Why Rupaul’s Drag Race is taking over the world
WHY Rupaul’s Drag Race How the anti-mainstream became mainstream
If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” If these words don’t ignite some sort of passion within you, chances are you have yet to be initiated into the Rupaul’s Drag Race fan club.
The US reality gameshow, in which drag queens compete for the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar, is a phenomenon. Having picked up 11 Emmy nominations over its nine years, Drag Race’s tenth season is its most-watched yet, while host Rupaul has just become the first drag queen to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Contestants on the show need to display Rupaul’s desired qualities of “Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent” – and the acronym those words spell out should give you a sense of the show’s sass.
RU WHO?
But let’s backtrack. “What is a ‘Rupaul’?” we hear you cry. A singer, actor, TV personality and supermodel of the world, dahhling, Rupaul Charles has worked as a drag queen for decades, paving the way for generations after him to be accepted and adored.
Naomi Campbell summed up the ineffable attraction of Ru when he was chosen as one of TIME’S 100 most influential people of 2017. “I first met Ru in the ’90s, when I was doing a shoot on 14th Street in New York City,” she said. “As soon as I saw him, I wanted to know where he was going, because that was where I wanted to be.”
HERSTORY IN THE MAKING
While other TV channels are struggling, Drag Race’s move from a little-known station to VH1 has done wonders for the network. The show’s executive producer Tom Campbell says that the decision to move the “gayest show on television” to VH1 was “not only brave but, based on our record-breaking ratings, it was genius.”
And the show is a work of genius, simply because, at its heart, it’s about acceptance, love, and sticking two fingers up to the status quo.
“Drag has always served a purpose. We mock identity, we’re shapeshifters,” Rupaul, 57, affirms. “At its core it’s a social statement, and a big ‘F- you!’ to male-dominated culture.”
Throw in hilarious challenges, jaw-dropping outfits and endless sass, and you’ve got yourself a hit.
THEY CAME TO SLAY
From humble beginnings as a controversial show with a cult
fandom, Drag Race has gone on to become a social media sensation and an integral part of pop culture. Think you’ve managed to escape the show’s reaches? Nuh-uh, hunty (see dragtionary, right).
Season six runner-up Courtney Act was this year’s Celebrity Big Brother winner, and joined Drag Race alums Willam and Alaska in the video for Little Mix’s Power. Season six winner Bianca Del Rio just released her new movie, the “shequel” Hurricane Bianca 2: From Russia With Hate, while Miley Cyrus performed with a whole host of drag stars at the 2015 VMAS.
Tenth season contestant Aquaria (who will be performing in London in July, Drag Race fans) says drag going mainstream can only be a good thing. “It has allowed tons of talented performers to be recognised for their work on a much larger scale. I think people are becoming more comfortable with the concept of drag, and what gender means (or doesn’t mean) in today’s society. If seeing me on television makes you feel brave enough to live your life contrary to how society thinks you should, then I have done my job. And you have the mainstreaming of drag to thank for allowing me to do that.”
And while some might rather keep drag a club for the cool kids, seeing this subculture influence pop culture is positive progress that doesn’t detract from its subversive roots. It simply allows us mere mortals to gaze upon the wonders of these glamazonian queens. Adding a shit ton of glitter and a whole lotta sass to the world can only make it brighter. Drag Race is taking over the world, and we’re sure as hell gonna let it.
After all, as Ru says, “We’re all born naked and the rest is drag.” n katie holloway