Sasha Velour Breaks Down RuPaul's Drag Race, New Book & Finding Freedom in Transformation | Them

Sasha Velour looks back on the moments that shaped her career and reflects on her journey to finding full freedom with "the drag way." From winning Season 9 of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' to redefining drag culture with her show 'Nightgowns,' Sasha breaks down some of the memorable highlights from her life.
Sasha Velour’s memoir, The Big Reveal, releases April 4 and is available to pre-order here: bookshop.org/p...
@sashavelour
#thebigreveal
Director: Rachel Kessler
Producer: Adam Lance Garcia
Director of Photography: Lauren Pruitt
Editor: Lucy Nebeker
Line Producer: Romeeka Powell
Associate Producers: Rafael Vasquez
Production Manager: Natasha Soto-Albors
Production Coordinator: Jamal Colvin
Camera Operator: Brad Wickham
Gaffer: Meicen Meng
Audio: Sean Paulsen
Production Assistant: Sophie Pulve
Talent Booker: Mica Medoff
Post Production Supervisor: Christian Olguin
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Erica Dillman
Assistant Editor: Andy Morrell
Photo Credit: @empowermentstudio__

[@nakosfan]

she may be one of the underrated winner of drag race but the way she chose to use her platform to elevate the art of drag by actually giving back platforms for other drag artists and not to mention how educational she is whenever she's on camera is just so special and dare i say, beyond what the other winners did.

[@Unisheepies]

Sasha Velour is not an underrated winner 😂

[@rubendelossantos3648]

What exactly do you mean by underrated? I think she is one of the most unique and inspirational, and I’m sure we all know that

[@Dalsemien]

She is only underrated if you are a clueless fan who knows nothing of drag outside of RPDR. She is actually one of the more successful and celebrated winners in the world at large.

[@davidcremin3837]

She's definitely not underrated

[@youre_totally_right_but_]

Sasha’s a bigg deal.

[@Dark_Aeon]

She is, in my eyes, THE most unique winner of RPDR. One of my absolute top faves.

[@kingmadridi8125]

no that's tyra

[@fortnite.burger]

*he

[@Yomomcancomegetit]

@@fortnite.burger Drag is an art form in which you take on another persona, it's similar to acting in a way. So wrong, in drag it's she.

[@Zbornie]

She is so well spoken. A great treasure for the community.

[@chajam]

she truly is

[@anthonypecorara]

I mean, she is a member of Mensa

[@osq_boy9]

​@@anthonypecorara Really? Is that true?

[@arturolujanii]

Brains, Beauty, and Kindness, she's got it all ✨

[@kermitisactuallycookiemonster]

Except hair

[@piyelu12198]

@@kermitisactuallycookiemonster and I --oop

[@fortnite.burger]

*he

[@Seiomt]

​@@fortnite.burgershut up

[@fortnite.burger]

@@Seiomt you're a liberal.

[@BadBadAngel3]

Mother Velour would be so very proud of what Sasha has achieved and will continue to do in the future! The world needs Sasha in the Whitehouse 🇺🇸

[@metalgearbear9748]

Sasha is so smart and elegant. When she talked about starting her drawings out small, because she knows for audiences in the back that's all they would see, so she kept them in mind

[@fortnite.burger]

*he

[@AvaNightingale]

​@fortnite.burger cry harder chud!

[@Choni939]

​@@fortnite.burger Why are you so obsessed with her?

[@fortnite.burger]

@@Choni939 all I stated was his correct pronoun.

[@jenniferchase4085]

I mean, when she's Sasha she's Sasha, no?

[@bobbyswanson3498]

as much as shea statistically should’ve won season 9, sasha has more than proven herself as the rightful winner and has lived up to her title arguably more than many other winners. she almost transcends drag the way queens like raja do. sidenote, seeing sasha on an all winners season would be so magical. i think she’d really give a challenge to the other winners

[@quackson7532]

Sacha Velour isn't doing art, She IS art 🧚‍♀️💕

[@letsgobrandon1367]

that's a MAN wearing women's clothes. come back to the real world!

