Bianca Del Rio is “just a man in a wig.” Her own words.

Humble isn’t exactly what you’d expect from an entertainer who sells out big rooms with ease, boasts 2.5 million followers on Instagram and holds the winning title for “RuPaul’s Drag Race Season Six.” But that’s what this Louisiana-born performer (aka Roy Haylock) is: legit humble. She’s a real deal, Southern sweetheart who respects her roots – and we’re not talking the ones you need to touch-up.

With mega-sass, searing looks, and the ability to read a room for filth like no other, this legendary queen commands every space she walks into, even an early morning chit-chat with Style Weekly from the Dead Inside tour. “I just survived Florida, which was a little exciting, I have to say,” she quips. “I was one of the only gays wearing heels … other than [Florida Governor Ron] DeSantis.”

Style Weekly: You’re Louisiana-born, how’d you celebrate Mardi Gras this year? 

Bianca Del Rio: I started a tour. I was so depressed. I always try to make it. It’s hard sometimes because it jumps around the calendar and, as you know, you have to have more than a few days to enjoy Mardi Gras and recover. My friends run Orpheus [a parade krewe/organization] and invited me to ride with them. I couldn’t, so I said, “If you can’t have Bianca Del Rio, will you take Doogie Howser and his husband?” So it worked out.

Did you give anything up for Lent? 

Oh God, no. No. I lie to myself saying I’ll drink more water, stretch all that … drink less coffee. It’s impossible even after just eight shows. Touring is rough with all the different time zones. All I really give up on tour is sleep [laughs].

What’s the best and worst part of tour for a queen of your caliber? 

The best part is that I’m not on a plane. Getting to the airport is taxing anyway, imagine that, as a drag queen with lots of luggage on a show day. So much can go wrong. So much. I’m not on a plane, I don’t have to deal with people and I don’t have to get to the airport four hours ahead of time – I mean for me and all my stuff, check in alone is … [laughs].

The downside is: You’re on a bus. I do have my own room at the back and have learned how to fall asleep on a bus. It saves you time and you don’t have to deal with the airport, more importantly people in the airport …

Aside from air-conditioning, because we know that’s critical to the face, what’s on your tour rider? 

Oh my god, I’m crazy about ice. This is totally because of doing shows in the UK. I always ask for ice. Coming from New Orleans, ice is a huge thing; top of the list. You wouldn’t believe how people react to asking for it: Like asking for a heart transplant five minutes before showtime. Lights, mirror, vodka.

But if you get me the vodka first, I don’t need the other two. Scribble and go.

You can read someone at your shows like no performer I’ve ever seen. Do you have a Rolodex of go-to material that you pull from or are you really that on-the-fly witty? 

Sometimes I amaze myself in some situations. Sometimes I go with a script for the structured part of the show, but sometimes being quick isn’t about an arsenal of information, it’s knowing when to use the right thing. It shifts dramatically from night to night, and you really have to pay attention to how you transition. It’s about the right read for the right person. When that happens, someone else is getting excited hoping they’ll be next. So, you have to make sure you’re prepared for Asshole 1 and Asshole 2. You are literally out there with a spotlight in your eyes, can’t see anything and wonder – “Did I say that already?” I live for those moments.

Do you consider yourself a comedian or performer first – or both? 

I have drag friends who are brilliantly gifted writers. Great performers too, of course. Everything is to a tee. You can watch them and follow the script at the same time. I am not one of those performers [laughs]. I like floating in the moment. Most of the fun comes from that. You can’t recreate the magic of some nights. Sometimes I get through 80% of the scripted material, other nights it’s 50%. You never know. I never know. It’s all about the room, and honestly I built my skillset out from people who didn’t care what you were saying back in the day, doing daytime drag.

I read that if you aren’t working, you would prefer to be at home versus vacationing? Does this go back to planes and hating people? 

It’s not so much about hating people. I travel when I work and label it as a lot. I have never taken a trip with just a carry-on bag. Even a funeral – don’t ask. The idea of traveling on off-time, that sucks. I live in Palm Springs, California. Why would you ever leave?

I have a pool and feel like I’m never there. Connecting with friends is a vacation. Out of my house I also have my workshop where I can still create, it’s not all sitting around eating bon-bons. But, it’s freedom from obligation. You never really stop working. You can do anything from home.

So really, no exotic vacations for Bianca? 

Nooooo. Go all the way to Brazil to just hang out? No. Hike a mountain? No. Not me.  At least when I travel for work, I have an audience.

There’s a lot more drag out there now, to the point where some would say scenes are saturated and quality is questionable. You’ve had a long, successful career, even pre-“Drag Race” – what’s the secret and your advice to up-and-coming performers? 

Don’t expect a damn thing. When I started in 1996, I didn’t know I’d be doing this for the rest of my life. It’s about being in the moment and adapting. This was all pre-social media – drag wasn’t exactly a luxury job to have. People even looked down on you for it sometimes. Wearing wigs, smoky bars, and no perks. For me though, it was an outlet for comedy. So, I rolled with it.

You ended up in New York City doing costumes and such, right?  

2005 I ended up back there and I thought I’ll stick with my costume career, shy away from the drag. Then I saw a really terrible performer and was like – why is she working? I can do this shit. By your mid-30s, you are old in the drag community. A legend! An icon! I was like – I’m just a gay trying to make my rent. It was a bit harder.

I knew television was a huge platform, so I did “Drag Race.” I said, let’s run with it. I don’t know if it’s been a successful career, but it’s been a hustling one. And I know nothing comes just sitting on your ass. I’m always grateful to work, and my advice? Stay in your own lane. Not everyone can be Beyonce and jump to country music.

Bianca Del Rio brings the Dead Inside comedy tour to The National on Friday, Feb. 23. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $52