Laganja Estranja dishes on her new single “HAWT”, the following steps in her transition journey, her lasting legacy within the RuPaul’s Drag Race Ru-niverse, and past.
When PinkNews logs on to a Zoom name with the one and solely Laganja Estranja, she declares: “I’ve taken my nutritional vitamins, taken my HRT and I’m able to go”.
It’s that infectious persona that precipitated followers to fall in love with the queen manner again on season six of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2014. However as she discusses whereas talking to PinkNews about her new single “HAWT”, she’s come a good distance from feeling very attacked.
Laganja has simply dropped the tune, arguably one of many catchiest summer time bangers this 12 months, solely on Gala Music, and the inspiration behind “HAWT” was threefold; not solely does the one function the right feel-good summer time banger, in addition to the maiden voyage between Ganja and Gala Music, nevertheless it additionally showcases the expansion of the queen into somebody properly on her method to pop stardom.
“[I wanted] a Delight anthem, one thing that felt good for the queer group, but in addition a track that actually represented ‘Sizzling Gala Summer season’, which is what Gala Music is doing proper now,” she explains.
“I’m thrilled to be part of that lineup, and I needed to create an anthem for them and anthem for us… My music has messages behind it, and this one is all about enjoyable, and being sizzling and horny and being with your mates, celebrating summer time. And naturally feeling proud.”
The music video for “HAWT” is Ms. Estranja’s directorial debut. Steeped in daylight and horny choreography, helming the undertaking was a brand new problem for the Queen Bud.
“This was such an endeavor, however I’m actually glad I did it,” she admits. “I proved to myself that I can do just about every little thing by myself… I did wish to show to myself, that I can write out the storyboard, the imaginative and prescient, after which execute it whereas additionally nonetheless being on digital camera. It was a very releasing expertise. I really feel prefer it taught me loads about myself.”
There’s additionally a number of causes Gala was the best way to go for one Laganja Estranja; the service companions with artists to allow them to hold a majority of their streaming income – not like others – and likewise lets them handle their music, merchandise, and instantly work together with their supporters. For Laganja, which means an autographed photograph of the album cowl or a smoke session with the icon herself in her LA backyard…
“It’s unbelievable,” she gushes, including, that she’s “by no means actually labored within the internet three house or with NFTs. So I’m actually similar to taking it sluggish. However I’m studying loads alongside the best way.”
In addition to being a trailblazer within the music business, Laganja is one in every of Drag Race‘s most iconic contestants, each of all time, and likewise to come back out as trans.
She did in order a trans girl in 2021, and has been dwelling proudly ever since; shortly after she made the announcement, in 2022, Drag Race entered an period that one might solely name ‘The Reign of Tranos’. As helmed by season 14’s Kerri Colby, the iteration of the franchise ended up with probably the most trans contestants (Colby, Willow Tablet, Bosco, Kornbread and Jasmine Kennedie).
For Laganja, seeing increasingly more ladies following in her footsteps is a “stunning factor”.
“We see folks increasingly more comfy to be themselves not solely within the outdoors areas within the golf equipment, but in addition within the types of contestants on the present,” she says. “I believe that is one thing that has existed for a really very long time… nevertheless it’s been very arduous to speak about.
Laganja provides a heartfelt caveat to the above, although, saying she, “simply hope[s] that these different people who’re coming ahead at their early levels are going to be open, be weak, discuss in regards to the difficulties [of being trans]… I needed to see myself after I was younger and I didn’t get to, so I’m hoping that for another person I might be that.”
The “HAWT” pop goddess provides that, additional to revealing to Those that she is “prepared to start out exploring surgical procedure” as the following steps in her transition, she’s bought the dates booked in for early September
“I used to be dwelling in my physique sad for over a 12 months, I attempted exercising, I attempted weight-reduction plan, it simply wasn’t working,” she tells us.
“In the end, I knew [surgery] was the long run plan, despite the fact that I attempted to faux that I might get wholesome, I knew the plan was to ultimately have … fats switch. I’ve simply been scared, you recognize, it’s a giant step. And I needed to verify I used to be prepared.”
“Lots of people pressured me … to have a surgical procedure instantly,” Laganja provides. “And this is the reason I’ve tried to be so open and weak, so that folks can see there are totally different choices. There are many trans individuals who can’t afford surgical procedures or don’t need surgical procedures. And that doesn’t make them any kind of legitimate as a trans particular person.”
Paving the best way as a trans trailblazer isn’t the one feather in Laganja’s cap; ten years on from her Drag Race tenure, and her vernacular on Drag Race lives on within the lexicon of homosexuals et al all over the place. Is it one thing that the icon herself ever thinks about?
“I imply, in fact. I’m an artist!” she laughs. “All artists take into consideration their affect and hope that they’re leaving their mark on society on the planet at massive. So I positively give it some thought, and I’m very grateful for it – now, clearly I wish to develop on that influence…”
And develop on that influence she has. So the place to subsequent, for Laganja, then?
“I attempt to stay true to myself… I’ve found by making songs like “HAWT”, which is extra pop ahead, that it truly is my ardour. And I do see myself as a pop star, and I do see myself with the power to be on larger levels. And I believe my music is a method to obtain that.”
“HAWT” by Laganja Estranja is offered solely on Gala Music.