Photo: Mathu Anderson
By Samara Riviera, VivaLaRiviera.com
As you all know by now RuPaul’s Drag Race is back for a 7th season. And we Latinos are being represented by the super talented, beautiful and sometimes bitchy Ms. Kandy Ho’. She has talent, looks and gives you bitches enough drama to chat about on social media. You wouldn’t expect anything less from a Puerto Rican mami. Sure she started out with a five o’clock shadow until Michelle Visage pointed it out. But now our sistah is looking even more fierce. It’s all about constructive criticism bitches. I say top three for Ms. Ho’. And help a sistah out bring her to the states people. Y aquí les traigo a la deliciosa Kandy Ho’.
Samara: Where do you live at now?
Kandy: I’m still living in Puerto Rico but eventually I would like to move to the states. I was born and raised in Connecticut until I was 10 years old so coming back to the states has always been in the back of my mind.
Samara: How did you get into drag?
Kandy: The first time I got into drag was to do Madonna at a talent show but I never thought I would do it again. A year later a couple of my friends came up to me and asked if I want to be Kimberly from the Pussycat Dolls at the Puertorican gay parade. I was a little hesitant at first but my boyfriend at the time told me to just try once again and if I didn’t like it just stop there, so I did it and I loved it and I’m still doing drag until this day.
Samara: Do you have to be talented to be a drag queen or just pretty?Kandy: Do you have to be talented or just pretty to be a drag queen? I think that you have to be passionate and love what you do. Doing drag is not just playing dress up for me, it’s my job.
Samara: Had you auditioned before for RDR or was this your first time?Kandy: I’m very happy to say it was my first time auditioning for “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” It’s really a big deal for me since I know a couple of girls who auditioned for many seasons and to just be cast the first time I auditioned is amazing.
Samara: Are you OK with people refferring to you as a Bitch or Bitchy from seeing you on the show?Kandy: I feel that once you’re in a reality show you expose yourself for people to see you however they want to see you, whether it’s a bitch whether it’s bitchy whether it’s stuck up people will love you and some people will hate you and I understand that. I’m not a $100 bill for everyone to like me, so I’m good.
Samara: What is most surprising about fame?Kandy: The most surprising thing about fame is how fast it happens. One day I’m as a sales person, and the next day I’m getting recognized in airports for being on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Samara: How do you stay grounded? Are you spiritual or religious?Kandy: I have the best friends in the world to keep me grounded and let me know where I come from. Fame can be a tricky thing but I thank God that I know who I am and where I come from and that fame is not forever. I was raised in a Penecostal and Baptist Church, but I’ve always been free and my parents never held me back on what and how I feel, so that makes me blessed.
Samara: What is the biggest life lesson you’re taking with you from having been on this show?Kandy: The biggest life lesson I’m taking from being on the show is never doubt yourself because when you think you’re not doing good, that’s when you’re doing best.
Samara: What new projects are you working on?Kandy: Right now I’m focusing on my performances because that’s what I’m known for, and little by little I’ll work from there. I haven’t been home for more than three days so when I get the time I’ll do more things. I don’t want to rush anything.
Samara: Any scary fan stories?Kandy: Thankfully, I don’t have scary fan stories. I’m really thankful for meeting all of my fans and hearing what they have to say.
Samara: ¿Unas últimas palabras para tus fans de habla hispana?Kandy: A mi bella gente Latina, mil gracias por todo su amor y todo su apoyo. El camino no ha sido fácil pero lo hago orgullosamente para mi y para todos ustedes. Sueñen en GRANDE y espero conocerlos a todos pronto. Los amo. Love, Kandy Ho’ xoxo