[@jjsmith3302]

​@letsgobrandon1367 ...and you're a sad cultist in a human suit. Who needs to come back to reality? 💩🤡

[@Choni939]

​@@letsgobrandon1367 This is the real world darling, people are free to express themselves however they want, if you don't like it the one who should go is you. ❤

[@laurapiacentinicasarin8205]

I LOVE hearing Sasha talking, she is so intelligent, so cult, she knows so much about the art of drag, she put out so many amazing pieces of art, she is kind and calm, is a pleasure and i could keep hearing her talk about drag with such passion for hours without getting tired

[@lashaaawn]

Oh my, have not seen Sasha for a while. Even more grounded and intelligent and kind and aesthetically polished. I NEED this book in my life.

[@NathalyV99]

I love her so much. was lucky enough to see smoke & mirrors back in 2019 and nightgowns first show back about a month ago. Sasha Velour you will always be famous

[@vonlipi]

Sasha you have great talents. I am always in awe when I see you. I am so happy I discovered you through Drag Race.

[@Guilherme-kk2tr]

Some Drag Queens knows her craft. Drag race robbed her at least one challenge win, but she got on the finale TO WIN. And she DID. I was sad for Shea. But after sooo many years, that was a finale that production couldn't interfere. MAGICAL.

[@colinloftus506]

100%

[@Kermitthebadger]

Sasha has to be on all winners season 2, she's just so incredible

[@alexisvxl]

SHE IS SUCH AN ICON. Her voice, her artistry, her influence, her imagination - it is so beyond us.

[@GarynPhillips23]

I paused the video to go watch the 'So Emotional' performance 😭❤️

[@wendybutler1681]

I've gone back to watch it so many times and I get goosebumps every time.

[@Mister_Dollz]

Sasha looks absolutely beautiful in this video, and I think she’s one of few people who suit, both pencil thin and thick bushy eyebrows.

[@lavitorroja2632]

Love her! Season 9 was the first season I watched entirely after seeing Fashion Photo Review on KZbin and becoming fascinated with the show so Sasha has a special place in my heart.

[@fortnite.burger]

I love him too!

[@kailuschka]

her voice is so soothing

[@shellyenglish]

My biggest crush. Forever my Queen! Being the perfectly poised voice of drag and drag history…👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@fortnite.burger]

*King

[@kkmeilicke]

Love this beautiful person and her wonderful example of honest, fantastical self expression! You go Sasha!!

[@fortnite.burger]

*His

[@jjsmith3302]

​@@fortnite.burger, obsessed much, sweetie?

[@fortnite.burger]

@@jjsmith3302 are you okay, JJ?

[@fortnite.burger]

@@jjsmith3302 do you need some blue hair dye?

[@SloggieBear]

Smart. Stylish. Sasha. I'm gona go order the book now.

[@taami1259]

Her mind is so beautiful, out of this world yet so close to the heart! You're inspiring, Sasha!

[@fleon7316]

Everyone loves that so emotional lip sync because it is truly iconic but let’s not forget her first lip sync that night against peppermint was also iconic in its on right. Common, the all white with that sickening mask reveal & her facial expression’s. She truly deserved to win!

[@Synorchism]

That was the second lipsync

[@fleon7316]

@@Synorchism correction, second lip sync. (Eye roll)

[@haroldlopez958]

@@fleon7316 Drag her 😅

[@willmayfair-richards1118]

Sasha is such a true artist, I'll never forget the first time I saw that So Emotional lip sync. It blew me away and I've been obsessed with drag ever since.

[@Jordan-pf9ws]

I love how much she takes into account the audiences experience

[@delicioso_]

Omg, Sasha is ART. Never underrated. She's always working, doing for the community, for the art of drag, showing everything of hers.

