Mayan Lopez, co-creator, writer, co-executive producer, and star of the NBC comedy Lopez vs. Lopez had the opportunity to sit in the coveted celebrity guest judge seat in this week’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
In this week’s episode of Drag Race, Lopez was more than excited to be part of this week’s episode of Drag Race where the final six queens create themed inclusive bathrooms, which is in line with the continuous rhetoric about gender-based restrooms. Considering Lopez is a creator and LGBTQ ally, she makes for a good judge.
The seed for Lopez vs. Lopez came from her TikTok content, which she used as a creative outlet during the pandemic. The comedy features her as a fictional version of herself, a modern Gen Z daughter working to rebuild her dysfunctional relationship with her old-school Latino father, played by the iconic George Lopez.
In addition to having comedy chops, Lopez is an advocate and ally for the LGBTQ community and also serves as an ambassador for the National Alliance of Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization.
GLAAD had the opportunity to talk to Lopez about her obsession with Drag Race and what it means to be an ally to the LGBTQ community.
What is your connection to RuPaul’s Drag Race?
I’m a SUPER FAN. I’ve been watching Drag Race for the last 10 years. I follow Ru girls on all the different seasons and international franchises like people follow professional athletes and sports statistics. I watch Drag Race with the same intensity that people have when watching football…yelling and hootin’ at the TV and all.
When you were asked to be a guest judge, what was your initial reaction?
Initially, I was in complete shock. But once my publicist repeated it to me a few times and it sunk in, I just started hysterically crying. In that moment, a dream became real, and it was beautifully overwhelming. Drag Race has helped me get out of the darkest times in life and has been something reliable to always know I can get happiness and inspiration from when I need it most. The goal of being a guest judge and my belief that it would happen to me when the time was right helped me dig deeper, be braver, and work harder on my craft and myself. It was a milestone for me personally and professionally that I have reached another level. I couldn’t wait to allow myself to just be freely the person that I had worked for and allow myself to shine and soak in every moment. It is as of now the best day of my life, only the birth of my first child someday will beat that day for me.
When you were judging the queens, what were you looking for in addition to “charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent”?
Once I found out it was an acting/improv challenge, I decided my approach to judging was going to be authentic and genuine and give the queens honest feedback like I would any friend or a co-star if they asked me for my opinion. So many times watching the show I wished I could tell the queens of past seasons my thoughts or suggestions and that’s what I did, but in-person on season 16. I hoped to connect as performers and make them feel like they had someone rooting for them and had their best interest at heart and I really feel I did that.
I’m going to put you on the spot: who are 3 of your favorite queens from past seasons?
Off the top of my head: Bianca Del Rio, Symone, and Raja.
If you were required to lip sync for your life, what would your song be and why?
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor. Honey, haven’t we all survived all our ‘stuff’!
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What was something you took away from being a judge on Drag Race?
I’m in awe of what RuPaul has achieved with Drag Race. To observe the show in action and realize the incredible platform the queens have, just shows me that anything is possible.
What did your Latinx heritage and walking this world as a Latinx woman teach you about tolerance and being an LGBTQ ally?
I’ve watched both of my parents push for Latinx inclusion for my whole life and now it’s my turn. I’m a proud Latina woman and I won’t allow myself to be marginalized. If they won’t put us in their projects then we have to make our own. I walk in the same shoes as my LBGTQ+ brethren. When they try to put one group down, they are trying to put all of us down. Ignorance is the enemy. That’s what I love about Drag Race. Hearing about a queen getting kicked out of their house at 15 and being rejected by their family is heartbreaking. These stories educate the viewer. We have to tell our stories and continue to fight.
Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race March 22 on MTV at 8pm/7pm CST (that’s tonight!). The second season of Lopez vs. Lopez debuts April 2 on NBC at 8pm/7pm CST.