Love the hate with Bianca Del Rio

by Sara Ritsch
Staff Writer

Bianca Del Rio, born Roy Haylock, is an insult comic from New Orleans whose primary claim to fame is winning season six of Ru Paul’s Drag Race in 2014, claiming the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” - and she is exactly that.

At 40, Bianca’s reflection of her snowballing career seems both fortunate and calculated. Working everything from bat mitzvahs to funerals to weddings, Bianca built her image off of theatre - wigs, makeup, costumes, and eventually drag. She said yes to everything.

After Hurricane Katrina, nearly everything around her was in bad shape. Foreseeing a stunted career, she decided she was ready for a change and took her act to New York City, where it remains. But, like many New Orleans natives, she is committed to attending Mardi Gras every year to do what that thirsty state does. “If it weren’t for the pictures, I wouldn’t know if I was there or not!”

The Rolodex of Hate tour, however, has kept her out of the house for almost a year. Adding dates and locations as they go, her life has become almost vagabond, with the only thing missing being her dogs, Samson and Delilah. “No I’m not gay,” she whips sarcastically at the mention of their names.

Such an eclectic character can orient herself flawlessly in the diverse environments of places like New Orleans and New York. At her peak she is living in the most culturally accepting era thus far. Even her nieces and nephews find nothing particularly abnormal about who she is. Children, like most adults, become accustomed to differences.

These same differences are what make Bianca Del Rio more of a Superstar than her childhood could have predicted - and an angsty kid is what she needed to be in order to spew such loveable hatred now.

As for the fame, hers comes with an astounding humility. “I’m 40 and know better. At 20 I would have lost my mind…I’m grateful for the work but not lost,” she says. “By no means am I a unicorn.”

A rare statement heard from a Superstar.

Bianca’s merchandise dubs the catch phrase “Not today Satan.” In her own words, this means “Hey hold on, motherfucker. Don’t go there. Fuck off. Don’t try me. Get out of my face.” Even reading negative Instagram comments is the last thing she cares to do. “They’d never say it to my face,” she says, laughing. It’s probably hard to insult an insult comic, anyway.

This is where the thoughts roll off the tongue. Rolodex of Hate is a collection of hateful stories, hateful thoughts, and hateful views that have all brought her to success.

But where does that hatred come from?

“When I was a kid, I was called different. Crazy. My family didn’t know what to do with me. I was caught in the middle with my siblings.

“The difference when you’re a kid that makes or breaks you - I made a career living a lifestyle based on the insecurities and issues that I had as a child,” she says.

“If I wasn’t told I was different, I wouldn’t have known I was different. I wouldn’t have been so successful. Rarely do I look back. You can’t change anything. I just go with my life. “

So what would 10-year-old Bianca think of 40-year-old Bianca? “I wouldn’t have what I have.” Freedom of expression, a broad fan-base, a proud family - 10-year-old Bianca Del Rio would be pretty proud herself.

This insult comic is known for her sharp wit and stinging offenses that she claims you wouldn’t laugh at if you heard it at a bar - but I speak for the whole of Oklahoma City when I say that we can’t wait to flip through her Rolodex.

Bianca Del Rio comes to the Oklahoma City Hudiburg Chevrolet Center on December 12th at 8:00 p.m. Tickets available online at www.okcciviccenter.com or www.thebiancadelrio.com.

The Gayly - 12/7/2015 @ 11:07 a.m. CST