When the sickening — in gay lingo that’s a positive thing — “RuPaul’s Drag Race” returns to MTV at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, SoFlo will be representing.

Miami drag-a-licious divas Mhi’ya Iman Le’Paige and Morphine Love Dion will be sashaying their way to the pinnacle of female impersonation as part of the Season 16 cast of the top-rated reality TV competition, which has won seven Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Reality Competition Program four consecutive times from 2018 to 2021, and expanded into a global franchise that will have you gagging (also a positive in gay slang).

Here are the two queens spilling the tea in excerpts — edited for brevity and clarity — from interviews.

MORPHINE LOVE DION
25; now lives in Hialeah; @morphinelovemua

Q: You were born in Miami and have Nicaraguan heritage, so do you think that background shows up in any way in your performances?

A: Both my parents are from Nicaragua … There’s not as much Nicaraguan people in this area, per se. It’s more Cuban. But my performances (are) more Latina-based, like all the cultures. I mix everything all at once. I think as of lately, I’ve been trying to showcase more of my Nicaraguan heritage, because it’s so important. We just had our first Miss Nicaragua as Miss Universe. So I feel like now I’m showing more of my Nicaraguan heritage but Morphine is more about all cultures you know.

Q: For the uninitiated, how would you describe your aesthetic and your act?

A: I am a showgirl. I like to say … Latina goddess. I am also a brunch queen. I love to perform at the brunches. I am a dancer as well, so my shows are all about high-energy performances, looking absolutely stunning, showing off my body-ody-ody as much as I can, and always serving absolute mug. When you’re at my show, I feel like audience members can’t help but to have their eyes glued on me. And you’re just going to have an amazing time watching me perform.

Q: How did you come up with your drag name?

A: It’s so funny. I was like 16 years old watching the “Marry the Night” music video by Lady Gaga, you know, icon, legend, star. And there was a scene that she was doing with this nurse, and the nurse … walks into the room and she said, “Good morning, morphine princess.” And my 16-year-old self was like, “You know what? I really like that name. I don’t know what it means. I don’t know what it is, but I’m gonna put it on all my social media handles.” And then years later, I was like: Wait, is this a product and I had no idea? You know what, it’s fine. But it is funny to have a crowd full of like 400 people chant the word “morphine.”

Q: So you’re a Capricorn with a birthday on Jan. 4, right before the premiere of Season 16 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” so what are you planning to do to celebrate?

A: This is just, honestly, the best birthday gift ever. And on the fourth … that’s like our premiere, so that’s even crazier. I’m going to be in New York with all my sisters from Season 16, just celebrating. And then I get to celebrate with my Miami family the day after, for me. But my birthday is a weeklong event.

Q: How did you come to book the Maluma and Bad Bunny video gigs?

A: Oh my gosh … so the Bad Bunny music video happened because someone on Instagram DM’d me and they were … like, “We need two queens to participate in (this) video,” and I was like, “Absolutely.” I remember just being so late to that music video. I was, you know, on Miami time girl. … And I remember seeing this man sitting down, and he and one of the producers were like, “If you could just hold on for a second,” and I was like, “Baby, I gotta get ready.” I didn’t know that was Bad Bunny. I know that was bad. … But you know, I got to meet him after and he was so sweet. It was just an amazing experience. And then from that, I got a Maluma commercial, from the same people.

Q: Did you ever perform or spend a significant amount of time in Broward County or Palm Beach County?

A: I will say Wilton Manors is like my second and third home. Oh girl, I was just there last night, actually. I think for three years I was the host at (Georgi’s) Alibi Monkey Bar in Wilton Manors. It’s honestly one of the places that molded me as the artist that I am today. I learned a lot being there. You know, every time I mentioned Miami, I always in the same sentence mentioned Fort Lauderdale because there’s so much amazing drag there. And I hope to see Fort Lauderdale on “Drag Race” for Season 17. I love Wilton Manors. I love the people and … I love to hang out there.

