5 Things that Illustrate "RuPaul's Drag Race's" Importance
Rhys Payne
The idea of ‘drag queens’ has moved past the idea of outcasted men in wigs/dresses in recent years and it’s due to shows such as RuPaul’s Drag Race that have really helped this career path enter mainstream attention. This show is so much more than just an opportunity for men to ‘run around in wigs and dresses’ but rather represents the progress of modern times towards the LGBTQIA+ community.
Entertainment
Fundamentally RuPaul’s drag race is an entertainment reality show and as such there are many entertaining moments. All the performances are for the viewer's pleasure and do this perfectly. It contains something for everyone for example Snatch Game (where the queens showcase their best celebrity impressions), signings challenges, acting challenges, comedy challenges, etc and even the artificial drama from the show can be very fun to watch.
Just like how someone would watch any show to be entertained, RuPaul’s show is exactly the same. People tune into the programme for entertainment but stay for the emotional moments.
Representation
As you would expect from a show all about drag queens, this show has a strong focus on the LGBT+ community viewers with the majority of viewers being from this minority group. Like any show, representation is a key theme to explore and having gay successful people on TV (that the majority of the queens on this show are) is a fantastic way to inspire any viewers and allows them to believe they can be successful in a world that often time oppresses them.
Additionally, the queens often are given the opportunity to discuss any hardships of their childhood such as being kicked out of their families, attending gay conversion camps organised by churches or the struggle of coming out to family members which many of the viewers would have experienced or will experience which will make it that much easier to get through as they have found people who are like them. It’s not just the gay community that is represented in this show but there have also been many queens that have ‘come out’ as being transgender before, during or after the show which again is fantastic for people who are going through this transition and/or thinking about this process.
Additionally, many queens have confessed to being tested positive for HIV/AIDS which can only help remove the stigma associated with these illnesses. While the representation on this show is great there is still a long way to go and I have no doubt that in the future we will see a greater range of people represented.
Showcases the trade/benefits performers
No one can insult shows that grant people an opportunity to showcases their skills, whatever they may be, with an opportunity to further their progression in their despaired field. Netflix, in particular, has had series that increases awareness of trades such as glassblowing, flower arranging, baking, fashion designing etc so why should drag be any different.
The show is an obvious opportunity to showcase what each individual's skills and strengths are but also advertises their service for any promoters/bookers watching the show with many of the queens having a massive influx of bookings after the show has aired which increase income and benefits them positively. The show also grants winners cash prizes which can be used to increase the standard of their drag and new outfits etc. Nothing portrays this more than when certain queens return for the all-star version of the series where the Competition is so much tougher due to everyone having the chance to develop skills and increase their drag collections.
Whether or not you agree with the nature of these performers objectively any show that allows people to improve their skills can only be a ‘good’ show as it truly impacts and improves the contestant's lives!
Showcasing designers/businesses
Additionally, the runway portion of the show allows third party fashion designers to showcase their work. The outfits and costumes used are oftentimes designed for the queens by professionals with a rough outline of what the theme will be and so this obviously benefits the companies involved.
Despite the show not explicating stating who designed what outfit, the queens themselves post onto social media with links to their respective designer’s website/pages which, as these queens have a rise to fame, allows the external parties to have increased exposure. Some of the queens in this show also have their own personal businesses (such as wig styling, cosmetics, or Make-up services) that they are in turn promoting by just being on the show.
Again it is very difficult to slate a show that could possibly help local or other businesses. The show also has a lot of advert for other businesses that the queens win prizes from for winning certain challenges, for example, lgbt+ resorts or make-up companies, which again can increase income for said business which is fantastic.
Showcase progress or highlight differences
Despite this being a mostly American TV (but has since started other branches of the show such as UK and Canada versions of the franchise) show the show does have many queens that are proud of their other international upbringing. Due to the range of ages and different heritages, this does lead to many of the queens discussing how they were treated growing up, etc which obviously varies based on the age of the queens. But also the different cultures involved lead to many surprising revelations about treatments of the LGBT+ people of those countries such as Iran, Russia, and Africa.
Educating viewers of the different views can help realise that despite having come so far there is still a long way to go and many countries have even further progress.