[@nigelsimon8865]

I hope Sasha would join another season of all winners

[@matheussouza1735]

I love her, forever changed the franchise

[@wshazbot62]

One of my top 3 favorite seasons of RPDR, she was so great on that season ❤️

[@dmnddog7417]

A true artist. I saw "Smoke & Mirrors" live and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I truly admire what Sasha brings to the world, and I hope she continues to do so for many years.

[@SB-ez3dw]

Equal parts Intellectual and Creative. Like so many of the great artists.

[@asharuddinhamid7498]

Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, Talent, Velour

[@Totaleclipse73-dq8ne]

I would give my 10 year of life to just see sasha on all winners season

[@obibraxton2232]

Honestly one of my favourite winners and I’m proud to say I’ve seen the Night Gowns show here in London back in 2019 fabulous show. I miss Sasha’s old make up though particularly the signature eyebrow make up she’d do but still a beautiful person & eloquent speaker as always ❤

[@dannyjarratt5414]

Seeing this makes me want to see a high quality HBO Legendary level budget production of Nightgowns

[@marvinraphaelmonfort8289]

so humble; it's definitely one of the best lipsyncs thankyou for sharing more about marlene and for feeding the poor children in the bleachers

[@RonnieStewartJr]

It’s not the best lip sync of all time, but it ABSOLUTELY is the best reveal of all time.

[@AutumnSunn]

pre-ordered her book immediately!

[@sachay_away]

Everytime I watch/hear Sasha I learn a lot about drag ! And I love it Her way of thinking about a performance is truly amazing and inspires me to hopefully one day perform myself ! I'm still a small little drag artist who has never performed but I'm gonna try to think about performance like she does !

[@cloudyOso]

I will be buying Sasha’s new book along with Rupaul’s new Build-A-Bear.

[@j.adammako4803]

My favorite Marlene Dietrich impersonation of all times.

[@jamiel6169]

I live for the love between Sasha and her parents ❤

[@brendarolph-teisan4085]

Love, love, love Sasha.💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

[@jorgepaganjr2731]

Def one of the most incredible queens eveeeer

[@skinnyjax]

Such an amazing artist!

[@sebastianrivera6976]

I will never seize to be in awe of this human being. Sasha is the drag queen we need in such trying times for the art!

[@GhostOfAmsterdam69]

I love her. Got the pleasure to see her perform smoke and mirrors live with my mom here in Amsterdam and we were blown away. I remember first seeing Sasha during the season 9 promo and I knew then that she would win and that she would be special. I’ve never been so right about someone. You’re a true artist and a gift, Sasha.

[@RedHeadTea]

Still my favourite winner. So eloquent, elegant, intelligent and beautiful person.

[@TheTinKunt]

I became obsessed with season 9 because of Sasha velour and it’s still my favorite season. My god her MIND.

[@dinkusoninkus]

I just love Sasha

[@urangawakbujj]

I COULD LISTEN RAJA AND SASHA FOR ALL DAY

[@pablosierra7375]

Babe you deserved your win 💖 such a creative, smart, and visually unique artist. Love you

[@juny12384]

Such a talent love her

[@franciscobois]

My favorite winner ever

[@SamMatt79]

I could listen to them speak about drag for hours. Actually about anything.

[@vincentesc]

After 6 seasons of more DR and a lot of others franchise she is still my favourite Drag Artist ever, her mind is just beyond every ❤

[@plantwaif]

And what a great means to create an interview! Nothing seemed forced and the images curated to really showcase the breadth of Sasha’s passion and achievement. Brava!

[@kelslskfnvksle]

I could literally listen to her talk for hours and be completely hooked. She has such an air of confidence and compassion and it is absolutely magnetic.

[@erinr8566]

I literally cried the first time I saw that rose petal lipsync on live television..

[@caraxkins]

An icon. A stunning performer and queen 🩷.

