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Underrated, Overhated: The Phi Phi O'Hara Interview

10/8/2013

25 Comments

 
Almost 2 years after her appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4, and many fans are just now beginning to see who Phi Phi O'Hara really is.  Her "mean girl" status has continued to follow her, and many fans of the show have put a wall up against her because of it. In a world already filled with so much hate, it is hard to watch as these "fans" post negative, threatening messages on her Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. If you have ever seen Phi Phi perform live, you know she preaches positivity (in addition to putting on a sickening show)! On Tumblr, even in the midst of hate from fans, Phi Phi is always defending her RuPaul's Drag Race sisters. For everything she has gone through, this queen is truly "phierce".  

In our interview with Phi Phi, she opens up to us about her RuPaul's Drag Race sisters, the threats against her from fans, the editing on RuPaul's Drag Race, and what she is up to now. She also gives a message to all her haters. Read it all here:
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Drag Official: How are you and what have you been up to lately? 

Phi Phi O'Hara: I have been extremely lucky because I am continuously working and performing. I get to attend many red carpet events, host parties for big name celebrities, plus I get to travel the world. I also get to work a little more behind the camera now, which I am in love with doing. I have been able to help scout talent for new reality shows on other networks which is seriously the most fun.  I now understand how people are chosen for a TV series and the type of big personalities that make a show worth watching, either for laughs, cries, or fights.  I guess they chose the right person [on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4] to instigate (laughs).

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Drag Official: What kind of backlash did you get for your “mean girl” status after the show?

Phi Phi: It has always been mixed. Of course, I get the haters, but there are also the people that also felt shunned by others for having a fighting drive. Not everyone wants to play the victim in life and many people are born to be the go-getters, fighting hard for what they want. I don't feel that anyone should ever be criticized for having a drive. PS: there was $100,000 on the line! If anyone is trying to play patty cake instead of fighting to win (or as Ru said the first episode of my season "PLAY TO WIN") then maybe there is a 'happy camp' they can go to instead (laughs). I won't mention the bars or events that wouldn't book me, but a few have refused to book me because they fall in the category of believing everything they see on TV.  There are cities where I have so many fans that want to meet me, but the owners of the clubs are biased fans, and don't want to book me. Some of my best experiences at venues are the ones that flat out say "I loved Willam and Sharon on the show and not you". A) I get it, I saw the show too (laughs), but B) they end of loving the crowds I bring for them, how much I interact with everyone, spread love, and deliver a great show. By the end of it, they want to have me back. I get to start a great friendship with these people because they took a chance!

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Drag Official: Almost 2 years later, and you are still getting hate from RuPaul’s Drag Race fans. Why do you think that is? 

Phi Phi: I would be lying if I said that every now and then I don't get evil emails, tweets, or blog posts written about me. I have realized that these people's opinions are the least of my concerns and often find them humorous. I will either reply in a "kill em' with kindness" type of way, or simply educate them on how certain events REALLY went down on TV.  I love watching reality TV shows and we all have our favorites, but I would NEVER feel it was mature or appropriate to verbally attack someone on their fan pages, emails, or personal accounts. It just shows how hypocritical the world. They are doing the same thing that they are attacking me for doing. It is upsetting to see ANYONE bash ANY of the RuPaul's Drag Race girls because unless you are on the show, you have NO IDEA what we go actually through. 

I loved TV before social media because I feel social media can really bring someone's soul to the ground. The biggest compliment I get from people is when reality kicks in and they say, "OMG, you are so down to earth and sweet". Again, that only happens when these people take the wall of hate out of their frame of mind and come to a show to see the REAL Phi Phi. 

I will be totally honest right now, I recently performed as Miley Cyrus and stripped away all the beauty that I personally love about getting in drag (big hair, rhinestones, etc.) and people loved it. There was even a blog post written about how I finally stepped out of the box to the "New Age of Phi Phi!" It was bittersweet because it is the way I have performed all along, with the same amount of heart, passion, and artistic direction that I put into everything I do, but it is finally getting noticed now.  After the show, Sharon and I had a heart to heart (which we have often) and I broke into tears because it hurt so much to FINALLY get the recognition that I have dreamt of getting for something I have been doing forever.  I told Sharon that she will never know what it has been like to be in my shoes because the world fell in love with her on the show and felt they can relate to her. I decided before I got on the show that I would step up and give the show a villain they will always remember and most of the world took it so serious. I received death threats, people saying how they were glad my father beat me, and how if they saw me, they would throw acid in my face.  I used to need multiple body guards watching me to make sure nothing was going to happen if god forbid a super fan went crazy. I am grateful for everything I have received and I am extremely happy that slowly, but surely people are seeing who the REAL Phi Phi is. I am not asking for everyone to like me, but I would love people to take the chance to meet the real me.

