When you’ve already conquered the world of drag, toured with Madonna, and made a memorable (if far too brief) run on the third season of The Traitors
When you’ve already conquered the world of drag, toured with Madonna, and made a memorable (if far too brief) run on the third season of The Traitors, all that’s left is to write a novel about Harriet Tubman coming back to life and recording a hip-hop album in Harlem. At least that’s what’s next for Caldwell Tidicue—a.k.a. Bob the Drag Queen—whose literary debut, Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert, is set for release from Simon & Schuster on March 25.
Following a run that’s included winning the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and cohosting the popular Sibling Rivalry podcast with fellow Drag Race winner (and bestie) Monét X Change, Bob got a crash course in navigating reality television personalities when host Alan Cumming tapped him to be one of the titular backstabbers on the latest season of The Traitors.
Though he was ousted early, in a season where the game’s Faithful would ultimately triumph, Bob isn’t too pressed about the experience. Especially since he truly had no idea where most of his castmates had come from.
“I did not know who any of these people were before I came in the castle,” he explains. “I want to reiterate that I am not saying that they’re not famous. I’m just saying I did not know who they were.”
By contrast, he’s hoping Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert will both entertain and educate readers who may not be aware of the abolitionist’s full legacy. The audio edition of the book also brings to life two of the songs Tubman’s band creates within the narrative, resulting in one track that Bob now proudly calls “the best song I’ve ever written in my life.”
He’s an open book in more than one way. In this wide-ranging conversation, Bob touches on everything from his blood-drenched look at the Traitors reunion to tossing shade at Norman Rockwell in his up-to-date novel.
Vanity Fair: Despite Dorinda’s objections, your outfit for The Traitors reunion taping was clearly iconic. How did that look come together?
Bob the Drag Queen: I give pretty loose descriptors to my stylist. I remember I said, “I want to be in a beautiful white gown. I want it to look like I’ve got blood on my hands, and I want the blood to be covered in glitter and sequins and stones.” That was the direction that I gave my stylist, Rob Bryant. Then he went to Diego Montoya’s studio, and they drew up some wonderful designs. We sent over some reference images, and that’s how we came up with that handsome, stunning dress. My hair was done by a juvenile woman named Trillion, and my makeup was done by Layla McQueen.
I’d say you ate that stage up, both with your fashion and with your fact-checks.
Thank you. One website put me as the number two best dressed, which I think is insane, considering how great I looked. But you know, not everyone has good taste.
On a recent episode of your Sibling Rivalry podcast, you lamented never getting to do a roast during your time on Drag Race. Did filming the reunion episode of The Traitors scratch that itch at all?
No, because I wasn’t roasting anyone. A roast and a reunion are very, very different experiences. I don’t think I roasted anyone. I took some people to task and held their feet to the fire, but I wasn’t, like, roasting anyone, you know?
In response to a viral comment you made during the season, Dylan Efron passed on a suggestion from his brother, Zac Efron, who encouraged you to watch him in the 2017 film Baywatch to properly assess his acting skills. Have you found time for a screening?
To be fair, I watched Baywatch before I went to the castle, and I still said what I said. I don’t have an ill-will towards Zac Efron’s acting. I just said it because I thought it was amusing. And honestly, it is amusing.
We’re all keeping our fingers crossed that somewhere down the line, we get to see Dylan in drag as “Miss Guided”—per your handsome turn of phrase at an early round table debate.
I would love to do it, but our schedules are just so busy. Like, he’s on every TV show and every magazine cover right now. He’s working with Jeep or Toyota — he’s a very, very busy man.
You’re busy, too. Soon you’ll be welcoming your debut novel, Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert, into the world.
COMMENTS