#72 - Meeting Our Biggest Fan

Summary

Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth Episode #72 - "Meeting Our Biggest Fan"

Release Date: November 25, 2024

Hosts:

• Shayne "Shane" Topp
• Amanda Lehan-Canto
• Special Guest: Aurora Matrix (Runner-Up of Canada's Drag Race Season)

---

1. Introduction and Guest Introduction (00:45 - 03:16)

The episode kicks off with Shane and Amanda welcoming a very special guest, Aurora Matrix, who proudly shares that she is arguably Smosh’s biggest fan. Aurora expresses her admiration for the hosts, stating, “I definitely watch your videos every single night before I fall asleep” (01:29).

Notable Quote:

• Aurora Matrix: “I feel like I'm a fly on the wall. I get to listen in on other people's conversations.” (01:50)

2. Aurora Matrix’s Journey into Drag (03:17 - 07:01)

Aurora delves into her background, highlighting her lifelong involvement in the arts through piano, musical theater, and dance. She discusses her transition into drag, inspired by her passion for makeup and theater, leading her to create her drag persona, Aurora Matrix.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “I've been performing my whole life... So, one day I was like, oh, there's an open stage in Toronto. Let me just go. I love makeup, I love theater. Mash it together.” (04:09)
• Shane: “How did you come up with your name?” (07:01)
• Aurora Matrix: “Aurora, like the Princess Matrix. When I perform, I'll give you splits, I'll give you turns.” (07:06)

3. Experiences on Canada's Drag Race (07:02 - 19:49)

Aurora shares her experiences competing on Canada's Drag Race, detailing the audition process, the intensity of filming, and the emotional rollercoaster of being a runner-up. She explains the show's format, including the sequestered environment she referred to as "gay prison," where contestants have limited access to the outside world.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “I was sitting there from filming all the way to broadcast, thinking there's a possibility I could win.” (18:03)
• Shane: “They have to rehearse that. Or do you just sometimes just go for it in the moment?” (08:54)
• Aurora Matrix: “The adrenaline takes over and you really don't think. You just go for it.” (07:56)

4. Behind-the-Scenes Insights and Challenges (19:50 - 30:28)

Aurora provides an insider’s view of the challenges faced during the show, including intense makeup sessions, strict rules imposed by producers, and the psychological pressure of reality TV. She recounts specific incidents, such as tensions with fellow contestant Melinda Virga and the complexities of maintaining authenticity while adhering to the show's narrative.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “If I say no, that's less screen time. They probably have an overall storyline that they have for me.” (23:32)
• Aurora Matrix: “Everything in retrospect, you're seeing things from a different point of view, but in the moment, you're sitting there like, oh.” (27:58)
• Aurora Matrix: “We have to respect that producers are listening in on everything.” (23:00)

5. Interaction with Smosh and Personal Reflections (30:29 - 43:59)

Aurora discusses her fandom of Smosh, detailing how her appreciation grew over time and how specific episodes resonated with her due to her background in theater. She highlights memorable Smosh moments that influenced her, such as “Food Battle” and the hosts’ comedic styles.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “For the last year, I've just been hyper fixated on Smosh... It's like a character study for me.” (42:03)
• Aurora Matrix: “I love the conversations and just learning that, like, oh, every person on the cast also has their little character tropes too.” (42:19)
• Amanda: “I love that you guys are watching and them just making jokes like, are you lying?” (45:35)

6. Interactive Segment: Q&A and Lip Sync Challenges (44:00 - 78:56)

The episode features an engaging Q&A segment where Aurora answers fun questions about the hosts, such as choosing concert tickets, wedding plus-ones, and hypothetical scenarios like the trolley problem. The trio also participates in lip-sync challenges, attempting to mimic Smosh’s iconic clips, which adds a humorous and interactive element to the episode.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “If I were in your body, I would get myself in drag and just be like.” (54:57)
• Shane: “These are real news stories.” (66:32)
• Amanda: “I want to perform... for the podcast.” (64:55)

7. Creating Smosh-Inspired Drag Names (65:03 - 65:40)

Aurora showcases her creativity by suggesting punny drag names for Shane and Amanda, such as “Anita Top” and “Shirley a Bottom.” This playful segment highlights the synergy between Aurora’s drag persona and the Smosh hosts, emphasizing humor and clever wordplay.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “Anita Top with two peas, of course, and then we have Shirley a Bottom.” (61:49)
• Shane: “Slaytana.” (63:54)
• Amanda: “Shirley a Bottom is the best name ever.” (62:14)

8. Conclusion and Guest Information (78:56 - End)

As the episode wraps up, Aurora shares her social media handles and promotes her podcast, "The Powder Room." She encourages listeners to follow her on Instagram and tune into her podcast for more insights into the drag scene and weekly recaps of Canada’s Drag Race.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Matrix: “Check out the Powder Room. Featuring the Powderpuff Girls.” (77:30)
• Aurora Matrix: “I'm hosting this now.” (63:35)

---

Key Insights and Takeaways:

• Passion for Performing: Aurora’s dedication to the arts and drag highlights the intense preparation and passion required in the performance industry.
• Reality TV Dynamics: The behind-the-scenes challenges of reality TV, including producer influence and personal authenticity, are explored, offering listeners a deeper understanding of the show's complexities.
• Fandom and Inspiration: Aurora’s journey from fan to guest underscores the impact of content creators on their audience and the reciprocal inspiration that fuels creative endeavors.
• Humor and Creativity: The interactive segments and lip-sync challenges showcase the playful and creative rapport between the hosts and their guest, enhancing listener engagement.

Recommendations for Listeners:

• Follow Aurora Matrix: Connect with Aurora on Instagram (@AuroraMatrix) and listen to her podcast, "The Powder Room," for more in-depth discussions on drag and entertainment.
• Explore Canada's Drag Race: Fans of the episode may find Aurora’s experiences insightful and might be encouraged to watch Canada’s Drag Race.
• Engage with Smosh: New listeners are encouraged to explore Smosh’s diverse content, including episodes mentioned by Aurora, to better understand the connection and admiration shared by the guest.

---

Note: Timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and indicate where notable quotes and discussions occur within the episode.

Transcript

[Amanda]

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[Shane]

Hello. Welcome to Smosh Mouth. I'm Shane.

[Amanda]

And I am Amanda. And we have a very, very, very special guest with us today. Aurora Matrix, the runner up of Canada's Drag Race season. Oh, my God.

[Aurora Matrix]

Hello.

[Amanda]

Super big fan.

[Aurora Matrix]

Me too. I feel like this is so meant to be.

[Amanda]

We met at dragcon this year.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, that was, like, months ago.

[Amanda]

I know. And you were like, sarah, Christ. And I was like, hello.

[Aurora Matrix]

She knows the lore.

[Amanda]

And now you're here.

[Aurora Matrix]

Here I am. I really did manifest this. I was like, I'm gonna get on Smosh.

[Shane]

Yeah. We learned after Amanda and Tommy met you that you are arguably our biggest fan.

[Aurora Matrix]

I mean, I definitely watch your videos every single night before I fall asleep. I think I literally sleep to Smosh Mouth Podcasts.

[Amanda]

Oh, my God. It's that relaxing.

[Aurora Matrix]

I don't know. Maybe it's like the brain rot conversations. Like, good. I don't know.

[Shane]

You're so dumb.

[Amanda]

No, I love that.

[Aurora Matrix]

No, it's just like when I'm laying in bed and I hear Shane tried to tell a joke and then just break before you even get to the punchline. It's just so comforting. Cause I'm like, oh, I'm a fly on the wall. I get to listen in on other people's conversations.

[Amanda]

Oh, my God. You really are a big fan. Because that's exactly what happens all the time.

[Shane]

That is the most accurate description of this show.

[Amanda]

Literally, he warms up to tell a joke, and then he just starts breaking.

[Shane]

And it just falls apart.

[Aurora Matrix]

You think about the punchline. You're like, it's too funny.

[Shane]

But it's funny for me. I'm having a good time. You were getting a tour before we started recording, and you were, like, naming out references to things. You recognized every room. You recognize small jokes here and there.

[Aurora Matrix]

I saw the chance mask from let's do this. Yeah. Like, how to cheat on a test.

[Shane]

Great callback.

[Aurora Matrix]

There was the Crocs with the chicken on the feet. When you guys were, like, hitting each other with pool noodles challenge, by the way, when you threw the pool noodle. I got chance, and you got chance. I was like, he is the chosen. He is the chosen.

[Amanda]

Oh, my God, I love this. And you were telling us that you've been watching Shane since he was on. So random.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, it was definitely, like, when I was little, just watching TV and, like, loved you honestly loved the whole cast. It was just like one of those where it's like, I can put this on the background and it'll be entertaining every single time. So, yeah, sitting here, I'm like, whoa. Big fan. I see you. You're real. I could touch you if I wanted.

[Shane]

And then I just fade away.

[Aurora Matrix]

You just disappear. I'm like, oh, never mind. It was a mirage.

[Amanda]

Here's a hologram.

[Shane]

It means a lot. You know, it's so funny. It was so random. Like, when it was on, I felt like nobody was watching it. And then it. After, like, five to eight years, suddenly people were being like, oh, I loved that show when I was younger. It's really cool.

[Aurora Matrix]

How old were you when you were on the show?

[Shane]

I was 19.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, my God.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

I was, like, barely alive.

[Amanda]

We're old.

[Aurora Matrix]

I graduated high school, like, two years ago. I'm kidding. Oh, my God.

[Shane]

I believe it.

[Aurora Matrix]

I was born in 2000.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Amanda]

Okay. Yeah. That's awesome. Aurora Matrix. You are incredible. And a baby, and I love that so much. So you're our biggest fan, I think. Kind of pretty much.

[Aurora Matrix]

Pretty much.

[Amanda]

I want to hear more about you. Like, when did you start becoming a beautiful drag queen?

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, my God. Well, I've been performing my whole life. When I was little, my parents put me in piano in musical theme in Chinese dance choir. So I've been involved in the arts pretty much my whole life. And then when I went to high school, I auditioned for the drama program, and my mom was like, if you get in, you can pursue this, but if you don't, then you're going to your regular school, and you're gonna go into, like, whoa. Or whatever, the sciences. Ultimatum. Yeah. So if anything, it kind of made me want to do it even more. Cause I was like, well, I'm gonna prove you wrong, and I can do it. So I did the audition for my high school, got in, and they're like, okay, fine. You could do it. And then it came back to applications for university and college, and I was like, well, I want to keep going with this. And they were like, okay, again. If you get in, you can continue. And if not, find something else to do. So I auditioned and they accepted me on the spot. And I was like, well, acting conservatory, here we come. And since then I've just been performing and being in theater. I feel like I've always already been involved in makeup and the theatrics of everything and the extraness of everything. So one day I was like, oh, there's an open stage in Toronto. Let me just go. I love makeup, I love theater. Mash it together. And here I am, Aurora Matrix.

[Shane]

Wow.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, that's kind of how it all started.

[Amanda]

So you were born in Canada?

[Aurora Matrix]

True north, strong and fierce. Wow.

[Shane]

I was always curious how people get into, like, drag. Like, you know, like, how do you get your start in it? You know, like so many other types of performing, you kind of understand, like, oh, if you want to get into standup, you go to open mics. If you want to get into acting, you get an agent, you audition. But drag, I've never understood, where does it start?

