Ginger Minj speaks with us about her new song and Holiday tour!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for some drag cheer!
Ginger Minj has had quite an epic year. She helped produce an award winning theatrical live show, she starred on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6, making it all the way to the top 4 and stealing many hearts with that finale look (WOW!), she joined a Halloween UK drag tour, she started a podcast called “Local Queen”, and even launched an adorable plush doll of herself on her website!
Ginger also released her summer pop single “Gummy Bear,” followed by her debut country studio album Double Wide Diva. The album also featured the singles “Walk Tall“, “Friends In Low Places“, and other songs that showcase her phenomenal vocal delivery and her ability to tell a story. From back to back, this album is an emotional must listen — the vocals and production are solid, the lyrics have meaning and are catchy, and the melodies are fun to sing along with!
Now, to top off her year, Ginger is doing a Holiday Tour with Gidget Galore entitled Winter Wonderland, which is also the title of their 2020 Holiday hit. Winter Wonderland promises to be full of comedy, live music, gags, fashion, and so much more! The tour started in Atlanta on November 27th, then heads to cities like Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles.
I recently grabbed a chat with Ginger to discuss the new single, what it’s like to be touring, and what we can expect next from this talented drag diva!
Bryce: First things first, how has 2021 treated you so far?
Ginger: 2021 has been such a roller coaster ride! It’s always crazy when you’re on season for drag race, but navigating all of that during a pandemic was crazier than usual. After such a terrible year in 2020, it has been so nice just to get back out on the road and see people again. I’ve missed all of you so much!
Bryce: Looking back now, what was it like being on RPDR All Stars again?
Ginger: It’s hard to put into words how exactly mind blowing being a part of this season was. I enjoyed my first two seasons, but this was just in a totally different league. We had all been quarantined for so long that we were just excited to be in a room with people who understood us, putting on shows, doing what we do best! I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing group of queens. I’m just sad it’s over!
Bryce: You are quite the singer, performer, and actor, it’s so admirable! What was it like sharing these gifts to everyone on your world tour recently and what was your favorite part about the tour?
Ginger: Thank you so much for that! Performing is in my blood, it’s been the driving force in my entire life, so it’s nice to be noticed for that. I really do appreciate it! I’ve done several world tours and they are always so much fun, but getting back out there after being forced to stay home for so long has really changed my perspective on how blessed and lucky I am to be able to do what I love for people I appreciate!
Of course there are a lot more safety measures and restrictions now than before, but you can feel the love even stronger, even from an extra 6 feet away. My favorite part of the tour is always meeting so many different people from all around the world. Everyone has a story, and I love listening!
Bryce: “Double Wide Diva” was a phenomenal release back in September. What was your favorite song you created from that album and why?
Ginger: Double Wide Diva was the album I always wanted to do, but I was always so nervous about mixing Drag and country music because both of those things seem so far and away from each other. I had to wait until the time was right, but after all stars six, it felt like I was really ready to share that with the world.
Every song on that album is a little piece of my story, so they are all equally important to me, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be Walk Tall. It’s such a universal message. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from, we’ve all felt like an outsider at some point, and there is a real strength in putting on a fabulous pair of shoes and forcing yourself to walk with your head held high, no matter what.
Bryce: Was creating this album a form of catharsis for you?
Ginger: It was like therapy! As much of an open book as I’ve tried to be my entire career, I have always held onto a lot of these personal stories that really shaped and molded me into who I am.
It wasn’t until I started traveling the world and meeting people who shared similar experiences that I realized I could help people who feel like I did by sharing my truth. And what better way than putting it to some fantastic music? I am so, so, so proud of the stories I was able to tell with Jeffrey James and Brandon Stansel.
Bryce: So you dropped a new song featuring Gidget Galore properly titled “Sisters” on November 19th. What inspired you to make this song and what was your favorite part creating it?
Ginger: Gidget is my best friend and we have been performing together for years! We always have the best time on stage together and are truly sisters in every sense of the word. The song has been such a staple in the Drag community for so long, and I can’t believe it took this long to get a version that is all our own. We recorded the song to celebrate our relationship and are dedicating it to all of the amazing Drag sisters out there in the world.
Bryce: I really adore how amazing you two sound together on “Sisters.” What was it like working in the studio with Gidget?
Ginger: It’s so funny working with Gidget because we are so different when it comes to how we work. I am extremely laid-back and just kind of go with the flow, excited to create on the spot and figure out what’s fun, what’s new, and what we can do next. Gidget, on the other hand, likes to be rehearsed down to the last breath haha! I feel like we really compliment each other, though, because she amps me up and I calm her down.
Bryce: For your upcoming holiday tour with Gidget, what are you excited about most? Are there any surprises in store?
Ginger: I have never been more excited for a tour in my life! There is truly something for everyone. We have done it up bigger and better than ever before! 20 costume changes, magic tricks, snow machines, puppets, old classics, new favorites, instructional videos gone horribly wrong, and so much more! It is nonstop fun from beginning to end. I really think it’s one people will kick themselves for not seeing down the line.
Bryce: Doing drag on the level that you’re on alongside singing live and touring among the many other things you do, what keeps you motivated?
Ginger: Family. My family at home who depends on me, and my extended family throughout the world who I have formed such a great connection with throughout my years of touring. I love people, especially people who understand and appreciate me. I can’t wait to get out there and see all of my old friends and make a lot of new ones, too.
Bryce: After a long day of work, what’s one of your favorite things to do in your free time?
Ginger: My husband and I love to cook way too much food and invite people over to the house to watch the masked singer and get way too emotionally invested in who we think the contestants are ha ha!
Bryce: Can you give us any insight into what you have planned for 2022? 👀
Ginger: There’s so much coming up! Movies, TV, musical theater, world tours, and my first book which I sold to Simon and Schuster earlier this year. Make sure you follow me on social media to stay up-to-date on what we have in store for you!
Bryce: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions for us, Ginger!
