1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:03,400 Speaker 1: This is gem Nation with jonesy. 2 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:07,840 Speaker 2: Well from Oxford Street in Sydney to Oxford Circus in London. 3 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:10,799 Speaker 2: Our next guest is famous for entertaining the busiest places 4 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 2: in the world. Abandoned as a baby and left in 5 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:16,480 Speaker 2: the doorway of Arc nightclub, she was adopted and raised 6 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 2: by drag queens. 7 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:19,720 Speaker 1: Well that's her story and she's sticking to it. 8 00:00:20,079 --> 00:00:23,200 Speaker 2: She's the star of the hugely popular RuPaul's Drag Race 9 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 2: down Under. She's on the line now, Mini Cooper, Hello, Hello, 10 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:28,880 Speaker 2: how are you God? 11 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 3: That makes me laugh every time I hear they have 12 00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 3: banded at Ark Sydney, and it is absolutely true, of 13 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:35,640 Speaker 3: course it is. 14 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:40,159 Speaker 4: I want to ask you this question, when when was 15 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:42,240 Speaker 4: the do you remember the first time that you put 16 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:42,840 Speaker 4: on a dress? 17 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 3: Yes? I have done it all my life, ever since 18 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 3: I was a little kid. I've always been fascinated with 19 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:52,920 Speaker 3: women's clothes. I always And it's so funny that you 20 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 3: ask that present because we always thought to say drag 21 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 3: is entertainment, but it's fundamentally who we are, Like it's 22 00:00:59,320 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 3: just clothing. Just happened to like it. 23 00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 4: Because I, like, I got sisters and my mother and 24 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 4: I never I never was inclined to. And I was 25 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:09,920 Speaker 4: just thinking about I've never put on a dress in 26 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 4: my life. I've never thought, let's. 27 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 3: Put you're a loss of drag queen. You're a straight man. 28 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:16,119 Speaker 5: But do you think if I put on a dress, 29 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:18,200 Speaker 5: what have I become a drag queen? Is it? Is 30 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 5: it that the start of a slippery slope? 31 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 3: Well, everybody drag queens are straight now that anybody can 32 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 3: do drag? Now do you know what I mean? And 33 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:29,560 Speaker 3: drag is fundamentally it's something that comes from inside. You 34 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 3: has already said it reveals who you are. You never 35 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 3: thought about doing drag? 36 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:36,080 Speaker 5: Jamesy, No, No. 37 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 3: I've never. 38 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:39,040 Speaker 5: No, I've never. It's just never crossed my mind. 39 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:42,000 Speaker 3: It's you know, I haven't across on my eye. That's 40 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:45,480 Speaker 3: almost like a gay hate crime? Is it? 41 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:47,919 Speaker 4: Is it the fact that I don't I've never crossed 42 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 4: my mind? Does that make me? 43 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 2: But it's interesting, Mini, Like when you see guys on 44 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 2: the Footy Show or whatever, straight guys dressing up in 45 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 2: drag as a joke. 46 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 1: Is that in a way. 47 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:02,360 Speaker 3: Effective to real? When I look at that, say that again, 48 00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 3: and it's not respecting I think when they do it 49 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 3: like that, I find it slightly apologistically, and it's not 50 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:11,840 Speaker 3: respectful to women. But we're so respect we love women, 51 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 3: we adore them, and it's something about and it's really powerful. 52 00:02:17,639 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 3: It's so funny when a man puts on a dress, 53 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:22,400 Speaker 3: especially a drag. When we've become so powerful, everyone had 54 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 3: frightened about their skin, of what's going to come out 55 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 3: of our mouth. And I'm like this skinny white man. 56 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 3: But if I have a disagreement, so they run for 57 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 3: the hills, they do, or I couldn't do anything to them. 58 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 3: I'm powerful, really strange, And. 59 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:36,280 Speaker 4: You're right because when you look at say, shows like 60 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 4: the Footage Show or even the Bridge on the River Kui, 61 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:42,040 Speaker 4: there's a scene in there, whether because it's all guys 62 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:44,640 Speaker 4: in the prison camp there, but they dress up. 63 00:02:44,680 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 5: And that's because people. I used to think when I 64 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 5: was a kid, it was just an easy laugh. 