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Every week, NYLON writer Michael Cuby will conduct an exit interview with the queen eliminated from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13. After making it to the final four, Kandy Muse’s competitor Symone won the crown.

Throughout the season, RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13 queen Kandy Muse has referred to herself as the “main character” and a “producer” — and if we’re being honest, it would be quite hard to disagree with her. A former member of the Haus of Aja and a sister to season 12’s Dahlia Sin, the Bronx-born, Afro-Dominican queen usurped much of the season’s screen time, whether she was offering her hilarious commentary through her frequent confessionals or simply keeping her fellow season 13 queens entertained by cracking jokes in the Werk Room.

And that’s exactly how she wanted it. Confident and unapologetic, Kandy’s personality was made for television and her audaciousness led to some of the season’s most memorable moments, including her now MTV Movie and TV Award-nominated fight with fellow contestant Tamisha Iman. Though her track record throughout the season was spotty — she was in the top multiple times, but had to lip-sync for her life on three different occasions — Kandy Muse powered through the ups and downs with admirable aplomb, never giving up and never failing to keep her audience wanting more. After making it “from the hood to Hollywood,” Kandy Muse left an indelible mark on the competition and, in the end, took it all the way to the top two.

Ahead of last week’s finale, NYLON hopped on the phone with the current Doll Haus member to talk about making it all the way to the end, how she feels about her fight with Tamisha Iman in retrospect, the work that still needs to be done in the Drag Race fandom in regard to queens of color, and why she never wants to think about her “Pockets” runway look ever again.

You made it to the top four. How does that feel?

Listen, it feels amazing to be here. This is a season that I will hold near and dear to my heart, obviously, because I was on it. But yeah, it’s bittersweet because it’s coming to an end.

Coming into the competition, did you always picture yourself making it this far?

Before getting on Drag Race, I absolutely could picture myself being in the top four because I would always watch the show and say, “Well, I can do that.” But once I got on Drag Race, it was definitely a hard road and a fight to get to the top four. Some days, you think to yourself, Okay, it’s my day. I’m not going to make it through. I’m going to get eliminated. But as a human with that fight, with that drive, the judges see that, and they keep you there. So now that I’m finally here, it feels incredible.

Throughout the season, you’ve referred to yourself as “the main character” on social media. Could you talk a little bit more about what you mean by that?

You know, I will say that my back hurts from carrying the whole season on it! [laughs] But while filming the show, there was this aura in the room where, when I would leave the room, it would be quiet because I’m just a loud bitch. I knew that my personality gets everyone going. Sure, I’m not going to be like, “It’s all about me!” But definitely, I was a big piece of the season 13 puzzle.

How has it felt seeing yourself on TV?

It’s been great watching on television. Obviously, you don’t know how it’s going to come off to some people. I’ve had people despise me, I’ve had people love me. I’ve had people that disliked me at first and now love me — you just never know. It’s honestly about going into Drag Race and truly being 100% yourself. When people go in and try to put on an act, one, you don’t get on the show, or two, you go home super early in the season. So it feels great to watch myself.

So many of the season’s biggest moments included you. I mean, the fight with Tamisha Iman will go down in history. How did it feel to watch that particular moment back?

I will say, watching it the night that it aired, I was like, “Okay, I can see how heated I was.” I haven’t watched it back since then because it just wasn’t one of my prettiest moments. But this week, we did get nominated for an MTV Award for Best Fight! So making iconic TV — that’s what I do. And you know what, I won’t even lie to you. I walked into Drag Race knowing that I wanted to win and get crowned. But at the same time, I wanted to win the show an Emmy Award! We’re making a TV show and that’s what I wanted to do.

A lot of the fanbase was split in their response to that whole altercation, which I think was even amplified since you are both queens of color. As I’m sure you know, the Drag Race fandom has a tendency to try to villainize queens of color. How did you deal with that response and do you think you’ve been somewhat misunderstood by the fans?

Absolutely. I’m glad you asked that. Drag Race preaches about love and how we all have to accept each other. And I love that the fans are so passionate about the show, but I just think that, sometimes, they take it a step too far. Like, you can root for your queen without putting another queen down. Throughout the season, the response to Kandy Muse has been very mixed, right? I knew going into Drag Race that I was going to be a polarizing character — you’re either going to like Kandy or you’re not going to like Kandy. But when you don’t like who I am, that has nothing to do with me. If me being 100% myself bothers you, that has everything to do with you. And there are still things we need to work on within the Drag Race fandom, such as fatphobia, racism, and even transphobia. There’s still so much that we have to work on.

However, during that fight, a lot of people came to Tamisha’s defense, and I was happy [to see that] because there has never really been an older, Black, pageant drag queen on Drag Race that has gotten the love that Tamisha has gotten. I was so happy to see that because, baby, she deserves her praise and her coins. But at the same time, I kind of got the shitty end of that whole fight — which I didn’t even mind, because all I had to do was turn my phone off and disconnect from the world. And that’s exactly what I did that weekend, because I knew that in the following episode, me and Tamisha made up and lip-synced against each other.

I wasn’t too worried. I let people say how they feel. If they feel the need to come for me, if that will make them feel better, that’s okay. I don’t think I need to fight back on social media with anyone. I’ve been through way too much in my life to let a few tweets get under my skin. But just because it doesn’t get under my skin, doesn’t mean that it won’t get under another queen’s skin. I think that, moving forward, people need to be kinder and nicer to the queens of colors. We already have it hard. We have to work ten times harder than a regular queen does.

You lip-synced three times and survived all three. Not many queens survive that many lip-syncs. And specifically, after your second lip-sync, Ru told you to sashay away and then decided to actually keep you. That’s never happened before, as far as I know.

Yeah. That’s definitely a Drag Race first!

What was going through your mind during that moment?

That was wild. I remember in the moment when it was me and Symone in the bottom two, I was like, Okay, they live for Symone. She’s a fierce competitor. We’re going to go toe-to-toe in this lip-sync and just do what we do. And we did it. I had already prepared myself to be eliminated — I always do when I’m in the bottom two. Of course, I’m going to fight for it. But I’m going to prepare myself so that I don’t let myself down. So when RuPaul was like, “Sashay away,” I was obviously sad and hurt because I wanted to make it to the end and be with the girls.

When RuPaul called my name, I swear to god, I turned around and thought she was going to be like, “Oh, Kandy. You’re in my camera. Please move.” But that wasn’t the case. When she told me that she didn’t want me to go, it made me feel really good. It just told me, Okay, RuPaul sees something in me and I really need to bring it to the competition so I can make it super far.

One of your most emotional moments this season was telling your story about getting jumped as a kid for being gay. What inspired you to open up about that and how would you say that experience has helped to shape the person you are today?

I felt like that was definitely an important story to share because it really has shaped me as a person. I think, sometimes, people think, “Oh, well, she’s always upset or angry. She’s always defensive.” And it’s like, well, I don’t choose to be those things. I am those things because of this [experience] — this is what led me to this point. I’m working on those things and growing. But I think we live in an age where people want you to be perfect at all times. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. We’re human and we make mistakes. We get upset and we yell. That’s what it is. But you should be allowed to feel the way you feel. You’re allowed to get upset about things. So that’s why I wanted to share that story. I knew the viewers were going to think, Oh, well, this bitch is just a loud bitch who likes to fight. But it’s like, Well, no, this bitch is a loud bitch who likes to fight because of this. This is what led me to be the person that I am today.

I will say, my story has definitely connected with a lot of viewers. After that aired, a lot of people would send me messages. They felt connected to me because, growing up where they grew up and being gay, they weren’t accepted and they were bullied or gay-bashed or picked on. They thought it was nice to see someone on television speaking up about those things.

On the other side, do you think growing up with a lesbian mom helped you accept yourself earlier than you would have otherwise? Did it help with your confidence?

Oh, absolutely. I always say I had the easiest upbringing as a gay man. Unfortunately, not everyone has a supportive family and not everyone has a supportive mother. I have that and I’m very fortunate to have that. I’m very lucky and blessed and it was very easy to accept myself at a very early age because of my mother.

What would it have meant for you to win?

If my name were to be called as America’s Next Drag Superstar, it would mean the world to me. It would mean validation from RuPaul. It would mean so much to my community. I would be the first plus-size winner in the U.S. franchise. I would be the first Dominican winner. I would be the first girl from the Bronx. There are so many firsts that I think are needed in the Drag Race franchise right now. Drag Race is about how we can lead our community with something better and show people, “Hey! I can do it and you can do it too.” Drag Race is about so many things and love is one of those things, and I have so much love and passion for the art of drag.

What was your favorite moment from the season and what was your least favorite moment or one you’d like to do-over if given the chance?

