T
he American television public first met the outspoken Danny Noriega back in 2008 as a semi-finalist for season 7 of “American Idol.” Not everybody gives lip to the famously bitchy Simon Cowell and gets away with it. Fast forward. After watching “RuPaul’s Drag Race” finalist Raven perform, Noriega got bit by the drag bug. Adore Delano was born, whom he describes as a mermaid-like “creature of the ocean, not from the walking land” and alternately a “psychotic cat with rabies on stage.” (“That’s exactly how I come off,” he agrees.) No stranger to reality TV, Delano was cast for “Drag Race” season six. Delano’s YouTube videos and storytelling antics are hilarious. No wonder. Noriega counts YouTube superstar Chris “Leave Britney Alone!” Crocker as one of his besties. ION Arizona snatched a quick chat with the Drag Race’s potty-mouthed darling from Asuza on the eve of the show’s finale and crowning. “Party!” ION: You have some degree of celebrity and notoriety before “Drag Race” because of your status as a contestant on American Idol. Did that affect your relationship with the other queens? Adore Delano: It didn’t really. I’m not camera shy and really comfortable with who I am and acting natural. I feel like if it wasn’t for “American Idol” I wouldn’t have been as natural and myself (and I’m very grateful for that). Other than that there’s nothing that really prepared me for this experience. ION: Would you like to compete on “American Idol” again as Adore Delano?
AD: I would never be caught dead on that show again. If it was a totally original format I’d be, like, “Yeah, motherfucker, I’m back!” but, girl! It’s a different show every year. It’s hilarious. ION: You almost made it on “Drag Race” last season. Would that have been a different ballgame as far as your development & ability? ION: Absolutely. I think Ru is a fucking genius. She knew exactly when my time was. I was not ready for season five—I had no outfits. It would would’ve been a different experience. Those bitches were catty! I would’ve fist fought some of them for being so mean to Jinkx [Monsoon, the competition winner]. ION: Who was your greatest competition? AD: I thought Bianca was my biggest competition. I really did. After I got to know her I wasn’t threatened. She’s amazing. I love her to death. I was more nervous about the competition of the challenges, because if you get lost in the “Ooh! I need to beat her!” that’s when you’re gonna get your ass sent home. Focus on you. We all get judged individually—of course—‘cuz, what? we’re indi-vid-u-als.
June 2014 www.IONAZ.com 37