Trixie Mattel, a Wisconsin born drag performer, was first introduced to the world in 2015 through season 7 of RuPaul’s “Drag Race,” where her unapologetic humor and uniquely Barbie-inspired aesthetic stood out from previous queens. Following in the legendary footsteps of RuPaul, Trixie is an icon beyond the drag stage. Showcasing not only her musical and comedic talents, but she has also established herself as a savvy business figure and pioneer among drag artists. Drag Race winner, acclaimed musician, motel owner, television star, YouTuber, comedian, and business owner are just a few of her accomplishments. She manages these roles wearing her own Trixie Cosmetics lipgloss and a wig (or a few). In this interview, we dive deeper into the magic behind the makeup and learn about everyone's favorite “Skinny Legend.”

When describing Trixie Mattel many adjectives come to mind, one being hard-working. When you’re not busy doing interviews and photoshoots, what does a day-off look like for you?
A day off for me consists typically of exercise, UberEats, and a dip in the hot tub. I like playing some PS5 or my Switch and turning my brain off from Trixie. I also love to walk to Gelson’s and cook something- either an old recipe I make all the time or I get brave and flop my way through something beyond my skill level. Poor David gets subjected to many culinary experiments that are doomed before they begin.

Before we jump into your extensive resume, give us some insight into the early untelevised days that you had? What was the process of growing into this now world-famous person?
I got my start shadow casting with “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at The Oriental Theatre on the east side of Milwaukee. This theatre holds the world record for consecutive showings of Rocky on the original 1975 film. It was a great environment to play around with comedy and glamour in an environment steeped in fake blood and spilled popcorn. At 21, I went to a gay nightclub called La Cage on my birthday and I got scouted for my first show.

There’s chat of the second season of “Trixie Motel.” What can fans of season one look forward to?
Season one built the dream of “Trixie Motel” in Palm Springs. Without giving too much away, season two takes place in Hollywood and the renovation is a little closer to HOME. The stakes are much higher and the audience is offered a higher level of intimacy with my personal life.

From days at the MAC counter to your now iconic eye makeup, what was the influence behind creating your own makeup line, Trixie Cosmetics?
You have to imagine I was in my twenties and I was spending 40+ hours per week watching people shop for makeup. I worked with all ages, all skin tones, and all budgets. You learn a lot about the way people shop for products. I also noticed at the time products were all either professional formulas in plain black packaging or they were subpar formulas in exciting packaging. Drag really taught me that packaging MATTERS! Mike Ruiz would have never photographed me as a vascular bald white douchebag with a crooked nose.

Beyond longtime fans, how do you ensure inclusivity and diversity in your cosmetic line to cater to a wide audience of customers?
We have a diverse team at Trixie Cosmetics and I always take myself back to the makeup counter. The mentality of “I wish I could wear that color” was always so pervasive and I can say there’s always a way to make a color/formula/finish work for you. The right brush or the right primer can make the same product look a hundred different ways. I have always found women feel disarmed by their makeup bags because they often feel “stuck.” I was always gifted at helping unstick those creative joints and helping people remember to play around.

How do you balance your identity as an artist and performer with your role as a business owner in the beauty industry?
As the years go on I really think of Trixie as what she represents to people and less what she “is” or “is known to be.” When it comes to artistic ventures, I never paint myself (ha-ha) into a corner. She’s a DJ, a cosmetics model, a hotelier, a TV star, a recording artist, a model, and that is usually all done before noon. I think my poor agents and managers get whiplash from my ever-evolving dossier of endeavors, but I think they like the challenge. I don’t have that gene that produces interior doubts or second thoughts so when I get an idea for something, I am unstoppable.

Your personal YouTube channel is about to surpass 2 million subscribers. It is filled with advice, reviews, and collaborations. What are your favorite kinds of videos to film, and who is a dream guest you’d want to have on the channel?
My favorite types of videos are the ones where I get an idea and I just film it by myself. I love having an assistant and a cameraman, but sometimes I sit and talk to myself and film myself. It’s like writing in your diary. I make jokes to entertain myself and just try to push my creativity without getting in my own way. You can always tell I have the best time making those videos. They’re often weirder, funnier, or more personal in the end.

A large piece of the Trixie Mattel portfolio is your extensive musical library, ranging from country to club music. Where do you draw inspiration from when it comes to albums?
I started in music playing guitar and singing songs at 13 and I spent most of my youth wanting to be a folk music singer. Trixie then happened and as I have matured I have really gravitated toward house music. When COVID took place, suddenly the gay club “thumpa-thumpa” disappeared and I missed it so much. I always wanted to learn to be a DJ and I was at an event where I saw a female DJ from behind and she was in a tiny sequin dress, organza boa, heels, and had giant hair. I thought she was a drag queen and it was like a burning bush for me. The next day I went back and bought some equipment and started learning in my living room. I’ve always been a tech nerd and a musician so being a DJ came to me very quickly. It made sense to me.

Either emotionally or rhythmically, do any of your albums or songs stick out as favorites?
When I wrote “Red Side Of The Moon,” a ballad recently covered by The Wild Things, I felt like I had really made something special. You never know though- I wrote this song called “Heavy Crown” for the Moving Parts documentary film, and I really didn’t think much of it. It’s my most streamed original song on Spotify I believe so it depends how you measure “favorite.” In general, I think I write great mid-tempo folky ballad-y pieces.

As a drag artist, please share a moment when you had to confront a harsh reality within the industry and how it helped you grow as a performer?
What I get to experience regularly is the way celebrity warps social dynamics in a given space. As Trixie, someone might be so kind and outwardly warm to me. Out of drag, if they don’t know what I look like, I might be invisible to them. As much as I love gay culture and queer spaces, I find it difficult to fish out genuine friendships because of Trixie. She’s much cooler and brighter than I am outside of drag, She has a magnetism. Out of drag, I would prefer to be invisible and that makes connecting difficult. I’ve learned to always remember the imbalances at play.

You’ve accomplished a lot since your 2015 worldwide debut. Of all your projects, what has been the most rewarding moment of your career so far?
“The Trixie Motel” was like finishing my own Graceland. It was a major milestone with my favorite person, David Silver. After the renovation was finished and the cameras went home, I remember sitting with David and we felt like we had accidentally built Disneyland. The motel and the experience it offers can’t be duplicated or synthesized by any of my other ventures. You can watch Trixie on TV or wear Trixie on your face or listen to Trixie in your ears, but at the motel you get to take vacation from reality and be inside Trixie. Let’s be honest, everyone wants to be inside me and feel my soft pink walls.

Social Media.
Trixie’s Socials: @TrixieMattel
Shop Trixie Cosmetics: https://trixiecosmetics.com
Trixie’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@trixie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trixiemattel/

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz @mikeruiz.one
Talent: Trixie Mattel
Hair: Zach Kilian and Ryan Carpenter
Makeup: Trixie Mattel
Costume Designer/Fashion Stylist: Amie Sarazan
Assistant Fashion Stylists: Ruby Vixen and Mikael Nohai
Photo Assistant: Ozzie Gutierrez & River Chad
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Ethan Engh, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine