Painted with Raven is back and the contestants are hungry. “Every single one,” reveals Raven. “Not one of them is like, ‘I just wanna go a certain distance,’ or ‘I’d love to make it to the top two.’ No, they want to win.” The Drag Race legend and eponymous host continues the search for ‘America’s Next Makeup Superstar’ with eight ambitious new contestants from across the United States, who will once again compete virtually in a series of mini and maxi-challenges for the aforementioned title and a cash prize of $25,000. 

The return of the makeover competition series follows Raven’s herstoric stint on the fourth season of Drag Race UK, where she became the first-ever former alumni to sit behind the judging panel on a season hosted by RuPaul. First! Ever! Read ahead for our interview with Raven, where we discuss the second season of Painted with Raven, why the series excludes international artists and her friendship slash partnership with RuPaul.

Raven, you became the first-ever Drag Race alumni to sit behind a panel on a RuPaul-hosted season. How did it feel to make herstory?

I get nervous when I go into anything. I was going to say ‘nervous’ when I go into unknown territory but that’s a lie, I get nervous even when I’m in common territory, things I do all the time. Always nervous, before I get on stage. I’m back there shaking. My voice starts to crack. I was also very excited because I have watched them all compete. You’re rooting for them, enjoying them, watching them saying, ‘Gosh, why did she wear that?’ or ‘She should’ve done this!’ To be able to actually voice it and speak with them, it was fun. The day before I got to be in the werkroom and chit-chat with them a little bit and to do it on the makeover challenge is like… That’s where I should be giving critiques. It was fun. The second we were done I was like, ‘Can’t wait to do it again.’

Well, we need to get you an Academy Award to sit next to your Emmy because you fake it so well. Raven, we’ll get you that EGOT.

Well the Grammy will definitely have to be for some technical thing, because I do not sing!

But… you were great in season two for the rock challenge with Terri Nun. We’ll get you that Grammy!

Okay, today is the day that Sam told me that I will be getting an EGOT. I’m gonna work on that.