Ongina interviews RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Raja. Kitsch art, Indonesian culture and Asian representation
BY ONGINA | PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM
Raja—you and I met in LA when you performed Through the Fire and I’ve been a huge fan ever since! How long have you lived in Los Angeles?
I was Born in Baldwin Park, California. So technically I’m from Los Angeles / San Gabriel Valley.
Do you see Los Angeles as being your permanent home?
I don’t see LA as my permanent address; but if I never leave LA I would never be unhappy.
I know your home is your sanctuary—tell me about your decor inspiration?
I love kitsch, art, I enjoy ornate objet d’art. I collect things with either real or imagined stories, antique, thrift, generally I like to surround myself with things that stimulate me. Things I’ve collected on my years of travel. It’s like a giant closet, everything is wearable, has been worn, or soon will be worn.
I’ve always appreciated how proud you are of your Indonesian culture—how does that inspire you and your drag?
My Indonesian culture is everything to me. It will need an entire chapter in a book or documentary. It influences me spiritually and the nostalgia consumes me. Maybe, if I move away from LA one day… Bali is top of my list of places to live. I lived there as a child and for me it is my magic place.
How do you feel about Asian representation in the media today?
I think It’s been fair in representation. I’m especially proud of my Asian sisters around the globe. But I believe FAIR, isn’t enough! MORE ASIAN QUEER MONARCHS ALWAYS!
