Darienne Lake, a standout contestant from RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6, has captivated audiences not only with her wit and comedic talent but also with her inspiring journey of weight loss and self-acceptance. Her return to RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 8 was highly anticipated, and while her time on the show may have ended, her impact and story continue to resonate with fans.
Acknowledging the Past, Embracing the Future
In an interview, Darienne openly discussed her feelings about returning to Drag Race, admitting that there were years when she felt she wasn't ready for the challenge due to financial, emotional, or physical reasons. After her initial run on Drag Race, she toured extensively, enjoying herself but also developing some unhealthy habits that led to a weight gain of around sixty pounds.
Darienne credits Mrs. Kasha Davis and her sobriety for helping her. She noted that OA (Overeaters Anonymous) and AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) share many of the same principles, emphasizing the importance of taking steps to improve one's life one day at a time.
The Weight Loss Journey
Darienne Lake has embarked on an impressive weight loss journey, shedding close to two hundred pounds. She openly discusses the ups and downs of her journey, acknowledging that "life happens" and setbacks are a part of the process. Darienne's honesty about her weight loss is refreshing, as she has taken control of the narrative and is writing it herself.
Darienne’s commitment to her health is evident, and she looks fantastic both in and out of drag. She also appreciates that there are people who will make clothes for larger bodies. She acknowledges that she is still a large person and is comfortable with making jokes about it. Darienne emphasizes that she will never be a skinny person, but that's the great thing about body positivity.
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Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance
Darienne's journey is not just about weight loss; it's about body positivity and self-acceptance. She embraces her size and uses humor to address the issue, proving that you can be confident and comfortable in your own skin, regardless of your weight. Darienne's openness about her body and her willingness to make jokes about herself is a testament to her self-acceptance and confidence.
All Stars 8 Experience
Darienne's return to All Stars 8 was marked by her signature wit and comedic timing. The acting challenge highlighted her skills and allowed her to work with fellow queens like Alexis Michelle and Jaymes Mansfield. Despite some perceived "under the bus" moments, Darienne harbors no ill will, understanding that everyone plays the game differently. She acknowledges that Alexis Michelle may have thrown her under the bus on the main stage, but she doesn't harbor any ill will towards her. Darienne understands that it was self-preservation.
Life Beyond Drag Race
Darienne Lake's career extends far beyond RuPaul's Drag Race. She dominates the Rochester drag brunch scene and has her own stand-up special, "Altered Boy," which is available for streaming. Darienne is also involved in various projects with her "Rochester family," including Mrs. Kasha Davis.
Darienne praised her beautiful team with Mrs. Kasha Davis, including Mr. Davis and their assistant Katie, who are helpful. They all work so well together and can count on each other. Darienne and her team have created around twenty different venues where they perform, taking up the whole upstate and Western New York.
Advocacy and Allyship
Darienne Lake is an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and emphasizes the importance of allyship. She believes that it's not just the people in the community who need to stand up, but also the allies. She draws a parallel to the rise of the Nazis, stating that they took over not just because of the people who were in the Nazi party, but because of the people who said nothing. Darienne stresses the need for allies to stand with the LGBTQ+ community.
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Darienne, though not having a uterus and never having children, stands by the rights of every woman who wants to have rights about her own body and her own autonomy. She believes that if she is going to stand with others for something that has nothing to do with her, then others need to stand with the LGBTQ+ community. Darienne acknowledges that while she listens to the angry voices, they are small in comparison to the people who really do support the community.
Future Endeavors
Darienne has a one-woman show called "Altered Boy" that is available for purchase and rental. She is also considering starting a podcast with some other queens. She loves to talk and put her foot in her mouth, which she thinks is fun. Darienne listens to podcasts and knows that it makes her laugh and cackle. She notes that as young gays, they were always like "oh girl, once I hit forty forget it"!
Darienne wants to go back as a Lip Sync Assassin and show them how she can lip sync and kill these girls.
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