Drag Race's Calix Quan Is the Latinx, Asian Gaymer the Pit Crew Needs

One of the breakout stars of RuPaul's Drag Race this year has been one of its Pit Crew members: Calixto Quan.

Whether helping with photography or spinning the wheel of lipsynching for the queens, Quan has been a standout and handsome addition to the popular VH1 reality show. Below, the fan favorite -- who is also a model, influencer, and gamer -- discusses bringing Asian and Latinx visibility to Drag Race's Pit Crew, his love of gaming, and the importance of psychedelics.

CALIXTO is wearing TOMMY HILFIGER all clothing and accessories available tommy.com and Tommy Hilfiger stores.

What is your regular skincare routine?

Skincare has always been important to me. It's literally my face to the world. I wish I knew as a teenager what I know now: a mild cleanser, vitamin C serum, moisturizer, eye cream, and sunblock. I think these are staples in any good skincare routine, but it does work! Oh yeah...I know we all love the sun, but even better than sunblock? I just avoid overexposing myself to it.

RuPaul's Drag Race fans will know you as a new member of the Pit Crew. What's a valuable life lesson from your time there?

I think the biggest lesson is that it is not only OK to be yourself, it is imperative to be yourself. I see it in the message of love the show spreads -- it's contagious. I am very much a flawed human being; I am complex, clumsy, geeky, and the show has embraced every part of me and made me feel empowered. I have felt welcome and confident in being myself at every point of filming, and as a result, it has translated into confidence that shows in my everyday living.

What does it mean to you to bring Latino/Asian/LGBTQ+ representation to the media landscape?

I am humbled and feel lucky to be able to represent both my Asian and Latino heritage in the media landscape. I'd like to think that my participation in such an iconic show is helping change the environment to show that Asian men are sexy and that Salvadoran men can also stand out on the world media stage.

Representation is such an important thing! I know my participation has brought excitement around the world to Asian and Latin men who watch the show and I feel honored to be able to do this. Growing up seeing anyone that looks like me on TV was extremely rare. It was especially rare to see anyone who was LGBTQ+ on an international TV show, so I personally had very few role models I could relate to. I'd like to think that I am helping change that for others.

You're also a gamer! What first sparked your love for video games?

I think what sparked my love for games was the ability to explore other worlds outside of my own. This very closely ties in with my love for travel and cultures. I love video games even more now that LGBTQ+ and BIPOC representation is being taken more seriously, and we can start enjoying more relatable storylines and characters. I very much believe I will play video games for the rest of my life.

What are you playing these days, and where can fans follow along?

I play Fortnite and League of Legends: Wild Rift almost daily, and I am pretty good at both. However, I play other games too. If fans would like to follow my gaming journey, I recently started a Twitch channel, @CalixSlays; I figured it's a play between slay kween and slaying dragons. So, Twitch is a good place to find me. I love playing [cooperative gaming] with my audience as well, so I welcome the opportunity when possible!

What is next for you?

I am currently working on a couple of projects I can't discuss yet but what I can say is that I am extremely excited for what the following year will bring. I'll be announcing some stuff on Instagram when the time comes!

Calixto is wearing TOMMY HILFIGER all clothing and accessories available tommy.com and Tommy Hilfiger stores

Talent Calixto Quan@keelix
Creative Director Ben Ward@_benjaminward_
Photographer Angela Kohler@angelakohlerangelaandithyle.comfor @agencyarts
Grooming Gia Harris@missgiamakeup

This article is part of Out's September/October 2022 issue, out on newsstands August 30. Support queer media and subscribe -- or download the issue through Amazon, Kindle, Nook, or Apple News.

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