The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya

Episode: "Kim Chi's Love Affair with Public Libraries" (Nov 25, 2025)

Episode Overview

This episode is a riotous, candid conversation with beloved drag superstar and cookbook author Kim Chi. Trixie and Katya welcome Kim to discuss her new double book release–a young adult graphic novel about saving public libraries and a vibrant, global cookbook forged from her own adventures. With the usual razor-sharp wit, the trio covers topics ranging from the importance of public libraries, drag performance culture, travel, food, dealing with fame, and the often grimy reality of working nightlife gigs. The episode is peppered with hilarious asides, stories from the trenches, and pointed commentary on drag etiquette and celebrity culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kim Chi's Double Book Release (02:40 – 05:40, 17:09 – 18:07)

• Kim Chi shares her triumph (and exhaustion) at releasing two books simultaneously: a YA novel ("Donatella Macci and the Library Avengers") about saving a public library, and a drag-queen-themed global cookbook.
  • "One is a young adult novel called Donatella Macci and the Library Avengers." – Kim (03:28)
• The novel is part graphic and part prose, co-authored due to English being Kim’s second language.
  • "English is my second language, here, I'm trying my best..." – Kim (04:17)
• The library in the novel is humorously named Ferkus Library in honor of Trixie (out-of-drag: Brian Firkus).
  • "It's called Ferkus Library." – Kim (03:59)

2. Public Libraries Are Everything (04:48 – 06:00)

• Kim and the hosts share sincere, nostalgic stories about public libraries being a crucial lifeline:
  • Kim read to get food: "If you read five books, you get, like, a voucher for a bagel. So I read as many books as possible just to feed myself." – Kim (05:45)
• Katya and Trixie recall using microfiche and the thrill of uncovering local mysteries ("the blizzard of '28!" [05:22]).

3. Kim’s Culinary Adventures & Cookbook (17:11 – 18:45)

• Kim's cookbook "Kimchi Eats the World" was inspired by her inability to travel and indulge during the pandemic, resulting in experimental, eclectic at-home cooking.
  • "This book is a love letter to all my favorite places and things I’ve eaten.” – Kim (17:27)
• If she had to choose one cuisine forever: "Definitely Asian…Korean is my soul food. If not, Vietnamese or Thai." (18:15)
• Rave for LA’s vegetarian Thai food scene and shoutout to "Love to Eat," a queer-owned Thai spot (18:42).

4. Tipping, Merch, and Bootleg Culture (19:43 – 24:07)

• Kim rails against the pressure to tip at concert merch stands: "But like, concert merch? Why?" (20:13)
• They discuss the ethics of bootleg merch vs. lackluster official designs, especially in K-pop:
  • “Sometimes the bootleg merch is better than the actual merch.” – Kim (22:48)
• Trixie discusses how bootlegs can steal from artists and designers as well as big stars (21:47).

5. Fame, Fans, and Awkward Encounters (24:40 – 27:59)

• The group exchanges stories of meeting "fans" who want photos without knowing who they are.
  • "They want a picture just because they saw a cross-dresser." – Trixie (25:03)
• Katya shares a mortifying travel story about peeing herself on a plane—but in full detail, true to podcast form (27:59).
• Kim recounts panic after beet puree dyeing her pee red on a flight (29:22).

6. Drag Culture: Evolution, Fashion, and Realities (38:01 – 45:02)

• Critiques of current drag trends:
  • The absence of boobs in drag ("an alarming dearth of boobs," 38:50).
  • The tackiness of pastel PVC harnesses (“I’m glad that’s coming to an end,” 40:25).
  • Circuit party fashion staples and the lack of tips from partygoers.
• Classic drag show numbers and the predictable group numbers ("Lady Marmalade," "Bootylicious") are analyzed for their drag queen pecking order and impact.
• Stories of early, gritty drag gigs and club life—changing on dirty floors, being ignored by shirtless party boys, the exhaustion of constant look changes.

