Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer

Episode: "Defending Our Marriage" (w/ Latrice Royale & Christopher Hamblin)

Release Date: December 12, 2025

Overview

This heartfelt and hilarious episode features Nicole Byer in conversation with the iconic Drag Race star Latrice Royale and her husband, musical director Christopher Hamblin. The trio dive into the realities, joys, and challenges of their enduring marriage, life as public figures, interracial love, performing, vulnerability, and plenty of drag world anecdotes. Honest exchanges, playful moments, and vulnerable insights make this episode both deeply moving and highly entertaining.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

Navigating an Interracial Marriage in the Spotlight

• Public Scrutiny & Social Media Pressure

  • [00:26] Latrice notes the heavy discussion about their interracial marriage:

    “We're getting a lot of like, discussion about the fact that we're interracial. That's a thing too.”

  • [00:43 / 58:00] Christopher expresses feeling excluded from conversations about his own marriage:

    “There’s an entire conversation about my marriage that I feel like I can’t participate in.”

• Latrice’s Fierce Defense of Her Love

  • [00:56 / 58:14] Latrice pushes back on critics:

    “Mind your business. Number one, I am in love with someone who is in love with me... I’m not gonna miss out on my blessing because he’s white. That sounds stupid. You sound ridiculously stupid. And that’s why you’re single and miserable. Get yourself some self-love and find you somebody who’s gonna love your raggedy broke down ass.”

• Christopher’s Perspective & Agency

  • [61:02] Christopher desires participation, not just scrutiny:

    “If there’s going to be [a conversation] about me, I’d like to be able to speak for myself and feel welcome in that conversation. I really love this guy. And we’re not always perfect… but at the end of the day... I do feel like I’ve been there to support this Black man when no one else was.”

Meeting & Falling in Love

• Their Origin Story

  • [05:33–10:24] The couple recounts their charming first meeting: Christopher attended Latrice’s drag show in Knoxville, ending up running her meet-and-greet when things got chaotic. Latrice recalls:

    “I was flirting like queens do, and he was keeping up tit for tat… He’s like, bitch, I’m grown too. I was like, oh, okay. So immediately I’m intrigued, you know.”

• The Proposal

  • [11:25–13:32] Christopher secretly buys an engagement ring right after the Pulse nightclub tragedy, leading to an emotional proposal on stage in Seattle. Latrice recalls officiating weddings post-marriage equality and realizing, “I need this in my life.”

Working, Touring, and Living Together

• Balancing Roles

  • [03:23 / 03:46] Christopher notes the importance of knowing what ‘hat’ he’s wearing:

    “I have to know which hat I’m wearing and who’s speaking. You know, I say I’m married to Tim, but I work for Latrice.”

• Unique Challenges of Public Life

  • [34:03–34:30] Christopher on losing anonymity:

    “Our gay friends just want to, like, go to the bar one night and… they’re inviting Latrice Royale to a meet and greet. That… changes my whole experience. I don’t get to be just a whole normal gay at the club.”

• Dealing with Absence (Drag Race Filming):

  • [26:17–28:29, 32:27–33:16]
    While planning their wedding, Latrice was filming Drag Race All Stars 4 without phone access, leaving Christopher to plan much of the wedding solo. Both discuss the sacrifices and difficulties of being apart.

Performing, Singing, and Vulnerability

• Encouraging Each Other’s Growth

  • [21:05–23:16] Christopher encouraged Latrice to sing live, helping her conquer discomfort about her deep voice. Latrice shares:

    “But what [Gladys Knight] does do is know how to deliver and tell a story and make… that’s what I can do, and I do well.”

• Powerful Moments on Stage

  • [24:24–26:00] The emotional impact of their work and their wedding, including walking down the aisle to “Through the Fire” sung live, producing their own extravagant celebration.

Relationship Communication & Emotional Intelligence

• Conflict & Accountability

  • [50:39–51:02] Latrice discusses being “mirrors” for each other and acknowledges the challenge in apologizing and reflecting on behavior:

    “We are definitely mirrors for each other and very much let each other know how we’re coming across…”

• Advice for Single Listeners

  • [57:13 / 59:38]
    Latrice:

    “Just go where love is and be happy… that’s what I chose to do. And yeah, here we are 13 years later, and I ain’t going nowhere. He ain’t going nowhere.”
    Christopher adds the importance of being “fully developed” and handling your own issues before seeking partnership.

Joyful Anecdotes & Fun Moments

• “Pop the Corn So the Kids Can Eat”

  • [37:07–39:48] The group debates the true origin of the phrase, crediting Jasmine Masters, and presents original Manila Luzon-inspired fan art.

• Drag Race Trivia

  • [40:07–41:36] Nicole’s affection for Season 7’s notorious acting challenges, quoting Jasmine Masters’ “It’s a cocoon!” bit.

• Delta Diamond Status

  • [17:47–19:48] The trio gleefully swaps stories about airline loyalty programs and the odd pride of being thanked (or not!) by airline staff:
    Nicole:

    “I’m a Delta Diamond Diva. Don’t you know it matters?”

Notable Quotes & Powerful Moments

• On Interracial Relationships:

  • Latrice: “If there was a Black person who showed me the kind of love that this man sat here and showed me, then I would be all about it… I'm not gonna miss out on my blessing because he's white.” [58:14]

• On Partnership:

  • Christopher: “As an objective fan of this individual and the work they put into the world, I still believe that today, like whether we were married or not, that's incredibly sweet. This person matters in the world and it's my privilege to help take care of him.” [14:20]

• On Vulnerability in Performing:

  • Latrice: “I feel like in order to be like a well rounded performer… it has to come from a place. You have to have gone through something, gotten through something… You gonna have to have an experience with me. Like, that's the goal. Or else what am I doing?” [16:23]

Highlighted Timestamps & Segments

• Interracial relationships and public discourse:
  [00:26]; [57:23]; [58:00]; [61:02]

• Meeting story and flirting:
  [05:33]–[10:24]

• Wedding proposal and preparation:
  [11:25]; [26:16]; [27:28]

• Vulnerability, singing, and performance:
  [21:05]–[23:16]; [24:24]–[26:00]

• Romantic gestures:
  [53:22]–[56:54]

• Delta status anecdotes:
  [17:47]–[19:48]

• Drag Race catchphrase origin debate:
  [37:07]–[39:48]

• Nicole’s favorite Season 7 moments:
  [40:07]–[41:36]

Tone & Style

Light-hearted, candid, and unapologetically sassy, the conversation is full of joyous drag humor, loving ribbing, and honest admissions about vulnerability, love, and the messiness of relationships. Nicole’s playful style as host shines throughout, while Latrice and Christopher offer warmth, wit, and no-nonsense wisdom.

Final Thoughts & Advice

Latrice sums up their philosophy:

“Just go where love is and be happy… that’s what I chose to do. And yeah, here we are 13 years later, and I ain’t going nowhere.” [59:38]

Christopher reminds listeners:

“If you can’t deal with your own thing, then you’re not gonna be able to deal with somebody else’s.” [59:38]

The episode underscores that great love is rooted in acceptance, support, deep honesty, and not letting anyone else’s baggage dictate your happiness.

For tour dates and more, follow Latrice Royale and Christopher Hamblin’s “Why Gotta Be White Christmas” holiday show.