At a time when conversations around LGBTQ+ visibility remain at the center of cultural and political debates, Symone believes Stop! That! Train! offers something simple but powerful: joy.
The RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 winner told Blavity that the film’s theatrical release is significant because it places drag queens at the center of the story rather than on the sidelines. For Symone, the project is a reminder that queer artists continue to create, thrive and bring people together through entertainment.
Why does ‘Stop! That! Train!’ stand out?
For Symone, one of the film’s biggest strengths is its representation, and that’s why it is important for it to be a theatrical experience.
“First of all, it’s a queer-led film where we as drag queens are playing characters. We’re acting. We’re not the butt of the joke, we’re not side characters. We’re in the whole thing,” Symone told Blavity.
She said the film serves as a statement about visibility and resilience.
“So I think that, and we’re in theaters, it is our way of saying, ‘Hey, we’re still here. No matter what the outside world is doing or trying to do to us, we’re still here. We’re still making art, we’re still having fun. We’re still bringing joy to the world,’ and we invite everyone in on it.”
According to Symone, that invitation extends beyond LGBTQ+ audiences. While the film is designed to make audiences laugh, Symone said its impact goes deeper than comedy.
“That’s how I think of it. It’s inviting everyone in this time that we’re living in to, hey, let’s have some fun,” she said.
She added that humor can help people connect with one another and challenge preconceived notions.
“It humanizes us as well, I think, on that level. So it’s using comedy to … All of this to say we’re still here, we’re still making art, and we’re going to resist through joy and comedy.”
For her, the message is straightforward. “We’re all just having fun, darling. That’s all we’re trying to do over here.”
Why does Symone want audiences to support the film?
Symone said she hopes viewers show up for the movie not only because it’s entertaining, but because it gives people an opportunity to see drag performers in a different light.
“So I think it’s important that people go support it, go see it. And also, it allows people to open their mind,” she said.
She believes audiences are ultimately looking for the same thing the cast hopes to deliver.
“It’s a laugh, a disaster, pale body, and that’s all we trying to do. And that’s what we need.”
On the road that led her to Stop! That! Train!, she said one of the biggest lessons she learned was understanding that visibility doesn’t mean saying yes to everything.
“You want to say yes to everything when you come out of it, because of course, that means people want you. You want to be visible, but I think I was very strategic in the things that I did and the things I said yes to and the things I said no to and the spaces I wanted to be in,” she said.
She credited a strong support system with helping her navigate those decisions and stay focused on her long-term goals.
“I had a very good team around me. I had very good people who I could lean on and counsel with and say, ‘Hey, do you think this is a good idea? Do you think this isn’t a good idea?'” Symone also shared that she experienced a difficult period in her life, describing moments when it was challenging just to make it through the day.
“I’m going to be very honest, I went through a time, a period of very difficult just to get through the day,” she said.
Looking back, she said opportunities like Stop! That! Train! have helped restore her sense of purpose.
“This opportunity, this coming up again and having this experience really helps me be like, ‘Oh, OK, this was the reason. This is the picture, this is the light.'” As Stop! That! Train! heads to theaters, Symone hopes audiences leave with a few laughs, a sense of joy and a reminder that art can still bring people together.
“We’re still here,” she said. “We’re still making art.”