Drag star Trixie Mattel renovates Palm Springs motel in upcoming series 'Trixie Motel'

"RuPaul's Drag Race" alum Trixie Mattel has faced fierce runway competition, launched her own cosmetic brand and toured all over the world, and now she's adding another achievement under her belt: Palm Springs motel owner.

Mattel, the drag persona created by Brian Michael Firkus, and her partner and property co-owner David Silver purchased Ruby Montana's Coral Sands Inn for $2 million, she said in a video. They put in another $500,000 to "put this motel in drag."

The motel, located at 210 W. Stevens Road in the Little Tuscany neighborhood, was built in 1953, according to Realtor.com. Before it was sold, the inn had bright pink colored exterior walls with rodeo-inspired decorated rooms, based on photos listed on the website.

The renovations will be documented in a new eight-episode Discovery+ series, "Trixie Motel," which will premiere June 3. In just four months, the drag superstar and her team had to create a motel with seven uniquely themed rooms (that are "100% Trixie Mattel"), a pool area, lobby and bar that scream Palm Springs vibes. 

“When I first walked into the dark and dingy motel, I was disgusted, horrified and I just wanted to take a match to the place,” Mattel said in a statement. “But then I thought about how a little paint and glitter can turn a 32-year-old bald man from Wisconsin into a Hollywood darling, and I knew with our talented team and some strategic reconstructive surgery, we could turn this dump into a dazzler.”

Based on what is seen from the trailer, the hotel's decorations include photos of the "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" winner, flamingos and plenty of pink everywhere, almost as if guests are staying in a Barbie Dreamhouse.

In order to accomplish the ambitious renovations, Mattel gets “free labor” from a few friends, including "Vanderpump Rules" star Lisa Vanderpump, comedian Nicole Byer, actor and musician Zooey Deschanel, "Property Brothers" star Jonathan Scott, actor Leslie Jordan and frequent drag queen collaborator Katya. The owners also enlist fashion and interior designer Dani Dazey and Palm Springs project manager David Rios for help.

The result they hope to have is the "gaggiest, most iconic motel that has ever existed,” Mattel said.

Once the motel is up and running this summer, Mattel might have her sights set on other ventures in Palm Springs. She said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that opening a drag club in the desert city is another item on her wishlist. She already has experience in that area as the owner of This Is It in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the oldest continually operating gay bar in the state.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.