Elips of “Drag Race France”: “It is no longer up to us to lower our eyes”

• Elips was eliminated after episode 5 of

  Drag Race France

  posted on france.tv on Thursday.

• “The competition is there, really.

  All the queens are super talented.

  It was hard to stay in the race, especially, in a dance and singing challenge because these are not at all my favorite areas, ”reacts the Bordeaux drag queen to

  20 Minutes

  .

• Her best memory will remain the rave reviews of Jean Paul Gaultier towards her: “I was over the moon, disconcerted… To have recognition from this great gentleman was incredible.

  »

"Our regions have talent," she said, smiling, in the first episode.

The Bordeaux drag queen Elips has proven her affirmation throughout her journey in

, which ended for her at the end of the fifth episode, available since Thursday evening on france.tv.

“Her point of view is super trendy, now she has to work on her self-confidence”, judged the host Nicky Doll finding her too “on the reserve”.

For

, the 25-year-old artist looks back on his time in competition.

Do you think your shyness played a role in your elimination?

I think she helped a little.

But it's the game, too.

The competition is there, really.

All the queens are super talented.

It was hard to stay in the race, especially in a dance and singing challenge because these are not at all my favorite areas.

However, you have stepped out of your comfort zone several times.

Especially in episode 4 where you portrayed a larger-than-life Chantal Ladesou...

I actually had a lot of feedback and compliments from the public regarding this performance.

It was a great pleasure.

With Chantal Ladesou, I was actually stepping out of my comfort zone.

She is not a character that looks like Elips.

I had a lot of fun playing him.

Chantal Ladesou reacted to your performance?

No, not yet, unfortunately, but I hope she will see the video (laughs).

Juliette Armanet appreciated your performance on her song “Brûler le feu” in the first episode…

Yes, she shared me in her Instagram story and commented on one of my posts.

I was over the moon when I saw that because she's an artist that I adore.

I really like her work, since her first album, I saw her several times in concert, so it was a bit of a consecration that she saw my work.

In the last episode, you had to write the verse of a song.

You chose to talk about school harassment, bullying... Was it important to you?

Totally.

It's important to talk about it.

I wanted to talk about my personal experience but I think it is experienced by many children and adolescents.

So, I wanted to convey the message that it is no longer up to us to lower our eyes, that it is no longer up to us to be afraid.

It is the others who must change their behavior, educate themselves, be more tolerant and benevolent.

What do you think of the words of Caroline Cayeux who said “these people”, speaking of gays and lesbians – for which she then apologized?

I try to stay positive.

There has been an increase in violence against LGBTQ + people in recent years.

I try to tell myself that we also speak more, more space and so much the better.

We dare to talk about things and say that we exist.

It is perhaps a moment to pass so that there is an evolution of mentalities.

I cling to that.

What is your best memory of “Drag Race France”?

One of my most memorable memories, which will remain etched in my head forever, are Jean Paul Gaultier's comments on my tie outfit in the first episode.

[“It's a pure marvel (…) I find it incredible.

You succeeded in the movement which is difficult to do, you have a lot of talent, ”he said. gentleman and great entertainer was amazing.

You come from Bordeaux, how would you describe the Bordeaux drag scene?

I would say she is quite honest and diverse.

The Bordeaux drag hatched four years ago, it was a very short time ago.

We have seen many artists of different styles appear.

There was a desire for drags.

There is a very talented drag king community - we are lucky to have it - but also creatures, club kids...

Where will the public have the opportunity to see you next?

Yesterday [Thursday] was the most eventful

[a collective viewing of the episode in a bar], with the most people.

So I had a lot of people to support me, it was very cool.

Until August 11, we have our evenings at the Pourquoi Pas?

Cultural café in Bordeaux​ and that's it for now.

I want to concentrate on my performance for the tour [which will start on September 1 in Paris] and there is still a lot of work to do.

Culture

"I hope that Caroline Cayeux watches "Drag Race France" every Saturday", smiles Kam Hugh

Television

“It breaks prejudices”… “Drag Race France” told by those who knew nothing about the show

• Television

• RuPaul's Drag Race

• LGBT movement

• Bordeaux

• Homophobia

• School harassment

• France Televisions

• Aquitaine