g a
r
D
A
i Z
e n
DRAG IS OVER THE
RuPaul’s Drag Race, is undoubtedly the most influential TV show when it comes to the Drag scene. After All, RuPaul has had an extensive trajectory as a Drag Queen long before the show first aired in 2009. His legacy has opened the doors for the LGBT+ community and its art forms to be celebrated in the mainstream. After 13 seasons based in the U.S. and 6 All Stars seasons, the show has become an international phenomenon, reaching over 10 different countries. However, with the franchise’s rise to success, Drag scenes internationally have suffered the less pleasant effects of RuPaul’s reign. Effectively, not everything can be positive.
Many past contestants report receiving harassment after being on the show, and this pattern becomes more prominent among racialized contestants. Additionally, local Drag Artists are being held to the standards of a TV show with a massive budget and production, which does not reflect all drag scenes and their diverse types of drag. One of the biggest effects of the show has been the growing discrimination towards female performers, due to the fact that RuPaul exclusively allowed male contestants on his show for a long time. The show is taking steps to correct its negative impacts on the drag scene, yet it still fails to accurately represent all drag. Fans are still awaiting the day where they can finally see a drag king on the show.
A R E S P O N S E T O T H E
C I S T E M
DRAG-A-ZINE 2021
LORENA PARRA MORALES