[Aurora Matrix]

It's pretty much the same thing. The open stages are just a stage where performers can just come for free. They're not paid or anything, but you can do a number, kind of get your name out. And that's how I started my very first time performing, actually. There were people in the crowd who book shows and all that, and they saw me, and after my first two numbers, they came up to me like, we would love to book you. Are you free on Tuesday? You can come to my show, do a couple numbers. And that's kind of how I got the ball rolling. Went to that Tuesday show and they're like, oh, we have another show on the Friday. Do you want to come on?

[Amanda]

Oh, you just started like, gig life.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. So that's kind of how it started. And I was still doing school full time at this point. I was in my first year of university. So I was juggling school, doing shows until like 4am and then going to like a movement class at like 8:30. And I'm showing up and all my classmates are like, did you not have a show last night? I was like, yeah, I've slept for two hours. But here we are, let's go. Let's do some yoga or something. I don't know.

[Amanda]

Damn, that's so intense.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. But that's how I knew that I really wanted to do it. Cause I was willing to sacrifice my sleep, my mornings, my school life to do it. Cause I was like, oh, this brings me joy. It doesn't feel like Work to me. I genuinely do enjoy doing it.

[Shane]

How did you come up with your name?

[Amanda]

Oh, yeah, that's a good question.

[Aurora Matrix]

I always say Aurora, like the Princess Matrix. Like the movie Badass. Aurora's the chosen.

[Shane]

I mean, that is quite literally, that's chosen right there.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. So I had my start in makeup, and people always said that I never really had an ugly phase. Cause I started doing makeup before I even did drag. So when I first started doing drag, I already had my face down. I already kind of had an idea of what I wanted my drag makeup to look like. So I always joke, like, oh, I'm like Princess Aurora, Sleeping Beauty, I'm a pretty girl. And then Matrix. Because when I perform, I'll give you splits, I'll give you turns, I'll give you drops.

[Shane]

Like, bullets are holding the outfit right now is.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. Like, bullet time. Like, I'll give you a backbend where my hair is literally touching the ground. There are clips of me online of, like, me jumping off of a stage, like, six feet off a stage, doing a split.

[Amanda]

Oh, yeah, I've seen that.

[Aurora Matrix]

Things like that, you know.

[Amanda]

You're unbelievable.

[Aurora Matrix]

When I'm in Dragon performing, the adrenaline takes over and you really don't think. And you just kind of. You just go for it. You pay for the consequences later.

[Amanda]

You're stuck in a split.

[Aurora Matrix]

You're like, yeah, I feel like you guys can relate to that. With, like, smosh and just, like, fully committing to it.

[Shane]

I'm really jumping off. Yeah, I can relate to that.

[Amanda]

I can do a split.

[Aurora Matrix]

Can you?

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Shane]

I like how it was my. It was my goal. And then I failed horribly. And then one day you were like, hey, I did the splits. Yeah. It's like, that's cool.

[Amanda]

It was rubbing my face. I wasn't trying to do it. I just love doing yoga and stretching and then doing strength training. And then all of a sudden, I got into it and I was like. And then I was like, I'm gonna get out.

[Aurora Matrix]

I hope you're like, a new move has been unlocked.

[Amanda]

Literally. It was unbelievable. It felt so good.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, my God, I'm so proud of you.

[Amanda]

But to jump off the stage and going into it, I'm not sure I can.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's easier. The momentum just pushes you all the way. What?

[Shane]

What?

[Amanda]

Oh, my God.

[Aurora Matrix]

Look, gravity's your friend. You just gotta trust the process.

[Shane]

And you. You have to rehearse that. Or do you just sometimes just go for it in the moment?

[Aurora Matrix]

The latter.

[Shane]

Wow.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. I never rehearse any of My numbers, unless they're dance numbers with dancers and everything. But I'm very, like, feel the music. Whatever I feel in the moment, maybe I know, like, oh, at this chorus, I'm gonna do some trick. After this bridge, when it, like, builds up to the last chorus, I'm gonna do a trick. But I never really plan out what I'm gonna do. Cause I also just, like, feed off the audience, depending on what they're giving, then I'm gonna give that back.

[Amanda]

You're a true performer.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

You're like an improviser.

[Aurora Matrix]

100%.

[Amanda]

You are.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. And, like, also, like, the audience has to earn the tricks.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

When I first started performing, like, I would do a ballad and be doing, like, six splits, and I'm like, why are we doing a split in a ballad? Like, Celine Dion, like, in a gown. I'm like, cause I'm your. But, you know, I learned. And, like, you have to let the audience kind of want and make them work for that trick, and it makes the tricks more impactful. Cracks me up.

[Amanda]

I love Celine Dion so much. So if I saw that happen and you did six splits, I literally would.

[Aurora Matrix]

Be, okay, well, if you're ever in the audience and I'm doing a Celine Dion song, I will do a split for you.

[Amanda]

Okay. Thank you so much.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's funny, in Toronto, we have a couple, like, signals. This is split. Yeah, that makes sense. Is jump off a chair.

[Amanda]

You guys have your own sign language.

[Aurora Matrix]

Well, just like, within my group, honestly.

[Amanda]

Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

So if I'm performing and my friends are in the audience, they'll do this, and they're like, oh, I want you to do a split. Or this. I want you to jump off a stool into a split. And then this is cartwheel. Wow.

[Shane]

Like, it's baseball. And you're up there, like, you're giving.

[Aurora Matrix]

Your plays, and then you do the splits right there. Oh, 100%. Yeah.

[Shane]

That's so funny. Wow.

[Aurora Matrix]

There's a whole formula to my performances, for sure.

[Shane]

That's so incredible. And so eventually, then you go on RuPaul's, which is like.

[Aurora Matrix]

Well, not RuPaul's. I went on Canadian version. Canada's Drag Race.

[Shane]

Yeah. Sorry.

[Aurora Matrix]

But, yeah, the Canadian franchise of it.

[Shane]

Got it. Which is. I just feel like those shows are kind of, like, the pinnacle.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

Like, did you.

[Aurora Matrix]

The Olympics of drags. Yeah.

[Amanda]

Were you. You weren't working towards that because you already knew that you loved doing it. But when you were you, like, okay, I want to get on that. Was it one of your goals?

[Aurora Matrix]

It definitely was one of the goals. Well, when I started doing drag, Canada's Drag Race didn't exist. It wasn't a thing yet, I was gonna say.

[Amanda]

So RuPaul's was way before Canada.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. RuPaul's Drag Race, I think, was already on, like, the 10th or 11th season at that point. And I just had loved it from, like, discovering it in high school. I remember watching YouTube videos and finding funny compilations. Be like, what is this? Like, people dressed in wigs. Like, what are they doing? I remember the first time seeing it being like, this is weird. Like, what are people doing? And then the more I watched it, I was like, oh, no. I kind of love the extravagance of it all.

[Amanda]

Yeah. You're a theater kid.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, well, I grew up listening to Beijing Chinese opera from my parents and, like, Chinese dramas of, like, ancient China. So it's like, it's always the biggest costumes, the craziest makeup, feathers, pom poms, all that song. As I started watching Drag Race, I was like, wait, I kind of love this, and I kind of want to do that, too. So I started doing drag. And then I remember the summer when season one of Canada's Drag Race announced, and they were, like, calling all Canadian queens. I was like, oh, my God. How old were you? I think I was 19.

[Amanda]

So you were in school?

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. So this was the summer after I had finished my first year of school.

[Amanda]

And you were already performing.

[Aurora Matrix]

I was already performing, yeah. I think by, like, three or four months, I was performing weekly at that moment, with school as well done. Yeah.

[Shane]

So you hear the call and you're like, I must go.

[Aurora Matrix]

I must go. But I made a promise to myself. I was like, I'm gonna finish theater school first. I've already started, so I'm gonna finish school. And I went to my teachers at the beginning of my final semester, and I was like, I don't want to be an actor anymore. I'm gonna pursue being a drag queen. They're like, okay, okay.

[Amanda]

They weren't surprised.

[Aurora Matrix]

They weren't surprised. Cause they knew that I was doing it. I remember in second year, one of my teachers pulled me aside and was like, you know, technically, you're not supposed to be doing drag. Cause what? Yeah, with the conservatory, you're not supposed to be performing outside of school. Cause it's like, you're supposed to be doing your training. They don't want you to revert back to old habits before you're fully trained. But I was like, yeah, but I'm not really Acting with my out of drag legal name. It's kind of like a Persona.

[Amanda]

Yeah, you're doing something else.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's a character almost. So he was like, okay, well, I'm gonna go to a staff meeting, I'm gonna bring it up and I'll let you know. And he never brought it up again. So I'm sure the other teachers were like, it's fine. Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.

[Amanda]

You weren't. And if he told you that you had to stop, were you going to?

[Aurora Matrix]

Absolutely not.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

I mean, he's not at the gay bars watching me perform.

[Shane]

So, like, well, well.

[Aurora Matrix]

You know what? You're right.

[Shane]

You suddenly look out and he's in the audience, he's going, any Yang.

[Aurora Matrix]

Splits or I'm cutting you off. You.

[Amanda]

Okay, so then you don't go to the first casting call of Canada's Drag Race.

[Aurora Matrix]

No, I don't submit a tape for season one. I don't submit a tape for season two.

[Amanda]

Damn.

[Aurora Matrix]

Don't submit a tape for season three.

[Shane]

Were you dying? Were you just.

[Aurora Matrix]

I was dying to do it. And at this point, I was starting to really make a name for myself in Toronto, which was originally the goal. I wanted to be a regular girl in the city. If you say my name, I want people to be like, oh, I've seen her. She's at this bar or this bar. So that was the short term goal until Drag Race came around. I was like, oh, I need to do that now. But I made it very known online that I was gonna finish school first. So everyone was like, oh, she's not gonna be on. She's in school, she's in school. And then I posted that I graduated and everyone online was like, she's going on, she's going on. And that was also the year that I didn't post anything about the auditions. I didn't post like, oh, my God, exciting, blah, blah. I didn't comment on the post saying that there were applications open. And I think at that point people were starting to think like, okay, this is her time, this is her moment. So I auditioned, they accepted my audition, and I went through the whole audition process and it was very much like, oh, this is what I've worked towards. And like, I told myself, I'm gonna finish school, I'm gonna audition, and then I'm gonna get on season four.

[Shane]

How many people are auditioning, like, for Canada's Drag Race? Like, how many in that initial round.

[Aurora Matrix]

Are maybe, like, I don't know, hundreds? Thousands?

[Shane]

Wow.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's a lot. It's definitely on a smaller scale than the states, just because, like, in Canada, all the major cities are so spread apart. Versus you guys have a bunch of major cities in each state. Yeah, yeah. Versus we have, like, one province with one major city. And then you go to, like, Montreal and you go to, like, Vancouver. It's like everything's so spread apart.

[Amanda]

They're really far apart.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah.

[Shane]

I don't really think I know how many drag queens there are out.

[Aurora Matrix]

I mean, in Toronto alone, I always joke, like, oh, weekly there's a hundred new queens, just. Cause everyone wants to do drag these days, which is totally fine. But it's just like, there are so many queens, and it's so oversaturated. It's so hard to start drag now. I don't know how the girls are doing it now. Cause when I was starting, it was very rare that there was a whole bunch of new girls coming in. So I'm part of kind of maybe two generations before now, and now there's two generations of girls after me.

[Amanda]

Crazy. I mean, I was. We messaged each other because Courtney and I were in Toronto, like, a few weeks ago for Buffer Film Festival.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. They had drag brunch with Ms. Mosu.

[Amanda]

Yes.

[Aurora Matrix]

From season three of Canada's Drag Brunch.

[Amanda]

Okay. So we couldn't go in and watch it because we had work to do. But we were outside right before and someone was performing Celine Dion. It's all coming back to me now. Which is like my karaoke song. And Courtney and I were like, we want.

