This year has been somewhat of an epiphany for Loverboy. After a lifetime of saying we don’t like rom-coms or dating shows, it turns out we do have a heart – we just needed some queer narratives and representation! Who knew?!
When we’ve not been losing ourselves in Red, White & Royal Blue this summer, we’ve been glued to Vanjie: 24 Hours of Love which sees Miss Vanessa Vanjie Mateo in boy drags looking for love. Enter eighteen very different suitors all vying for the affections of one of Drag Race’s most beloved queens.
Not only has the show brought us our new catchphrase, ‘Order now!’, but seeing homeosexuelles discuss dating, relationships and love has got us to thinking that anything is possible!
To celebrate the series, Loverboy speaks with Vanjie and the winner of Vanjie: 24 Hours of Love. Find out who it it below, plus after last week’s Pit Stop, has Vanjie even been watching Drag Race All Stars All Winners?!
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo / José
All the potential bachelors were very different. Did you choose them? What was the one thing that made them all potential suitors for you?
I had no parts in picking the calves. I trusted the producers and the casting people. Them being gay made them potentially suitable for me.
Was it weird knowing these guys had come to win a competition, without knowing you were the prize? How could you be sure people were genuine?
It’s a gamble. It’s my job to figure out who’s here for what. The entire experience is one of a kind so I just took the curve balls as they were thrown.
When Gottmik & Violet entered the house, they chose chaos! How was directing them through that experience? Haha…
I let Mik and Vi do whatever they wanted to do! It was great because at that point of the experiment everyone was getting tired so it was a perfect boost of energy and shake up that we needed.
In the penultimate episode you asked Dakota to leave, explaining that you weren’t sure you could date a porn star. Were you expecting to have to explain super-personal, potentially controversial opinions like this?
All I can do is be honest with myself and him. I didn’t want to hurt Dakota’s feelings. Not only was his profession a question mark for me but I also felt like we lacked chemistry and he was more of a friend than a soulmate.
Your Mum was super tough on the contestants. What’s the relationship between her and Jack now?
Yes! She does make him do weekly lie detector tests…. Kidding. Jack and my mom get along very well and have bonded over decorating my new apartment I just moved in to. They’re the perfect duo. I didn’t have to lift a finger.
What is the most unexpected place you are excited to take Jack on a date?
We’ve already went to Egypt .. where do we go from there? Maybe Bora Bora … I’m ready for something tropical!
After watching this week’s Pit Stop, some viewers are doubting that you are actually watching All Stars 7. Haha…
No, I haven’t been watching every last episode, I have been working. I filmed four shows and then moving and being very gay is a full-time job itself. I love Raja and also all I have to do is open up Instagram or any social media and I’ve seen everything that happens on the show. I’m just bad at giving my opinions on things because I look up to all of them.
Lastly we are named after the biggest-selling single of 2001. So we always ask what is your favourite Mariah Carey song?
I love that. Mariah is an Aries and so is my boyfriend. I love my Aries. I’ve seen her live in Vegas, met her and remember seeing everyone singing along to every single song. She is an icon. My favorite Mariah song would have to be ‘Your Girl’ from the Emancipation of Mimi.
Jack, the winner and…José’s boyfriend!
When you entered the comp, you didn’t know the objective. At what point did you go, ‘OK, this is a surprise prize, but now I know I want this!’
The second he walked in. I knew I was attracted to him, and I made it my mission to try to just get to know him more. I definitely had to go out of my comfort zone to get his attention, but I’m so glad I did.
What was your strategy from that point on? There were a lot of alpha males present…
My strategy, as cliche as it sounds, was to just be myself. I wasn’t going try too hard or be someone I wasn’t. I just wanted to sit down and talk with him and explore whatever connection we may have. At first, it was intimidating, but then I was like, wait, I got this. Let me show him what I got.
Are you daunted by the prospect of having Vanjie’s Mom in your life?! She is savage!
Not at all. I am a mama’s boy. So no matter how intimidating or tough a mom may be, I will be doing everything I can to impress. Now his mom and I have a lot of fun when we are together.
What was the point when you were most convinced you were going to be sent home?
After the lie detector test. I have bad anxiety as it is. Combine that with not sleeping, drinking alcohol and energy drinks… I knew the test was going to be a mess.
What is the most unexpected place you are excited to take José on a date?
We love to travel and have already been to some amazing places; however, I’m excited to visit Australia with him for the first time for New Years this year!
We are named after the biggest-selling single of 2001. So we always ask what is your favourite Mariah Carey song?
Mariah!! My Aries queen! My favorite Mariah song would have to be ‘Migrate’ from E=MC2 because I think it’s the best opening to a pop album ever. It’s one of my favorite songs to listen to when getting ready.
Catch the finale of Vanjie: 24 Hours In Love now exclusively on the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus. Subscribe via: https://uk.wowpresentsplus.