One of my favorite moments was on the very last episode. This wasn’t shown on TV, so it’s a little exclusive. It was when RuPaul was talking to me. He looks at me and he goes, “You are really special. I would hire you in a heartbeat.” That, to me, just felt like, Okay, this woman here understands who I am and this woman gets who I am and she appreciates me, my drive, and Kandy Muse for who she is. That was amazing. Also, that one moment in Untucked when me, Tina [Burner], and Gottmik are running away from a bug outside! I was losing my mind. And I think that we can all collectively agree [the worst moment] was the “Pockets” runway. Listen, delete the entire episode! I don’t regret a lot of things from the show, but that is one thing I do. I’m sure that when I walked out onto the runway, that was the silence heard around the world.

Coming onto the show, I think a lot of people already knew of you because of your connections to Aja and Dahlia Sin, but also because of “Sitting Alone In VIP,” which was a huge meme — especially for fans of drag. How do you think being a viral sensation way before you started Drag Race impacted your run once you finally got on?

Before getting on Drag Race, I was one of the only few girls to not have been on Drag Race to be able to travel all over the world for work and do stuff for Cosmo and magazines. I just had so many opportunities that not a lot of girls get. With the meme going around, and then I had a single with Alaska, there was just so much happening. So when I went off to Drag Race, Kandy Muse was already a household name and I think people just expected so much from me. I think the queens were like, “Okay. This bitch is here and she’s fierce competition. Let’s see what she has.” I don’t want to say it hindered me because I don’t necessarily believe that. I just think there was a lot of pressure to uplift to the name that was Kandy Muse before getting on Drag Race.

Finally, I know you said you were going to use the money you earned from winning the roast to send your moms on the honeymoon they never got to take. Is that still on the table?

Yeah, absolutely. I’m actually working on that as we speak. Unfortunately, they don’t have all-inclusive in the U.S. I didn’t know that was a thing, but we are working on it. Trust.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Every week, NYLON writer Michael Cuby will conduct an exit interview with the queen eliminated from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13. After making it to the final four, Kandy Muse’s competitor Symone won the crown.

Throughout the season, RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13 queen Kandy Muse has referred to herself as the “main character” and a “producer” — and if we’re being honest, it would be quite hard to disagree with her. A former member of the Haus of Aja and a sister to season 12’s Dahlia Sin, the Bronx-born, Afro-Dominican queen usurped much of the season’s screen time, whether she was offering her hilarious commentary through her frequent confessionals or simply keeping her fellow season 13 queens entertained by cracking jokes in the Werk Room.

And that’s exactly how she wanted it. Confident and unapologetic, Kandy’s personality was made for television and her audaciousness led to some of the season’s most memorable moments, including her now MTV Movie and TV Award-nominated fight with fellow contestant Tamisha Iman. Though her track record throughout the season was spotty — she was in the top multiple times, but had to lip-sync for her life on three different occasions — Kandy Muse powered through the ups and downs with admirable aplomb, never giving up and never failing to keep her audience wanting more. After making it “from the hood to Hollywood,” Kandy Muse left an indelible mark on the competition and, in the end, took it all the way to the top two.

Ahead of last week’s finale, NYLON hopped on the phone with the current Doll Haus member to talk about making it all the way to the end, how she feels about her fight with Tamisha Iman in retrospect, the work that still needs to be done in the Drag Race fandom in regard to queens of color, and why she never wants to think about her “Pockets” runway look ever again.

You made it to the top four. How does that feel?

Listen, it feels amazing to be here. This is a season that I will hold near and dear to my heart, obviously, because I was on it. But yeah, it’s bittersweet because it’s coming to an end.

Coming into the competition, did you always picture yourself making it this far?

Before getting on Drag Race, I absolutely could picture myself being in the top four because I would always watch the show and say, “Well, I can do that.” But once I got on Drag Race, it was definitely a hard road and a fight to get to the top four. Some days, you think to yourself, Okay, it’s my day. I’m not going to make it through. I’m going to get eliminated. But as a human with that fight, with that drive, the judges see that, and they keep you there. So now that I’m finally here, it feels incredible.

Throughout the season, you’ve referred to yourself as “the main character” on social media. Could you talk a little bit more about what you mean by that?

You know, I will say that my back hurts from carrying the whole season on it! [laughs] But while filming the show, there was this aura in the room where, when I would leave the room, it would be quiet because I’m just a loud bitch. I knew that my personality gets everyone going. Sure, I’m not going to be like, “It’s all about me!” But definitely, I was a big piece of the season 13 puzzle.

How has it felt seeing yourself on TV?

It’s been great watching on television. Obviously, you don’t know how it’s going to come off to some people. I’ve had people despise me, I’ve had people love me. I’ve had people that disliked me at first and now love me — you just never know. It’s honestly about going into Drag Race and truly being 100% yourself. When people go in and try to put on an act, one, you don’t get on the show, or two, you go home super early in the season. So it feels great to watch myself.

So many of the season’s biggest moments included you. I mean, the fight with Tamisha Iman will go down in history. How did it feel to watch that particular moment back?

I will say, watching it the night that it aired, I was like, “Okay, I can see how heated I was.” I haven’t watched it back since then because it just wasn’t one of my prettiest moments. But this week, we did get nominated for an MTV Award for Best Fight! So making iconic TV — that’s what I do. And you know what, I won’t even lie to you. I walked into Drag Race knowing that I wanted to win and get crowned. But at the same time, I wanted to win the show an Emmy Award! We’re making a TV show and that’s what I wanted to do.

A lot of the fanbase was split in their response to that whole altercation, which I think was even amplified since you are both queens of color. As I’m sure you know, the Drag Race fandom has a tendency to try to villainize queens of color. How did you deal with that response and do you think you’ve been somewhat misunderstood by the fans?

Absolutely. I’m glad you asked that. Drag Race preaches about love and how we all have to accept each other. And I love that the fans are so passionate about the show, but I just think that, sometimes, they take it a step too far. Like, you can root for your queen without putting another queen down. Throughout the season, the response to Kandy Muse has been very mixed, right? I knew going into Drag Race that I was going to be a polarizing character — you’re either going to like Kandy or you’re not going to like Kandy. But when you don’t like who I am, that has nothing to do with me. If me being 100% myself bothers you, that has everything to do with you. And there are still things we need to work on within the Drag Race fandom, such as fatphobia, racism, and even transphobia. There’s still so much that we have to work on.

However, during that fight, a lot of people came to Tamisha’s defense, and I was happy [to see that] because there has never really been an older, Black, pageant drag queen on Drag Race that has gotten the love that Tamisha has gotten. I was so happy to see that because, baby, she deserves her praise and her coins. But at the same time, I kind of got the shitty end of that whole fight — which I didn’t even mind, because all I had to do was turn my phone off and disconnect from the world. And that’s exactly what I did that weekend, because I knew that in the following episode, me and Tamisha made up and lip-synced against each other.

I wasn’t too worried. I let people say how they feel. If they feel the need to come for me, if that will make them feel better, that’s okay. I don’t think I need to fight back on social media with anyone. I’ve been through way too much in my life to let a few tweets get under my skin. But just because it doesn’t get under my skin, doesn’t mean that it won’t get under another queen’s skin. I think that, moving forward, people need to be kinder and nicer to the queens of colors. We already have it hard. We have to work ten times harder than a regular queen does.

You lip-synced three times and survived all three. Not many queens survive that many lip-syncs. And specifically, after your second lip-sync, Ru told you to sashay away and then decided to actually keep you. That’s never happened before, as far as I know.

Yeah. That’s definitely a Drag Race first!

What was going through your mind during that moment?

That was wild. I remember in the moment when it was me and Symone in the bottom two, I was like, Okay, they live for Symone. She’s a fierce competitor. We’re going to go toe-to-toe in this lip-sync and just do what we do. And we did it. I had already prepared myself to be eliminated — I always do when I’m in the bottom two. Of course, I’m going to fight for it. But I’m going to prepare myself so that I don’t let myself down. So when RuPaul was like, “Sashay away,” I was obviously sad and hurt because I wanted to make it to the end and be with the girls.

When RuPaul called my name, I swear to god, I turned around and thought she was going to be like, “Oh, Kandy. You’re in my camera. Please move.” But that wasn’t the case. When she told me that she didn’t want me to go, it made me feel really good. It just told me, Okay, RuPaul sees something in me and I really need to bring it to the competition so I can make it super far.

One of your most emotional moments this season was telling your story about getting jumped as a kid for being gay. What inspired you to open up about that and how would you say that experience has helped to shape the person you are today?

I felt like that was definitely an important story to share because it really has shaped me as a person. I think, sometimes, people think, “Oh, well, she’s always upset or angry. She’s always defensive.” And it’s like, well, I don’t choose to be those things. I am those things because of this [experience] — this is what led me to this point. I’m working on those things and growing. But I think we live in an age where people want you to be perfect at all times. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. We’re human and we make mistakes. We get upset and we yell. That’s what it is. But you should be allowed to feel the way you feel. You’re allowed to get upset about things. So that’s why I wanted to share that story. I knew the viewers were going to think, Oh, well, this bitch is just a loud bitch who likes to fight. But it’s like, Well, no, this bitch is a loud bitch who likes to fight because of this. This is what led me to be the person that I am today.

