cain: No girl, I ain't lyin’. It was a rough one.


MTV News: Well, At first I would ask if blondes have more fun, although I think you have purple hair now?


Cain: [Laughs] Ha! I do!


MTV News: So do purple-haired people have more fun?


Cain: If I had not been eliminated, I would mention absolutely!


MTV News: On the episode you mentioned being put in the bottom two made you “mad as hell” and yes it didn’t make any sense to you. Watching the episode, did you visualize why the judges put you in the bottom?


Cain: Nope. Absolutely not. It did not make sense to me. I was super surprised. We had done so well in that challenge as a team. I disagreed with the judges. If I had done anything differently I don’t think our team would have done as well. If I finally saw the episode I realized I wasn’t really bad. The challenge was really good, and the runway wasn’t as terrible as [the judges] were saying it was.


MTV News: Having done drag for only a little bit while, did you think you would get on Drag Race so quickly?


Cain: I auditioned for Season 10! I was like, bitch, I’m gonna get on this show. And then I didn’t, however I’m one of these people who felt I would eventually get on the show. And Once I would watch my audition tape [for Season 11], I would feel there was something really special about it. So any time Whenever I got on the show I was surprised and really excited. Nevertheless I think I would have gotten on the show at some point, somehow.


MTV News: Well, you seemed really confident on the show.


Cain: I did feel confident. Look, I’m old! I’m 41 years old, and then some of those women are really young. I’ve been performing my entire life. I went to school for opera — I have a master's degree in opera — so I’ve been confident with the efficiency aspect because I’ve been doing it for so long. Was I scared at times? Absolutely! Although at the end of the day, this is the hugest stage for drag and also you must be confident or you’re going to falter.


MTV News: What surprised you about being on the show? Was it harder than you thought it would be?


Cain: Oh yeah, it fully is! Soon after going through it, I was like, I'll never come for a queen for whichever she did or didn’t do on the show! You’re never prepared enough for this thing. It is certainly not what you expect.


MTV News: What was your preference challenge?


Cain: The Rusical! I’m a musical theater queen so I was super excited about it!


MTV News: Speaking of theater, what’s your preference show that you saw this year?


Cain: You know, I really was surprised by Tootsie! It was so good! The writing is funny, the jokes are non stop! I hope it wins all of the damn Tonys.


MTV News: And did I visualize that you’re in the new Tales of the City?


Cain: I am! I ain’t got no speakin’ roles, although I am! It was a lot of fun to be a segment of that.


MTV News: Going back to Drag Race, what opinions would you be giving a queen who was auditioning for the next season?


Cain: It sounds so foolish and cliché, nevertheless just be yourself. Don’t attempt to be anything you’re not as the cameras will visualize right through it, the judges will visualize through it. Just have fun, work hard, and be unapologetic about it.


MTV News: Who are you placing bets on to snatch the crown this season?


Cain: I love Nina West. I live for her. I’m rooting for her. I’m also rooting for Yvie Oddly. I love her drag. There’s something raw, creative, and talented about it.


MTV News: So, what’s next?


Cain: I’m traveling around all over the place. I have an one-woman show coming up in June at the Laurie Beechman Theatre that I’m excited to debut. It’s called Sweet Dreams With Shuga Cain. I’m about to overcome this world! I’m really excited.


MTV News: Speaking of sugar, what’s your preference candy?


Cain: All of those! I love Smarties and Haribo Twin Cherries. Those are my favorite.


MTV News: in the event if you have got to sum up your experience on Drag Race in one word, what would it be?


Cain: Epic.


RuPaul's Drag Race airs Thursdays at 9 p.M. ET on VH1.