Heading Out on Tour, Jimbo Promises a Wild Ride with 'Jimbo's Drag Circus'

In just a few short years, Jimbo has become one of the most popular drag stars in the history of "RuPaul's Drag Race." She first appeared on "Canada's Drag Race" in 2020 where she became an instant fan favorite, winning the Snatch Game with his take on Joan Rivers. But Jimbo (a.k.a. James Insell) didn't make it to the final three, finishing fourth.

Two years later, he headed to England for the first season of "RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World," which pitted a number of Britain's leading Ru Girls stars with queens from the numerous international versions of the reality series. He was once again an early-on favorite to take home the crown and scepter after winning the challenges in the first two episodes. But things came to a screeching halt was booted off on the third episode in one of the most controversial moments in "Drag Race" herstory.

Redemption came the following year when Jimbo won the eighth season of "RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars," where she was the clear front-runner after winning a record-tying four challenges, including a second Snatch Game win for a hilarious take on Shirley Temple. With the grand prize came a web series on World of Wonder called "It's My Special Show."

What made Jimbo such an instant fan favorite is her outrageous, clownish persona, which allows her to go to weird places in his comedy and drag with a natural ease. It shouldn't be surprising to see that she is calling her latest show "Jimbo's Drag Circus," that takes her to 37 U.S. cities and 20 Canadian ones beginning on February 29 in Royal Oak, Michigan. (For a complete list of dates, follow this link.)

With a narrative that about a circus going awry that features some of her favorite characters, "Jimbo's Drag Circus" promises to be the weirdest show on Earth. EDGE spoke to the versatile drag icon about her drag circus, winning "All Stars," and what she sees ahead in the future of drag.
(Note: introduction by Robert Nesti.)

EDGE: Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?

Jimbo: My name is Jimbo. I am a clown, a drag queen, a performance artist, and a designer.

EDGE: Congratulations on winning" All Stars 8." What has changed for you?

Jimbo: I don't know what has changed for me. Participating on "Drag Race" is like going through a crazy bootcamp. When I was on "Canada's Drag Race," "UK vs the World," and then ultimately "All Stars 8" it felt like a graduation. After I won "All Stars 8 "and I left the show, I felt like I had finished bootcamp, the Olympics, and the University of Drag. Those experiences taught me a lot about myself and about how I wanted to present myself to the world. Through those opportunities, I was able to really elevate my style and my point of view. I was able to make connections around the world with designers and other performers that I would have never been able to make. I think winning has in some level helped me get on a bigger stage and now I am ready to take on the world with a whole new sense of purpose.

EDGE: The third time is a charm. So, is three is your lucky number now?

Jimbo: At this point in my career, it should be.