Bob the Drag Queen—also known as Christopher Caldwell—has big hair and a big personality. He took home the crown on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Hailing from Georgia, he moved to the Big Apple to take over the nightlife scene. He wound up fighting for LGBT rights and being arrested before competing on the hit reality show.
Last year, he released the songs "Purse First" and "Bloodbath," and then appeared in videos for "The Realness" and "Straight Outta Oz." Currently, he focuses on comedy, which brings him back to town with a group of drag friends including Lady Bunny, Alaska 5000, Miss Coco Peru, Willam and Jackie Beat.
Windy City Times: How did you become involved with The Drag Queens of Comedy?
BtDQ: I joined the cast last year in Los Angeles and San Francisco. They had been to New York before, but I wasn't part of the cast.
WCT: What topics are you covering?
BtDQ: My comedy is based on my experiences on Drag Race and about pop culture in general.
WCT: Did you know the rest of the comedy cast?
BtDQ: I'm not great friends with everyone in the show, but have worked with them before. Coco Peru and Peaches Christ I have been in shows with in the past. I have known Alaska for a while. I have known them all for at least a year now.
WCT: I see the suggested age is 13 and above, so [it's] a good opportunity for younger fans who can't get into bars to see your act.
BtDQ: The show has adult humor. It is not a children's show, but if you bring your kids they won't die. We are not going to eat them!
WCT: Do you have a comedian who influenced you?
BtDQ: Chris Rock is my all-time favorite comedian.
WCT: What are your thoughts on the new season of RuPaul's Drag Race?
BtDQ: It is pretty cool. We had more drama on our season. This is a non drama season. I like my reality shows with more drama.
WCT: What did you think of bringing back your past cast mate Cynthia Lee Fontaine?
BtDQ: I love Cynthia. She was sick on our season. It was good she could get back in there.
WCT: What advice would you give the season nine cast?
BtDQ: Whenever someone gives you advice consider the source. Don't take advice from everyone.
WCT: How did the winning moment feel?
BtDQ: It was very emotional. It was a whole bunch of work leading up to one moment. It felt great.
WCT: I asked you in Chicago once what you would do with the money if you won. You said start a school for girls like Oprah Winfrey. What did you do with the money?
BtDQ: I have saved it. I haven't had a lot of time to spend money. I have been working on a film that has taken up time.
WCT: Tell our readers about the film.
BtDQ: It is called A Queen for the People. It is part stand-up comedy and part documentary. I will be releasing it in two pieces, as a stand-up comedy and doc.
WCT: What is the most expensive purse you own?
BtDQ: Someone once bought me a Michael Kors purse, which I don't use. I don't even know how much it cost. I just think it is expensive because it was designed by him. Typically, my whole thing is my purses are not expensive. I make them myself.
WCT: You have a new collection you are working on?
BtDQ: Yes, the Purse First Collection is available at luxdeville.com . It is on my YouTube page and Instagram.
WCT: Do you have more music coming out?
BtDQ: I am not really a musician. I will have a song in my heart, so I will collaborate with DJs and other musicians to make songs. I don't think I will be releasing an album anytime soon. There will be something eventually coming on down the line.
WCT: Do you have any favorite artists to lip-sync to?
BtDQ: I have been jamming out to Adele and Sia lately.
The Drag Queens of Comedy have performances at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday, May 12, at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. Tickets can be found at TheDragQueensofComedy.com or by calling 773-935-6875.
