In 'Life Be Lifin',' Monét X Change Explains How She Found Her Voice Through 'Jerking Off' (And Other Things)

Would it be a surprise to learn that "RuPaul's Drag Race" star Monét X Change recently finished a gig singing in a Donizetti with the Colorado Opera? Not if you're a fan of this multi-disciplined performer who can move from opera to R&B, (a new album, "Grey Rainbow, Volume 1," set for release); and to reality show hosting duties ("The Pit Stop," the official after show of Drag Race season 17.)

Add to this that Monét X Change is heading to a theater near you with her "Life Be Lifin''" tour. The show kicked off late last year at New York City's iconic Joe's Pub and is the midst of visiting East Coast cities, Boston, Portland, ME, and Washington DC, before concluding on January 28 in Toronto.

For the "Drag Race" record, Monét X Change appeared on the franchise three times: Season 10 (2018) where she placed sixth and won the coveted Miss Congeniality title. On Season 4 of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars," she was crowned the winner along with Trinity the Tuck; and on the all-winners season of "All Stars" where she was runner-up to Jinkx Monsoon.

Her solo show, "Life Be Lifin','" premiered under the direction of BenDeLaCreme at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2023. "If you were expecting a traditional drag show from X Change's new solo hour, you might be disappointed," warned Playbill in their rave review. "She's dug way deeper than just entertainment for 'Life Be Lifein'," crafting a work more on par with the likes of Fringe alum Mike Birbiglia and Alex Edelman." 

Playbill continued: "It's X Change at the most vulnerable, intimate, and personal yet. Her trademark wit is there, too–this evening is jam-packed with belly laughs.. . Thankfully, she also lets us hear her sing... As anyone who saw her incredible talent show performance in 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7' can attest, X Change isn't just someone who can sing. She comes with world-class vocals on everything from an operatic aria to a falsetto belt that shoots into the rafters." 

EDGE spoke to Monét X Change about her very busy career.

EDGE: How excited are you to start your "Life Be Lifin'" tour?

Monét X Change: I am beyond excited. This show was a lot of hard work, a lot of writing, and many tears. I'm happy to get this out. I think I've been doing this show since the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year. To be able to perform it at one of the top festivals is mind-blowing. I've also got to perform at Joe's Pub in New York to some really great reviews, and Playbill loved it. I'm so happy to bring it to some US cities.

EDGE: Talk about name-dropping; it debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which is the world's largest performance arts festival. What was it like being on that stage?

Monét X Change: Oh my God. I was at McEwan Hall, one of the big halls there, and to see all these people shuffling in to come here me tell my stories about jerking off with a guy in a basement, it's wild. It was really thrilling. The festival was just so interesting. All these different artists, all these different shows. I was able to see a handful of shows, but I couldn't see everyone I wanted because my show was every night for 15 days. I saw some good stuff there. It was just a vibe to be in Edinburgh. Although Edinburgh, girl, in August was 40 degrees. I was like, "What is this?" Still nice to be there.

EDGE: How would you describe the show?

Monét X Change: I describe "Life Be Lifin'" as an unapologetic telling of my coming-of-age story and finding my voice through jerking off, singing, and other things. So, a lot of us found that voice through jerking off.

EDGE: How did your time on RuPaul's Drag Race prepare you for performing your own shows?

Monét X Change: My preparedness happened way before even drag race. Before being cast on the show, I was a working queen in New York City, doing seven shows over five days. I was working pretty much every night. It would just be me and the audience. I didn't have a cast of girls or all these people to rely on. I had to rely on me. I was a director, producer, comedian, singer, and storyteller. I was everything. I learned how to keep the attention of a room full of drunk homosexuals for two hours at a time. That's where I crafted many of my abilities to tell stories and jokes. I had to keep them entertained and their butts in the seats, but drag race doesn't hurt either. You get catapulted onto this stage that RuPaul has set for you, and people get to see your talents while you learn who you are, how to grow as an artist, and how you change. Honestly, New York City prepared me for all this.

EDGE: As a professionally trained opera singer, what part does music play in your comedy?

Monét X Change: Music is my life. I listen to music every day and all day long. In the car, in the shower, and my house. I put wireless speakers throughout my house so I can constantly have music playing in every room. People think it's crazy, but I love it. In doing my comedy, I wanted to infuse other disciplines into my routines. When I start singing opera some people are surprised and just gag. I wanted to incorporate Opera into my standup somehow, and I didn't know what that would look like. So, one day, while I was smoking a blunt, I said I am going to do a song about fisting. I don't know why fisting. Fisting is not a service that I offer in either direction, but I think it would be interesting and fun. I don't know many comedians out there who sing arias about fisting, but I am. They may exist. I don't know them.

EDGE: What is the one life lesson you want the audience to walk away with from your coming-of-age story?

Monét X Change: One life lesson for me would be how to clean jizz off your stomach. Do not use 1-ply toilet paper. It is criminal. You should always use a rag or 2-ply. 1-ply is a futile mission. No one is successful. Everyone is upset, and now you're stickier than when you started. I recommend using a rag or 2-ply at least.

EDGE: Personally, what are you most looking forward to on this tour?

Monét X Change: From this tour, I want to teach people that drag exists outside of "RuPaul's Drag Race." Drag is a vehicle for me to do my art, but it is not the end of the road. It is how I access my art. The queens from "Drag Race" can sometimes get pigeonholed for what they do. Some people think that they are just going to see a drag show, but it's more than just a drag show – it's our talent and what we can offer. It could be a stand-up routine, a one-woman show, or a concert. All these things drag queens are doing, and people just need to limit us because they can't see us outside of the TV show we have been put into. I want people to know that drag is more than that. Drag can be bigger than that and will be bigger if they want to go along for the ride.

EDGE: You are on Season 4 of your hit podcast, "Sibling Rivalry" with Bob the Drag Queen.

Monét X Change: Technically, we're on season four. We only did four episodes a year when we started doing seasons on the podcast. So, we would call it a season. Then we would announce, "Stay tuned for next season," but we had no plans. Since March 2020, we've been steadily putting episodes out every week, so I guess season four is the last time we stopped course-correcting. I don't think season four is ever going to end.

EDGE: What does having this shared experience with Bob the Drag Queen give you?

Monét X Change: Besides gonorrhea? This experience with Bob has given me much joy. Bob is my best friend in the whole wide world. Sharing this love child, who is our podcast, and raising it together has taught us who we are. It taught us what love can do. I know that sounds cheesy, but this podcast is something that we both love so much, and we both put a lot of hard work into it. It's nice to see it bloom and to see how many people really love it.

Upcoming dates in Monét X Change's "Life Be Lifin'" tour are Wednesday, January 22, Asheville, NC; Friday, January 24, Boston, MA; Sunday, January 26, Washington DC, and Tuesday, January 28, Toronto, CA. For tickets and more information on Monét X Change, visit her website.