[Aurora Matrix]

You're like, peeking in the door. Hello.

[Amanda]

And then she came out in the lobby and then entered, and we were like, can we just come in there? And right then and there. There was so many drag queens right in our hotel. And we were just like, I just want to go back to Toronto and go see more drag shows. Because I was like, already? This is incredible.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, my God, please.

[Amanda]

So, you know, have you ever done.

[Aurora Matrix]

I have done. Actually. The last time I did that gig was three days before the finale of my season.

[Amanda]

Oh, so you. So you were performing outside of doing DragCon? I mean, not DragCon.

[Aurora Matrix]

Well, Canada's drag Race is. It's all pre filmed. Yeah.

[Amanda]

But then before the finale release.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, before the finale release.

[Shane]

And then you had to kind of keep. Like, you couldn't talk about it.

[Aurora Matrix]

No, at this point, it was airing and I was performing right before the finale episode was gonna air. And for the finale, they filmed multiple people winning. So there's footage of me winning, and then there's footage of Venus, the winner, winning.

[Amanda]

And you were the runner up.

[Aurora Matrix]

And I was the first runner up, so I was second place.

[Shane]

Wow.

[Aurora Matrix]

So why did they do that? So that no one knows who wins. You find out who wins in the live airing of the show. So I'm sitting here from filming all the way to broadcast, thinking there's a possibility I could win. There's footage of me winning. There's me holding the scepter, giving my thank you speech.

[Shane]

That's. It's incredible.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's a crazy experience. And filming it, too, is like, it's real, but it's not real, because I know that they're also filming the other person winning. So I was at this brunch at Drake Hotel. At the Drake Hotel, going, what? Find out this Thursday if I'm gonna win, because I don't know.

[Shane]

That's insane. That's genius.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's like.

[Shane]

Because people would find out exactly. Who would definitely find out.

[Aurora Matrix]

And I'm pretty sure they do that for the Americans. Seasons two, they started doing that after season three of RuPaul's Drag Race. Cause it kind of leaked who had won.

[Shane]

Sure. Oh, yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

So season four and on. When they started doing live finales in the States, they started recording multiple winners, so that when they air the final edit of the episode, that's when you find out who wins.

[Amanda]

I did not know that. So you were just performing brunch at the Drake Hotel, being like, I could have won. I don't know if I did.

[Aurora Matrix]

Exactly. And I'm literally saying on the mic during my mic work, like, I don't know if I'm gonna win, but you guys should come to the finale viewing party and watch me watch the episode. So I found out and watched the episode live and found out I lost in front of a live audience on stage.

[Amanda]

That.

[Shane]

But to still get runner up is so 100%.

[Aurora Matrix]

And I've always said, if it wasn't me, it was gonna be Venus. She was gonna be the other winner. So it was. It was just such a crazy experience, I feel like.

[Shane]

Because Courtney obviously watches tons of Drag Race, and it feels like it's almost sometimes not about winning, because they all make a name for themselves out of these shows, and they always, like, come back onto the other show.

[Aurora Matrix]

So it kind of spin offs also.

[Shane]

It's kind of just the beginning, no matter where you place, because that's. I'm aware of Ms. Vanjie. And that was. And she was the first.

[Aurora Matrix]

She was the first kicked off, but.

[Shane]

She became, like, super Famous from it.

[Aurora Matrix]

And then she came back for the next season and then was, I think, top five of her season when she came back. So it's really what you do with your career after the show.

[Amanda]

It was so crazy when I was at DragCon because that was my first time at DragCon and the queens were cracking me up.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, girls are funny. Funny, we'll say anything.

[Amanda]

And literally also so loving and connected and open. But also you could feel that there were a tribe. Tight knit tribe.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's a sisterhood.

[Amanda]

It really feels like.

[Aurora Matrix]

Like we jokingly see each other. We're like, oh, my God.

[Amanda]

Hey, sister, sister.

[Aurora Matrix]

But it kind of is.

[Amanda]

It is.

[Aurora Matrix]

You just have this bond. Cause you've been through this process of going through Drag Race, and it's a hard process and there's such a mental pressure on you. Sure. Of like, you watch the show, you think it's gonna be one way, and you get there and you're like, oh, but it's also a TV show. It's not just a competition. So they're repositioning cameras. They're calling cut. They're refilming things, doing pickups, things like that you never see on camera. So now when I watch new seasons, I'm like, oh, I know that took 20 minutes. Oh, I know that only took two minutes. Oh, I know they cut here and they refilmed that or I know they filmed that out of order. It's just like, whoa. And I guess lowering the curtain a little bit. Yeah.

[Shane]

Of course, like in most shows, they have a makeup department. You're getting your makeup done. But on Drag Race, you're all doing your own makeup.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. You have two hours to do your entire everything, your makeup, hair, jewelry, outfit, corset, audio, all within two hours.

[Amanda]

Is that enough time?

[Aurora Matrix]

No, I usually give myself three hours in general to get.

[Amanda]

Yeah, I was gonna say. I was gonna say two hours to do miking and everything.

[Aurora Matrix]

And you're also doing your makeup and a little story. Producer's crawling under the table going, hey, can you ask them about coming out? Can you ask this person about their relationship with their mom?

[Amanda]

Because you're getting filmed right now.

[Aurora Matrix]

Cause it's a show.

[Shane]

That aspect of reality TV is always. I always forget about that of, like, all the conversations that are happening. It's like producers are kind of.

[Aurora Matrix]

There's literally someone sitting. Like, imagine if, like Selena was sitting on the table here going, hey, can you ask Shane about this?

[Shane]

Most episodes, that's what.

[Amanda]

No, she usually is.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm actually petting her Right now.

[Amanda]

Selena, you're so cute. She's a little. She's very tiny.

[Aurora Matrix]

So dainty.

[Amanda]

So cute.

[Aurora Matrix]

But yeah, there's like, you're getting ready, but there's so many moving parts happening. How? And like, sometimes you're doing your makeup and they're like, okay, girls, can you guys keep quiet on this side? We're gonna film something on this side and like, oh, we're gonna rehave this conversation.

[Amanda]

And some of you guys have never been in front of a camera before.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. I would say, like, most of the girls.

[Amanda]

Right.

[Aurora Matrix]

Are usually used to just an on stage presence compared to on camera. So, like, don't look straight at the camera, but be aware that you are being cheat out.

[Amanda]

It's totally different. I will say having a stage presence helps you guys so much.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, 100%.

[Amanda]

Like, if you didn't. If you just came from camera and then went to stage, I think that would be way harder. But it's so crazy. Cause it looks so. I mean, that's reality tv.

[Shane]

They do such a good job of making it.

[Aurora Matrix]

It looks so natural.

[Amanda]

Yeah. Are they ever telling you things? You're like, mm, I don't wanna ask that. No.

[Shane]

Are you ever saying no to the producer?

[Aurora Matrix]

I would say you could. But for me, knowing how it worked, I was like, well, if I say no, that's less screen time. They probably have an overall storyline that they have for me. So if I'm saying no to that, who knows? They might just kick me off. They might find a reason to send me home.

[Shane]

Interesting, right?

[Aurora Matrix]

Like, there's so many aspects that I'm like, when you're there, you're aware of that and you're like, oh, I know that they're watching. I know that they're listening. Your mic is always on. So even when you're like off the set and you're just on the side waiting, they're listening in on everything. So if you say something like, oh, I'm stressed, like, I didn't finish zipping this up, or I didn't finish sewing this up. The judge is gonna call that out. They're gonna be like, oh, we noticed that you didn't finish the back of this dress. It's cause they're always listening.

[Amanda]

Producers are always listening because they're trying. Do you think that they created a storyline that wasn't necessarily you, or did you think like, okay, they understood me or were you?

[Aurora Matrix]

Overall, I feel like they got my story also. Cause I had so many storyline points that I had given them initially. Like, relationship with my parents, my history in theater, how I got my start in drag. So I knew that they had a good storyline for me. But you never know. You never know. I'm not looking at the storyboards, looking at what they have laid out for me. Right.

[Shane]

Are there definitely times in your season, but probably other seasons where there's drama happening, but as soon as everyone's offset, they're like, oh, yeah, they were just playing this up. There's no real drama.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, no. When. When on my. On my season, I was gonna say.

[Amanda]

I was like, no, I think it's real.

[Shane]

The drama's real.

[Aurora Matrix]

On my season, when it was episode four, we had just did the design challenge, and one of the queens, her name's Melinda Virga. Hi, Melinda. I love you. I miss you.

[Shane]

I remember she watched the show too.

[Aurora Matrix]

I don't know.

[Amanda]

Hi, Melinda.

[Shane]

She's watching this just like.

[Aurora Matrix]

She was actually just on Traders Canada.

[Amanda]

Oh, my God. Good.

[Aurora Matrix]

So good on her. She just got kicked off. We love you.

[Amanda]

We love you. We miss you, Melinda.

[Aurora Matrix]

Go fuck yourself with gratitude. But Melinda blew up and she was like, fuck the judges. Fuck you. Fuck all of you. You think this is Vivienne Westwood inspired? She was popping the fuck off, and it was giving dulu. Because we're like, are you. Look. Do you see your outfit, girl?

[Amanda]

Vivian Westwood?

[Aurora Matrix]

Like, we all thought she had tailored four different jackets to make it like a patchwork one jacket. We find out it's one jacket that she just kind of cut the sleeves off and reattached. So we're like, oh, it's not as impressive as we thought. Yeah. So she was going off, flipping tables, walking off, like, I'm done with this. I hate this. Blah, blah, blah. And I'm sitting there going, melinda's crazy. Like, Melinda's crazy. Like, she's about to, like, throw. Throw hands. And then after watching it back, and I'm like, oh, no. Melinda is crazy, but with good intentions. But I remember we had finished wrapping that episode, and we were all just kind of getting out of drag. It's silent. Cause they're like, we're not allowed to talk when the cameras aren't rolling. Yeah, we're not allowed to talk when the cameras aren't rolling. Cause they wanna keep everything on camera. Oh, my.

[Shane]

It's so fascinating.

[Amanda]

Oh, God. Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. It's a whole world. So we're silently taking off our makeup. There's tension in the room. And I just kinda go up to Melinda and I'm like, hey, just wanna make sure Nothing was personal, but it's just like, we're here. Cause we all wanna be here. And for you to say that you don't wanna be here anymore really struck a chord with all of us. And she was silent. She didn't really respond to me. She just went, okay, thank you. It was, like, so uncomfortable, but she probably respected that, I'm sure. And it was just like, kinda like in the moment. She was like, let me just get through the rest of this day. Let me get out of drag. Let's get back to the hotel. We'll come back tomorrow fresh and new. And she did. She came back. We started the new. It's like new day in the workroom. All that. You come in, you kinda sit around the. You're like, okay, girl. So let's talk about what happened last episode. And she's like, well, I want to start off by saying, I'm sorry. And like, she had that thing. But in the moment, you're sitting there going, oh, my God, this is going crazy. She's crazy. My only regret, I wish I inserted myself into that argument more. I was like, I'm watching it back. I was like, oh, that was an iconic, like, argument. I wish I was in that argument, like, saying, like, let us sit the fuck down. Like, you don't need to be popping off like this. The judges are here to give you critiques.

[Amanda]

Mm.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's their job.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

You know, I mean, it's so easy to go back and watch your season and be like, damn, I wish I just.

[Aurora Matrix]

Everything in retrospect, you're seeing things from a different point of view, but in the moment, you're sitting there like, oh.

