In the last couple of years, there has been a debate among younger people about what constituents good drag. Most queens have heard it. With the creation of Rupauls Drag Race, many viewers are thinking that the queens of drag race are the end all of drag. With their structured make- up formulas, and big budgets and flawless looks, many are thinking that unless your a stunning fishy queen, then your not doing it right. I think people have to understand some of these queens have to change their aesthetic just a bit to have a chance to win. But there are no rules when it comes to drag and their shouldn't be. I have been to the shows of Dina Martina and Miss Richfield, and have over heard comments about them looking old and unglamorous. Even Varla had gotten "not fish enough". While drag race has been good for opening the doors and giving a glimpse of drag.... and thank goodness some clowns have won like Sharon, Sasha and Jinkxx to break the mold, at the same time many are thinking drag is just about glam, and it's not. My all time favorite queens have always been more like my bitch Lady Bunny, Biana Del Rio, Dina Martina and Miss Richfield. Make it campy honey. Lady Bunny did this video the other day discussing sheep in the drag community, fans often limited perspective of the art form, and the difference between competing on "Rupauls Drag Race" and existing in the world of drag, and discusses the new HBO documentary Wig. She also slams reality star train wrecks and the grand buffoon himself!!! It's an entertaining watch.I couldn't agree more with her. on the local queens sort of getting the shaft in favor of Drag Race girls. While the Dragrace girls are a great bunch, how many more of the same queens can we see??? And can you name any local queens in your area? See what happens when we're somber?
And my all time favorite library read of Bunny's about RuPaul of all people when she attended an event with Heidi Klum!!!!
And remember support your local queens too!!!
While I am familiar with Lady Bunny, I have to admit I have not seen a lot of clips of her. Wow! Tells it like it is!
ReplyDeleteSo much talent!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy this conversation happened. It totally boggles my mind that people completely miss the point of drag. When you wake up in the morning and put on your "drag" clothes, "man" clothes, "I'm a gay person" clothes, "INSERT WHATEVER" clothes, YOU ARE IN DRAG. Drag for me has always been about conscious play with IDEAS ABOUT WHO WE ARE rather than who we actually are which extends far beyond any label. I'm excited for boy and man drag and weirder non gender conforming drag to become a thing because I think it will create space for us to move further out of the prison of identity. And yes...there are queens OUTSDIE of drag race.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely class interview. Lady Bunny is hilarious, iconic and talks a hell of a lot of sense henny!!
ReplyDeleteLoved "ladies and gentlemen.. Pearl!!"
ReplyDeleteYeah she painted, but we know she can't perform a lick.
Why is Lady Bunny never been RPDR’s judge? She’s amazing! What a great interview and love the second clip!!!!
ReplyDeleteRight now, I think Bunny is extremely busy with her on one woman shows and DJing jigs. Also I'm not sure Lady Bunny is sold on the whole drag competition thing. She just wants to see camp fashion and talent on stage.
DeleteOMG Maddie! I was just thinking about you and when you told me that Bunny would never host RPDR. I’m goin to post about her on Build and bout her new documentary tomorrow 😎😎😎
ReplyDeleteYou read my mind.😍
XoXo
You got that right. Wed be dangerous together😜😜😜
DeleteLord help us all, if that ever happens!
DeleteIf anyone can read Rupaul it's lady bunny! Hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI really wish Bunny would be in that fourth permanent judges spot. She just would contribute so much. Imagine her clowning these queens. The level of humor would be so elevated! I have to admit, I have seen some drag race queens and been let down in shows. But a legend queens never does. Hedda Lettuce is funny as hell.
ReplyDelete"I have to admit, I have seen some drag race queens and been let down in shows." Can you say Tyra Sanchez! Opps, did I say that out loud?
DeleteLady Bunny and Miss Richfield always look like a blast to be around, they're the only ones that ever get my attention.
ReplyDeleteShe's absolutely right about no-talent celebrities like the Kardashians and Trump.
ReplyDeleteLady Bunny is quintessential Drag Queen - they come no greater.
ReplyDeleteAnd I couldn't agree more with her on DragRace...and no offense to Ru or the others girls, but it does indeed hurt the local acts at times.
Can't wait to see Wig...and while I adore Drag Race...The shade is so true‼️‼️‼️
ReplyDeleteJust wow, Lady Bunny went in. I respect her for speaking her mind and saying what many many people have been thinking and saying over here in NYC. Can't wait to see Wig.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. As always, Lady Bunny - the legend - SLAYS with the humor. Glad to know Chris Moukarbel tackled Wigstock for our posterity. Can't wait to see the film. And yeah, I think Chris is TOTALLY HOT!
ReplyDeleteBunny is an icon. She's so important.I love her message about local queens and inclusivity. Some drag race girls as you know come here, and we're like "that's it"? Our local queens here are phenomenal. Mistress.
ReplyDeletebunny was my first exposure to drag queens; I still believe she is the fairest of them all. and that second clip: TWO SNAPS UP, GURL!
ReplyDeleteI kind of agree with her sentiments. At some point, all drag performances begin to bleed together. And, age??? Age brings a wisdom to the art!
ReplyDeleteI can name one local guy who does drag: Jimmy Emerson; I even interviewed him once.
OH, and how about that Elektra last night? Is she a hot mess or what? But, she's got courage, I'll give her that. Next weeks' preview she's back to begging for help...again.
DeleteYou know, I love RuPaul but I've always had a bit of a problem with what she says to those contestants once they've been eliminated, the whole "If you can't love yourself how can you love anybody else, now sashay out of here!" bit. So are these contestants really being eliminated because of some self-loathing that I for the life of me can't detect? They chose the wrong pair of shoes so that means they hate themselves? I grant you RuPaul's comments may be directed toward some in the home audience who hasn't come to terms with being LGBTQ (though watching her show in the first place might be a sign they are coming to terms with it) but she's looking at the ejected contestant when she says it, and looks and sounds a bit pissed off as she says it to them. Am I missing something here? And does it relate at all to the point you're trying to make? Just asking.
DeleteKurt, that is just it. With queens not on the show, that is just the point. Drag is suppose to fun, campy mis matched and all crazy. Not matchy match, and all fishy. While no doubt entertaining to watch and root for favorites, it is producing cookie cutters at this point, with exception to a few like Sharon, sasha, jinks Alyssa and violet. Most these queens will use it to get celebrity and a stepping stone for more exposure. On the other side, you'll find many queens who enjoy it, but have no desire to sacrifice there style and trade for a judges panel, and would never do the show.
ReplyDeleteI shudder even at the thought of watching Drag Race. From the clips I have seen, it's just a load of shrieking wannabee-femme queens dressing like some kind of catwalk models and bitching each other off? Over here in London, we have drag queens with genuine talent, who can really sing, who have repartee and patter, and above all a sense of humour. They may not pass as overly glamorous, they may have been treading the boards for so long no-one's sure what creaks loudest - them or the stage - but they are true to the spirit of their Music Hall ("Vaudeville" in US parlance) roots! I fear Drag Race may be the death knell for a whole style of entertainment if we are not careful. Jx
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. Your closing statement says it all. I also highly recommand local talent over "produced" queens. The show has seen some very talented winners...few. jinkxx monsoon is amazing to see and her voice is astounding....and Sasha Velour and her performances are very avanti gaude....and a must see. But with over 100 queens on the show now over the seasons...alas, a short list of real, camp talant.in my opinion maybe 10.
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