I will say, my story has definitely connected with a lot of viewers. After that aired, a lot of people would send me messages. They felt connected to me because, growing up where they grew up and being gay, they weren’t accepted and they were bullied or gay-bashed or picked on. They thought it was nice to see someone on television speaking up about those things.

On the other side, do you think growing up with a lesbian mom helped you accept yourself earlier than you would have otherwise? Did it help with your confidence?

Oh, absolutely. I always say I had the easiest upbringing as a gay man. Unfortunately, not everyone has a supportive family and not everyone has a supportive mother. I have that and I’m very fortunate to have that. I’m very lucky and blessed and it was very easy to accept myself at a very early age because of my mother.

What would it have meant for you to win?

If my name were to be called as America’s Next Drag Superstar, it would mean the world to me. It would mean validation from RuPaul. It would mean so much to my community. I would be the first plus-size winner in the U.S. franchise. I would be the first Dominican winner. I would be the first girl from the Bronx. There are so many firsts that I think are needed in the Drag Race franchise right now. Drag Race is about how we can lead our community with something better and show people, “Hey! I can do it and you can do it too.” Drag Race is about so many things and love is one of those things, and I have so much love and passion for the art of drag.

What was your favorite moment from the season and what was your least favorite moment or one you’d like to do-over if given the chance?

One of my favorite moments was on the very last episode. This wasn’t shown on TV, so it’s a little exclusive. It was when RuPaul was talking to me. He looks at me and he goes, “You are really special. I would hire you in a heartbeat.” That, to me, just felt like, Okay, this woman here understands who I am and this woman gets who I am and she appreciates me, my drive, and Kandy Muse for who she is. That was amazing. Also, that one moment in Untucked when me, Tina [Burner], and Gottmik are running away from a bug outside! I was losing my mind. And I think that we can all collectively agree [the worst moment] was the “Pockets” runway. Listen, delete the entire episode! I don’t regret a lot of things from the show, but that is one thing I do. I’m sure that when I walked out onto the runway, that was the silence heard around the world.

Coming onto the show, I think a lot of people already knew of you because of your connections to Aja and Dahlia Sin, but also because of “Sitting Alone In VIP,” which was a huge meme — especially for fans of drag. How do you think being a viral sensation way before you started Drag Race impacted your run once you finally got on?

Before getting on Drag Race, I was one of the only few girls to not have been on Drag Race to be able to travel all over the world for work and do stuff for Cosmo and magazines. I just had so many opportunities that not a lot of girls get. With the meme going around, and then I had a single with Alaska, there was just so much happening. So when I went off to Drag Race, Kandy Muse was already a household name and I think people just expected so much from me. I think the queens were like, “Okay. This bitch is here and she’s fierce competition. Let’s see what she has.” I don’t want to say it hindered me because I don’t necessarily believe that. I just think there was a lot of pressure to uplift to the name that was Kandy Muse before getting on Drag Race.

Finally, I know you said you were going to use the money you earned from winning the roast to send your moms on the honeymoon they never got to take. Is that still on the table?

Yeah, absolutely. I’m actually working on that as we speak. Unfortunately, they don’t have all-inclusive in the U.S. I didn’t know that was a thing, but we are working on it. Trust.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Every week, NYLON writer Michael Cuby will conduct an exit interview with the queen eliminated from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13. After making it to the final four, Kandy Muse’s competitor Symone won the crown.

Throughout the season, RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13 queen Kandy Muse has referred to herself as the “main character” and a “producer” — and if we’re being honest, it would be quite hard to disagree with her. A former member of the Haus of Aja and a sister to season 12’s Dahlia Sin, the Bronx-born, Afro-Dominican queen usurped much of the season’s screen time, whether she was offering her hilarious commentary through her frequent confessionals or simply keeping her fellow season 13 queens entertained by cracking jokes in the Werk Room.

And that’s exactly how she wanted it. Confident and unapologetic, Kandy’s personality was made for television and her audaciousness led to some of the season’s most memorable moments, including her now MTV Movie and TV Award-nominated fight with fellow contestant Tamisha Iman. Though her track record throughout the season was spotty — she was in the top multiple times, but had to lip-sync for her life on three different occasions — Kandy Muse powered through the ups and downs with admirable aplomb, never giving up and never failing to keep her audience wanting more. After making it “from the hood to Hollywood,” Kandy Muse left an indelible mark on the competition and, in the end, took it all the way to the top two.

Ahead of last week’s finale, NYLON hopped on the phone with the current Doll Haus member to talk about making it all the way to the end, how she feels about her fight with Tamisha Iman in retrospect, the work that still needs to be done in the Drag Race fandom in regard to queens of color, and why she never wants to think about her “Pockets” runway look ever again.

You made it to the top four. How does that feel?

Listen, it feels amazing to be here. This is a season that I will hold near and dear to my heart, obviously, because I was on it. But yeah, it’s bittersweet because it’s coming to an end.

Coming into the competition, did you always picture yourself making it this far?

Before getting on Drag Race, I absolutely could picture myself being in the top four because I would always watch the show and say, “Well, I can do that.” But once I got on Drag Race, it was definitely a hard road and a fight to get to the top four. Some days, you think to yourself, Okay, it’s my day. I’m not going to make it through. I’m going to get eliminated. But as a human with that fight, with that drive, the judges see that, and they keep you there. So now that I’m finally here, it feels incredible.

Throughout the season, you’ve referred to yourself as “the main character” on social media. Could you talk a little bit more about what you mean by that?

You know, I will say that my back hurts from carrying the whole season on it! [laughs] But while filming the show, there was this aura in the room where, when I would leave the room, it would be quiet because I’m just a loud bitch. I knew that my personality gets everyone going. Sure, I’m not going to be like, “It’s all about me!” But definitely, I was a big piece of the season 13 puzzle.

How has it felt seeing yourself on TV?

It’s been great watching on television. Obviously, you don’t know how it’s going to come off to some people. I’ve had people despise me, I’ve had people love me. I’ve had people that disliked me at first and now love me — you just never know. It’s honestly about going into Drag Race and truly being 100% yourself. When people go in and try to put on an act, one, you don’t get on the show, or two, you go home super early in the season. So it feels great to watch myself.

So many of the season’s biggest moments included you. I mean, the fight with Tamisha Iman will go down in history. How did it feel to watch that particular moment back?

I will say, watching it the night that it aired, I was like, “Okay, I can see how heated I was.” I haven’t watched it back since then because it just wasn’t one of my prettiest moments. But this week, we did get nominated for an MTV Award for Best Fight! So making iconic TV — that’s what I do. And you know what, I won’t even lie to you. I walked into Drag Race knowing that I wanted to win and get crowned. But at the same time, I wanted to win the show an Emmy Award! We’re making a TV show and that’s what I wanted to do.

A lot of the fanbase was split in their response to that whole altercation, which I think was even amplified since you are both queens of color. As I’m sure you know, the Drag Race fandom has a tendency to try to villainize queens of color. How did you deal with that response and do you think you’ve been somewhat misunderstood by the fans?

Absolutely. I’m glad you asked that. Drag Race preaches about love and how we all have to accept each other. And I love that the fans are so passionate about the show, but I just think that, sometimes, they take it a step too far. Like, you can root for your queen without putting another queen down. Throughout the season, the response to Kandy Muse has been very mixed, right? I knew going into Drag Race that I was going to be a polarizing character — you’re either going to like Kandy or you’re not going to like Kandy. But when you don’t like who I am, that has nothing to do with me. If me being 100% myself bothers you, that has everything to do with you. And there are still things we need to work on within the Drag Race fandom, such as fatphobia, racism, and even transphobia. There’s still so much that we have to work on.

However, during that fight, a lot of people came to Tamisha’s defense, and I was happy [to see that] because there has never really been an older, Black, pageant drag queen on Drag Race that has gotten the love that Tamisha has gotten. I was so happy to see that because, baby, she deserves her praise and her coins. But at the same time, I kind of got the shitty end of that whole fight — which I didn’t even mind, because all I had to do was turn my phone off and disconnect from the world. And that’s exactly what I did that weekend, because I knew that in the following episode, me and Tamisha made up and lip-synced against each other.

I wasn’t too worried. I let people say how they feel. If they feel the need to come for me, if that will make them feel better, that’s okay. I don’t think I need to fight back on social media with anyone. I’ve been through way too much in my life to let a few tweets get under my skin. But just because it doesn’t get under my skin, doesn’t mean that it won’t get under another queen’s skin. I think that, moving forward, people need to be kinder and nicer to the queens of colors. We already have it hard. We have to work ten times harder than a regular queen does.