[Amanda]

My God, you're protecting yourself. You're like, I don't wanna.

[Aurora Matrix]

Well, also, I'm aware that it's gonna be on tv. So if I see something too controversial, are the fans gonna hate me? Are the fans gonna come for me for coming for whoever? Like, it's just. Yeah.

[Shane]

Having that balance on reality TV is. We've talked about how difficult that is of, like, being entertaining without being too much of a villain or just going.

[Amanda]

Full on into the villain, which I feel like you can either choose to be, or the editors are like, you're the villain.

[Aurora Matrix]

Well, yeah, if you're gonna commit, you're gonna have to go, like, full throttle.

[Amanda]

Full throttle.

[Aurora Matrix]

Like, you really just have to go for it. Or else it's just like, oh, she has no personality and she's just kind of. She's just playing.

[Amanda]

Exactly.

[Aurora Matrix]

Isn't real. And people can clock that. People will be like, oh, she's fake as fuck.

[Amanda]

That's insane. Because you're balancing reality TV show. And then also, correct me if I'm wrong, you're bringing all your outfits.

[Shane]

You're bringing everything and you make all your outfits.

[Aurora Matrix]

Well, I don't make all of my outfits, but someone makes them and then I commission them to make it, and then we bring it all. It's like crazy. You have, like six or seven giant boxes. I think I had four giant tubs that were like, the size of this table. And then I had two giant suitcases.

[Amanda]

I mean. Yeah, it makes sense. You had to bring in everything.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. And they have. And they have weight limits. They have dimension limits on your boxes and suitcases. So that to keep it fair for everyone, because, like, not everyone's going to have the same boxes, but they're like, you have to stay within these dimensions.

[Amanda]

Well, yeah, you can't bring, like, a crazy outfit.

[Aurora Matrix]

Well, people do. And I'm like, how did you pack that? You have to get, like, make things so that it can also collapse or it can fold up. One of my drag sisters on the show, she always. We called it the lettuce because she had this outfit that was this giant green, emerald outfit with all these extra pieces. And I'm like, that literally is bigger than the hotel room. I don't understand how you pack this.

[Amanda]

She collapsed it down.

[Aurora Matrix]

She collapsed. It, like, folds over. Collapse it down. She brought, like, giant flat screen TV boxes, and that's how she packed her.

[Shane]

Wow.

[Amanda]

She, like, compressed it.

[Aurora Matrix]

She compressed it all down. And I'm like, you are so smart. I was like, I'm just gonna, like, fold everything up and just.

[Shane]

I never would have thought about that aspect of it.

[Aurora Matrix]

No. That's one thing that if I were to ever go back for another season, I'm gonna ask her how she packed. Cause, like, the outfits that she brought, I was like, that's not fitting in a car. How are you gonna bring that here?

[Amanda]

Literally insane.

[Aurora Matrix]

I don't know how you put that on a plane. Like, I was lucky that I was in Toronto.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

I was gonna say I didn't have to fly out to do.

[Amanda]

So people flew in.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. So people who weren't in, like, close by had to fly in. So I was like, oh, my God. That's a whole other thing to deal with.

[Amanda]

Would you do it again?

[Aurora Matrix]

I would, I would. I mean, I. Right now I want to, like, give myself time, like, to tour, travel, go to different places and perform. Because I Want to get that experience of just, like, working full time as a drag race and just get a sense of what it's like to live the fantasy, you know?

[Amanda]

Yeah, of course.

[Aurora Matrix]

But, I mean, if the opportunity were to come up again, I don't think I would pass it up. I would do it.

[Amanda]

Yeah. How long is it? How much time do you have to dedicate to it? Is it, like, how long is the shooting?

[Aurora Matrix]

I don't know if I can reveal, but. Oh, but you're sequestered. You're quarantined. My season, we called it Gay prison. Wow. We called it gay Prison. And I'm. For weeks, I'm sitting alone in my hotel room with no iPad, no phone, no nothing. All I have is whatever's on hgtv, on Showcase, on Paramount, Law and Order. Yeah. I watched a lot of Bar Rescue.

[Amanda]

Oh, my God. Bar Rescue.

[Aurora Matrix]

With ease. John Taffer.

[Amanda]

That show's insane.

[Aurora Matrix]

Like, I should have done Jon Taffer for Snatch Game. I. By the end of filming, I knew him from the head. I knew him in and out. I knew everything about him. I was watching, like, the Property Brothers.

[Amanda]

Like, hyper masculine people on tv Rock the block.

[Aurora Matrix]

I was like, I don't know, all these, like, random hotel TV shows, and I'm like, well, this is all I'm gonna do.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

I think the only thing that I brought for my own entertainment was, like, a word search book from the Dollar Store.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

And, like, I'm on the phone with, like, the Queen care, like, the Wranglers, who are, like, helping us out.

[Amanda]

Queen care.

[Aurora Matrix]

Queen Care. And I'm on the phone with them in the hotel room, like, doing my word search. Like, oh, can you search up what an orb weaver spider is? That's my next thing on the word search.

[Amanda]

Oh.

[Aurora Matrix]

One of the word searches were called let's make a salad. And all the words you had to find were just ingredients. So I was literally going, how do you feel about tomatoes? As I was looking for. Okay, we're moving on to parmesan cheese. How do you feel about that?

[Amanda]

Holy shit.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. You really just have to find ways to entertain yourself.

[Shane]

Wow.

[Amanda]

That's the most insane thing I've ever heard.

[Shane]

That's so funny.

[Aurora Matrix]

And then you can call the office to be on. I'll be like, can you put me on the queue for outside time?

[Shane]

Oh, my God.

[Amanda]

You really are in gay jail. Do you say gay jail or gay prison? Oh, prison is very different than jail.

[Shane]

So you had to literally ask to be let outside.

[Amanda]

Can I have some? Let's make a salad. Can I have some outside time?

[Aurora Matrix]

Can I have some sunlight privileges, please?

[Shane]

Would they literally, like, supervise you when you went outside? Like, someone standing by it, like, off in the distance, just like walking queen's.

[Aurora Matrix]

Carrot, let me tell you. So you're going, can I be put on the queue for a walk? Can I be put on the queue for an outside time? And they'll go, great, we've added you to the list. We'll give you a call when someone's on the way. So you're just sitting there. You don't know how long the queue is, because other queens are probably asking to go outside too. So I'm like, maybe half an hour later, someone will call you, be like, hey, this is so and so from the office. Like, oh, hey, it's so and so speaking. And they'll be like, oh, this person's coming to get you. Have your mask ready, have your headphones ready. We'll be ready to pick you up. So they come and pick you up. You have to have your earbuds in, playing music head down, so you can't see anyone. Just in case, like, the public sees you. I don't know how obsessive the fans are. They bring you outside and they're literally just sitting on the bench with you as you're just having outside time.

[Amanda]

No, no.

[Aurora Matrix]

Like, it's like a chaperoned timeout. No, so just like on a bench outside of the hotel.

[Amanda]

It's so awkward.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's really uncomfortable.

[Amanda]

And you are. You're listening to music.

[Aurora Matrix]

You're listening to music. And all the music you're listening to is just all the lip sync songs that they give you. It's literally like an old school MP3 player with the USB at the end that you can uncap.

[Amanda]

Stop.

[Aurora Matrix]

You're clicking through. You can listen to the radio, I guess, if it can connect to the service or whatever.

[Amanda]

Are they speaking to you?

[Aurora Matrix]

No, they're pretty much not allowed to. They can have.

[Shane]

They're not allowed to speak to you.

[Aurora Matrix]

The only conversations you're allowed to have are very surface level conversations. Anything that can't be applied to Drag Race. So you can talk about.

[Shane]

Is this the Hunger Games?

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. You can talk about Beyonce, but you can't talk about how Beyonce has influenced your life. Cause that could be content for the show. Oh, my God.

[Amanda]

They're just like, organizing all the content.

[Aurora Matrix]

So you don't see literally content farming these queens. They're like, okay, we have you for this amount of weeks. We're gonna get the most out of you while you're here, I can't handle.

[Amanda]

I find that so cringey to sit next to a person you don't really know and you're like, just like birds.

[Aurora Matrix]

Or like, you can ask for a 20 minute walk around the block.

[Amanda]

Do they come with you?

[Aurora Matrix]

Well, yes. So it's like they're taking their dog out for a walk. But it's me.

[Amanda]

I can't handle that.

[Aurora Matrix]

And I remember when I was there the first few weeks, it was still chilly out. So we're bundled up in jackets with my hood up, with my music up, and we're just walking in silence. I have my music playing, so I can't hear what she's saying.

[Shane]

So you're not allowed to listen to the outdoors? You have to have music on when you're outside.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. Cause they're trying to limit any influences of the outside world while you're filming. Cause that also will put a timestamp of when the season was filmed. If you're making references to things that are happening in the moment, you're like.

[Shane]

The leaves are changing. And you're like, you're not supposed to know.

[Aurora Matrix]

You can't say that. We're not in the fall. I'm like, okay. Like, the trees are nice. Love leaves.

[Amanda]

That's so intense.

[Aurora Matrix]

I don't know, but wow. It definitely is. Like, I love that I got to experience that. Cause it is like a. That is crazy, right? Like in the moment, you're like, whatever, like, I'm here already. But you look back at it and you're like, that was crazy. That was absurd. Like, that's not normal.

[Amanda]

Mm. Mm.

[Shane]

No, no. I think it's fair to say that's not normal.

[Amanda]

I feel like on reality shows, like the Circle or something, I feel like they did some intense shit like that, but that, like, to not be able to like, hear the outside world.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. And like, all the queens are on different floors, so we never pass by each other.

[Shane]

You only see each other on set.

[Aurora Matrix]

You only see each other on set.

[Amanda]

You don't know who would even be in your season?

[Aurora Matrix]

No, I found out who was on my season pretty much when I walked into the room.

[Shane]

Wow.

[Amanda]

Do you know any of them? Have you performed with a lot of girls?

[Aurora Matrix]

I haven't performed with any of them before the season. But I think out of the 11 girls that we had, there was only. There were only two girls that I hadn't heard of. And they were from smaller cities in Canada, but the girls from the big cities, Montreal, Vancouver. And the other Toronto girls that were with me, I knew the name at least, or I had chatted with them online. So we were mutuals, especially over the pandemic. She kind of connected with so many people, so many people across Canada. So getting there was like, oh, it's nice to meet you. Like, I've known you now for three years online, but we've never met before.

[Amanda]

Insane.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, it's wild. And then when you're prepping for the show, you're like, there's, like, rumors of who got casted or who might be asking so and so for commissions for looks. Like, oh, this person just got three wig commissions, all with the same due date. Or this person is also asking me for an outfit with a similar theme to what you're asking me for. So, like, you kind of put the pieces together of, like, who is the potential cast for your season, but you don't find out until you actually get there and you walk into the room and you see the other girls there.

[Amanda]

Wait, when you say wig commissions, what exactly do you mean?

[Aurora Matrix]

So you kind of get a list of the runways that we're going to be doing the themes. So, for example, we had one Runway called Gemstones. So I decided to do the jade gemstone. Love my look. The concept was I'm gonna be my mother's jade necklace because she had this giant jade necklace of this goddess called Guanyin. So I was like, I'm gonna be the Guanyin jade empress. So I painted my whole self green, and I had this blonde wig that was like chain links, like, giant. We went to, like, the dollar store, got foam rings, and then to be, like, a necklace.

[Amanda]

But it's your.