[@Patti-sg1fv]

She's one of my favorite Queens ❤

[@asian6oy]

I've missed seeing her 😩

[@coltonwayne3226]

im so sick of the shea was robbed she was the winner blablabla then the sympathy story about the rose petals on all stars. I like shea. She was amazing on season 9 and good on all stars but sasha was amazing on season 9. sasha slayed. always at the nop never in the bottom. She was kinda low on the 9021ho episode but she still wasnt bad. She was good in snatch game and all the challenges. sasha is so smart and that showed on her runways and how she performed. Shes so nice and funny and original. SO glad she won. been a fan since.

[@indicababy]

Sasha is always correct.

[@chaserunaway]

forever forever forever an icon and inspiration

[@elvisrodrigues8792]

Your performance on the RPDR finale was what made me watch the show. I remember watching the clip on KZbin and being amazed ❤

[@envylopez6035]

A true winner for the ages ❤❤

[@melodyh4731]

You are so amazing!

[@richardmcgraw6881]

I love her one of my all-time favorites.

[@lucianobruna]

We’re just so lucky to have her❤

[@Dalsemien]

Some fans need to stop calling Sasha "underrated". She is only underrated if you are a clueless fan who knows nothing of drag outside of RPDR. She is actually one of the more successful and celebrated winners in the world at large.

[@hiyahandsome]

Such an inspiration, thank you Sasha Velour, can't wait to read your book!

[@renchii1002]

She's my forever queen.. 🤍✨

[@bagelbenji]

She looks INCREDIBLE

[@orangefishone]

I absolutely love this interview! Love you Sasha Velour!

[@shiningdahlia]

Nightgowns is such a heartwarming experience because you can see that it was crafted for the people to know it was a craft. It is like art saying "this is art". And it so brilliant and shows so much of the community that we do not see in the mainstream media. And I totally agree with Sasha: after you go out of the rules you accepted for yourself, you start seeing that not all of that matters. You can be so much more.

[@Atheenah]

What a beautiful soul. I love her.❤

[@georgiagonzales2461]

Sasha is so classy, beautiful, intelligent, and kind. I will love her literally forever.

[@ChromaSup]

She is so fav

[@ranielladurand]

Sasha velour you will always be famous

[@chandhand6539]

Sasha is one of the drag royalty

[@gloriusparulian7564]

My favorite queen of all time.❤

[@christianramirezperformingarts]

I LOVE HERRRRR

[@fka_josh9548]

I love sasha velour so much!!❤❤

[@traceyg2703]

Sasha just looks more and more exquisite each time I see her.

[@ellegraterol6158]

Sasha Velour can read the back of a cereal box and I will be so pleased to watch them do it😍 she’s a well deserved winner and drag royalty

[@fahadsalah3168]

Loove this queen

[@Tannerjohn12]

She is so fricken impressive

[@alexgorki]

I see and hear a person who wants to change the world for better.

[@daveinca2]

This video makes me love Sasha Velour. So glad you made it.

[@thedreamer6524]

im so hypnotized by her.. on how she speaks and be poised

[@mcappelli-king3463]

she's so amazing its insane

[@mockerfab4]

Icon. Period. 💜💜💜

[@violetbunches5438]

I love a of queens… I’ve been watching since season 7. But Sasha Velour holds a special place in my heart. There’s something so different about her, she really is a cut above and beyond the franchise… like, her art and authenticity is just beyond beyond beyond

[@fortnite.burger]

*Kings

[@juuzies]

she is so beautiful

[@stroxer]

Just listening to her makes me wanna go out and be a better person. She’s so inspiring. 🖤

[@DollBee69]

Dude the way she paints these days is so fierce I can't take it😍😍😍

[@annmackenzie5253]

Sasha looks absolutely beautiful! 💗🩷💕💗🩷💕

[@samtriginelli]

She’s the only one that can say: “I’m the favorite drag queen, of Im your favorite drag queens drag queen”

[@an2thetonio191]

She is so smart and articulate - a true drag intellectual

[@fortnite.burger]

A drag intellectual? What's that