Why RuPaul's Drag Race icon Miss Vanjie is more than 'just a little meme'

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ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Hello Vanjie! How are you?

VANESSA VANJIE MATEO: Joey, I’m good. How are you? What took you so long?

What are you talking about!? Miss Joey! Where the hell was you at? We waited for you. Come on, Miss Joey. Miss Joey!

I’m here now, and that’s all that matters. That’s right, Miss Joey. Miss Joey. Miss Joey!

Keep saying it. I like it! Miss Joey! You kinky, Miss Joey!

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I’m also sorry it didn’t work out for you this season! How are you dealing with having to relive this elimination now almost a year after filming? I get to laugh at it! I’ve accepted it. I’m still proud of myself, so it’s not as bad. I know that I really tried. I respect, admire, and love the girls, and I respect RuPaul’s decision. Just because we go home, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of anything! I still have you calling me, Miss Joey. So, I’m a winner, baby!

Any time you want, I’ll call you, Miss Vanjie. Ok, I’ll hold you to it. Don’t act like I won’t. We have to add each other on Facebook.

You’re following me on Twitter! Just slide into the DMs like you slid into swimsuits this season. Has this season made you averse to water and swimming because of the swimsuit issue? For the competition, it’s not a good idea. I don’t usually wear swimsuits because I don’t want people to think that’s all I do. It just happened to go down that way on the f—ing show. But, lesson learned!

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You spoke a lot about redeeming yourself from last season, but I feel like there wasn’t much to redeem because you became a superstar on your own after only one episode. What were you trying to redeem? It was more so because I felt pressure. When I went home and the whole Vanjie thing started taking off, I knew people wanted to see me back. I just wanted to make them proud, and I over-analyzed everything. I always feel the pressure of making somebody proud, whether it’s my mom, Miss Joey, this, that, and the third. I do take this seriously. Even when it comes to Mama Ru on the show, I took everything she said to heart because I don’t want them to think I’m just a moment or a meme. I’m not just a little meme. There’s more to me.

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I’m very proud! We all are! Especially of your second iconic exit! I shut it down! I don’t think they thought I was going to be able to top myself… well, I can’t really top myself… but, I don’t think they thought I’d be able to outdo my last exit. This exit is the only exit. Bitch, I shut it down! Every time you think I’m going to leave, I keep talking. You could see in the first few seconds that I was sad, but then I snapped out of the sadness and started acting a fool. I had all the judges — even Mama Ru — laughing. I kept going and going. It was everything! I walked backwards, forwards, sideways. I brought the party, honey!

Why did you feel like you needed to top the last exit? I didn’t plan that first exit, and I didn’t plan this one, either! I don’t think anyone thought there would be anything I could say or do. After that first exit, it’s not like I’m thinking, “What could I pull out of my panty sleeve?” Something about exiting and getting the boot makes me tap into something, and I started letting them have it.

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I think you might be the queen with the most episodes without a challenge win. And you looked super surprised that you didn’t win the makeover challenge. Do you think you should’ve won that? If there was a chance for me to win something, they could’ve given it to me then. I respect the decision, but I did think I was going to win. Not only did I think it, but the other girls were congratulating me backstage [before they announced it]. They were pre-celebrating the win in the Untucked chairs! Wrong! I didn’t get no f—ing prize, but I’m still going on that damn vacation with Brooke.

Did you do that yet? I don’t think we’re going on any vacations soon, because we’re working like dogs out here. We’re hustling and bustling! I need a damn vacation though. I’m telling you, Miss Joey!

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Speaking of Brooke, so many people thought that your relationship was put on for the cameras. Was it real? Yes! Bitch, first of all, clearly I can’t win no damn acting challenge, let alone act like I’m in a f—ing relationship. Ya’ll know I’m too vulnerable. I’m a person who wears my heart on my sleeve, so I’m not faking no damn relationship for no damn storyline! It’s definitely real. If you want to see if we’re still dating, keep watching, because we’re going to confirm or deny all the allegations against us, coming up.

Who made the first move? He likes to say I made the first movie, but it was him. We were kind of flirting, and it was kind of a joke. But, one day, it ended up where we just started growing this little bond. And the next thing you know, we were just like little puppies.

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In each other’s hotel rooms! They wouldn’t let me, but, child, when I tell you the cat needed to be scratched… She was meowing, honey!

One of my friends recently saw Brooke in public and saw that Brooke had a photo of you as the background on her phone. He better have me as his f—ing background, because if he don’t he’s gonna get his ass cut the hell out.

So it’s still going on, then, if you’re Brooke’s background? We cannot confirm or deny anything because we have two more episodes. We are the Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake of the gay franchise of Drag Race. Ya’ll going to have to watch and see because we do confirm that. We do let everyone know about the question everyone’s asking at the reunion.

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Let’s put it this way: Do you have a photo of Brooke on your phone’s background? Right now, I’ve got my damn self on my background. But, it’s a photo he took of me!

Vanjie! I can’t believe that. Do you at least want him to win? Because you have friends like A’Keria and Silky in the top four against your “lover.” Who are you rooting for? They’re all sickening. Whoever prepares the best! Obviously, don’t bring butterflies or bugs. It’s anyone’s game. Each of us can represent the show in a great way. I love Brooke Lynn. Silky and A’Keria are amazing people and sickening. Silky is a great person if you get to know her. Yvie’s always coming from left field and thinking outside the box. I think each of them can win and I love and respect each of them. Bitch, I ain’t winning, so I’m happy it’s not my choice.