[Aurora Matrix]

But it's my hair. Yeah. Like, my hair is the chain. Oh, my God, the jade pendant. So, like, I asked one of my besties, and she's currently on the next season of Canada's Drag Race, season five, which is super exciting, amazing. But she had to basically figure out how to make a chain link hair that'll sit on my head. I don't. I don't understand it, but it's true.

[Amanda]

Like, no, I think it's incredible.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's so interesting.

[Shane]

Wow. That's wild.

[Amanda]

It's unbelievable what you have already done.

[Aurora Matrix]

I know. And it's weird to think that this is technically the beginning of my drag. Yeah. Like, this is that big jumping off point.

[Amanda]

It's all your training.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. So I've been doing drag now for almost six years, coming January. But for the first six years, that was all prepped for the beginning of my career. And I'm like, this is now the start of my international world debut.

[Shane]

Wow.

[Amanda]

So cool.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah.

[Shane]

I feel like that's kind of any job in entertainment of any sort. Like, it takes so long to get it going.

[Aurora Matrix]

There's so much prep, so much work behind the scenes before you even get to do it.

[Amanda]

Yeah. People are like, oh, my God, you're on Smosh. Like, so cool. And it's like, yeah. I've also been training for over 10 years.

[Aurora Matrix]

You're like, I'm a trained actor and I went to school for all that or whatever.

[Amanda]

You're like, whoa, so cool. And it's like, yeah, I've been working.

[Aurora Matrix]

I try.

[Shane]

So this episode is brought to you by Aura Frames. Amanda, holiday season is upon us.

[Amanda]

I know.

[Shane]

Are you a good. Are you good at getting gifts for people?

[Amanda]

I feel like I wait till the last minute, but I feel like this year I'm going to get started early because, you know, a lot of my family lives on the east coast and I live in California. And the best thing to get them is an aura frame, because I am doing so many things out here and I want them to see it. And it's so nice to send it to an actual picture frame, like a digital picture frame rather than just your phone. You know what I mean?

[Shane]

Yeah. I mean, because you can upload stuff straight from your phone, you can have so many photos on it, which is so great. Memories are just, like, the best gift.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Shane]

For so many family members, it's like, that's going to bring a tear to their eye.

[Amanda]

Or if you're sharing big news.

[Shane]

Yeah. I've given it as a gift to my family before, and it was a huge hit. For a limited time, visit auraframes.com and get $45 off Aura's best selling Carver Matte frames by using promo code Smosh at checkout. That's a U R A frames.com prom code smosh. This exclusive Black Friday Cyber Monday deal is their best of the year, so don't miss out. Terms and conditions apply. Back to the show.

[Amanda]

Let's go.

[Shane]

Going back, how. When did you start watching Smosh?

[Amanda]

Ooh, that's a good question because.

[Shane]

So you weren't able to watch Smosh while you were on?

[Aurora Matrix]

No, unfortunately not. No, Definitely not now. That would have gotten me through the quarantine period.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

Literally.

[Aurora Matrix]

I think my earliest memory of Smosh was back in the Ian Anthony days.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

Whoa.

[Amanda]

Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

And my memory was probably Food battle.

[Shane]

Great.

[Aurora Matrix]

Whoa.

[Shane]

So you're an og.

[Aurora Matrix]

Og. But at the time, I wasn't a huge, huge fan. It was more like a couple of my friends were really big fans, and I would go home after school with them and be like, oh, there's a new food battle. And be like, oh, I love this. Every year we do this. So that was kind of my introduction to Smosh. And then I think I kind of fell off of Smosh a little before Anthony left. Okay. And then, yeah, for a long time, I kind of didn't have any connection with Smosh. And then in the past year, I have crazy hyper fixations on YouTube. So one day, just, like, an episode of Smosh Mouth came out. So I was like, oh, like, I know who Shane is. Let me watch an episode. And then I fell in love with the conversations and just learning that, like, oh, every person on the cast also has their little character tropes too. So I'm like, amanda has a hyphenated last name. Boston. This and that.

[Shane]

That's Amanda.

[Aurora Matrix]

It almost became a character study for me of, like, oh, my God, I want to learn about all the different people at Smosh now. I love that because it's a full cast versus just Anthony.

[Amanda]

Yeah, there's like 15 of us.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. And I think that is so interesting and such a fun addition to the channel compared to what I knew what it was years ago. So, yeah, for the last year, I've just been hyper fixated on Smosh, like, every night, just finding a new episode of something that I haven't watched. And there are, like, podcast episodes that I always go back to and, like, rewatch over and over and over again.

[Shane]

Can I ask which ones?

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, let me name a few. Your Shakespeare reading. Taming of the Shrew.

[Shane]

So cool.

[Aurora Matrix]

And also. Cause, like, that's, like, something that I'm familiar with, like, having studied theater and Shakespeare. So I'm like, okay, yeah, I'm, like, listening to you guys do this, but in a way more entertaining way than what I knew. Yeah. Modern.

[Amanda]

Modern version.

[Aurora Matrix]

Gorgeous in that hat.

[Amanda]

Oh, and my mustache.

[Aurora Matrix]

And your mustache. My mustache was a lot.

[Amanda]

My mustache. I looked like a potion seller.

[Aurora Matrix]

Angela going, ew, Ew, ew. I was like, yeah, I feel that. I feel that.

[Amanda]

I put it on. And I was like, oh, my God.

[Aurora Matrix]

But it wasn't as bad as when Angela had the mustache on for something.

[Shane]

And the detective wears my coffee.

[Aurora Matrix]

And it just kept going.

[Shane]

It became the Batman symbol.

[Aurora Matrix]

That's gross.

[Amanda]

It was nasty. And at one point, I think in one video, I Had to switch mustaches with her. And it was so gross.

[Aurora Matrix]

Was it really wet and sweaty?

[Amanda]

It was really wet and sweaty. And I regretted it immediately.

[Shane]

Angela's gonna love this conversation.

[Amanda]

I told her to her face.

[Aurora Matrix]

Angela, wet and sweat.

[Amanda]

We have that relationship.

[Aurora Matrix]

I also love the episodes where you do try not to laugh.

[Amanda]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

Which I think you should do more. Do more.

[Amanda]

Okay. Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

I have so much fun watching them. Cause I'm also like, can I. Can I sit there with a stone cold face? And I'm like, no. I'm like sitting there, like, literally smiling at, like, all the little jokes. Before you even get to the punchline, I'm already like, oh, my God. I know what they're gonna say.

[Shane]

Yeah, it's tough.

[Aurora Matrix]

I also love the April Fool's episode.

[Shane]

Oh.

[Aurora Matrix]

With Angela and Chance.

[Shane]

Yep.

[Aurora Matrix]

Proud of us as you guys.

[Amanda]

We were sitting right there when they were doing that, which is hilarious.

[Aurora Matrix]

Like, knowing that you guys are watching and them just making jokes like, are you lying? Are you lying?

[Amanda]

That's a good impression of Chance.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's an impression of Chance doing. You killed it perfect. And then Angela's just like, yeah.

[Shane]

That moment, the, like, countdown into the reveal of Angela in the lime shirt might be my favorite moment on this podcast.

[Amanda]

Literally.

[Shane]

Cause it was just so incredible.

[Amanda]

It was so good. And Chance was like, practicing with me and he was just like, I mean, oh, yeah, I worked there.

[Aurora Matrix]

The aspirated breath.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

I had a job there.

[Aurora Matrix]

Did you know I worked there too.

[Amanda]

Yeah, I worked there too. Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm like, amanda, you had a life before Smosh.

[Amanda]

I was like, bitch. Okay.

[Shane]

It was so good.

[Aurora Matrix]

No. Cause you guys, I feel like, are already caricatures.

[Amanda]

Uh huh.

[Aurora Matrix]

And then seeing a caricature of a character, I'm just like, this is insane. Yeah. I love this so much.

[Amanda]

It was so fun.

[Shane]

So you've watched pretty much every episode of Smoshmouth. Maybe every episode by this point.

[Aurora Matrix]

I don't know. There may be some that I've missed here and there. But, like, I always scroll back and there's just like a watched tag on, like a majority of them.

[Shane]

But you've watched us a lot, so you know us fairly well. And we have a bunch of scenarios here. Selena compiled a bunch of questions where you're gonna have to choose Amanda or me.

[Amanda]

It's kind of like what we did at Dragcon, Tommy and I, but a little bit different.

[Aurora Matrix]

But now I know who I'm picking.

[Amanda]

Exactly.

[Shane]

And don't worry, we will not be offended. No, you won't be offended, but you just have to make a decision.

[Aurora Matrix]

Okay. I'm gonna stick by my choices.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm ready. Yes.

[Amanda]

Stay strong.

[Shane]

I know that in the comments, you can leave your answers to these as well. You have one extra ticket to a concert. Who are you taking?

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, it depends on what the concert is.

[Amanda]

That's so true.

[Shane]

Okay. Music. Music, concert, musician. A big depends on which big musician. I feel like there's a correct answer to this one.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm gonna say Amanda.

[Shane]

Yeah, I think that's the correct.

[Aurora Matrix]

I know you're very into music right now.

[Amanda]

I like, I knew Shane would be like this.

[Shane]

Yeah, no, I think Amanda would be way more fun at a concert than I would be.

[Aurora Matrix]

I think we would have a good time.

[Amanda]

I think that we would too.

[Shane]

I'm a good, like.

[Amanda]

Sorry, Shane.

[Shane]

I'm a good, like, third or. Or fourth at a concert. Like, I'm there also. Yeah, but you bring people that are gonna be fun. You guys are having a blast. And I'm there nearby at a concert.

[Aurora Matrix]

Are you on your feet dancing? Okay.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

If you're getting a ticket with a seat. You're not sitting in the seat.

[Amanda]

No, no, no. You're standing.

[Aurora Matrix]

You're standing in dancing.

[Amanda]

And I'm not filming the whole time. That's another thing about me. You know how people just stand there and go.

[Aurora Matrix]

You see, I like to look up the set list beforehand. I know some people are against that, but I look up the set list. Cause I wanna know when to film certain songs.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

So I know, like, oh, the next song is gonna be my favorite song. Let me film a little clip and then I get to enjoy it.

[Amanda]

Yes.

[Aurora Matrix]

Versus being like, oh, my God, I can't believe I missed it.

[Shane]

I know.

[Aurora Matrix]

I don't want to panic.

[Shane]

Yep, that's really smart. You're on who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Who are you calling for your lifeline?

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, I'm gonna go the Shane.

[Amanda]

That's smart.

[Shane]

It depends on the question.

[Amanda]

No, literally, that's. That's the correct answer.

[Shane]

I think it depends on the question.

[Aurora Matrix]

Especially if it's a really niche topic. I'm like, I'm sure. I feel like you would know, like, a random thing and be like, oh, yeah, it's this, this, and this. I read a book on this and be like, of course you did. Yeah.

[Shane]

All right.

[Amanda]

That's literally Shane.

[Shane]

Thank you. I think there's a correct answer to this one as well. You have a plus one to a wedding. Who are you taking? Yeah, I'm Amanda.

[Amanda]

You want to come to a wedding with me, period? Yes, of course.

[Aurora Matrix]

I know you love.

[Amanda]

You're gonna look so. You're gonna. I know my wedding colors. You're gonna look so much better than me. But, yes, I will be there.

[Aurora Matrix]

You and I were both going in drag.

[Amanda]

Okay. Oh, my God. Me and drag. Excellent.

[Aurora Matrix]

And also in, like, platform heels. You would be, like, 10ft tall.

[Amanda]

Oh, I know. I've put on platform heels. People are like.