Q: Here in SoFlo, what did you do to just chill and relax?

A: There’s so many places, because I’m more of like a night owl. I love to go to Nathan’s Bar, Twist. Just to unplug with friends and have a good time or get in trouble. Like I said, I love to hang out at the Alibi as well. And also, I love to go to R House on off days. I like to go to the places I work at.

Q: Was it hard to keep your appearance on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” a secret?

A: Girl, you know us Latinos, especially in Miami. It is hard to keep a secret. I don’t know how I kept this secret. But I did it, girl. The announcement was at 11 and at 10:59 I was like, “All right, guys, I can’t hold it in any longer.” It’s horrible. But it was worth it.

Q: Who was your favorite judge?

A: My favorite judge for sure has to be Sarah Michelle Gellar. I grew up watching “Scooby-Doo” and “Buffy,” so it was just amazing to finally have a guest judge I’m obsessed with.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about the political climate in Florida a la “Don’t Say Gay” legislation?

A: Well, you know, (at) R House we went through it really badly there, especially with Ron. I like to say Ron DeSatan, he really tried to come for us and, evidently, he lost the war. I feel like ever since that happened it’s been a little bit difficult, especially for me because I do identify as nonbinary. I’m very gender-fluid. And I feel like before this whole “Don’t Say Gay” stuff, it was easy for me to walk out in between shows and get lunch and drive in full face. Now, I feel a little bit more scared as a queer person to be out and about, because everyone is just on board with this “Don’t Say Gay” bill. It’s such a sensitive time for us, and I feel like we are slowly but surely coming through the other side, and we’re gonna win.

Q: I hear you are close friends with SoFlo’s drag legend and multiple “Drag Race” alum Latrice Royale and her hubby, Christopher Hamblin. Is that true?

A: I love her so much. Oh my god. She actually came to R House, I think three or four years ago, when I had dislocated my elbow. And I was still doing shows, my little elbow in a little cast, and Latrice said, “Who is this bitch?” She got up, got a stack of 100s and just started throwing it at me. Yeah, she paid for the medical bills, for sure. She was just such a sweet and amazing human being … To be on the same franchise as her means so much to me, and to get her stamp of approval is even more amazing.

Q: Are you considering going back to makeup tutorials on YouTube?

A: I love this question because, yes, I am going back to doing YouTube … You know, one thing that I love is content creation. And even before “Drag Race,” I just loved being on YouTube and talking s—. A lot of the fans are asking me to be back on YouTube and I think I’m gonna go back very, very soon.

Q: What are you doing for New Year’s Eve, and are there any upcoming SoFlo appearances you’d like to tell your fans about?

A: Actually, for New Year’s Eve, I’m working at Splash Bar in Panama City (Beach), Fla. Never been there. I’m excited. And then, the next appearance that I’m going to have in South Florida will be at R House on Jan. 5 for the viewing party with my team and Mhi’ya Iman Le’Paige from Season 16 and Malaysia Babydoll Foxx from Season 15.

MHI’YA IMAN LE’PAIGE
34; now lives in Hollywood; @queenofflipss

Q: You were born in Miami and have Haitian heritage, so do you think that background shows up in any way in your performances?

A: My father is Haitian, my father’s side of the family is Haitian, and I grew up a little bit around them, I wasn’t really around them that much. And once I came out of the closet around the age of 19, my father kind of like just cut off communication. So I wasn’t able to talk to no one for at least like 10, 11 years. And we reconnected, but it’s kind of hard to have that connection with him. But … whenever we do talk, it’s of love. You know, we just came back talking to each other but never talked about what happened. So yeah, you probably won’t see the Haitian side of me, but you definitely will see the South Florida side of me with the whole high-energy performance, the crazy tricks and stunts that we’re known for doing here in Florida.

Q: For the uninitiated, how would you describe your aesthetic and your act?

