Drag Race icon Yvie Oddly reflects on ‘deteriorating body’ and living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Yvie Oddly in Drag Race All Stars. (Twitter)
Drag Race legend Yvie Oddly has opened up about their deeply personal journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) after her emotional performance in the All Stars 7 semi-final.
After World of Wonder shared a clip of Friday’s (22 July) vibrant talent show performance, Yvie tweeted her reflections of living with the disorder that affects her connective tissue.
“I wanted to say thank you to everyone who reached out to me about this week’s episode, because in all honesty it was pretty painful to watch,” she wrote.
“The longer I live with Ehlers-Danlos, the more rapidly I can feel my body deteriorating, so to see that reflected back on screen so clearly (to me) has taken some great reconciliation with the inevitable.”
https://t.co/7G5su9jlta pic.twitter.com/iHERYfdBhz
— Yvie Oddly (blue checkmark) (@OddlyYvie) July 24, 2022
Yvie Oddly shot to fame after winning RuPaul’s Drag Race season 11 in 2019 and has returned after three years for the epic All Stars 7 season.
Reflecting how her time filming she said: “Going back three years later, the struggle was every day and INTENSE.
“Those days are long and the time for recuperation and in between is more of an idea than a reality, so by this point in the competition I was far beyond the peak of my physical capabilities/energy output.”
Known for her extravagant moves and flips, and jaw-dropping lip-syncs, Yvie explained how the syndrome had affected her ability to perform her favourite trick – “the no-hands-ass-backflip”.
Yvie explained: “I remember landing my first one when I was 13 at “Church in Da Hood”, and feeling like a real superhero.
“I had that feeling again at 22, the first time I did it in heels for a performance at Drag Nation.
“And I was excited to share that feeling one last time at 27 (or die trying lol) on Drag Race, but unfortunately that never happened.
“The last one I ever attempted was for the first taping of my performance. I had even less energy to spare and landed on my neck/shoulder/head in front of RuPaul, so at least I had the pleasure of giving her a heart attack.”
Yvie Oddly performing in All Stars 7. (Twitter)
She finished by saying: “I spent a lot of time feeling angry/sad/disappointed by that night, but ultimately I had to let it go because there’s so much I’m still capable of doing and being.
“So to anyone who ever asks how my health is doing: It’s not good, it’s not getting better, and it’s not going to… but at least I am.”
The post has received an outpouring of support from fellow drag icons and fans alike. Season 14 Drag Race star Orion Story wrote: “You are a star, and you were so amazing to watch this season I am enamoured by your talent and bravery.”
Another fan added: “As someone w/ EDS it’s amazing to see you bring so much awareness of this debilitating condition on a worldwide platform – you are an inspiration and a much needed voice our community.”