[Aurora Matrix]

Imagine you in, like, the disco era. You would have been like.

[Amanda]

People would have been like. Everyone would be like, mommy. Tati. I would be like, come to me.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, yeah, I can see it.

[Shane]

I thought you were quoting barbarian there for. I was. You were.

[Aurora Matrix]

Mama.

[Shane]

Ma.

[Amanda]

Ma, Ma. I love that movie when it's like, mama.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. If you're coming to a wedding with me, we're both going in drag. Oh, my God. Okay. You can get in drag, and you can come with two.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Amanda]

I would love to watch. Shane in a dress is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. Because he's so buff.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, exactly. Boom. No, literally, Shane walked by this morning in the office when he first got in, and I didn't see his face, but I saw the walk.

[Amanda]

He literally is breaking pavement every time he walks.

[Aurora Matrix]

I saw the walk, and I was like, there's space between the torso and the biceps. Speaking of biceps, the most this that you've recently did.

[Shane]

Oh, I forget what I did. Oh, yeah. I was like, in a games video or something, right. Where I won something, and I just started doing that.

[Amanda]

I can't.

[Aurora Matrix]

I can't believe I'm seeing this live. I literally had to pause the video and rewind because I was like, he's so dainty. I was like, I've never seen someone so muscular, but so delicate. And the face you made, just, like, in pure bliss.

[Amanda]

Oh, my God.

[Aurora Matrix]

That's pure bliss. I'm like, I do that sometimes. And I'm like, no one gets the reference. I'm here laughing.

[Amanda]

I was like, yeah. It's so cute.

[Shane]

Okay. You somehow landed in jail. Who's your one phone call?

[Aurora Matrix]

Gay prison. Gay prison.

[Shane]

You're in gay prison. Who's your one phone call? Oh, this is to get. To help you get out. I would assume you're in jail. I assume you're in jail.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm like, who has more money to bail me out? I'm like, please, what did I get in jail for?

[Amanda]

That's on you.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm gonna call Amanda. I feel like a little mom friend would.

[Amanda]

Yeah, I'd probably beat some guards up to get you out of jail.

[Shane]

I respect that.

[Amanda]

You can take her. Just. Just take her. And I'm like, no, I'm gonna fight you guys. They're like, just. She's ready to go.

[Aurora Matrix]

Calling Amanda.

[Amanda]

Thank you.

[Shane]

This one's good. You get to Freaky Friday with one of us. Who are you choosing?

[Aurora Matrix]

Whoa. Okay, okay, wait. I need to think about this. Freaky Friday with someone, literally, it would.

[Amanda]

Be two completely different lives. Maybe not.

[Shane]

Yeah. Not only our bodies, but our lives is also.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

This might be a crazy answer. Okay, Shane, I wanna switch with you so that I can hang out with Courtney.

[Shane]

That's. I. At first I was like, you're gonna say Amanda. But then I was like, oh. But then you get to hang.

[Amanda]

Yeah. And then you get to be in that body, just stomping, pavement, breaking.

[Aurora Matrix]

I get to do that in that body.

[Amanda]

Breaking the body.

[Shane]

You get to be in this body. Be like, oh, it hurts.

[Aurora Matrix]

I just want to, like, yell in testosterone screaming in asterisks.

[Amanda]

You try to put on all your clothes. You're like, oh, my God, it doesn't fit.

[Aurora Matrix]

No. If I was in your body, I would get myself in drag and just be like.

[Shane]

But then you wouldn't be able to do. You wouldn't be able to do the splits, gravity.

[Aurora Matrix]

Remember, you would break every muscle in his thigh. But it's not my body.

[Amanda]

That's so true.

[Shane]

I wake up the next day just.

[Aurora Matrix]

Like.

[Amanda]

Aurora, what the fuck did you do?

[Shane]

Oh, my God. I just wake up in the hospital.

[Aurora Matrix]

So funny.

[Shane]

Okay, you're in a pickup basketball game. Who's on your team?

[Aurora Matrix]

Amanda.

[Shane]

She's tall, obviously.

[Amanda]

Although I'm not good at basketball.

[Aurora Matrix]

That's okay.

[Amanda]

I don't know. I could try again.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm not good either. We can be bad at it together.

[Amanda]

Okay, great. Thank you.

[Shane]

This is interesting. You're lip syncing for your life. Who are you going against? Who would you rather go against?

[Amanda]

Yeah, who would you rather go against? Who would you rather?

[Shane]

I think that's also an easy. That's also an easy answer.

[Aurora Matrix]

I feel like, who would I go against? Well, if I wanted to win.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

Shane.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

I don't know the lyrics to songs I do love.

[Shane]

I am so bad at it.

[Aurora Matrix]

But I feel like, if it depends on the song, really, because, like, you could lip sync to, like, a monologue.

[Amanda]

Yeah. You just have to sell it.

[Aurora Matrix]

Lip sync to a funny comedy number. And honestly, I think both of you guys would do really well with that.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

As long as you learn the words.

[Amanda]

Yeah, you have to learn the words.

[Shane]

I'd have to really practice.

[Amanda]

And if you forget the words, what do you do? Do you still move your mouth or.

[Aurora Matrix]

You just go like, you just vibe. There are two ways that I go. If I'm committing to the song, I'll just try to fake it till I make it. Like, you just gotta get to the. At least as long as you get the end of each sentence, it kind of hides the rest of it. You kind of watermelon cantaloupe it. But if it's like more of like a comedy number, I'll literally either move my hand to it.

[Shane]

Smart.

[Aurora Matrix]

Like Beyonce crazy in love. Whenever Jay Z comes in, I just go.

[Shane]

Uh huh, uh huh, smart.

[Aurora Matrix]

Or if it's like a group number with like my sisters and like, I don't know the song well, I'll literally be like, oh, I love that. And like, they're popping off and I'm like, I love that. Like, you make a moment of it.

[Amanda]

Yeah, yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

You make it funny. And it's like, if I'm not gonna lip sync to it, I'm gonna commit to not lip syncing.

[Shane]

Yes, exactly.

[Amanda]

Love it.

[Shane]

You have to let one of us give you a tattoo. Who you're choosing.

[Amanda]

Oh, God.

[Aurora Matrix]

After the. After the gartic phone video, I'm gonna have you do it.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

I was pleasantly surpr how artistically talented you are.

[Shane]

Oh, thank you.

[Amanda]

Yeah. Do not choose me. I knew I know how to draw a tree and that's about it. I've like, massive.

[Shane]

So if you get a tattoo of.

[Aurora Matrix]

A tree, if I need to get a tree on me.

[Amanda]

Okay. That'll be me.

[Shane]

This next question is insane. If you were tied to the train tracks in the trolley problem, you're alone and the other lane has more people. Who do you want to solve the problem?

[Amanda]

What.

[Shane]

Question?

[Aurora Matrix]

So you're basically asking who of the two of you would be more likely to save me?

[Shane]

The way the trolley problem works is the train is going towards a lane that has five people tied to it.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Shane]

But you can switch it to one that has one person. But you have to make that decision.

[Amanda]

So you want someone to make that decision, either save you or save the others. Right?

[Shane]

Yeah, that's so. But sad and dark. I will say this.

[Aurora Matrix]

Get on the track.

[Shane]

I will say this. Yeah. But we need to figure out.

[Amanda]

Good question.

[Shane]

We need to break down the system that. That set this up. I the problem. This isn't the trolley problem. Because we know one of the People that. That creates a bias.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah.

[Shane]

The trolley problem. You need to. They need to always.

[Amanda]

Who do you think would, like, be like, you know, save the people or be like, no, I'm going to save Aurora.

[Shane]

I think you should pick.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm gonna pick you.

[Shane]

I think Amanda. I think Amanda.

[Amanda]

The way I just said that Amanda's saying.

[Shane]

I mean, she's gonna look at the tracks and be like.

[Aurora Matrix]

Be like, say the people who received Aurora.

[Amanda]

Oh, Aurora, turn.

[Shane]

Sorry, guys.

[Aurora Matrix]

Sorry, guys. I know her.

[Amanda]

I know her. I know her. So sorry. Oh, it's happening.

[Aurora Matrix]

Bye.

[Amanda]

Sorry.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm, like, on the track, like, Amanda. I have a wedding to get to.

[Amanda]

Oh, dude.

[Shane]

Bitch, I gotta go turn.

[Aurora Matrix]

The colors of the wedding are mustard yellow.

[Amanda]

Oh, done, bitch.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, done.

[Shane]

Okay, you can only listen to this person's playlist for the whole day. Who are you choosing?

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, I don't really know what your music taste is.

[Amanda]

Like, that's true.

[Shane]

It's all over the. I'm all over the place.

[Amanda]

Probably me.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. I would say probably me.

[Amanda]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

What. What do you like to listen to?

[Shane]

Oh, well, I mean, he loves Journey.

[Amanda]

He loves Imagine Dragons.

[Shane]

I don't like Journey or Imagine Dragons.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh. I was like. You like songs that are like anthems?

[Amanda]

Like American anthems.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, songs that make white people go crazy.

[Shane]

I heard someone recently do a. Fuck.

[Amanda]

No, I'm kidding.

[Aurora Matrix]

You know those playlists that's like, songs white people get turned to?

[Amanda]

They're like.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, like Sweet Caroline. Bum bum bum Bum.

[Shane]

Like Imagine Dragons. That's every song.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Shane]

Okay, we have. If you're Bonnie, who's Clyde. If you're Thelma, who's Louise.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh.

[Amanda]

Oh, Bonnie. Clyde.

[Aurora Matrix]

I think I'm also going to say Amanda.

[Amanda]

That's fair.

[Shane]

That's fair.

[Amanda]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Aurora Matrix]

Are you my bias?

[Amanda]

Yes.

[Shane]

Wow.

[Aurora Matrix]

Sorry, Shane.

[Amanda]

Bye, Shane. You have to go now.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm hosting this now.

[Amanda]

You actually could.

[Shane]

You can only get a Christmas gift from one of us. Which gift would you want?

[Aurora Matrix]

Ooh. Ooh.

[Amanda]

I think I know this answer.

[Aurora Matrix]

I would say Shane.

[Amanda]

Yes. That's what I would say to you.

[Aurora Matrix]

Cause I think I would get really, like, absurd. Like, okay. Like, something that, like, no one would think about, but it would be, like, an inside joke or a reference to something that would be really funny. I think it would be, like, memorable moments.

[Amanda]

Yeah. I feel like Shane's really good at gift giving. Like, he listens to what you like and then is, like, very thoughtful about it. Whereas I stress about gifts.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm not giving this gift. Like, if I Got a gift from you. I feel like it would be, like, practical.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

Like, it would be like, oh, here's a pack of toilet paper for home. I'd be like, thank you.

[Shane]

Here's some toilet paper, you piece of shit.

[Aurora Matrix]

No, maybe that wasn't a best time.

[Amanda]

You're actually right, because what I want for Christmas is, like, new kitchenware.

[Aurora Matrix]

Exactly. I was gonna say, like, like, pots and pans or, like, a new spatula or something.

[Amanda]

Like, I don't like, you give me.

[Aurora Matrix]

Things that are, like, I could use, like, on the everyday life versus yours would be, like, cool trinkets and tchotchkes.

[Shane]

That's so true. Okay, I appreciate that. This last question. I threw this in last night. Which one of us do you think would do better in Snatch Game?

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, that's a tough one. Cause you both really just, like, commit to your characters. Yeah.

[Shane]

I guess the question, too, is, which characters? Which Smosh characters? It doesn't have to just be Amanda and I. Which Smosh characters do you think would do best in Snatch?

