Konichiwa Queen Rock M. Sakura Breaks Down Her Emotional Drag Race Debut

San Francisco’s Rock M. Sakura brought some brightness to Season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race with her anime-inspired outfits and kooky Konichiwa personality. The queen’s love of all things manga, toys, and neon brought some laughs to the workroom, although Rock also got serious at times. She was brought to tears numerous times while talking about past struggles, including her mother’s battles with addiction.


This week, the ladies were asked to bring three outfits to the runway: “Lady Baller,” “Basketball Spouse Realness,” and “Balls to the Wall Eleganza.” Yet the judges thought Rock M. Didn’t bring enough of her fun personality to the ball, forcing her to lip-sync for her life against New York queen, Brita Filter. In the end, Rock M. Sakura was asked to sashay away.


MTV News talked with Rock M. About her time on Drag Race, why she thinks there haven’t been more San Francisco queens on the show, and what anime she recommends to each person as they self-isolate.


MTV News: Hi, Rock M. How's it going?


Rock M. Sakura: Every day grows a little darker.


MTV NEWS: Has your Nintendo Switch arrived yet?


Rock M. Sakura: Not yeah. It's not coming ‘til Monday, so what I've Been doing is I've Been staring at myself in the resemble, and I've crying, and I have been in the fetal position.


MTV News: Wait, you cry?!


Rock M. Sakura: No, never! Nevertheless I did it for the opening time today also it was very liberating.


MTV News: A lot has changed just in the past week, so how are you continuing to do the art of drag in this pandemic time?


Rock M. Sakura: I've been writing a lot of scripts. I have routinely, from the get-go, been influenced by YouTube culture, online videos, and just online content. I think that YouTube is the way of the future, and there's no better example of that than now.


MTV News: What are the videos?


Rock M. Sakura: Well, I have a lot of videos. It's just me for my YouTube channel, although in one of these I'm green-screening myself into every Drag Race episode that I'm not in. I wanted to do a segment with the females that get eliminated because I used to do a show called “Tuck-Bang” where it was a Mukbang, so I would get in drag and I'd eat. However I wanted to do a segment called “Comfort Food,” invite the eliminated ladies over to my residence, and cook for them, and converse with them about their eliminations, their time on the show. And then at the end, I wanted to share with them a letter that I've written for each of these, telling them how much I love their craft and why excited I am for them moving forward.


MTV News: I'm still surprised that you were only the second girl from San Francisco to be on Drag Race. How come do you know that is?


Rock M. Sakura: A lot of people mention that our beauty don't necessarily match what is asked on the show. Here's the thing: San Francisco was really affected by Honey Mahogany's time on the show. Our city took it almost also much to heart and so they blame everything on her, so that’s why we never get on. Before I auditioned, so several people were like, "Well, you moved to San Francisco. Hope you like not getting on Drag Race. They don't like us because of Honey," which isn't true. Honey is a champion for LGBTQ+ people, she's a light in our community. Never get that twisted. I love her so much.


I think the main reason why people from our city didn't get on up until right now is that they were looking for someone who... It wasn't about the city, it was about their drag, and every audition video that I've seen from women that are in this city, it routinely has to do with, "I'm not wearing a caftan because of Honey Mahogany. I know you guys hate San Francisco women, however we've got to get another one on." If I auditioned, it was for me. I love San Francisco and I mentioned how much I love the city, however my audition video was for me.


MTV News: So let’s talk about that lip-sync. I was stressed you were not going to get that hoop off!


Rock M. Sakura: Oh my god.


MTV News: What was going through your mind?


Rock M. Sakura: Nicky informed me backstage, "You need to cut it off.” I made those little things out of springy fabric, so it just kept bouncing, and then I couldn't reach the ones in the back. Yet it wasn't on there for that long, that was the opening thing that I took off. I also felt like that was the only time that Ru looked at me, then the entire rest of the number, she was only looking at Brita.


MTV News: you are a Season 12 girl, you're supposed to be also booked to be bothered now. Although everything is canceled. You're doing a digital drag show tonight, right?


Rock M. Sakura: Yeah. I think that digital drag is the future. I'm still thinking about other ways to create a living and keep my presence in the season. If it isn't hard enough that you go residence second, the fact that each person is indoors and no one can visualize you outdoor, and DragCon is canceled and everything, it hurts a little. Yet I'm really just attempting to find new, innovative ways to stay relevant.


MTV News: People online were saying that you were crying just attempt to get further in the contest. Was Drag Race more emotional than you thought it'd be?


Rock M. Sakura: It certainly was more emotional than I thought it was going to be because I went in pretty confident. I told my partner, "I'm not going to cry at all because I don't want the narrative of another Asian person getting on and crying," and then I cried the initial episode. It is a lot harder than people think, for sure. If I might give anyone suggestions going on the show, it could be to cry right now. Cry before you go on, as much as could, because in case you don't let yourself cry before the show and show yourself that compassion, then it's going to come out as soon as you're there.


MTV News: Is there another queen on the season that you think people should look out for, that you think has what it takes to go all of the way?


Rock M. Sakura: Well, I think Jan, for sure. I love Jan. She is just a phenomenal person, and a remarkable voice also. Amazingly talented and very compassionate. Also, keep an eye out for Nicky Doll. I know that she's representing her nation really well. Her style is just so forward, and she is a fucking character. She's fucking funny. I love her.


MTV News: If people wanted to dive into an anime whenever they are quarantined in their homes, what would you tell them to begin with?


Rock M. Sakura: Well, since we're quarantined and we're not going anywhere, I would recommend watching One Piece because I think it’s 900 episodes in now. This is the ideal time to catch up. Look, you have no excuse now.


MTV News: Is there a San Francisco girl you would love to be able to see on Drag Race?


Rock M. Sakura: I would love to be able to see Militia Scunt, S-C-U-N-T. In the event you mention her name fast enough, you'll get the pun. She symbolizes the city so well, she has a wonderful voice, she has such a funny personality. She can dance the residence down. She can do flips and tricks. She looks cute in drag, too.


MTV News: Well, Rock M., Thank you so much for your time. I'm not just saying this, nevertheless you are one of my main go to queens out of the categorize this year. Hopefully, I'll visualize you out on the road right after this whole thing is over with.


Rock M. Sakura: Yes, please. Well, who is aware? It's not the end for me. There's routinely hope.


MTV News: All Stars Season 6, you never know!


Rock M. Sakura: Yes, exactly. Tell each person to get their hashtags ready!