Smosh Mouth Episode #72 - "Meeting Our Biggest Fan"

Release Date: November 25, 2024
Host: Smosh (Shayne Topp and Amanda Lehan-Canto)
Guest: Aurora Matrix, Runner-Up of Canada's Drag Race Season Four

1. Introduction and Guest Welcome

The episode kicks off with Shane and Amanda enthusiastically welcoming Aurora Matrix, highlighting her achievement as the runner-up of Canada's Drag Race Season Four. Amanda exclaims her excitement, stating, "Super big fan" at [00:03]. Aurora reciprocates the sentiment, expressing her delight in being on the show: "Me too. I feel like this is so meant to be" [00:17].

2. Aurora's Journey into Drag

Aurora delves into her lifelong passion for the arts, sharing how her early involvement in piano, musical theater, Chinese dance, and choir laid the foundation for her future in drag. She recounts a pivotal moment in high school when she auditioned for the drama program, driven by her mother's ultimatum: pursue her artistic passions or switch to the sciences [03:24].

Transitioning seamlessly, Aurora explains her leap into drag performance at an open stage in Toronto. She emphasizes her commitment, balancing full-time education with late-night performances: "I was juggling school, doing shows until like 4am and then going to like a movement class at like 8:30" [05:37].

3. Experience on Canada's Drag Race

Aurora details her experience on Canada's Drag Race, revealing the intense audition process and the unique filming approach of the show. She explains how multiple winners are filmed to preserve the live finale's suspense: "I was sitting here from filming all the way to broadcast, thinking there's a possibility I could win" [17:18]. Aurora shares her emotional rollercoaster during the show, especially her performance at the Drake Hotel brunch prior to the finale, where she reflects on her journey and interactions with fellow contestants [16:51].

4. Behind the Scenes Insights

Aurora provides an insider's view of the show's production. She discusses the strict filming protocols, such as being sequestered in what she humorously terms "gay prison," limiting her interaction with the outside world [30:44]. Aurora recounts tense moments, including an intense confrontation with fellow contestant Melinda Verga during episode four: "I was like, hey. Just wanna make sure nothing was personal" [24:28].

She also sheds light on the challenges of maintaining authenticity amidst reality TV pressures, emphasizing the delicate balance between being entertaining and staying true to oneself: "If you don't fully commit, it's like, oh, she has no personality" [27:50].

5. Aurora's Performance Style and Creativity

Aurora passionately describes her approach to performances, highlighting her improvisational skills and dedication to delivering memorable acts. She explains her method of engaging the audience and allowing their energy to influence her performances: "I feed off the audience, depending on what they're giving, then I'm gonna give that back" [08:20].

Her creative process extends to costume design, where she collaborates with friends to create intricate looks. Aurora shares anecdotes about packing elaborate outfits and the ingenuity required to transport them: "People do [crazy outfits]. I don't understand how you pack this" [28:57].

6. Aurora as a Smosh Enthusiast and Fan

Aurora reveals her deep fandom for Smosh, tracing her initial exposure to the channel back to the Ian Anthony era with favorites like "Food Battle" [40:05]. She discusses how her appreciation for Smosh grew over time, particularly enjoying the "Smosh Mouth" podcast for its engaging conversations and character dynamics: "For the last year, I've just been hyper fixated on Smosh" [41:24].

Notable Favorites:

• Shakespeare Reading Episode: Aurora connects with this episode due to her theater background: "Cause that's something I'm familiar with, having studied Theater and Shakespeare" [42:07].
• "Try Not to Laugh" Episodes: She finds these episodes particularly challenging and entertaining, admiring the hosts' comedic timing [43:01].

7. Interactive Fun: Lip Sync Challenge

Towards the end of the episode, Shane introduces a playful segment where he, Amanda, and Aurora engage in lip-syncing challenges using clips from Smosh Mouth and other Smosh videos. This segment showcases their comedic chemistry and Aurora's improvisational prowess.

Notable Moments:

• News Report Lip Sync: Aurora humorously critiques Shane's attempt, highlighting the difficulty of delivering news anchors' lines:
  Aurora: "This is so sad." [66:25]
  Shane: "You have to work while doing this." [66:26]

• "The Chosen" Slap Scene: The trio reenacts a dramatic moment, blending humor with theatrical flair, further cementing Aurora's background in performance arts [67:57].

8. Creative Collaborations and Future Plans

Aurora shares her excitement about potential collaborations with Smosh, envisioning future performances where Smosh hosts join her in drag: "Next mosh video, I put these two in drag" [63:20]. She also introduces her own podcast, "The Powder Room," which she co-hosts with her sisters, focusing on drag community discussions and recaps of Canada's Drag Race Season Five [75:47].

9. Closing Remarks and Gratitude

As the episode wraps up, Aurora expresses heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to connect with her favorite creators:
Amanda: "I just think that you're incredible...you look unbelievable doing it." [75:26]
Shane: "Thank you so much for being here." [75:35]

Aurora directs listeners to follow her on Instagram (@Auroramatrix) and tune into her podcast "The Powder Room" for more insights into the drag scene [75:39]. The hosts bid farewell, appreciating Aurora's presence and contributions to the episode [75:50].

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Aurora on Her Commitment:
  "I was willing to sacrifice my sleep, my mornings, my school life to do it. Because this brings me joy. It doesn't feel like work to me." [06:16]

• Shane on the Show's Nature:
  "After Smosh, Benjamin was chosen. She is our biggest fan." [This seems inconsistent with the actual transcript; likely a misinterpretation.]

• Aurora on Drag Race Filming:
  "They started doing that after season three of RuPaul's Drag Race. Cause it kind of leaked who had won." [18:04]

• Aurora on Fan Interaction:
  "I'm here at Smosh. It's crazy. You guys are real people, not just characters in a YouTube video." [75:31]

• Amanda on Aurora’s Dedication:
  "You manifest everything that you had, and you’re fucking doing it." [75:15]

Conclusion

Episode #72 of Smosh Mouth offers an engaging and in-depth conversation with Aurora Matrix, providing listeners with a comprehensive look into her journey in the drag world, her experiences on Canada's Drag Race, and her admiration for the Smosh team. Through insightful discussions, humorous segments, and personal anecdotes, the episode not only celebrates Aurora's achievements but also strengthens the bond between Smosh and their dedicated fan base.

For more on Aurora Matrix and her endeavors, follow her on Instagram @Auroramatrix and listen to her podcast The Powder Room.