This past week I went on a binge fest with a RuPaul's Drag Race marathon being aired on Logo due to the shows 9th season premiering this past Friday. As a young gay, I felt that it was my right of passage to watch the reality series as I have never watched a single episode. So I settled myself down and prepared myself for the ride of my life. And let's just say that I cannot believe that I have never watched RuPaul's Drag Race when it first premiered!
The outfits, the makeup, the great contestants, and most importantly the shade!
But all of that aside, this is a monumental step for the drag community and the LGBTQ community as well. We have a reality show that is now in a primetime slot on Fridays, and Drag Race has now been moved to Logo's parent station VH1!
All of this can be credited to the creator of the reality series, RuPaul Charles. An actor, model, singer, and drag performer who was one of many drag queens who brought the drag lifestyle to mainstream media.
To be honest, I had no idea what I was getting into when watching this show. I didn't have a clear concept of what drag was. And after watching 8 seasons and 2 All-Star seasons I feel like I can fully get a grasp of drag.
Underneath all of the makeup and dresses are down to earth guys (though some can be a bit sassy) who are incredibly talented. Drag Race also shows some of the personal lives that the performers face such as being disowned by families, living with HIV, or beginning their transitions from males to females showing what it means to be trans and in drag.
With Drag Race being moved from LOGO to VH1, this opens up a whole new opportunity for the series. Popular amongst the LGBTQ community, the series can bring new light into the non-LGBTQ community. It can bring acceptance of drag into the hearts and minds of those who think that dressing up as the opposite gender is not normal.
The season 9 premiere already has me hooked and is already full of surprises. Spoiler alert here, but the first episode of the new season had Lady Gaga as a judge and a former contestant of Drag Race is coming back for one more shot be crowned America's Next Drag Superstar.
I cannot wait to see how this season plays off and what tea will be spilled. Most importantly, I can't wait to see what lip syncs will be performed. I hope those who have never watched RuPaul's Drag Race can sit down and give this lovely show a chance!
