Tina Burner: Maybe This Time
Article written by Alexander Rodriguez, host of On the Rocks with Alexander
Tina Burner, everyone’s favorite loudmouth from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 is ditching her signature red, yellow, and orange for sequins and showtunes and hitting the road. A theatre queen at heart, she is currently touring her one-person show, Maybe This Time LIVE, based on her iTunes chart-topping album by the same name.
Her first national tour show isn’t just a drag performance. She and musician Blake Allen have reimagined well-known Broadway standards, thrown in a little stand-up comedy, and amped up the stakes, to tell the story of Burner’s personal life, from her present-day life after Drag Race back to the first time she realized she was gay. You can expect the standard Tina Burner sass, but this time, she’s come with a whole lot of heart.
She stopped by in between rehearsals for this Andrew Christian exclusive where we chat hooking up in drag, showtunes, and John Stamos’ Greek…yogurt.
Any tips, pun intended, for the perfect tuck?
Pray to the higher powers that every time you get out of drag, your balls drop. #NewYearsEve
How has your drag changed the most from your first time on stage?
I had two Shake-N-Go wigs, shaved legs, and a dress from Forever 21. .... Now I don't shave my legs.
Do you think you were presented accurately on Drag Race?
I think everyone is presented accurately on Drag Race. I just think that sometimes the really good or the really bad hits the cutting room floor. But, yes. I'm the Manhattan monster with a heart of gold.
Were there any behind-the-scenes shenanigans going on during the filming of Drag Race?
Gottmik and I had a torrid love affair. We got married and now I'm pregnant with twins.
What did you learn most about the business side of drag by doing Drag Race?
In the famous words of RuPaul, if those bitches ain't paying your bills, pay those bitches no mind, lol!
Would you come back for All Stars?
Absolutely. 100%.
Have you ever had “relations” while in drag?
I mean. I got drunk and forgot I had my face on and had sex with someone.... does that count?
Have you ever had “relations” with a fan?
Smiles. Yes. But almost 100% of the time, you don't know they are until after. One asked if they could take a picture with me and I said no, and so he took a picture with my wig.
Your live show is all about the show tunes…what top show tunes would you put on your Bedroom/Date Night Playlist to get you in the mood?
I think the last thing I'm going to do is listen to some showtunes before I have some sexy time, lol.
What song performed in your new live show was the most challenging to learn?
“Ladies who Lunch.” Still don't know it. Too many verses.
What is your after-show ritual?
Crying in a corner. Lol, no. Getting this shit off my face…and World Peace.
What is the one thing you love about performing the most?
Making people laugh and of course, getting dollar bills in my titties. I can finally live my stripper fantasy without having the body for it.
Who is your celebrity crush?
John Stamos. I want him to pour that Greek yogurt all over my face.
What is something about you that your fans don’t really know?
That I played ice hockey for 4 years. Come on sports. #butchqueen
If you were to design a pair of Andrew Christian underwear, what would they look like?
They'd be made out of fruit roll-ups because sometimes people get hungry. But also, I think Andrew Christian should come out with a tucking panty because I'm sure 90% of your audience are drag queens or love drag queens. I smell a Christmas gift.
Follow Tina on IG: @theTinaBurner