7. The Realities of Booking and Treating Drag Performers (58:01 – 59:58)

• A passionate breakdown of what it actually takes to book a drag performer respectfully: pay, a private dressing room, air conditioning, security.
  • "So you're gonna need money, you're gonna need a dressing room, air conditioning in that dressing room, and a mirror..." – Trixie (58:25)
• Kim: "I showed up at a gig to perform, and they took me to a dangerous closet with broken glass on the floor." (58:43)
• Memories of dank, tiny dressing rooms and how far they've come, but still urge for basic respect and professionalism.

8. Drag Race Fame vs. Queens with Work Ethic (60:19 – 63:43)

• Kim and the hosts critique new queens who rocket to fame through Drag Race, but lack professionalism (no-show meet-and-greets, lateness).
  • "A lot of these queens...have no idea how to act." – Kim (60:43)
• The importance of punctuality, work ethic, and respect for fans and other queens is stressed.

9. Touring, Backstage Life & Rituals (67:41 – 71:43)

• Dressing room personalities: Kim prefers solitude and K-pop, Trixie likes the dark and quiet, Katya goes for riotous music.
• The essential role music plays in getting pumped for performance, recommendations include Carpenters, Rose Royce, ABBA (70:01).

10. Drag Queens as Pop Accessories & Music Industry Exploitation (54:24 – 57:33)

• Discussion of pop stars using drag queens as free props in tours and videos, with very little compensation.
  • "You want to book a drag queen… so you're gonna need money…" – Trixie (58:25)
  • "This pop star asked me to be in their video for $250, transportation not included." – Kim (57:37)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kim on library advocacy:
  "The last place the FBI can't go." (03:36)
• On tipping for merch:
  “Why am I tipping a concert merch salesman when they're not even that nice?” – Kim (20:34)
• Kim sharing immigrant childhood story:
  “I would read as many books as possible just to feed myself.” (05:45)
• On professional boundaries:
  “If you want a photo, I'll give you a photo. Let's cut the game, you know?” – Kim (25:41)
• Raw drag memories:
  "We'd be prone in the dressing room... crawling on the ground..." – Trixie (59:12)
• On professionalism:
  "A lot of these queens... have no idea how to act." – Kim (60:43) "If you're late today, tomorrow start earlier. But that type of person will never, never start early." – Trixie (63:15)
• On fashion and drag trends:
  "I do feel that kids today, like an A cup is a giant jug to them... A huge, like, destroyer titty is truly banned." – Trixie (39:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Kim's new books and writing process: 02:40 – 05:40, 17:09 – 18:07
• Public library nostalgia: 04:48 – 06:00
• Food/cookbook talk, LA cuisine: 17:11 – 18:45
• Tipping/bootleg merch culture: 19:43 – 24:07
• Drag fans/fame stories: 24:40 – 27:59
• Airplane bathroom horror: 27:59 – 30:05
• Drag show fashion and trends: 38:01 – 45:02
• Drag queens as pop-culture accessories: 54:24 – 57:33
• Backstage/dressing room realities: 58:01 – 59:58
• Professionalism in drag: 60:19 – 63:43
• Get ready/backstage rituals: 67:41 – 71:43
• Closing (book plugs & gratitude): 73:04 – 74:45

Tone & Style

The episode is quintessential "Bald and the Beautiful": biting, filthy, self-deprecating, but always earnest about their love for drag, each other, and queer spaces. Kim Chi’s deadpan humor shines as she banters, tells real-life stories, and celebrates her passions for books, food, and drag.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode is a must-hear for anyone who loves candid queer storytelling, drag, or has ever suffered through a gig in appalling conditions. Kim Chi, Trixie, and Katya trade honest and hilarious tales about libraries as lifelines, food as memory, the hazards and joys of being a working queen, and the bizarre realities of sharing fame with fans and strangers. At its heart lies a celebration of creativity, professionalism, and gratitude for drag’s power to connect people over everything from a recipe to a library card to a lip sync in a sweaty bar.

Where to find Kim’s books & products

• Kim’s books: Available "any cool place that sells books" and via her Instagram (73:04).
• KimChi Beauty: Now at CVS, JCPenney, and Ulta.com (73:24).

“We appreciate all the love that comes our way, but just be real with us, you know? Be honest with me.”
— Kim Chi (26:20)