You lip-synced three times and survived all three. Not many queens survive that many lip-syncs. And specifically, after your second lip-sync, Ru told you to sashay away and then decided to actually keep you. That’s never happened before, as far as I know.

Yeah. That’s definitely a Drag Race first!

What was going through your mind during that moment?

That was wild. I remember in the moment when it was me and Symone in the bottom two, I was like, Okay, they live for Symone. She’s a fierce competitor. We’re going to go toe-to-toe in this lip-sync and just do what we do. And we did it. I had already prepared myself to be eliminated — I always do when I’m in the bottom two. Of course, I’m going to fight for it. But I’m going to prepare myself so that I don’t let myself down. So when RuPaul was like, “Sashay away,” I was obviously sad and hurt because I wanted to make it to the end and be with the girls.

When RuPaul called my name, I swear to god, I turned around and thought she was going to be like, “Oh, Kandy. You’re in my camera. Please move.” But that wasn’t the case. When she told me that she didn’t want me to go, it made me feel really good. It just told me, Okay, RuPaul sees something in me and I really need to bring it to the competition so I can make it super far.

One of your most emotional moments this season was telling your story about getting jumped as a kid for being gay. What inspired you to open up about that and how would you say that experience has helped to shape the person you are today?

I felt like that was definitely an important story to share because it really has shaped me as a person. I think, sometimes, people think, “Oh, well, she’s always upset or angry. She’s always defensive.” And it’s like, well, I don’t choose to be those things. I am those things because of this [experience] — this is what led me to this point. I’m working on those things and growing. But I think we live in an age where people want you to be perfect at all times. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. We’re human and we make mistakes. We get upset and we yell. That’s what it is. But you should be allowed to feel the way you feel. You’re allowed to get upset about things. So that’s why I wanted to share that story. I knew the viewers were going to think, Oh, well, this bitch is just a loud bitch who likes to fight. But it’s like, Well, no, this bitch is a loud bitch who likes to fight because of this. This is what led me to be the person that I am today.

I will say, my story has definitely connected with a lot of viewers. After that aired, a lot of people would send me messages. They felt connected to me because, growing up where they grew up and being gay, they weren’t accepted and they were bullied or gay-bashed or picked on. They thought it was nice to see someone on television speaking up about those things.

On the other side, do you think growing up with a lesbian mom helped you accept yourself earlier than you would have otherwise? Did it help with your confidence?

Oh, absolutely. I always say I had the easiest upbringing as a gay man. Unfortunately, not everyone has a supportive family and not everyone has a supportive mother. I have that and I’m very fortunate to have that. I’m very lucky and blessed and it was very easy to accept myself at a very early age because of my mother.

What would it have meant for you to win?

If my name were to be called as America’s Next Drag Superstar, it would mean the world to me. It would mean validation from RuPaul. It would mean so much to my community. I would be the first plus-size winner in the U.S. franchise. I would be the first Dominican winner. I would be the first girl from the Bronx. There are so many firsts that I think are needed in the Drag Race franchise right now. Drag Race is about how we can lead our community with something better and show people, “Hey! I can do it and you can do it too.” Drag Race is about so many things and love is one of those things, and I have so much love and passion for the art of drag.

What was your favorite moment from the season and what was your least favorite moment or one you’d like to do-over if given the chance?

One of my favorite moments was on the very last episode. This wasn’t shown on TV, so it’s a little exclusive. It was when RuPaul was talking to me. He looks at me and he goes, “You are really special. I would hire you in a heartbeat.” That, to me, just felt like, Okay, this woman here understands who I am and this woman gets who I am and she appreciates me, my drive, and Kandy Muse for who she is. That was amazing. Also, that one moment in Untucked when me, Tina [Burner], and Gottmik are running away from a bug outside! I was losing my mind. And I think that we can all collectively agree [the worst moment] was the “Pockets” runway. Listen, delete the entire episode! I don’t regret a lot of things from the show, but that is one thing I do. I’m sure that when I walked out onto the runway, that was the silence heard around the world.

Coming onto the show, I think a lot of people already knew of you because of your connections to Aja and Dahlia Sin, but also because of “Sitting Alone In VIP,” which was a huge meme — especially for fans of drag. How do you think being a viral sensation way before you started Drag Race impacted your run once you finally got on?

Before getting on Drag Race, I was one of the only few girls to not have been on Drag Race to be able to travel all over the world for work and do stuff for Cosmo and magazines. I just had so many opportunities that not a lot of girls get. With the meme going around, and then I had a single with Alaska, there was just so much happening. So when I went off to Drag Race, Kandy Muse was already a household name and I think people just expected so much from me. I think the queens were like, “Okay. This bitch is here and she’s fierce competition. Let’s see what she has.” I don’t want to say it hindered me because I don’t necessarily believe that. I just think there was a lot of pressure to uplift to the name that was Kandy Muse before getting on Drag Race.

Finally, I know you said you were going to use the money you earned from winning the roast to send your moms on the honeymoon they never got to take. Is that still on the table?

Yeah, absolutely. I’m actually working on that as we speak. Unfortunately, they don’t have all-inclusive in the U.S. I didn’t know that was a thing, but we are working on it. Trust.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

A new Canadian true-crime documentary about notorious serial killer Bruce McArthur is the first “super deep dive” broadcast about the murders of eight men in Toronto’s gay village, says showrunner and co-executive producer James Buddy Day.

“Catching a Serial Killer: Bruce McArthur” begins streaming on Super Channel Fuse April 30.

The Canadian release comes just over two weeks after its U.S. premiere as part of Serial Killer Week on NBCUniversal’s true-crime Oxygen channel. The American network commissioned the film, made last summer in Toronto and produced by Toronto’s Peacock Alley Entertainment.

The McArthur documentary was released in the U.S. days before a review critical of the Toronto police force’s handling of missing persons cases in the Gay Village was released. Retired Ontario Court of Appeal justice Gloria Epstein wrote there were “serious flaws” in how the disappearances, including the McArthur case, were handled by police.

Typical of serial killers, McArthur targeted marginalized people, in this case primarily gay men of colour, some of whom were leading double lives in Toronto’s LGBTQ community.

“It’s kind of a stark reminder that not everyone is policed equally, unfortunately,” Day says.

In 2019, McArthur pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the deaths of Skandaraj (Skanda) Navaratnam, Abdulbasir Faizi, Majeed Kayhan, Soroush Mahmudi, Kirushnakumar Kanagaratnam, Dean Lisowick, Selim Esen and Andrew Kinsman from 2010 to 2017.

The documentary includes interviews with Toronto police investigators Det. David Dickinson and Insp. Hank Idsinga and Toronto Star crime reporter Wendy Gillis, who has covered the case extensively since 2018. It also includes an interview with a McArthur victim who survived, a man identified as John Doe, who tells a chilling story of being abducted and nearly strangled.

“We interviewed victims. We interviewed both investigators. We interviewed witnesses, advocates for the victims, we really brought everyone together and tried to really ask the questions of, like, how could this have happened? Not just what happened,” says Day.

Serial homicide expert Jooyoung Lee, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Toronto, also appears in the documentary.

He explores how McArthur fits the profile of many serial killers; skilled at deception, opportunists who enjoy having control while preying on marginalized victims. He also speaks about the systemic racism that led to lack of police followup when men of colour started going missing in the Village.

He hopes the documentary will bring a deeper understanding “of the many factors that went into creating Bruce McArthur and abetting his crimes.”

Lee details the repressed shame McArthur would have felt given his upbringing, along with anger and resentment he would have felt toward himself, his family and the gay community by being attracted to men.

The documentary points to a tipping point after McArthur, who previously lived as a straight man with a wife and children, was outed to his family by a male lover.

“The man outed him (McArthur) to his family, to friends, and that gave him kind of this really high level of resentment toward the gay community that may or may not have contributed to what he did,” Day said.

“I don’t think people often pause to think about the larger social factors that go into enabling a killer like Bruce McArthur to continue getting away with his crimes,” says Lee. “So I’m hoping that, in short, they’ll come away from the documentary with a more robust picture of how complex this is.”

Audiences south of the border are learning about McArthur’s murders for the first time, says Day, and there’s a huge appetite for these stories in what he calls a “golden age” for true-crime programming.

There were some U.S. media reports in 2018 when Toronto police discovered dismembered body parts of some of the eight missing men killed by McArthur, on the property of Karen Fraser, an unwitting client who hired him as a landscaper.

Fraser is interviewed in “Catching a Serial Killer” and describes the shock of learning about McArthur’s double life. She says two of McArthur’s victims worked with him on jobs in her yard.

The voice that’s missing is the killer’s. Day said he repeatedly wrote to McArthur, now serving life in prison, asking him to be part of the documentary. McArthur did not reply.

Day specializes in true-crime programs, an increasingly popular genre. “I’ve had pretty good success at talking with serial killers over the years,” says Day.

He interviewed cult leader Charles Manson not long before his death for the 2017 documentary “Charles Manson: The Final Words.”

