DD Fuego was in a taxi, speeding towards the airport in New York, a whirlwind of anticipation swirling around her. She wasn’t just heading home for the holidays; she was returning to Monterrey, Mexico, poised to experience a holiday season unlike any other – one defined by a dream finally realized.
“I’m performing for the first time back in my hometown,” she shared, her voice brimming with excitement. “It feels incredible to do that now that I’m, you know, a Ru Girl!” The title carried weight, a validation of years spent honing her craft and relentlessly pursuing a singular goal.
In December, the announcement came: DD Fuego was among the fourteen queens selected for season eighteen of RuPaul’s Drag Race. For a New York City-based artist who’d contributed to the looks of stars like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, and even crafted a show-stopping look for a past winner, her fashion expertise was destined to be a focal point of the new season.
This moment was a decade in the making. Every year, for ten consecutive years, she’d auditioned. She even tried her luck with Drag Race Mexico, honoring her Middle Eastern-Mexican American heritage. When the call finally came, it wasn’t just an invitation – it was a mandate. “This is my chance,” she declared, channeling a familiar energy. “I’m not going to ruin my shot. I’m all in.”
DD Fuego’s journey began with a foundation in production and costume design. She studied performance, direction, and scenic design, realizing drag offered the ultimate canvas. “It was my way to put all that design onto myself,” she explained. “I’m a very crafty queen.”
Growing up, she’d always loved fashion, but resources were limited. This sparked a resourceful creativity, allowing her to build the looks she envisioned. Then came the makeup, the lashes, the full transformation – elements that blossomed from her initial passion for design. It wasn’t the typical drag queen origin story, but it was uniquely hers.
The weight of preparation was immense. “I was stressed out from the moment I got the Drag Race call to the moment I got on the plane,” she admitted. The secrecy surrounding the show added another layer of difficulty. She fiercely protected the details, driven by a deep respect for the program and its impact on queer culture.
Most of the looks she’d bring to the runway were self-made, a testament to her dedication and vision. She collaborated with a small New York team to create fashion-forward pieces that told her story, a personal collection brought to life on the biggest stage in drag. It wasn’t about following trends; it was about expressing her artistic identity.
Even with ample time, the process would have been demanding. “The amount of work really depends on how much you want to bring to the table,” she said. She had sketchbooks filled with ideas, and this was her opportunity to unleash them. She wasn’t going to hold back.
After ten years of auditions, what finally resonated with RuPaul? DD Fuego believes it was authenticity. “I was able to be the most myself every single take,” she explained. It wasn’t about lacking skill in previous attempts, but about finally projecting her true personality on camera – the joyful, enthusiastic version she knew she was.
Her designs weren’t entirely new to the Drag Race universe. She’d previously assisted Lemon from Canada’s Drag Race with some looks, and even created the iconic final lip-sync outfit for Kandy Muse. These experiences were stepping stones, preparing her for the moment to showcase her own creations.
When the first challenge was revealed as a design challenge, she was elated. It was her specialty, a chance to shine. She embraced the classic Drag Race format of reimagining materials, confident in her ability to deliver something extraordinary.
The presence of Cardi B as a guest judge added another layer of excitement. DD Fuego described her as refreshingly real, funny, and unapologetically herself. “What you see is what you get,” she said, admiring Cardi B’s ability to embrace both the seriousness and the humor of her own success.
This season, a significant contingent of queens hailed from Florida, creating a dynamic of “Florida vs. the World.” Despite some pre-existing connections among the other queens, DD Fuego quickly found her footing.
She immediately recognized Nini Coco and Juicy Love Dion from social media, and felt an instant connection with many of the cast members. “This cast is really tight,” she said. “We have each other’s backs. We will fight like sisters, but we will always come back to the love and support.”
The arrival of Bianca Del Rio as the host of The Pit Stop was particularly exciting. DD Fuego has long admired Bianca’s sharp wit and unapologetic honesty. “I love Bianca Del Rio,” she stated emphatically. “If you’re going to have someone watch our episodes and give unfiltered opinions, let it be the best b*tch doing it.”
