What to know
- Drag Queen Aurora Matrix impersonated Mayor Olivia Chow on Canada’s Drag Race All Stars Snatch Game episode.
- Chow attended the Toronto viewing party and celebrated with the Drag community.
- Matrix’s performance paid tribute to Chow’s joyful, energetic personality and support for Queer arts.
- The episode marked a full-circle Toronto moment for Matrix.
Toronto’s Aurora Matrix brought the city’s spirit to the national stage on Canada’s Drag Race All Stars, channelling Mayor Olivia Chow in a Snatch Game performance, while the real Chow cheered on at a viewing party.
Aired on Aug. 6, Aurora Matrix decided to channel Chow for the Crave TV series’ fifth episode, “Win To Get In.”
The show follows fan-favourite Queens from previous Canada’s Drag Race seasons competing for a $100,000 cash prize and the title of “Canada’s Ultimate All-Star.”
In the semifinal episode, Queens had to participate in its signature snatch game: a classic celebrity impersonation comedy challenge. That’s when Matrix chose a Toronto icon, Mayor Chow.
Matrix’s reaction to Chow attending the viewing party
Matrix attended a viewing party at Church and Wellesley’s Crews & Tangos and was shocked when Mayor Olivia Chow’s office requested an invitation to the event.
“It was truly one of those moments where I had to pinch myself and realize what was happening,” Matrix told Now Toronto.
Matrix shared that they had received a message from Chow’s office requesting to join the episode’s viewing party, building up excitement for their official meeting at the event.
“Actually sitting next to her watching the Snatch Game dressed as her was a complete out-of-body experience. I was so ecstatic and so excited,” they said.
Why impersonate Chow?
Matrix shared his appreciation for Chow’s support for the arts, drag, and Queer culture, and performed as her as a love letter to Toronto’s Mayor.
“Yes, I’m doing an impersonation, but it really all comes from love and comes from a place of respect. Just seeing her celebrating the Queers in Canada, in Toronto, I wanted to do the same and celebrate her on All Stars,” they shared.
How did Matrix choreograph a Drag performance with Chow as celeb inspo?
Matrix shared that they pulled from what they consider Chow’s most personable traits: fun, bubbly, and energetic.
“I really wanted to bring her joy and her happiness into the snatch game… Obviously, I did more of a caricature of who Olivia Chow is, but the essence of her fun and excitable energy is what really inspired me to play her as a character,” Matrix explained.
“She is always big smiles. She can be a very serious person at times, but in the midst of all of that seriousness, there is this joy that always radiates from her. That’s what I wanted to be able to show,” they added.
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Matrix also said that the performance is over-the-top because it is drag, which is why they channelled a strong accent and exaggerated Chow’s character.
“I was able to bring the right amount of Olivia, plus the right amount of fun drag, and I was able to mix it all into one great performance, and I’m so proud of the performance,” they said.
How performing as Chow brought Matrix to a full-circle moment with Toronto
Chow’s known online for always being outside, with people wishing to be “as out as Olivia Chow” in the summer, which also inspired Matrix’s performance.
“I feel like we have seen her out at the events dancing and partying… and I feel that is something that once you see her, once you know the reference, you will immediately get it. I am from the city,” Matrix said.
But Matrix took things a step further, adding some Toronto references to the performances, such as Toronto bike shares.
“I feel like she’s done a lot of content in the past where she’s wearing her little helmet, riding the Toronto bike shares. So that was definitely a joke that I wanted to throw in there,” they said.
“Then also obviously, Olivia loves to dance at all these events. She’s always on her feet, dancing around, smiling and laughing. So, a lot of the jokes that I had were also built around the fact that Olivia is always dancing and moving,” Matrix added.
What is Matrix planning to do next?
Matrix and Chow share the same Hong Kong heritage, so the Drag Queen would love to do a performance that ties that cultural connection together.
“I would do a performance of her that starts with a Cantonese number, and then goes into something more energetic and dancey. I think it would be such a nice combination of both culture and the fun of Drag,” they said.
