As a contestant on both the regular and the All Star editions of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (she won All Star last year), Ginger Minj is used to dramatic shenanigans. They are on an even greater scale in Adam Shankman’s new comedy, “Stop! That! Train!” (out June 12), in which she plays an attendant aboard the Glamazonian Express as it speeds into a destructive “stormaganza.”
“I grew up on ‘Airplane!’ and then of course ‘Soul Plane,” said Ginger, whose non-drag name is Joshua Allen Eads. “I love all of these silly, stupid disaster movies.”
The competition is stiff, but as the sweet, wide-eyed Tess, the busy performer gets to work out her perfect comic timing alongside — as befits the genre — a galaxy of guest stars.
Next on the agenda are live summer dates, including a Provincetown, Mass., run in July of her “Wicked” parody “Licked: For Gay,” with her “Stop! That! Train!” co-star Jujubee. The two of them will team up again in the fall for the return of the popular Hokus Pokus Live! tour.
An avowed animal lover, Ginger, 41, was still stressed from her Pembroke Welsh corgi Elphie’s recent trip to the emergency room when she sat down for a video interview, but she pulled herself together to talk about some of her favorite things. (Elphie is fine.) Here are edited excerpts from the conversation.
‘Wicked’
I’ve been obsessed with Oz my entire life, and it kind of reignited when the “Wicked” novel came out in 1995. I went to see the musical out of morbid curiosity, and again was completely captivated by the land of Oz. Then with the movies they created something completely unique in and of itself. You get people who have never seen the stage show go, “Why wasn’t there more Dorothy?” Well, you got to see more of her in the movie than you do on Broadway so be grateful for the little miracles of life.
Plumping Lip Gloss
Being autistic, I always have to hyper-fixate on something. One day I tried a plumping lip gloss. It burned so bad and I kind of liked the way my mind hyper-focused on that. So now I hyper-focus on plumping lip gloss. I like the sensation and I like that it keeps me distracted.
Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa 62
I love anything that smells good. I have shelves full of every type of perfume and cologne and body spray you can think of, but I always go back to Cheirosa 62. It’s cozy, it’s vanilla, it’s got some of that caramelized sugar in it. Everybody goes, “You smell like a warm hug.”
Coke Cherry Zero
I love Diet Coke, it’s my lifeblood. However, Cherry Diet Coke tastes like Luden’s cherry cough drops. I hate to say fresh and natural when it comes to any kind of soda, but there is something just really refreshing about Cherry Coke Zero. I will choose that in a sea of beverages all day long, every single day.
Dogs
Dogs are probably my biggest love and passion in the world. My ultimate goal is to make enough money to retire to a giant farm where I can just have every dog that doesn’t have a home come and stay with me. If a dog doesn’t trust somebody, I know I cannot trust that person.
Rhinestone Clothing
That whole Y2K style was all about colors and rhinestones and happily is coming back into fashion. What a time to be alive! I blame Dolly Parton for this in some way, but it’s just right. It’s fun and it’s eye-catching. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with rhinestones.
Platform Sneakers
I’ve always looked for shoes that would give me some kind of height but without wearing actual platform shoes — I always felt like Pinocchio or some kind of marionette in them. I’m a lady of a certain age and spend a lot of time in heels, so I’m looking for things with comfort and support. Platform sneakers really have saved my feet and my back.
Bubs Sour Candy
I don’t like the texture of Sour Patch Kids; they’re a little too sticky. I always felt sour straws were too hard. I feel like Goldilocks right now — these are just right.
Coffee
I need to drink it to wake up and I need to drink it to go to bed. I get a Dunkin’ Donuts hot coffee with a splash of cream, and that’s it. At home I typically will just do black coffee with two scoops of collagen powder in it, and that tastes delicious to me.
Sand + Paws Pet-Odor Candles
I use a lot of Sand + Fog perfume oils because they are a really great base. One of the things about their candles, as far as I’ve been able to tell, is that they use a lot of vegan products and things that are safe for households with pets. They’re aesthetically pleasing and budget-friendly as well. I’m always looking for budget-friendly versions of luxuries that I enjoy.