[Aurora Matrix]

I want a Krungle.

[Shane]

A Krungle.

[Amanda]

Oh, my God.

[Shane]

Krungle is full on crushing.

[Amanda]

Krungle.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. And just, like, so horny.

[Amanda]

So horny.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

Like, would be flirting with the other contestants, with the celebrity guests.

[Shane]

You'd have to hope someone else does, like, an old celebrity, like an older reference, so that jumbles all in on it.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, for sure. But then it would have to be like, one that's very, like, conservative. Very whatever. So that you can be the opposite of that.

[Shane]

Exactly.

[Amanda]

That's a good one.

[Aurora Matrix]

Maybe we need to get what's his name? The wizard.

[Shane]

Oh, Dumpster Wizard.

[Aurora Matrix]

Maybe we need to get them, too.

[Amanda]

Krungle and Dumpster wizard on stage. They've been together before.

[Shane]

They've been together. We've established that there's history and there's history there.

[Amanda]

We don't know if it's good history or bad history. They've definitely kind of dated, but I think it was extremely fucked up and messy. It was a weird time.

[Shane]

Neither of them were sober for the entirety of it.

[Amanda]

The building almost went down.

[Aurora Matrix]

Like, I would also like to see Courtney's Sabrina Carpenter.

[Shane]

Really? Yes.

[Aurora Matrix]

Just so aloof. Just.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

Yes.

[Aurora Matrix]

And then Spencer's Fred Darts.

[Shane]

Fred Darts would actually be really?

[Aurora Matrix]

Somebody say Meatloaf.

[Shane]

The fan base that Fred Dartz has on the Internet is crazy.

[Aurora Matrix]

I love this people.

[Shane]

Apparently, like, some people didn't know that Fred Durst was a real person.

[Aurora Matrix]

No, it's.

[Shane]

They only know Fred Dart, which is Insane to me. It's like, what did you think?

[Amanda]

He was insane to me.

[Aurora Matrix]

An original character.

[Shane]

Yeah. No. People dressed up as Fred darts for Halloween. But what's funny is you see their costume, and it's like, you're just dressed up as Fred Durst.

[Aurora Matrix]

I know.

[Amanda]

You're Fred Durst. Right?

[Shane]

You know, that's all you are.

[Aurora Matrix]

What? No, I'm Fred Dartz.

[Amanda]

You're like, no, you did it all for the nookie. You're Fred Durst.

[Aurora Matrix]

And they're like, I don't know what that is.

[Amanda]

Yeah, exactly.

[Aurora Matrix]

Well, also, I'm assuming, like, a lot of your fan base is also quite young.

[Amanda]

Yes.

[Aurora Matrix]

So they're learning about references that they only know from you.

[Shane]

That's true. That is true.

[Aurora Matrix]

Right?

[Shane]

Yeah. Something that we discussed beforehand, and it sounds like you prepared this.

[Aurora Matrix]

I put thought into this because I was like, I don't want to just give you any name.

[Shane]

Yeah. We've been discussing, like, oh, what would our drag names be? And so you've thought about this now?

[Aurora Matrix]

I have. So going into this, my criteria for you was I really wanted to play off of your last name top, because.

[Amanda]

Such a good last name.

[Aurora Matrix]

Gay people love tops. And then for you, the highlight was it needs to be a 1, 2, 3 name, because you always say how you have a two last name.

[Amanda]

Yep.

[Aurora Matrix]

So the names are okay.

[Amanda]

Oh, my God, I'm so excited.

[Aurora Matrix]

Anita Top.

[Amanda]

Anita Top.

[Shane]

Oh, my God, that's brilliant.

[Aurora Matrix]

We have Anita Top with two peas, of course. And then we have Shirley a bottom. Or Shirley a bottom.

[Amanda]

Stop.

[Aurora Matrix]

The most powerful duo in Los Angeles.

[Amanda]

Wait. This is so good. Of course I'm a bottom.

[Shane]

I think we both are in this situation. I need a top. Surely a bottom.

[Aurora Matrix]

Controversial yet brave take.

[Amanda]

Surely a bottom. Oh, my God. It's like, I want to perform. It's like I want to get ready.

[Aurora Matrix]

And when you have punny names, it almost opens up the opportunity. Stupid numbers and, like, comedy numbers, where it's like a song, a song, a song. And then a phone rings, and you're like, hello. It's like a monologue from something, like, I'm gonna kill you. No. And then it's another song. Like, I could totally see you guys doing that. And also, I want to see duo numbers from you too.

[Amanda]

Oh, my God.

[Shane]

Pretty cool, dude.

[Amanda]

Shirley a bottom is the best name ever.

[Shane]

Shirley.

[Amanda]

I want it, like, in a plaque behind me.

[Aurora Matrix]

Shirley, a bottom.

[Amanda]

I need a top. Anita top.

[Shane]

Anita Top.

[Amanda]

This is so brilliant.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm glad y'all liked it. Racking My brain. I also have a name for Krungle.

[Shane]

Oh, okay.

[Amanda]

Tell me.

[Aurora Matrix]

Auntie Lynn Chastity.

[Amanda]

Auntie Lynn Chastity. Chastity. Auntie Lynn Chastity. Auntie Lynn Chastity.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's also the same initials as your name.

[Amanda]

It's so fucking good. Alc.

[Aurora Matrix]

ALC.

[Amanda]

Auntie Lynn Chastity. Except Chastity is Chastity Belt she would never wear in her life.

[Aurora Matrix]

But that's the prop that she always has.

[Amanda]

Yes. And it's off.

[Aurora Matrix]

That's the running joke. I have it, but I'll never wear it.

[Amanda]

Wait. That is so good.

[Aurora Matrix]

And then the chosen would be Slaytana. Badass.

[Amanda]

Wow.

[Aurora Matrix]

And then at the end of all your numbers, it just goes. Slaytana wins.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

And then goes Shing.

[Shane]

Flawless victory.

[Aurora Matrix]

Flawless victory. And that's the end of your number. Every time.

[Amanda]

So much, dude. I want to see the chosen in heels. Like, six inch heels.

[Shane]

Thinking that he's like. It's like he's like. He thinks that he has perfect poise and balance, but he's just falling.

[Aurora Matrix]

All you hear is just clomping. He's, like, holding onto his, like, sword as a staff. I'm going to walk in heels now.

[Shane]

They both have knives as the stilettos.

[Aurora Matrix]

I was born for this moment.

[Amanda]

That's fucking amazing. Slaytana.

[Aurora Matrix]

Slaytana.

[Shane]

Wow. How long did it take you to come up with all this?

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

Is it just, like, literally too long? I was like, they have to be perfect.

[Amanda]

I was like, they literally are perfect.

[Aurora Matrix]

And also I was like, it needs to be a pun, because I know you guys would appreciate, like, a funny joke. And also, I wanted something that complements each other for the podcast.

[Amanda]

Surely a bottom.

[Aurora Matrix]

So Anita, top. And surely a bottom.

[Amanda]

It's. It's so perfect. It's so perfect.

[Shane]

The comments are going to be calling those out forever.

[Amanda]

It's so perfect.

[Shane]

That's awesome. Thank you.

[Aurora Matrix]

You're so welcome. I'm glad you like that.

[Amanda]

I literally want to perform.

[Aurora Matrix]

Maybe do it.

[Amanda]

Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

Next mosh video, I put these two in drag.

[Amanda]

That would be brilliant.

[Aurora Matrix]

I joke about it now, but it could be a good idea.

[Amanda]

No, actually, that would be freaking brilliant.

[Shane]

That could be cool. I feel like that'd be Courtney's dream.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, my God. Yeah.

[Amanda]

I know she would want to be here. Got to figure out Courtney's drag name.

[Aurora Matrix]

Okay, I'll start thinking. Okay.

[Amanda]

Start thinking on it.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, my God. That's my next assignment.

[Amanda]

Yeah, that's your next assignment. Among other things.

[Aurora Matrix]

Among many things.

[Shane]

So you Mentioned lip syncing earlier. It's a big part of drag. And we have some clips here. Now we couldn't do music because we'll get copyright struck, of course, but we have some clips from Smosh Mouth and just other Smosh videos that we're going to try to lip sync over right now. So if you're just listening to this, you just get to listen to this clip and imagine us lip syncing it perfectly.

[Amanda]

Yeah, but you could also go on YouTube and watch this part. Yeah, it's probably going to be ridiculous.

[Shane]

So one, we have. Aurora, I think you and I are going to attempt this.

[Aurora Matrix]

Okay.

[Shane]

This is Amanda's resume reel.

[Aurora Matrix]

Okay.

[Amanda]

Who's going to be who? Both of you are going to go at the same time.

[Shane]

I think we go one at a time. We can go back and forth until one of us nails it.

[Amanda]

And I just get to watch.

[Aurora Matrix]

We can do a couple takes of it.

[Amanda]

I get to watch and cringe.

[Shane]

For those who maybe didn't see this episode, this was you. You recorded this. This is fake or these are real news stories.

[Amanda]

These are real news stories.

[Shane]

So you are recounting real news stories as a field reporter?

[Amanda]

Because very similar to you, Aurora, my mom was like, instead of giving me the option, she was like, you can't go to theater school. What are you talking about? You're going to go and do a real job. And I was like, okay. So I was prepping to be a news reporter for a while and this is a reel that I had to make. So it's like 4am so I'm just like subbing in my story into these real news stories. And this reel, when I showed my friends and family, they were like, this is funny. And I was like, that's not supposed to.

[Aurora Matrix]

They're like, no, this was not the.

[Amanda]

So it's cringe city. And here we go.

[Shane]

Okay, let's listen to it first.

[Amanda]

Okay, let's listen to it. Great. The victims inside this house say the two suspects came in, tied them up, held them at gunpoint, and then used their walkie talkies to signal the getaway car. That worker fell halfway down a 20 foot shaft while working on this tunnel over here. His foot was pinned between a pipe and the ladder that he fell off of. This is so sad. This is the saddest that you guys.

[Aurora Matrix]

Are gonna like, sorry to laugh at.

[Shane]

It, but you gotta. You gotta work while doing this.

[Amanda]

Yeah, you do.

[Shane]

Okay. Do you want me to attempt it first? Do you want to try to attempt it?

[Aurora Matrix]

Are we, like doing it like, back to back as it goes to the next clip. You just go right into the next clip.

[Shane]

I feel like. You just go into the next clip?

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, why not?

[Shane]

I feel like it's. Yeah, I feel like that's.

[Aurora Matrix]

Okay. I'll see. I'll watch you do it first.

[Shane]

Okay. Okay, let me. This is gonna be bad. Let me attempt this.

[Amanda]

The victims inside this house say the two suspects came in, tied them up, held them at gunpoint, and then use their walkie talkies to signal the getaway car. That worker fell halfway down a 20 foot shaft while working on this tunnel over here. His foot was pinned between a pipe and the ladder that he fell off. Oh, my God.

[Aurora Matrix]

Shane.

[Amanda]

I'm unsure what it was like.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

Your hand did more than your mouth.

[Amanda]

It felt like a bad video game where it was like. It was like, off.

[Shane]

See, we're showing how hard this is. I remembered certain words, but you're talking so fast.

[Aurora Matrix]

Okay.

[Amanda]

You did a good job. I. I had to because it's a news story.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's live. It's live news.

[Amanda]

A man got pinned.

[Aurora Matrix]

No, but good on you. You went first. Yeah.

[Amanda]

Well done.

[Shane]

Tried. Do you want to attempt?

[Aurora Matrix]

I try. Okay.

