Plastique Tiara first burst onto the scene with their star-making performance on season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. While they might not have snatched that particular crown, they did snatch wigs and a legion of fans who happily follow their every video on TikTok, a platform where they reign supreme with more than 10.2 million (and counting) followers. It's a platform they use to showcase their art, with of course their unique brand of humor and charisma, including the occasional dip into cosplay.
One recent TikTok left PRIDE especially gagged, which featured Plastique taking inspiration from the dating simulation Hooked on You.
For those unfamiliar with the genre, dating sims are largely text-based video games that encourage players to pursue their characters, getting to know them and striking up a romance. What makes Hooked on You so unique is that in this case you’re chatting up the killers from the popular horror game Dead By Daylight. Don’t worry, it’s not as grim as it sounds. In fact, it’s a tongue in cheek game that capitalizes on the humor of the situation perfectly — and let’s be honest, villains are always the hottest. So the pairing of Plastique, a self-identified gamer, and Hooked on You was, well, a perfect match.
We of course needed to know more, so we sat down with Plastique to talk about their love of video games, how that’s influenced their drag, what their future plans have in store for fans — and, perhaps most importantly, what not do on a date with them IRL.
First of all, congratulations on the collaboration with Hooked on You. You did this amazing TikTok of you playing Trickster and the Spirit. Can you tell me a little bit about how that came together and how you came up with the concept for it?
I was lucky enough to be approached by Hooked on You. And when they sent me the ideas, I was like, this is exactly what needs to happen. Everything just kind of clicked and I had so much fun cosplaying and creating looks. I’m also here in Vegas five days a week. So I love working. [It took] finding a little time to go pick up little pieces and then find stuff in my closet that kind of just fit into the characters. [It] was so much fun.
That’s really impressive. So you didn’t even have access to a full wardrobe, that was built from what you already just had in Vegas [where you are currently performing in Rupaul’s Drag Race Live]?
Yeah, everything. I just had a couple of pieces in my closet. Then I had a little rope and I cut it up and then, you know, drag! (Laughs)
Do you consider yourself to be a gamer? Are you really into video games?
Oh, my god, I love them! When I was in Vietnam, I would go to PC [cafes]... and then I would play, like, whatever, Three Kingdoms there for hours and hours. So yeah, I love video games.
That’s awesome. I kind of feel like drag and video games go well together, because some of it is about putting yourself in this other, sort of superhero persona. Do you find that to be the case? What is the connection between drag and video games for you?
As you just put it into words right there, [it’s about] becoming something that is otherworldly, becoming something that is so powerful to where no one can hurt you, you know, and I think drag for me has really done that. And then it’s done that for myself outside of drag too. When I gain confidence in drag. I’m like, okay, I can do this because I’m still that person, you know.
Do video games ever influence your drag? Were they part of the creation of Plastique?
Oh, absolutely. When [I] play video games, I’m always the girl character. And then my main objective is to get the cuntiest costume possible. Or whatever weapon they’re coming out with, I’m getting it. So I would always screenshot the actual video game characters, and then send it to my designer.
So obviously Hooked on You is the dating sim that goes along with Dead by Daylight. Did you play a lot of Dead by Daylight before this and or did you kind of just jump into Hooked on You?
I jumped into [Hooked on You]. And yeah, so many people were recreating the looks [from the game] and I was, like, oh my god, what are the odds that they would approach me [for this project]?
I was surprised at how well it works. It’s this horror game, but then to have a spinoff of a dating sim based in that world. Why do you think that a dating sim works in this scenario?
I mean, [the characters] are hot!
So you said you started playing games back in Vietnam when you were a kid? Do you have a top three all-time favorite games?
Oh my gosh. So I played the Three Kingdoms MMORPG. This was way back in the day. Audacity, it was a dancing game. I was obsessed with that game. And then one I’ve recently played is Blade and Soul, [which is] actually another MMO RPG. But yeah, that’s the top three.
Sometimes on their podcast Sibling Rivalry, Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change talk about playing Smash Bros. and I hear that you are a secret ringer? Is this true? Are you actually the best at Smash Bros.?
I wouldn’t say I’m the best, I just know how to utilize the characters really well. Sometimes I come out victorious, but that’s on very special occasions. (Laughs)
So obviously you’re very busy. You’re in Las Vegas right now and apparently you’re about to get on a plane to L.A. Are there any other projects that you have in the works that you can give us a little tea on?
Oh my gosh, um, I’m trying to quit drag. Just kidding!
The internet just burst into tears! They’re not ready.
Well, there are a couple of tours coming up which I’m happy to be a part of. And then honestly just keeping the social media presence growing. We hit 10 million — which is so crazy — on TikTok. Maybe do some YouTube. I think I’m gonna dabble into that now that I have some time here.
You’ve defeated all of TikTok and now you’re taking on YouTube, I love it. Any chance we’ll see you on our TVs again anytime soon?
Oh, The Question. When I really need money, then I’ll come back. (Laughs)
OK, since we’re talking about a dating sim, I’ve got to ask you a dating question. I’m wondering if you’d be willing to share the worst date you ever went on?
So I went on Grindr for the first time, and this is like the only time I went on Grindr...I went over and had fun and then he became obsessed with me. He would show up at my house and then blow my phone up then I blocked him. It was just a mess. And then I moved away.
See, if you keep moving around the globe, they can’t catch you.
Exactly. (Laughs)
OK, last question. If somebody wants to get it right, describe the perfect date.
Well, don’t just show up at their house. (Laughs)
Step one: Don’t be a creep.
Agreed. I say look good, smell good, and be confident. That’s pretty much all you’ve gotta do.
Watch the trailer for Hooked on You below.
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