He tries to approach true crime stories with sensitivity, not glorifying a serial killer, he says.

“The idea that the victims were marginalized, to the fact that the police really just gave up looking for them until they found their bodies is a pretty compelling story and it deserves to be told,” says Day. “We’ve got to make sure that never happens again.”

A new Canadian true-crime documentary about notorious serial killer Bruce McArthur is the first “super deep dive” broadcast about the murders of eight men in Toronto’s gay village, says showrunner and co-executive producer James Buddy Day.

“Catching a Serial Killer: Bruce McArthur” begins streaming on Super Channel Fuse April 30.

The Canadian release comes just over two weeks after its U.S. premiere as part of Serial Killer Week on NBCUniversal’s true-crime Oxygen channel. The American network commissioned the film, made last summer in Toronto and produced by Toronto’s Peacock Alley Entertainment.

The McArthur documentary was released in the U.S. days before a review critical of the Toronto police force’s handling of missing persons cases in the Gay Village was released. Retired Ontario Court of Appeal justice Gloria Epstein wrote there were “serious flaws” in how the disappearances, including the McArthur case, were handled by police.

Typical of serial killers, McArthur targeted marginalized people, in this case primarily gay men of colour, some of whom were leading double lives in Toronto’s LGBTQ community.

“It’s kind of a stark reminder that not everyone is policed equally, unfortunately,” Day says.

In 2019, McArthur pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the deaths of Skandaraj (Skanda) Navaratnam, Abdulbasir Faizi, Majeed Kayhan, Soroush Mahmudi, Kirushnakumar Kanagaratnam, Dean Lisowick, Selim Esen and Andrew Kinsman from 2010 to 2017.

The documentary includes interviews with Toronto police investigators Det. David Dickinson and Insp. Hank Idsinga and Toronto Star crime reporter Wendy Gillis, who has covered the case extensively since 2018. It also includes an interview with a McArthur victim who survived, a man identified as John Doe, who tells a chilling story of being abducted and nearly strangled.

“We interviewed victims. We interviewed both investigators. We interviewed witnesses, advocates for the victims, we really brought everyone together and tried to really ask the questions of, like, how could this have happened? Not just what happened,” says Day.

Serial homicide expert Jooyoung Lee, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Toronto, also appears in the documentary.

He explores how McArthur fits the profile of many serial killers; skilled at deception, opportunists who enjoy having control while preying on marginalized victims. He also speaks about the systemic racism that led to lack of police followup when men of colour started going missing in the Village.

He hopes the documentary will bring a deeper understanding “of the many factors that went into creating Bruce McArthur and abetting his crimes.”

Lee details the repressed shame McArthur would have felt given his upbringing, along with anger and resentment he would have felt toward himself, his family and the gay community by being attracted to men.

The documentary points to a tipping point after McArthur, who previously lived as a straight man with a wife and children, was outed to his family by a male lover.

“The man outed him (McArthur) to his family, to friends, and that gave him kind of this really high level of resentment toward the gay community that may or may not have contributed to what he did,” Day said.

“I don’t think people often pause to think about the larger social factors that go into enabling a killer like Bruce McArthur to continue getting away with his crimes,” says Lee. “So I’m hoping that, in short, they’ll come away from the documentary with a more robust picture of how complex this is.”

Audiences south of the border are learning about McArthur’s murders for the first time, says Day, and there’s a huge appetite for these stories in what he calls a “golden age” for true-crime programming.

There were some U.S. media reports in 2018 when Toronto police discovered dismembered body parts of some of the eight missing men killed by McArthur, on the property of Karen Fraser, an unwitting client who hired him as a landscaper.

Fraser is interviewed in “Catching a Serial Killer” and describes the shock of learning about McArthur’s double life. She says two of McArthur’s victims worked with him on jobs in her yard.

The voice that’s missing is the killer’s. Day said he repeatedly wrote to McArthur, now serving life in prison, asking him to be part of the documentary. McArthur did not reply.

Day specializes in true-crime programs, an increasingly popular genre. “I’ve had pretty good success at talking with serial killers over the years,” says Day.

He interviewed cult leader Charles Manson not long before his death for the 2017 documentary “Charles Manson: The Final Words.”

He tries to approach true crime stories with sensitivity, not glorifying a serial killer, he says.

“The idea that the victims were marginalized, to the fact that the police really just gave up looking for them until they found their bodies is a pretty compelling story and it deserves to be told,” says Day. “We’ve got to make sure that never happens again.”

Please send your events, meetings, etc., to pgriffin@thedestinlog.com at least 2 weeks in advance. 

Sinfonia’s Crescendo!

Sinfonia Gulf Coast hosts its annual fundraiser Crescendo! A Cultural and Culinary extravaganza,May 1 and May 2. This year’s main event,  “Moulin {vin} Rouge” and is set for May 2 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach.  Tickets to Crescendo! 2021 are $150/person. To purchase tickets, visit www.sinfoniagulfcoast.org or call 460-8800.

Derby Bourbon Tasting 

The Courtyard at Pescado will hold a Derby Bourbon Tasting from 4:3-6:30 p.m. May 1. Watch the Derby while enjoying a Maker’s Mark Mint Julep accompanied by Chef Ken’s Signature Kentucky Dishes. Dress in your finest Derby hat. Tickets are $85 + tax and gratuity. Book at events@thelcrg.com.

Derby Party on the Waterfront

Dust off your bowties and big hats because the Kentucky Derby is right around the corner and North Beach Social is the place to watch May 1. Relax at the water’s edge, as you sip mint juleps and devour hot brown sandwiches. Will and Linda Pleasants will be playing from 12-3 p.m. that day and the race is at 5:50 p.m. sharp. And they’re off!

Live at The REP

With their polar-opposite musical backgrounds, Kassie and Benjamin, My One And Only, meld old-school country, singer-songwriter and alternative folk-rock into a sound that can only be described as “Southern-Soul and Curious-Grit.” They take the stage at 7:30 p.m. May 1 at The REP Theatre, 216 Quincy Circle in Seaside. Tickets are $40 and $32 for REP members. Purchase tickets at https://lovetherep.com.

Tequila & Taco Fest

Hosted at The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Miramar Beach,  local restaurants and food trucks will be competing for the Best Taco on The Emerald Coast with a first-place prize of $2,500, from 6-9 p.m. April 30, 1-5 p.m. May 1 and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2. Sample many types of Tequilas and Margaritas from Blancos, Resposados, Anjieos, and even Mezcals while indulging on some of the area’s best tacos. Purchase tickets at bigtickets.com.

A Family Night Out

North Beach Social will welcome friends and families for a community event benefiting 30A Trails from 5-8 p.m. May 2. The event, sponsored by Citadel Roofing and Restoration, will feature live music by Wildlife Specials from 5-8  p.m Bring the whole family to dine, enjoy drinks and play on the beach while giving back to a great cause.

Cinco de Mayo Rooftop Fiesta

Head south of the border with a themed food and drink specials at the Havana Beach Rooftop from 12 p.m. to close May 5. Open to the public (must be 21+ to consume alcoholic beverages). This event is weather-permitting.

Cinco de Mayo

Toast to El Cinco de Mayo with half-priced tacos and half-priced house margaritas from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 5 at FOOW 34 Goldenrod Circle in Santa Rosa Beach.

Wednesday Night Concert Series

Sit back, relax, and enjoy free live entertainment with Sainte Jane from 7-9 p.m. May 5 on the Events Plaza stage at The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

• May 12: Shenanigans

• May 19: Chris Alvarado

• May 26: The Shakedown

• June 2: Cadillac Willy

• June 9: Biscuit Miller and The Mix

• June 16: Will Thompson Band

• June 23: Luke Langford

• June 30: Dion Jones & The Neon Tears

• July 7: Boukou Groove

• July 14: Forrest Williams Band

• July 21: Six Piece Suits

• July 28: Rust & Gold

Concerts in the Village

Shania Twin, a Shania Twain Tribute, brings music to the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s  Dugas Stage at 7 p.m. May 6. Admission is $15/adults, $10/active-duty military, and children (12 and under) and MKAF members are free.Purchase tickets online at Eventbrite. Gates open 6 p.m. 

• May 13: M80s

• May 20: A Brother’ Revival, an Allman Brother Tribute

• May 27: Deana Carter

• June 3: The Tams

• June 10: Kara Grainger

• June 17: Petty Hearts, Tom Petty Tribute

• June 24: Air National Guard Band of the South

Tequila Tasting 

Pescado has partnered with BreakThru Beverage Group to host a tasting led by Marc Engel from 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 6 at The Courtyard at Pescado.. Chef Ken Duenas will be preparing Cinco de Mayo style appetizers and guests will also receive a welcome cocktail in addition to the food and tasting. Tickets are $90 plus tax and gratuity. Email events@thelcrg.com to book your place. Limited spaces available.

