![Katya, 2017](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.billboard.com/wp-content/uploads/media/katya-2017-cr-Sean-M-Johnson-billboard-1548.jpg?w=942&h=623&crop=1)
On an Instagram live post Monday (Jan. 15) RuPaul’s Drag Race star Katya announced that she would be taking a hiatus from drag. “I’m a language student first, an artist second, a drag queen third. Health is the most important thing for me,” Katya said.
Katya, also known as Brian McCook, announced the decision in French, which was translated on Reddit. “I’m ok. I’m not dying because I want to live,” the statement reads. “But I need to take vacations, like a normal person. The people who are listening will understand, can understand. And that’s all I wanted to say, that’s all.”
The Drag Race star has been vocal in the past about substance abuse problems, which were addressed in the statement. “I don’t have a drug crisis right now, because I’m sober,” Katya said. “I’m taking care of myself today. And that is the reason why I’m happy.”
Check out Katya’s full statement below:
Translation of Katya’s IG Live about her mental health from rupaulsdragrace