RuPaul’s Drag Race Fan-Favorite Kim Chi Says She Would’ve Done All Stars 9 But Wasn’t Asked to Join Cast (Exclusive)

RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favorite Kim Chi talks about not being invited to be involved All Stars 9, which premiered on Friday, May 17.

The Korean-American drag artist told PEOPLE that she has been invited to compete so far RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars every year since finishing runner-up in season eight RPDR 2016. If the producers asked her this time, Kim says she would have joined the cast.

“What’s really funny is that they invited me back every season All starsand this season — the no-elimination season — is the only season I haven’t been called back for,” Chic Beauty founder and CEO Kim Chi told PEOPLE at the Gold Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 11.

“I think I would,” she continued, explaining that she would like to see all of the prep work and costumes that would appear on the show air, which would not have been the case if she had been eliminated earlier.

Joining Keke Palmer, Stephanie Hsu and Anitta RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 9 as celebrity judges

Sang-Young Shin aka Kim Chi attends the Gold House Hosts 2024 Gold Gala on May 11, 2024.

Monica Schipper/Getty

Despite not competing, Kim said she’s rooting for Plastique Tiara and Roxxy Andrews, who she calls her “IRL” [in real life] friends.”

Kim added that she is still in touch with her Season 8 castmates, including winner Bob the Drag Queen and fellow finalist Naomi Smalls.

“I talk to Naomi Smalls every day,” Kim revealed. “Bob’s a little busy, but I talk to him whenever I get a chance.”

Kim Chi, Bob the Drag Queen and Naomi Smalls in 2016.

Santiago Felipe/Getty

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Kim also rated Sasha Colby and Nymphia Wind as the first Hawaiian and first East Asian winners RPDRrespectively.

“I mean, it’s amazing. It became a joke in Drag Race community for the longest time since Asian queens were cast to be eliminated early,” Kim said. “To see people outside of the Asian community celebrate them and their culture, we’re now looking at another decade.”

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In addition to Kim Chi Chic Beauty, Kim hosts a culinary podcast with chef Jon Kung and is working on two books: a cookbook and a children’s book about an Asian-American kid dealing with his queer identity and trying to save his local library from destruction.

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 9 premiered May 17 on Paramount+.

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Source: HIS Education