Spring Showcase – A Night to Remember

Alissa Steffens Vocal Academy/Studios presents its Spring Showcase – A Night to Remember from 6-8 p.m. May 6 on the Events Plaza Stage at Baytowne Wharf. Singer/songwriter students age 12 to adult will present an evening filled with various solos and duets in a variety of music styles.

Book signing

Gail Pallotta, award winning author and longtime visitor to Destin, will hold a book signing for her latest book, “Cooking  Up a Mystery,” at Sundog Books, 89 Central Square in Santa Rosa Beach in Seaside, at 11 a.m. May 7.

Music on Main

The Anthony Peebles Trio performs from 7-9 p.m. May 7 at “Music on Main” concert series in DeFuniak Springs. Guests are invited to enjoy a listening room experience at the historic Florida Chautauqua Theatre, 840 Baldwin Avenue. Doors open at 6 p.m. for cocktail hour. Guests can grab a bite to eat before the concert at one of the downtown restaurants or from the food truck setup in front of the theatre. Tickets purchased in advance are $15/adults and $5/children and are available at fcweb.org/musiconmain. Ticket prices increase $5 on the day of the show.

May 14: West Hine

May 21: Longleaf Drive

May 28: The Wortheys

Sip N’ Stroll Gallery Night

Enjoy an evening of art from 5-7 p.m. May 7 at J.Leon Gallery and Studio, 13370 U.S. Highway 98 in Miramar Beach, with wine, champagne, and eats.

Lionfish Restaurant Week

Emerald Coast Open’s Lionfish Restaurant Week is back from 12-10 p.m. May 9-15 in Destin. Local chefs will highlight lionfish with unique dishes to bring awareness to the lionfish invasion in the Gulf of Mexico. Restaurants include Crab Trap Destin, May 9; Marina Cafe, May 10; Dewey Destin’s Harborside, May 11; La Paz, May 12; Harbor Docks, May 13; and AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, May 15.

Embroiderers’ Guild

The Sand Dunes Chapter of Embroiderers’ Guild of America will meet for a stitch-in from 12-3 p.m. May 8 in the Religious Education building, Holy Name of Jesus Catholic  Church, 1200 Valparaiso Blvd. in Niceville. Call 496-3466.

Toast to the Coast: A Cocktail & Culinary Celebration

Join in at HarborWalk Village for Toast to the Coast: A Cocktail and Culinary Celebration featuring local cuisine, signature beverages, and live entertainment at 2 p.m. May 8. Area restaurants will showcase matched samplings — a light bite with a complimentary cocktail. Purchase tickets at https://www.eventliveus.com/purchase/event/2204688.

Mother’s Day Mimosa Brunch

Celebrate all things Mom at FOOW with bottomless bubbles and muffins from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9 at 34 Goldenrod Circle in Santa Rosa Beach. All Moms will receive one complimentary mimosa and a muffin, with a keepsake recipe card as a gift. A la carte pricing on food with regular menu available for purchase. Reservations are preferred at 850-534-5050.

Havana Beach Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet

Celebrate Mom with a visit to Havana Beach Bar & Grill, 63 Main St. in Rosemary Beach, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 9. Buffet will feature a multitude of dishes that are sure to delight Mom and all of her guests. Open to the public; $75+ per adult, $40++ per child (ages 4-12)). Reservations preferred at 588-2882.

Grief Class

Beginning at 1 p.m. May 13, Destin United Methodist Church will have grief classes discussing different stages of grief and how they apply to loss. Loss which include life, relationships, health, careers and self worth. For more information and registration, contact Ken Gay at 582 2548 or email kengay.kg@ gmail.com.

Bubbly Baytowne

Enjoy an evening full of free champagne (21+) and shopping during Bubbly Baytowne from 5-7 p.m. May 13 at The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Blessing of the Fleet

Destin’s 64th Annual Blessing of the Fleet will be held May 13 at the docks behind Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer Restaurant on the Destin harbor. The event begins at 4 p.m. with a Captains’ Worship and Prayer Service to be held under a large tent. The public is encouraged to attend. Then local clergy will process to the dock to begin blessing vessels. A community fish fry will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a suggested meal donation. 

Nothin’ Funner Than Summer

Spend a day exploring exhibits before hiking to Camp Longleaf at E.O Wilson Biophilia Center’s Nothin’ Funner Than Summer from 9 am. to 2 p.m. May 15 in Freeport. Free for members-use; code in email. Adults $8 and children 3-12 $5. Pre-registration required at eowilsoncenter.org or call 835-1824. Food will be available for purchase.

Lionfish Festival

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced the seventh annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival is scheduled for May 15 and 16 at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar and HarborWalk Village in Destin. Come out and celebrate the fight against invasive lionfish with the FWC and Destin–Fort Walton Beach. Activities will include fillet demonstrations; family-friendly games and activities; art, diving and conservation booths; and the world’s largest lionfish spearfishing tournament, the Emerald Coast Open. Satisfy your taste buds by visiting any of the participating locations of Lionfish Restaurant Week May 10-14 for your chance to try this delicious invasive.

Sunday Cinema

Grab a lawn chair or blanket and cozy up at 8 p.m. May 16 on the Events Plaza Lawn at Baytowne Wharf for the free movie “Coco,”:a featured film on the big screen.

May 23: Ralph Breaks the Internet

May 30: Incredibles 2

June 6: Maleficent

June 13:  Croods A New Age

June 20: Secret Life of Pets 2

June 27: Moana

July 11: Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

July 18: Pete’s Dragon

July 25: Sing

Hydroflight Monday

Enjoy shows from fly-board extraordinaire Ben Merrell over the lagoon at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Mondays, May 17-Aug. 2.

Boomin’ Tuesday

Turn your eyes on the sky at Baytowne Wharf and watch as the sky lights up with a fireworks show over the Lagoon at 9:15 p.m. Tuesdays, May 18-Aug. 3. Also, a DJ Dance Party with DJ Mike Whitty begins at 7 p.m. in the Events Plaza.

Magical Thursday

Magic, music, and mayhem with Baytowne Wharf’s featured pirate Captain Davy takes you on an adventure with two magic shows at 7 and 8 p.m. Thursdays May 20-Aug. 5.

Memorial Day Celebration

Kick off your summer with a free Memorial Day Celebration at The Village of Baytowne Wharf from 7-9 p.m. May 29 and 6-9 p.m. May 30.  Enjoy music with Forrest Williams Band on Saturday and TBD on Sunday. Kids activities and a patriotic fireworks show also on Sunday evening.

Memorial Day Program

The Village of Baytowne Wharf will hold a free Memorial Day Program at 5 p.m. May 31. The Sandestin Veterans present a program in honor of our veterans. 

Smoke on the Coast

Destin Commons will host 15 local non-profit organizations at the 10th annual Smoke on the Coast BBQ & Fireworks Festival from 5-10 p. m. July 3. Each non-profit organization teams up with a restaurant or BBQ aficionado. Cast your vote for $1 for your favorite BBQ team, support their mission, and enjoy a day of family fun.

Bluegrass Wednesday @ Grayton Seafood Co.

Grayton Seafood Co. invites you to join them from 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays for live music and outdoor dining under the stars featuring Longleaf Drive. The Santa Rosa Beach boys play acoustic folk, rock, and bluegrass.

Hump Day Market:

Hump Day Market @ Monet Monet, 100 E. County Hwy. 30A in Grayton Beach, will be held each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop with local vendors, everything from fresh local produce, fine art, funky art, handmade jewelry, coastal clothing, arts and craft for the kids, as well as, PoBoys and specialty foods by Grayton Beach Catering.

Redd’s Fueling Station

Redd The Singing Bartender is back on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with a live band Fridays at Redds Restaurant on 30-A. It is located in Blue Mountain Beach behind Sallys By The Sea Store gas station convenience store, 2320 W County Hwy. 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. Dinner table reservations suggested. Call or text 850-325-0252. Check out the menu at www.reddsbar.com.

Fitness Field Day

Get a workout for mind and body at WaterColor Inn’s Fitness Field Day at 8 a.m. first Friday of each month at Marina Park, 238 Watercolor Blvd. W. in Santa Rosa Beach. This one-hour program offers a High Intensity Training workout, followed by a cooldown with Yoga. Open to the public for ages 9 and up. $15++ per person. Register by emailing wc.workout@stjoeclub.com or call 534-5950.Grand Boulevard Farmers Market

Grand Boulevard Farmers Market takes place every Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Grand Park in the heart of Grand Boulevard in South Walton. Bring your shopping bag and load up on local produce, eggs, jams and pies. Homemade soap, good olive oil, and pickled things are all there for the taking. 

Rosemary Beach Farmers Market

Come browse the 30A Farmers Market in Rosemary Beach on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The local farmers market takes place on Sundays year round, and Thursdays throughout the summer months, in North Barrett Square along Scenic 30A.

