Willow Pill came to RuPaul's Drag Race with a unique brand of camp humor and a determination to continue the show's legacy of questioning ableism. RuPaul seemed to take a liking to Willow's story and quirky performance style. While not all of Willow's castmates could remember her name, she undoubtedly has made an impression on fans and judges alike. Also, she is far from the first or last queen to battle injury or illness on the famous stage, and wow her audience regardless.
Willow hails from Denver, Colorado, and is a long-time fan of the show. She looks up to season 11 winner Yvie Oddly, whom she met at a gay bar. Willow also created a documentary about Yvie in college and considers her a drag sister. Yvie more recently opened up about her insecurities and the pace of her career after winning the crown. When it comes to Willow's name, it's a tribute to Willow Rosenburg from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Willow was Buffy's soft-spoken, quirky and gay sidekick, who occasionally got caught up in the dark side. The pill surname references her chronic illness and the fact that she must frequently take medication.
RuPaul called Willow an "oddball," and she affirmed the characterization, embracing it wholeheartedly. When asked where she got her humor, Willow answered, "darkness." There is a long history of comedians and performers utilizing their craft to combat anxiety, depression, and illness. However, such issues aren't holding Willow back on RuPaul's Drag Race season 14. For her, humor is a tool she uses to find light as she lives with chronic illness. Early on, she chose to take her trauma from a lifelong battle with Cystinosis, and find a way to make it funny. Willow explained that Cystinosis "blocks your kidneys and your eyeballs and your fingers and grows little crystals in your eyes."
While RuPaul felt it was important to educate the audience on Willow's rare disease, that hasn't defined the contestant's entrance. Willow impressed judges and castmates alike, right out the gate, thanks to her bizarre humor. Willow also took advantage of filming in Los Angeles to capture a gorgeous photoshoot on the beach, proving she can also turn a look.
There is a long history of queens battling through injury and illness with spectacular results. Eureka O'Hara competed in season 9 before injuring her ankle but luckily returned in RuPaul's Drag Race season 10. Cynthia Lee Fontaine joined season 8, ignoring the early warning signs of Stage 1 Liver cancer. While producers were concerned, she insisted on battling on, despite losing almost fifty pounds within the first weeks of filming. She returned in season 9 after getting eliminated due to her illness and fatigue.
The oldest queen to grace RuPaul's Drag Race, Tamisha Iman, faced a similar dilemma. She didn't take an offer to join season 12 while undergoing radiation treatment for colon cancer. However, she returned and performed triumphantly on season 13, while wearing an ostomy bag. These days, the very brave Tamisha from Drag Race had no regrets about sashaying home after a phenomenal effort.
Queens battling health issues continue to show up and show out. Willow wowed Ru and her costars with a chaotic and endearing self-care routine at the talent show. As she proceeded to throw spaghetti and meatballs, a toaster, and a glass of red wine in her bathtub, she had Ru and Jambalaya falling in love with the bizarre act. So far, it looks like Willow's paved a path to the finish line on RuPaul's Drag Race season 14.
RuPaul's Drag Race airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on VH1.
Source: Willow Pill/Instagram