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Drag Official: Your close friends, boyfriend, and family know you better than any fans. What do they think of all the hate you've received?

Phi Phi: To be honest, they laugh. They know how I am and they know that I am not an evil spawn of Satan (laughs). What people didn't see on the reunion is how I broke down crying about how amazing my boyfriend is. He has never let hate, jealousy, or rumors get in the way of what we have. He has been the most amazing and supportive person I could have ever asked to have in my life. He knows if something I read gets to me and he is the first person to put a smile on my face. He is my everything. The best part of my family, best friends, and boyfriend is that they give love and respect to everyone. Whether people like me or not, they would never ridicule or speak poorly of them just because they don't agree with them.

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Drag Official: Do you think the editing of RuPaul's Drag Race helped to frame you in a particularly villainous light for the purpose of adding drama to the show? 

Phi Phi: Any queen that says you can't blame it on the editing is lying. ANYONE who works in TV or has ever been behind the scenes knows that editing is the ULTIMATE tool in creating an image. Someone could be the meanest person ever, but as long as the editing only shows their sweet moments, people can be blinded and believe every moment! Did I do some evil things on the show, HECK YES! I just wish more of the great times we shared were shown- when we were laughing, play fighting, playing tag, burping, farting (laughs), all the stuff that made us normal people. Yet, I understand it was a TV show and they can only fit so much into an hour. People like drama! So why not give it to them, I guess (laughs).

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Drag Official: Do you feel that you can relate with Roxxxy Andrews because she was also framed as a “mean girl” on her season? 

Phi Phi: I knew Roxxxy way before either of us were on RuPaul's Drag Race. I don't feel that I relate well to her. Strictly watching as a fan of the show, I felt that she picked on Jinkx and others because they couldn't afford to have the nice expensive things that she could, or because they didn't fit the mold of glam and beauty that Roxxy possesses every day! I guess you could say I was a "mean girl" because I wanted to win the money. I would make fun of clothes or looks, as all us queens do to each other backstage. If you really listen to why I am upset [on the show], it was because I felt that my talent was being challenged. I am the first one to go to a dollar store and make a couture outfit out of crap so I would never knock someone for that. I just don't want people talking about me behind my back or getting upset at me with incorrect facts... oh, and especially if they break the rules (laughs)!

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Drag Official: Is there anything you would like to say to the people that continue to send hateful messages to you?

Phi Phi: Grow up. People are always saying that I asked for this by putting myself on TV.  Sorry, but I didn't sign a contract saying 'please, everyday of my life, fill my inbox with ignorant fans and keyboard warriors to try ripping my self worth and self-esteem to the ground'. Like I have said before, have your favorites and cheer them on, but don't fill the world with more hate than we already have. Be above it all. Hold a level of maturity that you would want to be treated with if you were in any of our shoes.

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Drag Official: It's only logical that we will see you again for All Stars: Season 2. Is there anything you would change about the way you competed when/if you return for All Stars? 

Phi Phi: What is All Stars?!! (laughs) If there is another season, I think it would be fun just to compete with the girls. We are all family now, and it would be fun to battle them. Plus, Chad and Sharon [from my season] already got a crown....Where is mine??! (Phi Phi jokes about sneaking into Party City to purchase a cheap plastic one for herself)

Drag Official: What can we look forward to seeing from you in the upcoming months? 

Phi Phi: I am still traveling and doing what I do, performing for my fans and being able to share my talents with new people. I am seriously just living life and seeing the world. This experience has already been a dream come true so even if this all ended tomorrow, my checklist of dreams have been completed. The only other goals I have are to compete on the Amazing Race and go after the million dollars... then buy RuPaul's Drag Race and change it to my name and crown myself winner every season! Just kidding (laughs), maybe! I left my mark, and whether it has been good or bad for some, I know that there are many out there that I have been a role model for, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

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Are you a Phi Phi O'Hara fan? Let us know!
25 Comments
Bruce Jackson
10/8/2013 02:23:02 am

I LOVE PHI PHI, Nice Interview

Reply
aj maldonado
10/8/2013 02:46:04 am

I love phi phi...met her twice n shes sweat n amazing person..yea I admit I was all sharon needles fan but after seeing the freaky shit she does in real life tht tv didnt show about her...fk tht she from the devil...lol..but no t no shade... keep being u phi phi...