Please send your events, meetings, etc., to pgriffin@thedestinlog.com at least 2 weeks in advance. 

Sinfonia’s Crescendo!

Sinfonia Gulf Coast hosts its annual fundraiser Crescendo! A Cultural and Culinary extravaganza,May 1 and May 2. This year’s main event,  “Moulin {vin} Rouge” and is set for May 2 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach.  Tickets to Crescendo! 2021 are $150/person. To purchase tickets, visit www.sinfoniagulfcoast.org or call 460-8800.

Derby Bourbon Tasting 

The Courtyard at Pescado will hold a Derby Bourbon Tasting from 4:3-6:30 p.m. May 1. Watch the Derby while enjoying a Maker’s Mark Mint Julep accompanied by Chef Ken’s Signature Kentucky Dishes. Dress in your finest Derby hat. Tickets are $85 + tax and gratuity. Book at events@thelcrg.com.

Derby Party on the Waterfront

Dust off your bowties and big hats because the Kentucky Derby is right around the corner and North Beach Social is the place to watch May 1. Relax at the water’s edge, as you sip mint juleps and devour hot brown sandwiches. Will and Linda Pleasants will be playing from 12-3 p.m. that day and the race is at 5:50 p.m. sharp. And they’re off!

Live at The REP

With their polar-opposite musical backgrounds, Kassie and Benjamin, My One And Only, meld old-school country, singer-songwriter and alternative folk-rock into a sound that can only be described as “Southern-Soul and Curious-Grit.” They take the stage at 7:30 p.m. May 1 at The REP Theatre, 216 Quincy Circle in Seaside. Tickets are $40 and $32 for REP members. Purchase tickets at https://lovetherep.com.

Tequila & Taco Fest

Hosted at The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Miramar Beach,  local restaurants and food trucks will be competing for the Best Taco on The Emerald Coast with a first-place prize of $2,500, from 6-9 p.m. April 30, 1-5 p.m. May 1 and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2. Sample many types of Tequilas and Margaritas from Blancos, Resposados, Anjieos, and even Mezcals while indulging on some of the area’s best tacos. Purchase tickets at bigtickets.com.

A Family Night Out

North Beach Social will welcome friends and families for a community event benefiting 30A Trails from 5-8 p.m. May 2. The event, sponsored by Citadel Roofing and Restoration, will feature live music by Wildlife Specials from 5-8  p.m Bring the whole family to dine, enjoy drinks and play on the beach while giving back to a great cause.

Cinco de Mayo Rooftop Fiesta

Head south of the border with a themed food and drink specials at the Havana Beach Rooftop from 12 p.m. to close May 5. Open to the public (must be 21+ to consume alcoholic beverages). This event is weather-permitting.

Cinco de Mayo

Toast to El Cinco de Mayo with half-priced tacos and half-priced house margaritas from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 5 at FOOW 34 Goldenrod Circle in Santa Rosa Beach.

Wednesday Night Concert Series

Sit back, relax, and enjoy free live entertainment with Sainte Jane from 7-9 p.m. May 5 on the Events Plaza stage at The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

• May 12: Shenanigans

• May 19: Chris Alvarado

• May 26: The Shakedown

• June 2: Cadillac Willy

• June 9: Biscuit Miller and The Mix

• June 16: Will Thompson Band

• June 23: Luke Langford

• June 30: Dion Jones & The Neon Tears

• July 7: Boukou Groove

• July 14: Forrest Williams Band

• July 21: Six Piece Suits

• July 28: Rust & Gold

Concerts in the Village

Shania Twin, a Shania Twain Tribute, brings music to the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s  Dugas Stage at 7 p.m. May 6. Admission is $15/adults, $10/active-duty military, and children (12 and under) and MKAF members are free.Purchase tickets online at Eventbrite. Gates open 6 p.m. 

• May 13: M80s

• May 20: A Brother’ Revival, an Allman Brother Tribute

• May 27: Deana Carter

• June 3: The Tams

• June 10: Kara Grainger

• June 17: Petty Hearts, Tom Petty Tribute

• June 24: Air National Guard Band of the South

Tequila Tasting 

Pescado has partnered with BreakThru Beverage Group to host a tasting led by Marc Engel from 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 6 at The Courtyard at Pescado.. Chef Ken Duenas will be preparing Cinco de Mayo style appetizers and guests will also receive a welcome cocktail in addition to the food and tasting. Tickets are $90 plus tax and gratuity. Email events@thelcrg.com to book your place. Limited spaces available.

Spring Showcase – A Night to Remember

Alissa Steffens Vocal Academy/Studios presents its Spring Showcase – A Night to Remember from 6-8 p.m. May 6 on the Events Plaza Stage at Baytowne Wharf. Singer/songwriter students age 12 to adult will present an evening filled with various solos and duets in a variety of music styles.

Book signing

Gail Pallotta, award winning author and longtime visitor to Destin, will hold a book signing for her latest book, “Cooking  Up a Mystery,” at Sundog Books, 89 Central Square in Santa Rosa Beach in Seaside, at 11 a.m. May 7.

Music on Main

The Anthony Peebles Trio performs from 7-9 p.m. May 7 at “Music on Main” concert series in DeFuniak Springs. Guests are invited to enjoy a listening room experience at the historic Florida Chautauqua Theatre, 840 Baldwin Avenue. Doors open at 6 p.m. for cocktail hour. Guests can grab a bite to eat before the concert at one of the downtown restaurants or from the food truck setup in front of the theatre. Tickets purchased in advance are $15/adults and $5/children and are available at fcweb.org/musiconmain. Ticket prices increase $5 on the day of the show.

May 14: West Hine

May 21: Longleaf Drive

May 28: The Wortheys

Sip N’ Stroll Gallery Night

Enjoy an evening of art from 5-7 p.m. May 7 at J.Leon Gallery and Studio, 13370 U.S. Highway 98 in Miramar Beach, with wine, champagne, and eats.

Lionfish Restaurant Week

Emerald Coast Open’s Lionfish Restaurant Week is back from 12-10 p.m. May 9-15 in Destin. Local chefs will highlight lionfish with unique dishes to bring awareness to the lionfish invasion in the Gulf of Mexico. Restaurants include Crab Trap Destin, May 9; Marina Cafe, May 10; Dewey Destin’s Harborside, May 11; La Paz, May 12; Harbor Docks, May 13; and AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, May 15.

Embroiderers’ Guild

The Sand Dunes Chapter of Embroiderers’ Guild of America will meet for a stitch-in from 12-3 p.m. May 8 in the Religious Education building, Holy Name of Jesus Catholic  Church, 1200 Valparaiso Blvd. in Niceville. Call 496-3466.

Toast to the Coast: A Cocktail & Culinary Celebration

Join in at HarborWalk Village for Toast to the Coast: A Cocktail and Culinary Celebration featuring local cuisine, signature beverages, and live entertainment at 2 p.m. May 8. Area restaurants will showcase matched samplings — a light bite with a complimentary cocktail. Purchase tickets at https://www.eventliveus.com/purchase/event/2204688.

Mother’s Day Mimosa Brunch

Celebrate all things Mom at FOOW with bottomless bubbles and muffins from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9 at 34 Goldenrod Circle in Santa Rosa Beach. All Moms will receive one complimentary mimosa and a muffin, with a keepsake recipe card as a gift. A la carte pricing on food with regular menu available for purchase. Reservations are preferred at 850-534-5050.

Havana Beach Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet

Celebrate Mom with a visit to Havana Beach Bar & Grill, 63 Main St. in Rosemary Beach, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 9. Buffet will feature a multitude of dishes that are sure to delight Mom and all of her guests. Open to the public; $75+ per adult, $40++ per child (ages 4-12)). Reservations preferred at 588-2882.

Grief Class

Beginning at 1 p.m. May 13, Destin United Methodist Church will have grief classes discussing different stages of grief and how they apply to loss. Loss which include life, relationships, health, careers and self worth. For more information and registration, contact Ken Gay at 582 2548 or email kengay.kg@ gmail.com.

Bubbly Baytowne

Enjoy an evening full of free champagne (21+) and shopping during Bubbly Baytowne from 5-7 p.m. May 13 at The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Blessing of the Fleet

Destin’s 64th Annual Blessing of the Fleet will be held May 13 at the docks behind Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer Restaurant on the Destin harbor. The event begins at 4 p.m. with a Captains’ Worship and Prayer Service to be held under a large tent. The public is encouraged to attend. Then local clergy will process to the dock to begin blessing vessels. A community fish fry will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a suggested meal donation. 

Nothin’ Funner Than Summer

Spend a day exploring exhibits before hiking to Camp Longleaf at E.O Wilson Biophilia Center’s Nothin’ Funner Than Summer from 9 am. to 2 p.m. May 15 in Freeport. Free for members-use; code in email. Adults $8 and children 3-12 $5. Pre-registration required at eowilsoncenter.org or call 835-1824. Food will be available for purchase.

