March 22--Boystown entertainer Naysha Lopez auditioned for "RuPaul's Drag Race" four times, only to be the first contestant eliminated this season.
But Lopez, who lives on the Northwest Side, got a second chance. She returned to the competition in Monday's episode, which was a surprise to her and her fellow contestants.
"When I left, I did think, 'Please let me have made a big enough impression to be that one called back!' I never had any idea that it would be so soon," Lopez told Entertainment Weekly. "I literally got home and got in the car and (when RuPaul called), I was like, '(Expletive), I haven't even unpacked! I'm on my way!'"
Lopez, whose birth name is Fabian Rodriguez, was eliminated in the Season 8 premiere after creating a lacklaster outfit for a challenge and not knowing the words to Lady Gaga's song "Applause" during a lip-sync battle.
She's one of two Chicago performers left in the competition, which involves a series of beauty and performance tests. Andersonville resident Kim Chi is also vying for the $100,000 prize.
"RuPaul's Drag Race" airs 8 p.m. Mondays on the Logo network.