[Shane]

Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

Hi, camera. I'm ready.

[Shane]

All right, here we go.

[Amanda]

The victims inside this house say the two suspects came in, tied them up, held them at gunpoint, and then used their walkie talkies to signal the getaway car. That worker fell halfway down a 20 foot shaft while working on this tunnel over here. His foot was pinned between a pipe and the ladder that he fell off of. I thought you were gonna go like, okay, that.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah.

[Shane]

You did it way better than me.

[Amanda]

Because you ended all the last words.

[Aurora Matrix]

It's the last words.

[Amanda]

It's the last words where you go.

[Shane]

You also added a physicality as opposed to me over here. Just like.

[Aurora Matrix]

Like, I feel like you were flirting with the camera.

[Shane]

I was. I didn't know what I was doing. I was desperate. I was the broken country bear at Disneyland. Or they're like.

[Aurora Matrix]

All I remember is use their walkie talkies to signal the getaway.

[Amanda]

The getaway car. The getaway car.

[Aurora Matrix]

Come get me.

[Amanda]

It was so good.

[Shane]

Do you guys want to attempt the. This one's a little easier. This is the chosen getting slapped.

[Amanda]

Yeah. Let's hear it.

[Shane]

Okay. This is a lot easier, I think.

[Amanda]

Hear it and maybe see it.

[Shane]

So you actually showed up. Gotta be honest, I wasn't positive you would. All right, well, it's time for your first challenge. I want you to try to hit me, but here's. Okay, I wasn't ready yet.

[Amanda]

Got it.

[Shane]

All right, which one of you wants to go?

[Amanda]

I can go first.

[Aurora Matrix]

You can go first. Okay.

[Amanda]

I mean, I'm gonna do terrible after I just made fun of you forever.

[Shane]

There we go. So you actually showed up?

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah.

[Shane]

Gotta be honest, I wasn't positive you would. All right, well, it's time for your first challenge. Look, John, I want you to try to hit me. But here's the cat wasn't ready yet.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, my God. Nailed the facials. Oh, my God.

[Amanda]

I was like.

[Aurora Matrix]

And you did. What I love about lip syncing is when you get close to an audience member, when you're lip syncing, you hear the mouth noises. So when you're, like, grabbing a tip from someone and you're, like, really lip syncing, you just hear the.

[Amanda]

I bet that's so awkward.

[Aurora Matrix]

So even during just like the. You just hear they give you the.

[Shane]

Tip and they're just like, oh.

[Amanda]

And you're like.

[Aurora Matrix]

A lot of mouth noises.

[Amanda]

That is so hilarious.

[Shane]

Watermelon, cantaloupe.

[Aurora Matrix]

Watermelon, cantaloupe, Cantaloupe, Watermelon. Okay.

[Amanda]

Okay, let's give this a turn.

[Shane]

Okay. Okay, Here we go.

[Aurora Matrix]

The Chosun.

[Shane]

So you actually showed up. Gotta be honest, I wasn't positive you would. All right, well, it's time for your first challenge. I want you to try to hit me. But here's the thought. Okay, I wasn't ready yet.

[Amanda]

Oh, my God.

[Shane]

Nailed it.

[Aurora Matrix]

Was that me?

[Amanda]

Was that a brilliant. No, you were so good.

[Aurora Matrix]

I feel like I showed more emotion than the chosen usually would.

[Shane]

Yeah, yeah.

[Amanda]

But it was. It was your.

[Shane]

But that was chosen internally.

[Aurora Matrix]

That was chosen in drag.

[Amanda]

Yeah, that was chosen in drag. Oh, my God. That was so. You're so good at, like, the emotion and the timing where you're, like, right back to the camera.

[Aurora Matrix]

I was like, okay, gotta pull.

[Shane]

I wasn't ready for that, man. Okay, so our last clip we're gonna attempt is the famous Harambe clip. It's a long one.

[Amanda]

Okay.

[Shane]

So we're really gonna have to pull it together for this.

[Aurora Matrix]

And this one's full dialogue.

[Shane]

This is full dialogue.

[Amanda]

Full dialogue. And I'm you.

[Shane]

And we're gonna swap it all. So you're gonna be me. I'm gonna be you. You'll be Trevor.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'll be Trevor. Trevor was. I think we're about the same age. Yeah.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

We both were, like, quite young when this happened. And just, like, this was the talk of the town.

[Amanda]

Oh, my God.

[Shane]

Everybody was.

[Aurora Matrix]

Everyone was talking about it.

[Shane]

Honestly, everybody in this building was like, amanda, you're crazy.

[Aurora Matrix]

Amanda. Everyone was talking about it.

[Amanda]

People from home were like, what is wrong with you? I remember that.

[Aurora Matrix]

But hey, we've now learned that Angela also didn't know about Harambe.

[Amanda]

Exactly.

[Aurora Matrix]

And she got off one line.

[Shane]

Angela completely got away with that. Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

She exposed herself.

[Amanda]

She think.

[Shane]

I think the 9 11, 2011 thing is I think people let Harambe slide for her.

[Aurora Matrix]

Where were you during 9 11?

[Shane]

Okay, this one starts off quick.

[Amanda]

So we're going.

[Shane]

We're just going to go.

[Amanda]

Let's just go.

[Shane]

I'm going to do really bad at this.

[Amanda]

I'm going to do really bad. You can't watch it.

[Shane]

I'm just sitting here just watching it.

[Amanda]

Yeah. That would be so unfair.

[Shane]

Hold it up. I'm not going to look at it. Here we go. Right off the bat. Have you ever heard of Harambe?

[Amanda]

No.

[Shane]

You've never heard of Harambe? Okay. I can't believe you've ever heard of Harambe. He was a gorilla that was at the.

[Amanda]

I'm from Massachusetts.

[Shane]

He was at the Cincinnati Zoo. It's okay. It's okay.

[Amanda]

Are you lying?

[Shane]

I'm not lying to you. I'm telling you a true story.

[Amanda]

You lie a lot.

[Shane]

I'm not. I'm telling you a true story.

[Amanda]

Okay, okay, okay.

[Shane]

I believe it was a Cincinnati zoo and a boy somehow snuck in and fell into the gorilla pit.

[Aurora Matrix]

Okay.

[Shane]

Harambe comes up. He's curious. He's looking at the kid. He's just kind of looking at him. Whatever. They then shot Harambe. It's. It's sad. They shot Harambe and they killed him.

[Amanda]

Why are we laughing?

[Shane]

I'm la. I'm laughing because this is an insane story that I've processed years ago.

[Amanda]

Why would they shoot him? He didn't want to do anything. He was probably talking to him.

[Shane]

You're now dealing with the trauma that everyone else dealt with.

[Amanda]

Harambe deserved to live. I know. Is there a protest that I could go to? How old is that kid now? I will find him.

[Shane]

Wow.

[Amanda]

That was hard.

[Aurora Matrix]

Wait, that was so strange because I kept looking at Shane when you were talking, but then it was.

[Amanda]

I know. Me too. I was like waiting to do my lines.

[Aurora Matrix]

I couldn't decide which person to look at, but I feel like that was Trevor. He was just laughing.

[Amanda]

My heart died in that moment.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Amanda]

I just relived.

[Shane]

I actually felt what you were experiencing then.

[Amanda]

Yeah.

[Shane]

Wow.

[Aurora Matrix]

But you really did make such a valid point of like. We've Already processed all of this.

[Shane]

Oh, yeah.

[Amanda]

I was like, why are you laughing?

[Aurora Matrix]

And Amanda, in that moment was like, what is happening?

[Amanda]

That's really hard to process something. So way later when it's like that. We already did this.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah. It's not shocking to us.

[Amanda]

Yeah. We closed the door on this. We got closure somehow, and I didn't. So I had to relive that for months after that.

[Aurora Matrix]

Wow.

[Shane]

But now you're fully aware of the locks.

[Amanda]

Yeah, I've made closure.

[Shane]

You've done all your research on it.

[Amanda]

I found him. It's taken care of.

[Shane]

You did the thing. You did the ending of Zodiac where you just knocked on his door. He opens up and just like, that's all I needed to see. And you walked.

[Amanda]

He's the Creekside Killer.

[Shane]

Yes.

[Aurora Matrix]

The little boy found him.

[Shane]

The Creekside Killer.

[Aurora Matrix]

You tap into this other register in your voice.

[Amanda]

It's kind of my mom when she's angry.

[Aurora Matrix]

That's.

[Shane]

Does your mom really sound like that?

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, yeah.

[Shane]

She's like, girls, get out of here.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, my God. Mama Kanto is scary.

[Amanda]

Mama Kanto is. Yeah, yeah. If you step on her foot, she's like, my body that hurts.

[Aurora Matrix]

Everything is talked through a groan.

[Shane]

Exactly.

[Amanda]

It's that. And also, like every detective ever. But a lot of it's my mom when she's very angry.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yep.

[Shane]

Wow.

[Amanda]

So I can jump right into that. Pretty cool.

[Shane]

This has been incredible.

[Aurora Matrix]

Oh, my God.

[Amanda]

I know. It's like, I feel like I only learned, like, 20% of you, and I just wanna know everything. So this. I don't know, maybe we covered.

[Aurora Matrix]

We covered a good range. I feel like we sprinkled a little bit of every aspect of my life.

[Amanda]

Yeah, absolutely. I just think that you're incredible and, like, you manifested everything that you had.

[Aurora Matrix]

Thank you.

[Amanda]

And you just. Everyone was like, okay, well, if you do this, you can't do this. And you're like, this is what I want to do. I think it's such a gift to know what you want to do. And you're fucking doing it. And you look unbelievable doing it.

[Aurora Matrix]

Thank you. I appreciate that. Yeah. I'm like, still, it's gonna take me a long time to process, like, oh, I actually did this.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, I'm here.

[Amanda]

You're our biggest fan.

[Aurora Matrix]

I'm here at Smosh. It's crazy. You guys are real people, not just characters in a YouTube video.

[Amanda]

Yeah, well. Yeah, well, we're gonna disappear when you leave here.

[Shane]

Yeah.

[Aurora Matrix]

We all cut and you just.

[Shane]

We fade to mist and fade to black. Well, thank you so much for being here. This was really so cool. Where can people find you? Do you have social platforms?

[Aurora Matrix]

Yeah, find me on Instagram. A Roaramatrix. Aurora, like the Princess Matrix, like the movie. I also have my own podcast with my two sisters. It's called the Powder Room. Featuring the Powderpuff Girls. Yes. And what I love about the podcast is it's kind of just like a fly on the wall, listening in on three besties, talking our shit, talking about the drag scenes, talking about, honestly, everything and anything. So check that out. We're on our season two now, so we're gonna be recapping the new season of Canada's Drag Race season five weekly.

[Shane]

Awesome.

[Amanda]

Yes.

[Aurora Matrix]

So get our hot takes on a brand new episode of Drag Race every week.

[Amanda]

And your friend's on season five, and.

[Aurora Matrix]

My friend is on season five, so we get to hear her. Cool.

[Amanda]

Your friend who's on the podcast is also on season five, and she did.

[Aurora Matrix]

All of my wigs on my season.

[Amanda]

Okay.

[Aurora Matrix]

There's so much to get into. So, yeah, check out the Powder Room. Check out my Instagram auroramatrix. And you can always just find where I'm gonna be on my Instagram.

[Shane]

Very cool.

[Amanda]

This is amazing. Thank you so much.

[Aurora Matrix]

Thank you for having me.

[Shane]

Of course. All right, thank you for watching, thank you for listening, and we'll see you next week.

[Aurora Matrix]

Bye.