65 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 4: If you watched a talent quest or something like that, 66 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:54,079 Speaker 4: there always be some kid that dress up in a 67 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 4: dress and it'd get an easy laugh. And me, you know, 68 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:59,919 Speaker 4: wanting to be a bit more, you know, a bit more, 69 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:03,799 Speaker 4: I guess linear with my comedy, I would think, well, 70 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 4: that's he's just put a dress on he's getting a laugh. 71 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:08,880 Speaker 4: It's not fair and they'll always pop the balloon. 72 00:03:08,919 --> 00:03:12,200 Speaker 3: Boss though too. Putting on a dress and mocking it's 73 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 3: saying that a woman is less sad if you put 74 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:18,920 Speaker 3: on a dress. Well that's right, yeah, but it's not true. 75 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 3: The women are the most powerful people in the world, 76 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 3: I think, I said, as I find the it's really weird. 77 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 2: So where do you draw the line on? Who can 78 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:31,200 Speaker 2: dress up then as a drag artist? And who can't? 79 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 2: As you say those TV shows that do it for 80 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 2: a joke, that's that's misogynistic. 81 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 1: But who can then? 82 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:41,160 Speaker 3: Well, I think anyone can. It's all about intent, do 83 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:42,880 Speaker 3: you know what I mean? I don't think. I think 84 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 3: I'm going to believe it. Do what you want as 85 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:46,040 Speaker 3: long as you do with kindness. 86 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:48,120 Speaker 1: How long does it take you? 87 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 3: I do believe that. 88 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 2: How long does it take you to go from your 89 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 2: normal day person to being Mini Cooper? 90 00:03:54,600 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 3: Oh my life? No, No, it takes between to do 91 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:03,840 Speaker 3: it really comfortably and perfectly with every detail and place, 92 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 3: two and a half to three hours. 93 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 1: That's a big chunk of time, isn't it. 94 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:12,040 Speaker 5: That's like getting a mix in a cold rock ice cream. 95 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, that takes a long time, and have you always 96 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 2: done your own? Have you had to, I guess learn 97 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:19,480 Speaker 2: to be that person. You know, you're a great makeup artist, 98 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:20,360 Speaker 2: you're a great dresser. 99 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:23,480 Speaker 3: You do it all yourself. You do everything, you put 100 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 3: your hair on. You've been no one's going to dress 101 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:27,840 Speaker 3: you up every night to go to the club like 102 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:30,760 Speaker 3: you don't have a glam squad, even though you are 103 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:32,040 Speaker 3: I'm a one man band. 104 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 2: Even though you are Australia's really most successful drag artist. 105 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:38,480 Speaker 2: You've won more Diva Awards than any other drag artists. 106 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:40,600 Speaker 3: Will courtney that, Oh yes, the act. 107 00:04:40,640 --> 00:04:43,720 Speaker 2: I'll have a scrag fight with you. 108 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 1: You'll bash each other up behind the toilet. 109 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:46,119 Speaker 5: There's a show. 110 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:50,599 Speaker 4: And so when you go on RuPaul's drag race down Under, 111 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:53,839 Speaker 4: you're going to be competing against all these other drag races. 112 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 5: And what will give you the edge? 113 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 1: You think, Mini, Well, because you know a thinker. 114 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 3: I'm fifty years old and it's and I'm the only 115 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:04,000 Speaker 3: second person in drag race history's consisting on that tip, 116 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 3: the second person, and for me, I just have been. 117 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:10,640 Speaker 3: I never thought it would happen in my lifetime. Even 118 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:12,600 Speaker 3: when I did my audition tape, I thought they're not 119 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 3: going to choose me because I'm fifty, because I do 120 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 3: feel ageism to a certain extent. It's like it's like, yes, 121 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 3: it's a weird thing brand. When I got on it, 122 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 3: I was just happy to be there. It was so weird, 123 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:29,080 Speaker 3: and because I'm very secure with myself and I have 124 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:31,920 Speaker 3: had all those accolades, so I was there just I 125 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:34,040 Speaker 3: was grateful just to be a part of it, I 126 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:37,720 Speaker 3: really and I even loved watching other people succeeding. Even 127 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:41,600 Speaker 3: I didn't win, I would love I love seeing people succeed. 