The New York Metropolis supermodel of RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 has walked the runway one final time — however, Lana Ja'Rae remains to be decided to hitch a experience on the bus (if it's nonetheless working) towards the following chapter of her profession with a renewed sense of confidence.

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Although a maxi problem victory eluded her this season, Lana went out in model — simply not the model she sometimes flaunts, as she was eradicated whereas sporting Kandy Muse's iconic pockets look from season 13. Forward, Lana reveals to Leisure Weekly how she went about getting the garment, the story behind her unique drag mom, and her time working as a clown in New York.

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RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 continues Fridays on MTV. Learn on for EW's full exit interview with Lana.

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ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: An important query on everybody’s thoughts: Is the bus nonetheless working?

LANA JA’RAE: [Laughs] Oh my God, no. The bus is rarely working. It by no means began working, and that was the most important difficulty. I thought the bus was working, however I didn’t verify the engine earlier than it left the station.

Plasma mentioned on Pit Cease that she was your first drag mom. What's the tea?

I moved out of my home to pursue drag as a result of my household didn’t settle for it on the time. I did drag in Oklahoma, and my brother satisfied me to do a pageant on the College of Oklahoma referred to as STI. Via that I met Plasma. She was my mentor by means of the pageant and have become my drag mom. She gave me a robe I wore within the pageant, and after that she moved to New York Metropolis. We didn’t have time for one another that a lot anymore, however we’re nonetheless buddies and I like her. I carry a number of the qualities that she gave me!

On-line, you’ve handled a variety of reactions to your efficiency on the present, together with suggestions on the Naomi Campbell look and the “boy physique” aesthetic. Why did these criticisms specifically influence you a lot?

My drag is a love letter to myself. It’s an embodiment of the destructive issues I skilled rising up. I used to be by no means allowed to be female, so my drag is high-femme, and I used to be by no means masculine sufficient to be a person, so I concentrate on the female physique. My female excellent is my mother, who doesn’t have all of the curves. I embrace my physique as a result of it wasn’t embraced, rising up. Drag is a solution to love my physique. When individuals say issues about my physique, they’re not attacking my drag persona, however me as an individual.

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This episode, you additionally revealed that you just was a clown. How did this occur?

It was my first job in New York. It got here to me after I lived with my brother and his buddy. That they had the job and instructed me how a lot cash they made. I used to be a birthday celebration clown. I’d journey all through New York Metropolis, go to kids’s events, and do balloon tips and magic reveals with stay bunnies. It was enjoyable and soul-fulfilling.

You reused Kandy Muse’s pockets costume for the “ugly” runway. How did you get it? Was she offended that you just wished it for this class?

I don’t assume she was offended. It hit me after I was speaking to Luxx, like, “Do you assume Kandy would let me put on her pockets costume, as a result of the judges hated that look?” I texted Kandy. I don’t assume I instructed her it was for the ugliest runway, I believe I simply requested to borrow her runway for Drag Race. She was like, “Yeah, in fact, I believe Xunami has it.” I grabbed it and introduced it, and the remainder is her-story… I nonetheless have it. I haven’t checked out it since Drag Race. I don’t assume she desires it again, but when she does, I’ll make certain she will get it.

In Untucked, you have been upset when Suzie Toot assumed you’d be within the backside. You two made up earlier than the lip-sync, however why did that upset you a lot? Do you stand by saying that she wanted to be humbled?

We’re nice buddies now, however within the competitors, there was a approach she’d say sure issues that rubbed ladies the unsuitable approach. I used to be typically discredited by the ladies. It was clear I used to be going house…. at that time I used to be simply preventing.

What’s subsequent?

I wish to break into the style world, stroll in New York Trend Week, and be any person’s muse. I like the drag world, however I really feel prefer it’ll be a giant slap within the face to everybody that’s been saying stuff, to go and do what I need, which is to be the very best supermodel on the planet. I’m going to concentrate on that!

This interview has been edited for size and readability.