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Meesa
10/8/2013 03:29:27 am

Fantastic interview and so real. Keep making us proud, Phi Phi.

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Brandi L
10/8/2013 08:44:44 am

Def. Underrated and Def Overhated! Seriously one of the nicest and friendliest queens I have met from RPDR! She always takes the time to talk to everyone and take a picture with anyone. She interacts with everyone on social media. You can tell she genuinely cares about her fans! Love you Phi Phi and I hope if there is an All Stars II you are on it!

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Cathy P. link
10/8/2013 09:45:31 am

Phi Phi O'hara is an amazing entertainer/singer and has a heart of gold and I can't wait to meet her and hug her and show her all people in this world is not haters, we love her only wish the best for her!!! When is your cd coming out???? All my love to her & Mikhael!!!!!

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Buddy
10/9/2013 11:04:34 am

Can someone please follow up with her about the dance single "Bitchy" that she kept teasing...and then never released. Did it turn out terrible or something? I want to hear it.

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Phi Phi
12/12/2013 11:41:32 pm

She's just not nice and it comes through on any medium shes on...shes the one who rolls her eyes at you the minute you turn your face.

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Dave
8/31/2014 09:13:23 pm

You're so right. Editing my skinny arse. Actually I was quite outraged at her behavior at the show. Not going to call her names. But I'd rather not meet anyone who behaves the way she does.

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Erica
2/20/2014 10:36:55 am

Sorry, but I can't stand Phi Phi. I saw her saying in an interview shortly after the end of season 4 that it was a character and she knew it would get her more airtime. Here she seems to say thatit was more of an editing issue. The whole "Talked down to me" answer on the finale was CRAP. She didn't like Sharon from day one. She laughed when she came through the door and told Ru that she was annoying her during the first challenge. She judged her the way she kept talking about how Gay Bashers in Texas judged her. P.S. There are Pride Parades in MANY cities in Texas!

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Fred
7/2/2014 01:53:49 am

I tried to find her sincere, and I have no doubt that she truly believed what she said. But for me she is just... mean. The moment you decide to deliberately "fight" with someone (in this case, it was Sharon during the whole season), you KNOW what you are doing. When Sharon came to her to say that she was sorry she said she wasn't a good team leader because she sent her doing her spooky look, he didn't even leave her a chance. She bite her the second she was next to her. So f*ck, you are a mean bitch, with a narcissist personality, at least she could be honest about that.

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Jake the Snake
1/21/2015 04:07:28 am

Jeez, please have a brain, ok? It would really help you a lot. Deliberately fight throughout the whole season? So you didn't see just as much attitude coming from Sharon then? And you totally missed how she spurned a number of attempts from Phi Phi to make up - such as down to the final few when Phi Phi held out the olive branch and Sharon turned away and told her to get out?

You're right that Sharon came to apologise but she didn't lead with "I'm sorry". Instead she came across like she was (politely) raising an issue with her leadership. Is it any wonder Phi Phi came back with "I was a bad leader by teling you to do what you are good at"?

Even Sharon was stunned into silence by that - the penny had drpped with her shame it didn't with you). But there's more....Phi Phi's reaction came from a good place - of being hurt at trying to do a good thing only to have it thrown in her face. She's not a cow, she's like all of us - trying to do the right thing but guilty of falling down and being in the wrong. Hell my gf is a real nasty bitch if she feels wronged but does that make her a nasty person? Or does it just make her sensitive and hurt that her good intentions can be shit on by someone else?

She didn't "bite" Sharon the second she was next to her, she listened to what Sharon said and heard a bunch of defensive talk with no hint of an apology and being hurt as she was, she interjected. Who the hell wouldn't? Even if she somehow knew Sharon was going to make an apology, she still had every right to interject and correct Sharon's claim at sabotage by pointing out she asked her to do what she does best. And that is why Sharon was left open-mouthed - becuase she knew she was wrong about Phi's strategy.

At that point the conversation nose-dved and Phi was far from perfect but it was just an unfortunate turn of events, not a sign of a mean cow throwing someone's apology in their face.

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kaitain
7/3/2014 12:13:09 am

nop...still hate her...

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Andy
7/21/2014 12:35:52 am

There is a difference between "playing the victim" and considering other people's feelings. Having a drive and being ambitious is not wrong but you don't have to be bitchy, arrogant and hurting other people's feelings which I think Phi Phi showed on Drag Race very clearly (more than just once).

