Born in Monterrey, Mexico and representing New York City on RuPaul's Drag Race season 18, the world has fallen in love with the spicy, showstopping, and wonderful DD Fuego. After introducing herself in episode 1, surviving a "disco-gate" in episode 2, and getting to lip sync for her life to a club banger by Dove Cameron ("Too Much") against her fellow teammate Mandy Mango, DD was asked to sashay away by Mama Ru. Yet, it actually doesn't take too much (pun intended) to see the bright future ahead for this phenomenal queen. During this exit interview with Out, DD Fuego spills the tea about her time in the Drag Race werk room, explains her perspective for that Dove Cameron lip sync, shares the story behind her partnership with Betsey Johnson to create the instantly iconic "Flame Shoes," and proves that she's ready to rule her own queendom no matter what her placement on the show is.Chatting with DD is a truly delightful experience, and we hope you enjoy and support this fabulous queen in her post-Drag Race journey. Below, the Out exit interview with DD Fuego.Out: Between the "Meet the Queens" rollout and episode 2 when you were asked to sashay away how are you feeling, right now, in this moment?DD Fuego: I'm feeling really excited for this new year that I'm having. The Meet the Queens and the promo really kicked off this public appearance to the world But, really, it was getting on Drag Race that started changing my life. I'm so grateful for the place that I'm in right now.You were such an entertaining person to watch, and a good competitor, but I was even more surprised by the number of things that you had already done. So many impressive things you did even before Drag Race.That's right!But let's back up and talk about that "disco-gate."Oh my god. (@) RuPaul loves disco, so everyone wanted disco. How did this play out from your perspective being in the room?For me it was very important to be a part of a song that felt joyful, and that felt historically important. The message behind the song that we were given was about celebrating unity. It's about like celebrating individuality, and also the community as a whole.I was like, 'This is exactly what I want to be saying episode 2.' Since we were the misfit group, let's go all the way with this message of inclusion and acceptance. It felt very important to me.Speaking of which I was surprised by this group of queens that no one chose by the four of you not being picked. There are so many strengths between you, Athena, Darlene, and Mandy. Why do you think that turned out to be the case?I think there were a lot of Well, first of all, I didn't have any issue not being picked. I get what I get because I earn it, not because anyone has ever given it to me. So I was proud to be a misfit! But, yeah, we were underestimated because people didn't know us. There were a lot of alliances out the gate. A lot of people already knew each other, so I understood why people would be selecting each other. But the real gag is Athena not getting picked, because she had, um, 17 other Florida girls in there with her![Laughs.]It's true! So the problem then became My job was not just to create a fabulous verse and help lead us to victory, it also became: 'Let's bring good energy to this group, and elevate the feeling,' which felt very low. I'm proud of both of the things I did there. (@) I think that approach is always a good approach. Just change the vibes. It makes a huge difference.Yes. And the reality is, we're all very good performers. Athena and I have been working in the industry for many years. Mandy is a fabulous dancer. Even though people underestimated us in the group, and the group may not have done well, still come catch us at our shows, because you will not be disappointed.I can attest to that. I've seen some of you in the wild. Well, you better come see me again!Absolutely, count me in.So, as herstory goes, you've auditioned for Drag Race 10 times...And once for Drag Race Mxico!And once for Drag Race Mxico, exactly! [Laughs.] What did it feel like to finally get it?It was the most important moment of my drag life at the time. It allowed me to reach out to all the people that I've always wanted to work with. I've been a very solo artist, but this opportunity meant that I could call up my designer friends that have worked with, like, Lady Gaga, and Beyonc, and work with my friend who's the manicurist of Gigi Hadid And I'm like, let's actually make something happen.Because these people aren't going to make me something for the bars of New York City! [Laughs.] But once I got the call, it allowed me It gave me the gall and the gumption, to be like, "Alright, it's time to elevate the joint." And that's the biggest blessing so far, because no one can take that away from me. The preparation that I did for the show was to win. And I still did it. (@) I saw a post from Jewels Sparkles that really stood out to me. You got to wear a pair of shoes on Drag Race that was a collaboration between you and Betsey Johnson. That's pretty freaking insane and iconic.Yes, right?How did those "Flame Shoes" come about? This is crazy.I've been a friend of Betsey's, and the brand, for many years. I've been fortunate enough to work with the brand on Pride events, and it just grew from there. A lot of the girls from Drag Race have worked with Betsey Johnson before, and when it came time to walk into the werk room, I knew I wanted a "Flame Shoe."So I spoke to the Betsey Johnson team, and I thought, OK, the favor has been completed They gave me a shoe. But then I was like, "Well, the promo is coming. Can I get another favor?" And then I didn't ask for this part but they decided, because they were so excited for me and the partnership, that they decided to produce the shoe and share the "Fuego" with the world.During the episode, you say in a confessional that you didn't think you were the weakest link within the four of you in the group. What did you mean by that? Who would you put in the bottom instead?Bernardo, you are being so shady! You want me to spill the beans.[Laughs.]All I will say is If you really break it down, performance-wise, I don't think I was the weakest. Verse-wise, I don't think I was the weakest. Vocally, I don't think I was the weakest. But it's the combination between all of them. Was I the best at all of the things? Maybe not. But was I the worst at all of the things? Also not. But that's what the Race is all about. You end up in the lip sync, and fair and square, that's what went down.See on InstagramBefore we go, I wanted to talk about the lip sync. We saw Mandy struggling to get out of her outfit, which wasn't something that you had to deal with. What was going through your head in the lip sync, and what vibe were you aiming for?I felt like I was going to make my lip sync be measured and precise, and that my lip sync was going to be like pointed at Dove [Cameron]. Very, like, story-telly. And then, in the moments that mattered, I was really going to turn out the dancing which I know how to do, and I'm good at. You can see it at my shows.But then I realized that the floor was full of the glitter from my outfit, and I was like, "Wait, I can't do all the things I want to do." And then I'm like, "Well, Mandy's falling apart, so maybe let's just be careful. Let me not fall apart as much, and let me just focus on making a really tight, impactful lip sync."But I think the impression that it gave was not iconic and impactful. It didn't give what the judges were looking for, clearly.My last question: You were the only queen representing New York City to compete in season 18. And, with the exception of Dahlia Sin [in season 12] who technically went into the show representing Los Angeles instead you are the first queen representing NYC to go home first.Well, what are you saying by this, Bernardo?![Laughs.] Well, that's herstory, and it's interesting. And do you think about this?I know, I know. [Laughs.] I'll say this: The real prize is being a working artist in New York City. A lot of the girls in this season could not achieve that. I achieved that.You're damn right.So I have to be proud of being from New York no matter what happened on the show.And a fabulous Latina representing me, and so many of us, too.Exactly. And I'm proud of it all.RuPaul's Drag Race season 18 airs new episodes every Friday on MTV. Keep up with DD Fuego on Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube. You can also support the Drag Race star by buying her merch on DDFuego.com, booking a personalized video on Cameo, and/or sending a cash tip via Venmo.