128 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 3: But that's just me as who I am as a person. 129 00:05:44,560 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 3: I don't know. I've always been like that because and 130 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,200 Speaker 3: I think it's because people haven't been happy for my success. 131 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:55,160 Speaker 3: I always like to show it. When it's for other people, you're. 132 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 2: Good And when you say mini that you know, if 133 00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 2: something's done with kindness and intent, it's okay. How would 134 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 2: you feel if, like, for example, if you're down at 135 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:04,839 Speaker 2: the club and Jonesy turns up as a drag. 136 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:10,480 Speaker 3: Act, I would love it, absolutely love it. Do you 137 00:06:10,520 --> 00:06:12,200 Speaker 3: want to give it a try? I'd love to see 138 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:14,599 Speaker 3: you in drag. You've got to try it, at least 139 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:16,159 Speaker 3: once you know what I mean. 140 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 1: He's so not the guy who would choose to do this. 141 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:23,400 Speaker 5: That's what's so about and a half hours. 142 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:25,320 Speaker 1: That's the length of our radio show. You do that 143 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:25,880 Speaker 1: every day? 144 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, come on, you've got to do it at leaks once. 145 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:31,159 Speaker 3: You've got to understand what women go through. 146 00:06:31,960 --> 00:06:33,680 Speaker 2: I don't take three hours to get ready, but I 147 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 2: would like you to do this and you see me 148 00:06:37,040 --> 00:06:38,680 Speaker 2: when you see me get ready for the living room 149 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:39,359 Speaker 2: and the pilava. 150 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:39,760 Speaker 5: It takes. 151 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:43,840 Speaker 2: I think if Minnie thinks it's done with good intent, 152 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:45,160 Speaker 2: I would love to see you. 153 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 5: I have to ask the Grand Pooba of we are 154 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 5: it's Mini? 155 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:55,160 Speaker 2: Absolutely, Yeah, Minnie, how would it be if you came 156 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 2: in here and and we did it to we made 157 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 2: over Jones Jonesy? 158 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:03,720 Speaker 3: Do you know I've got nothing better to do tomorrow morning? 159 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:05,279 Speaker 3: Might don't we do it tomorrow? 160 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 1: Let's do it tomorrow, Minnie. Let's do this. This way 161 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 1: we get to see absolutely, we get to see. 162 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:13,000 Speaker 2: You and all your glory, and this way we get 163 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 2: to see Jonesy's glory as well. 164 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, and Jones, what do you think your drag name 165 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 3: would be? 166 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 2: Oh? 167 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 5: I get ready diabetes. 168 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 1: I don't know if you have that one. 169 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 3: My favorite drag name ever is Nellie for Tarka. 170 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:35,600 Speaker 5: Love that Nellie for tars. 171 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:40,280 Speaker 1: I think that's could be Michelle collection. We can think 172 00:07:40,280 --> 00:07:41,480 Speaker 1: of a stack of them. 173 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:43,440 Speaker 5: Look, I love how you guys. You know I'm in 174 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:46,640 Speaker 5: the room here. Well this is I like some negotiation 175 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:47,320 Speaker 5: in this Mini. 176 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:48,720 Speaker 1: I'm thrilled tomorrow morning. 177 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:51,400 Speaker 5: This is like drinking blood all over him under the imp. 178 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 2: Of Mini Cooper. Well that could be Mini Promata. We 179 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:59,040 Speaker 2: are going to have you become a drag artist. 180 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:02,120 Speaker 5: Only if you're not too busy. Mini plays I'm she's 181 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:02,600 Speaker 5: not busy. 182 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:05,160 Speaker 3: Things on all the time, the world for you Jones. 183 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 1: All right, Minnie, we will see you tomorrow morning. 184 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 4: The brand exciting, exciting, the brand new season of RuPaul's 185 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 4: Drag Race down Under. 186 00:08:13,760 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 5: Season two premiers this Saturday. 187 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 2: Only understand Cheer for Minnie, watching cheer for Minny and many. 188 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:21,600 Speaker 2: We will see you tomorrow, brilliant. 189 00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 1: This is great. 190 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 5: Oh is it? 191 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 1: You're not chucking a sickie. You're not chucking a sickie.