The Glamorous World of RuPaul’s Drag Race
The drag industry is a beloved institution among many, providing a unique form of entertainment, art and emotional expression. Since 2009, the episodic documentary series RuPaul’s Drag Race has taken the world by storm, showcasing the talents of some of today’s most fabulous drag queens. Over the course of its remarkable 11 seasons, RuPaul’s Drag Race has gained an enormous and devoted following among mainstream audiences and a legion of stars, becoming one of the hottest shows on the planet. Let’s take a closer look at the glamorous world of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
From the Moment RuPaul Introduced a Revolutionary Way of Thinking
RuPaul’s Drag Race has a deeply rooted history within the LGBT culture, dating all the way back to the mid-1990s when RuPaul, drag performer and entrepreneur, took the world by storm. RuPaul broke new ground when she introduced an entirely different way of thinking about gender roles and subverted the traditional, heteronormative version of beauty. She began performing her drag shows in New York City and eventually caught the attention of television producers. As a result, in 2009, the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race aired on Logo TV.
A High-Stakes and Structured Competition
The basis of RuPaul’s Drag Race is a high stakes, structured competition wherein RuPaul presides as a judge and mentor to a cast of varying drag queens. The winner of the competition is chosen based on challenges that test every aspect of their respective drag persona—from fashion and outrageous looks, to acting, to dancing and singing. Competitors must out-shine, out-style and out-perform one another; in the end, only one queen will remain and be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar.
Stars of all Walks of Life Shine Brightly
RuPaul’s Drag Race has featured drag queens from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life. Some of the show’s most iconic stars include the self-proclaimed “Comic of the Femiverse” Bianca Del Rio, the reigning Season 11 champion Yvie Oddly, and the much-loved Miss Congeniality of Season 8, Kim Chi. These stars have gone on to sell out massive worldwide tours, launch successful stage acts and even produce their own amazing makeup lines.
Unprecedented Accessibility for Fans
RuPaul’s Drag Race has changed the way drag queens interact with the world; their fan base is arguably the largest and most devoted of any show in history. Through social media, reality TV segments, podcasts and online calls with stars, fans get unprecedented access to their favorite queens. For example, Jujubee regularly conducts sponsored Q&A sessions on her-Instagram. Fans can find out updates on tour dates, watch performances, and browse and purchase merchandise.
A Celebrated and Prolific Corner of Arts and Entertainment
RuPaul’s Drag Race is one of the most prolific programs in television history. Over the course of its 11 seasons it has earned fame and adoration around the globe; the show is the recipient of numerous awards, including 22 Emmy nominations (9 wins) and a 2019 Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Reality Series. The show has produced spinoffs such as RuPaul’s Drag Race: All-Stars and Drag Race Thailand, and it influences numerous aspects of the fashion world.
An Impactful Foundation
In addition to its enduring popularity, RuPaul’s Drag Race has also had a tremendous impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Through the show’s groundbreaking performances, drag queens have become figures of empowerment, acceptance and inclusivity. RuPaul has also taken an active role in engaging with the LGBT community, establishing the nonprofit organization, Together in Pride Movement Foundation. With its ambitious mission to bring aid and advocacy to the LGBT+ community, the organization provides vital programming, such as its “Together in Pride Brunch.”, and has developed a universally accepted system of honor among the drag community.
Inspiration that Spans a Hundred Nations
RuPaul has established herself as an international icon and has heavily impacted the drag culture and the entertainment industry. She has been awarded with the Guinness World Record for having the most consecutive days winning an Emmy, and she was honored in 2019 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The success of RuPaul’s Drag Race has spread globally, inspiring drag fans from more than 100 different nations.
The animated and passionate spirit of the drag culture comes alive in full force in the glamorous world of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The show has achieved incredible success, earning numerous awards along the way and becoming a household name in the process. RuPaul has truly revolutionized the way drag culture is seen and celebrated around the world, and her fans cherish her passionate message to love, respect, and above all, accept one another exactly as they are. There is no underestimating the impact of RuPaul’s Drag Race on the entertainment industry and beyond; it is as dazzling and glittery as we’d expect it to be.