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Lola
8/4/2014 07:37:13 am

Phi phi was name calling at me on instagram for being team Sharon, Saying it was just a tv show, guess what your just a cunt, real life and on stage. Very unprofessional.

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Flop
12/15/2024 08:52:01 pm

Me when I lie

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yaz pistachio
9/4/2014 05:34:34 am

gak. editing? if you don't say it, they can't put it on the show for all to see.

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Karen
10/3/2014 03:18:38 am

She and Roxxy are cut from the same cloth, they are bitter becasue they both failed to win and no makeup or fancy sequin dress can disguise the insecurity and desperation you both have for validation... You both NOW try to play it off as motivation to win ect..BS take a long hard look in the mirror...im sure you can play a nice character for an interview or show, but we all saw your true FACE and inner self...and its ugly all the way...talk about being a crybaby hello read your interviews whiny

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Vanessa Willlems
1/21/2015 03:55:18 am

Good god you are a simpleton, a sheep for the weapon of the widescreen mass distraction in your living room. Over all the seasons, contestants have been snarky, uptight, defensive and - drum roll please - HUMAN. Phi Phi is no different

A high pressure environment, with all the competition and insecurities one has (not to mention all the shade going on) means very few people (apart from the shy and retiring) are going to be 100% angels. Sharon was just as antagonistic (and I like Sharon) and dismissed a number of opportunities to bury the hatchet.

Maybe she did seek validation, maybe she was insecure and as a result acted out a little. But guess what? That all comes from a good place - from having emotions, wanting to be loved, wanting to be included (which is also true of most playground bullies).

Yet in your simpleton mind, just because she acted out, just because theediting never showed her good side, she is an evil cow. One who can NEVER change. You idiot.

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Evalin
11/26/2014 01:44:44 pm

...Editing doesn't put words in your mouth or make you do anything you didn't want to. This mess of a person said those things and purposely tried to ruin other participates' chances with disgrace. Instead, she should own up to it.
So glad someone like this was not chosen by Ru to represent the community this way.

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Mariah Moana
11/29/2014 07:59:53 am

Honestly I never hated Phi Phi, and after seeing all the mean comments she gets I never will. She was on television she wasn't gonna be 100% real. All these fans are being more mean than Phi Phi was and they are still saying so many rude things 2 years later. You can't hate someone for being mean and then be mean to them...

Reply
Bella
12/7/2014 03:09:15 am

I totally agree with you, all these people are so mean to Phi Phi even though they've never met her they can say all they want but it doesn't even matter. If anybody dedicates enough time into writing a whole paragraph about how much they hate her they need to get a life.

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StormCloud
1/8/2015 10:49:21 am

I think it's funny how people say "how can you dislike her when you've never met her?" I don't need to meet someone I've watched on tv behaving in an aggressive, bitter, rude, mean spirited, bitchy, humourless way to have an opinion of them. Editing can make a conversation more dramatic, but all the bitchiness came straight out of Phi Phi's hateful mouth.
As for Phi Phi's look, her eyes always looked askew (I can't believe the judges never clocked her for it) and please please please, someone stop her wearing granny panties.

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Kathy Cooper
3/2/2015 03:48:51 am

I tried to figure out why Phi Phi was so threatened by sharon. Phi Phi is a beautiful woman. Sharon is beautiful in her own awesome style. She seems carefree and taking the competition seriously. If phi Phi would have used her negative energy towards winning she may have gone further.

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Eleni
7/13/2015 12:34:20 am

It comes down to one thing .
What producers and directors think is needed for a show to continue to thrive. So fifis sociopathic behavior was aired coz they knew she would be a polarizing character that would generate lots of tweets and Facebook comments blah blah. See where I'm going with this?. Me i dont hate fifi ohara . i nothing her. I thought that this person would fade away after the show because he doesnt play well with others. Simply put , he was under pressure and she got real ugly. Because its hard to realize and trully face ur own mediocrity. Unfortunately fifi is not really talented (not like his competitors) so he was on the attack all the time coz he knew that that would get him some attention. Since he couldn't get positive attention for his talent. This person got and continues to get all the attention. In order for him to go away we just need to show the people that are running the show . that we as the audience are simply not interested in seeing this type of character. Simple classical conditioning.

Agree?

Reply
John
10/19/2015 06:13:32 am

nope..still hate her

Reply



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