Lionfish Festival

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced the seventh annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival is scheduled for May 15 and 16 at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar and HarborWalk Village in Destin. Come out and celebrate the fight against invasive lionfish with the FWC and Destin–Fort Walton Beach. Activities will include fillet demonstrations; family-friendly games and activities; art, diving and conservation booths; and the world’s largest lionfish spearfishing tournament, the Emerald Coast Open. Satisfy your taste buds by visiting any of the participating locations of Lionfish Restaurant Week May 10-14 for your chance to try this delicious invasive.

Sunday Cinema

Grab a lawn chair or blanket and cozy up at 8 p.m. May 16 on the Events Plaza Lawn at Baytowne Wharf for the free movie “Coco,”:a featured film on the big screen.

May 23: Ralph Breaks the Internet

May 30: Incredibles 2

June 6: Maleficent

June 13:  Croods A New Age

June 20: Secret Life of Pets 2

June 27: Moana

July 11: Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

July 18: Pete’s Dragon

July 25: Sing

Hydroflight Monday

Enjoy shows from fly-board extraordinaire Ben Merrell over the lagoon at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Mondays, May 17-Aug. 2.

Boomin’ Tuesday

Turn your eyes on the sky at Baytowne Wharf and watch as the sky lights up with a fireworks show over the Lagoon at 9:15 p.m. Tuesdays, May 18-Aug. 3. Also, a DJ Dance Party with DJ Mike Whitty begins at 7 p.m. in the Events Plaza.

Magical Thursday

Magic, music, and mayhem with Baytowne Wharf’s featured pirate Captain Davy takes you on an adventure with two magic shows at 7 and 8 p.m. Thursdays May 20-Aug. 5.

Memorial Day Celebration

Kick off your summer with a free Memorial Day Celebration at The Village of Baytowne Wharf from 7-9 p.m. May 29 and 6-9 p.m. May 30.  Enjoy music with Forrest Williams Band on Saturday and TBD on Sunday. Kids activities and a patriotic fireworks show also on Sunday evening.

Memorial Day Program

The Village of Baytowne Wharf will hold a free Memorial Day Program at 5 p.m. May 31. The Sandestin Veterans present a program in honor of our veterans. 

Smoke on the Coast

Destin Commons will host 15 local non-profit organizations at the 10th annual Smoke on the Coast BBQ & Fireworks Festival from 5-10 p. m. July 3. Each non-profit organization teams up with a restaurant or BBQ aficionado. Cast your vote for $1 for your favorite BBQ team, support their mission, and enjoy a day of family fun.

Bluegrass Wednesday @ Grayton Seafood Co.

Grayton Seafood Co. invites you to join them from 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays for live music and outdoor dining under the stars featuring Longleaf Drive. The Santa Rosa Beach boys play acoustic folk, rock, and bluegrass.

Hump Day Market:

Hump Day Market @ Monet Monet, 100 E. County Hwy. 30A in Grayton Beach, will be held each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop with local vendors, everything from fresh local produce, fine art, funky art, handmade jewelry, coastal clothing, arts and craft for the kids, as well as, PoBoys and specialty foods by Grayton Beach Catering.

Redd’s Fueling Station

Redd The Singing Bartender is back on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with a live band Fridays at Redds Restaurant on 30-A. It is located in Blue Mountain Beach behind Sallys By The Sea Store gas station convenience store, 2320 W County Hwy. 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. Dinner table reservations suggested. Call or text 850-325-0252. Check out the menu at www.reddsbar.com.

Fitness Field Day

Get a workout for mind and body at WaterColor Inn’s Fitness Field Day at 8 a.m. first Friday of each month at Marina Park, 238 Watercolor Blvd. W. in Santa Rosa Beach. This one-hour program offers a High Intensity Training workout, followed by a cooldown with Yoga. Open to the public for ages 9 and up. $15++ per person. Register by emailing wc.workout@stjoeclub.com or call 534-5950.Grand Boulevard Farmers Market

Grand Boulevard Farmers Market takes place every Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Grand Park in the heart of Grand Boulevard in South Walton. Bring your shopping bag and load up on local produce, eggs, jams and pies. Homemade soap, good olive oil, and pickled things are all there for the taking. 

Rosemary Beach Farmers Market

Come browse the 30A Farmers Market in Rosemary Beach on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The local farmers market takes place on Sundays year round, and Thursdays throughout the summer months, in North Barrett Square along Scenic 30A.

WHAT’S GOING ON? Here is a small sample of area happenings — some in-person, others online — you may want to check out in the coming days.

Art/Museums

APRIL 30

CLINTON “The Hunterdon Art Tour,” self-guided tour of area art studios and exhibit spaces Saturday and Sunday, with virtual opening on Twitch for special museum exhibit featuring THAT artists on Friday. Hunterdon Art Museum, 7 Lower Center St. thehunterdonarttour.com, info@thehunterdonarttour.com.

MAY 1

HALEDON “Movements of the ’60s Through the Eyes of a Revolutionary Working-Class Feminist Photographer/Filmmaker/Musician,” opening of exhibit of photos by UALE Summer School for Union Women cultural director Bev Grant, running through Aug. 28. Botto House National Landmark, American Labor Museum, 83 Norwood St. labormuseum.net, 973-595-7953.

LAMBERTVILLE “Queer Icons: Pioneers,” life-sized plywood portraits of notable figures from the LGBTQ community by artist Silky Shoemaker displayed in store windows in Lambertville and New Hope, through May 31. Downtown Lambertville, North Union Street. lambertvillechamber.com/queer-icons-pioneers/, 609-397-0055.

STOCKTON Spring Arts and Crafts Show, Delaware River Mill Society fundraiser, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., May 1-2. Prallsville Mills, 33 Risler St. prallsvillemills.org, 609-397-3586.

Dance

APRIL 30

SOUTH ORANGE “Capturing the Moment,” virtual showcase of seven New Jersey State Council on the Arts choreography fellowship awardees, 7:30 p.m., also May 1, 7:30 p.m. South Orange Performing Arts Center. Free but registration required. sopacnow.org, 973-313-2787.

MAY 1

SUMMIT “!Balli di Primavera¡,” spring production celebrating 52nd anniversary season with performance of Paul Taylor’s “Cloven Kingdom” and two premiere works by Christopher Bloom of Ballet Hispanico, 3 p.m., also May 2, 3 p.m. New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, 315B Springfield Ave. $35. njtde.org, 908-273-5500.

Music

APRIL 30

FRANKFORD Dark Star Orchestra, drive-in Grateful Dead tribute, 6 p.m., also May 1, 6 p.m. Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road in Augusta. $55-$249. sussexcountylive.com/dso, 973-948-5500.

RED BANK Williams Honor, 7 p.m., Count Basie Theatre, The Vogel, 99 Monmouth St. $39.50-$49.50. thebasie.org, 732-842-9000.

WAYNE WP Choirs, online “Daring to Spring” concert, 7 p.m., William Paterson University, Shea Center for Performing Arts, 300 Pompton Road. wp-presents.org, 973-720-2371.

MAY 1

HALEDON Annual May Day Festival, live outdoor performances of folk and labor music with George Mann and lyric soprano Annamaria Stefanelli, 1 p.m., Botto House National Landmark, American Labor Museum, 83 Norwood St. $10. labormuseum.net, 973-595-7953.

Theater

APRIL 30

ENGLEWOOD “Fat Men in Skirts,” Nicky Silver comedy about a boy and his mother stranded on a desert island, 8 p.m., also May 1-2, 8 p.m. Black Box Performing Arts Center, 49 E. Palisade Ave. $35-$40. blackboxpac.com, 201-569-2070.

SUMMIT “Everything is Super Great,” online Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre production of Stephen Brown comedy, 7:30 p.m., also May 1, 7:30 p.m. $20. dreamcatcherrep.org, 908-514-9654.

UNION “Dragons in the Crease,” live Zoom streaming of production of Joseph Vitale drama based on true story of a college student with a severe stutter who was asked by his professor not to speak in class, 7:30 p.m., also May 1, 7:30 p.m. The Theater Project. $15. thetheaterproject.org, 908-809-8865.

WOODBRIDGE “My Big Gay Italian Wedding,” satire on the controversy surrounding same-sex marriage, 8 p.m., also May 1, 8 p.m.; May 2, 3 p.m. Avenel Performing Arts Center, 150 Avenel St. in Avenel. $49.50. avenelarts.com, 732-314-0500.

MAY 1

MIDDLETOWN “Spring Comedies,” free live Zoom Classic Radio Road Show presentation of “My Favorite Husband,” “The Bickersons” and “Miss Tithinwither at the Prize Fight” vintage radio programs, 7:30 p.m. classicradioroadshow.org, 732-513-8234.

See more events at nj.com/events

Send event information to events@starledger.com or submit online at nj.com/myevent