Jason J. Carter could be placed in the Guinness Book of World Records at some point, as he is currently the longest running pit crew member on the wildly popular RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.
The hunky and charismatic gentleman has appeared in tons of challenges since his entrance into the werk room in season 3, and since then has had become one of the biggest parts of the show as it continues to grow and cements itself into pop culture history.
There is a lot more to Jason outside of sporting a pair of underwear and livening up the mini-challenges, as he is a quadruple threat of sorts as he also models, hosts, and is a men's lifestyle expert as well. Did we also mention he's handsome? There's that too, but, um… duh.
Jason sat down with us at Instinct to discuss his time on the show, his thoughts on the wild ride All Stars 3 has been (including the controversial Milk) and what else he has going on for 2018. Check it out.
You have been the longest running pit crew guy now, going since season 3. What do you think has helped you last this long?
I would like to say it's my charming personality hehe, no but I would attribute my stay on the show to my work ethic. Talent is a dime a dozen in this industry, but ethic is not. Being on time, taking direction, being multi-faceted, those are basic things that a lot of people believe it or not can't deliver. Also people want to work with someone who just wants to have a great time with a good attitude. I am always so humbled by the experience I've had on the show.
When you started on the show, RPDR was gaining some momentum in the cultural stratosphere. Did you ever think it would get to where it is now?
Absolutely! It's so amazing to see the level of global notoriety the show has. There was and is nothing like it on television. Drag Race was a show that pop culture was starving and hungry for but didn't know it.
Even for myself, when I watch the show, I still get chills of excitement because there is something about it that is so unique and Avant Garde. It's funny… even though I get the most behind the scenes experience of the show, I am a fan myself so watching it with the rest of the world is like me being just one the millions who adore it. And that's when you know it's magical.
Are you absolutely loving All Stars 3 this season? Have you been shocked by anything that's happened so far, in particular Milk's attitude?
All Stars is definitely intense. I love it because every queen that sashays into the workroom is an All Star with something to give. Drag Queens are like mutants, they all have a unique power that makes them stellar. All Stars seems to raise the stakes and shines a light on why they were chosen to return. I personally love the drama of it all haha.
It’s clear that some of the girls have scores to settle from their respective seasons or something they want to show to the world that they may not have gotten a chance to. Oh, and you had to ask me about Milk didnt ya? Haha. Well me and Bryce (Eilenberg) always joke that Milk is fifteen pounds away from being a Pit Crew member because he definitely has body and a face to die for. I've always said that he was stunning in and out of drag as well.
I think his attitude this season may be a little off putting because it can read cocky and a little entitled to some, but in all actuality I think he's just a serious contender in the way Phi Phi O'Hara was. This is a competition and you have to go in knowing who you are and what you bring to the table. Again, this is All Stars. The best of the best. That, and I think you grow a lot after your season on the show and really cultivate a sense of what your strengths are. Milk knows who he is and makes no excuses for how he feels. There is something to be said for that.
Do you have an all-time favorite moment on the show, and if so, what is it?
I have so many moments on the show, it’s hard to pin point just one. But I’ll never forget my second season on the show, Season 4. Ru had given me a speaking part in the episode called "Stuck in Tuckahoe.” I had the opportunity to act alongside Latrice Royale and I just remember production giving me my lines and saying "don’t fuck it up,” lovingly, It was one of the only times back then that we got to interact with the queens and it was so….much…fun. But to be brutally honest, every moment I get to spend with my Pit Crew brothers and with the crew is a fond memory. We are making history. The real fun happens when the cameras aren't rolling. Joking with Ru. Talking music with Michelle. Gossiping with Jen Fregozo, our makeup artist. Those are also some of the best parts of the whole experience.
What's your relationship like with Bryce? You two come off very brotherly like but, um… in a sexy way.
Haha, Bryce is wonderful. You know, Bryce is one of my favorite people. We get along famously, and he is soooooo interesting. I've always been the more outgoing Pit Crew member of the two of us. I'm the balls to the wall crazy one, while Bryce is more laid back and practical.
Honestly, he keeps me grounded while shooting. He is always up for good conversation and lets me vent about everything and anything. Then he tells me I'm being ridiculous and to snap out of it. It's a very yin and yang sort of occurrence. He's for sure one of the smartest people I know. People always try to say we have a "thing" going on but that's not true. He's a straight male that is supportive and at home with those in the LGBTQ community and is so comfortable in his own skin. People online felt it was unfair for Ru to cast a white cis gender male instead of another LGBTQ member when adding to the Pit Crew and Bryce really handled that in stride. He is kind and just a joy to hang with. Such a stand-up kind a guy. Oh, and did I mention he’s a great singer too?
What has the exposure from this show given you in terms of opportunities and furthering your career?
The show has definitely given me more of an audience and following to connect with people all across the world. I've been able to travel and meet the fans the world over. Drag Race fans come from all walks of life. Living in L.A. and working in this industry, it’s nice to meet casting directors; talent executives, etc. that recognize me from the show and actually take the time to see what I’m really about. To see that I'm more than just the guy in his underwear on television. I would say the most important thing the show has done has given me a avenue to show how multi-faceted I am and what talents I have. That to me is priceless.
Outside of RPDR, what are you currently working on?
I have always been a host and an on-camera personality. Since the age of sixteen, that's been my true passion. From television to radio: I’ve done it all. Currently I am a host for the largest online YouTube news show in the world, The Young Turks. I am also a co-host of the pop culture magazine show called PopTrigger and a correspondent for other shows on the network. I am a men's lifestyle expert, so I get to connect with men across the country and show them ways to be their best selves.
Lots of exciting things are happening in 2018 that I can't talk about yet, but when I do ill make sure Instinct Magazine gets the first tweet.
For more on Jason J. Carter, check out his IG here, and his Twitter here.