Michelle Visage on why she loves her pink Nintendo DS and her favourite Pokemon

Michelle Visage is best known for being Ru Paul’s right-hand woman on Drag Race, being a pop sensation in the 80s, and even taking a spin on Strictly Come Dancing.

But did you know about her secret gaming habit?

We chatted to the radio DJ about Pokémon, her podcasting mic choice and giving her dogs DNA tests.

You’re the celebrity judge for the Pokémon Presents Super Pet Contest. Which is your favourite Pokémon?

It’s evolved over the years. See what I did there? I’ve always been a Piplup fan but lately I’ve been obsessed with Lopunny. She’s cuddly, cute, squishy and fluffy. And she’s got an attitude.

What is it that you love about the games?

I started playing them with my daughter, Lily, when she was seven. She was playing Pokémon Sapphire and Ruby on her GameBoy Advance. I wanted to know what my daughter was playing so I got one for myself and started playing with her.

I realised that it’s not only safe but it’s creative and fun. We’ve never stopped! Lily is 21 now and will even step out of meetings to catch Pokémon on Pokémon Go, and I downloaded the new Pokémon Unite game yesterday.

Speaking of video games, what’s your favourite console?

I’m 53 years old so I go way back to Pong and then my Atari console. But I still like to play my old Nintendo DS, which is pink. I keep it in my bedside table. Besides Pokémon, my favourite games are a little embarrassing. I really love one called Cake Mania.

You’re judging the Pokémon pet contest and you have dogs yourself. Have you got any doggy tech?

I’ve got two dogs and they’re pretty basic — they like tennis balls. They are rescue dogs and they are very spoiled. They love their lives. We gave them DNA tests to find out what they were. We thought we had a border collie but, no, they are both pitbulls.

Have you ever had a tech- related fail?

I did a podcast with RuPaul for many years called What’s The Tee? I remember recording an entire podcast and then the producer called and told me my mic was off the whole time. I had to re-record everything that I said in between what Ru said and make it sound like I was there. Tech isn’t perfect!

What’s your favourite tech to use for radio and podcasting?

I spent almost 20 years in radio and I used to be an old-school Sony headphones fan but I’ve switched from headphones to Sennheiser earphones. I do my podcasting on a Sennheiser mic but I also like Shure microphones.

I use the Shure MV88 Portable mic, which plugs into my iPhone, and it’s better than any freestanding mic I’ve used before. I take it everywhere with me.

What was your favourite gadget growing up?

Way before the Nintendo GameBoy I had a handheld game called Mattel Electronics Football. It was a digital American football game and it was so fun. I didn’t like sport but I was really good at it.

What tech has wowed you lately?

Smartphones are remarkable. Not only can we watch an entire movie but we can check our blood pressure, take our temperature, or we can scan something and send it to a doctor. A universe in the palm of your hand. And we can use it to catch Pokémon!

Are you an iPhone or Android person?

I’ve got the iPhone 12 Pro Max. My daughter is an Android person. I get very upset when I see her green texts so I make her use WhatsApp because her green texts give me anxiety.

I was team Android for many years and it’s better in so many ways — the storage and the cameras are remarkable.

Michelle Visage is the celebrity judge for the Pokémon Presents Super Pet Contest, which is now open for entries. Head to pokemon.co.uk/superpetcontest to enter your pets

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