Rita Bitch has taken *Drag Royale* by storm, leaving an undeniable mark on the Las Vegas drag scene. From the high-pressure moments of the competition to the empowering sisterhood fostered behind the scenes, Rita has emerged as a fan favorite. Now, as she looks back on her incredible journey, she shares the moments that shaped her experience, what it was like performing on one of the hottest stages in town, and the value of community.
Rita’s time in *Drag Royale* was nothing short of remarkable. One moment stands out to her in particular: her unforgettable performance of the “I Am Your Mother” monologue from *Hereditary*. “I wasn’t expecting the response I got at all,” Rita says. “It’s such an iconic scene, and getting to play with the nuances of it was incredibly fun. The reactions, especially Chanel’s feedback, brought me to tears.” For Rita, the performance was more than just a challenge—it was an emotional connection with her audience. “People came up to me afterward and told me it was their favorite movie, and they had never seen anything like that. That was a moment I’ll never forget.”
But Rita wasn’t just proud of her acting challenge. She also nailed her roast performance, claiming to be “the funniest bitch up there.” “The other girls came with plastic knives, and I brought a full-on carving knife,” she laughs. “It was my chance to show the love I have for my sisters—by making fun of them!”
As the competition progressed, Rita faced the pressure of the final weeks, but she was determined not to let fear control her. “I didn’t want to go home. And I’ve had bad experiences with Lizzo songs in the past, so I was really fighting for my life out there,” Rita admits. “But I wanted to make sure that if I did leave, I wouldn’t have that feeling of ‘if only I had tried a little harder.’ I had to give it everything I had.”
Despite the stress of the competition, Rita stayed grounded and focused. “I work under a lot of stress, so I just set goals for myself. I’d write down everything I needed to do and stay consistent with my preparation,” she explains. “Even if that meant staying up until 4 a.m. rhinestoning my pants, I made sure I got it done. Being busy kept me from having a mental breakdown.”
As a Vegas queen, Rita’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community has always been central to her journey. “Community means the world to me. I’m from a small town in Washington, and growing up, community was everything,” Rita says, her voice filled with emotion. “Since moving to Vegas, I’ve found it hard to feel that sense of belonging. But through *Drag Royale*, I’ve discovered how connected we all really are. We’re stronger together.”
Rita is deeply grateful for the support she’s received throughout the competition. “To everyone who cheered me on, helped me with costumes, or ran lines with me—I am beyond thankful,” she says. “The love and encouragement I’ve gotten from the community has been overwhelming, and it’s what keeps me going. It’s why I wanted to do this competition in the first place.”
As *Drag Royale* nears its finale, Rita has words of encouragement for the remaining queens: “Trust yourselves and do what you do best. All three of you are phenomenally talented.”
Rita’s journey in *Drag Royale* may have ended, but her impact on the Las Vegas drag scene is just beginning. For her, the competition was more than a chance to showcase her talent—it was an opportunity to remind the community that we are all in this together. And for that, Rita Bitch will always be a true queen.