A: In my vibe, I’ve always went for the glamour type of drag — disco, funky. I’ve done a few goth looks. I’m open to really anything. I love trying new things and just showing the diversity that Mhi’ya can bring.

Q: How did you come up with your drag name?

A: I literally was getting ready to do a show, my first time in drag, and I was in love with the singer Mýa. And at the time, Jada Iman was my (drag mother). She’s no longer here. That’s how I got Iman. And now Missy Meyakie LePaige is my “mother,” so that’s how I got to the Le’Paige.

Q: You’re a Scorpio, so what did you do for your recent birthday?

A: Stayed in bed. I don’t know what it is. It’s just I’ve changed, out of nowhere. I used to be a party head. I used to go to the club every night. Now I’m just home in bed, playing Fortnite.

Q: Did you ever perform or spend a significant amount of time in Broward County or Palm Beach County?

A: I’ve performed the whole Florida coast. (Georgie’s) Alibi, The Pub. What else? Back in the day The Coliseum. And in West Palm Beach, Kashmir and like the old clubs.

Q: Here in SoFlo, what did you do to just chill and relax? Do you still enjoy going to Nathan’s Bar and Mom’s New York Pizza (because that’s what I heard)?

A: I was actually at Nathan’s Bar last night, and I still go to eat, though I don’t work there anymore. I still go out there and hang out with the girls.

Q: I also hear that you have a fear of video cameras. How did you get over that for “RuPaul’s Drag Race”? Or did you?

A: I did it, but every moment that a camera is in front of me, I have to fight through it. And I’d breathe in and out and just put my best foot forward.

Q: Was it hard for you to keep your appearance on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” a secret?

A: Yes, it was definitely hard. I think once it came out, whew, I was able to breathe.

Q: Who was your favorite judge?

A: Michelle (Visage). Honestly, all the judges were good, but Michelle stood out the most to me because she kept pushing me and wanting to see me do good in competitions.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about the political climate in Florida a la “Don’t Say Gay” legislation?

A: I think it’s crazy how they’re arguing (about) drag, after all these years that drag has been around … and now for it to be a problem is just BS to me. I can put it like this: With them targeting us … basically made us come together as a whole … A few of the leaders from the community got a bus, drove from different cities — Miami, Broward, Orlando, Tampa — and they all drove up to Tallahassee to do a march. I wish I was able to go, but I was getting ready to leave for (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”). … I’m happy that everyone was able to come together and stand together and let our voices be heard.

Q: I’ve been looking at your social media posts. Is there anything you’d like to say about The Palace in South Beach, where you first gained notoriety?

A: I’d been performing at The Palace for 10 years+ (with), you know, my sisters — and I look at them as sisters, we’re family — (but) sometimes good things come to an end and I wish nothing but the best for them and everyone that’s working there. It just wasn’t for me anymore. I felt like I wasn’t being treated fairly, so I just like threw in the towel.

Q: How did your signature flips first start?

A: Me and my cousins, we used to always do crazy things. We play sports together and out of nowhere I think we just started like flipping and having like a flipping competition, who could do the most flips. And so we basically taught each other how to backflip.

Watch Parties in SoFlo on Friday, Jan. 5

  • R House: This Wynwood dining and drag destination’s annual “YAS QUEEN” viewing party will have both contestants from this season’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” — Morphine Love Dion and Mhi’Ya Le’Paige — taking the stage. Also performing will be season 15’s Malaysia Babydoll Foxx. Athena Dion will host the event, which will include a Q&A with Mhi’Ya and Morphine. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Viewing party starts at 8 p.m. followed by a drag show at 9:30 p.m. at 2727 NW 2nd Ave., Miami. Reservations are encouraged. 305-576-0201; rhousewynwood.com.
  • LIT Wilton: The watch party is part of this neighborhood lounge’s “Flashback Fridays’ event with DJ Nena spinning. 8 p.m. at 2440 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors. litwilton.com.