A cute interview
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drag_raceRuPaul talks Drag Race, Obama, and Lady GaGa
RuPaul: The contestants are ruthless this season!
Feb. 01, 2010
I take umbrage when I hear people describe "RuPaul's Drag Race" as a guilty pleasure. By definition a guilty pleasure is a show you're ashamed to admit you watch. And while season one had enough double entendres to make a limerick writer blush, "Drag Race" has heart, brains and balls to spare.
Not only do the dolls' drive and daring put every other reality show contestant to shame, but try and imagine if "Idol's" contestants were required to sew their own costumes every week! Adam Lambert would still be stitching!
With season two revving up for tonight's premiere, I called up the queen of queens, RuPaul, for a candid chat. In addition to revealing that there is some very unladylike behavior this season, RuPaul weight in on: Obama's first year in office, Lady GaGa and the best drag name she's ever heard!
PopWrap: Was there a moment when you knew season one had connected with audiences?
RuPaul: We shot the show six months before it aired, but I knew just from being in the studio with so many bombshells dropping daily that the show would be irresistible. Plus the timing was perfect for us, the winds of change were blowing in our direction.
PW: So going into season two, did you talk about upgrades?
RuPaul: The only change came with the production value. The show simply looks better now. But in terms of content, we knew the drag was the thing -- put a bunch of drags in a room and you got yourself a show! [laughs]
PW: You've always been a trailblazer when it came to putting drag on display for the world, what excites you the most about this particular endeavor?
RuPaul: Everyone at [Ru's production company] World of Wonder grew up in the East Village and NYC used to be this kind of place where you'd get this incredible gumbo of different cultures, ideas and aesthetics. But now you have to be a millionaire to live there so you aren't getting the same cross-section of people. So it's really fabulous for young people who've never experienced this kind of tapestry of people; one who didn't let societies rules stop them from being fabulous. Because at its core, "Drag Race" is about the tenacity of the human spirit.
PW: Season one spent a lot of timing delving into the how and why of the contestants life choices. Will season two?
RuPaul: Absolutely. I think the stories and how they got there are very important. It plays on the courage it takes to do that. Not everybody can put on a pussycat wig and a pair of high heels and say, "I'm fabulous!" [laughs].
PW: Given the show's popularity, was casting season two harder because of the increased number of applicants?
RuPaul: Honestly, it wasn't that difficult. We knew exactly what we were looking for -- showgirls who make a living in clubs. We wanted kids who are truly the epitome of drag and represent different aspects of that world: we've got the heavy girl, the glamor girl, the punk rock girl, the country girl, the ingenue ... everybody is represented.
PW: Season one winner Bebe Zahara Benet hasn't been as omnipresent as fourth runner-up Ongina. What do you make of that?
RuPaul: It's like I said on the reunion show, this isn't about who wins -- I mean, obviously that's great. But if you can make your mark, even in the first episode like Porkchop, that's what it's really about. Look at Santino Rice, he didn't win his season of "Project Runway," but he's the breakout star. It's important to focus on doing your best while making sure your frequency is transmitted.
PW: This season's dolls have some great names -- Shangela Laquifa Wadley, Mystique Summers Madison, Pandora Boxx -- how important is a drag name?
RuPaul: It's very important because it sets the tone for what kind of queen you will be. One of my favorite names was always Saline Dion. That's just hilarious. Throughout history drag has been in every culture reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously.
PW: Episode one kicks off with Kathy Griffin as guest judge. She must've been furious not to be included in season one!
RuPaul: Oh yes! [laughs] But she's great. Kathy is someone who understands what drag is. She also understands that she is drag. All the smart performers know there is no different between what the contestants are doing and what they do. Anyone who's ever stepped out on stage or in front of a camera knows there is the persona you project and the you that drinks coffee in the morning.
PW: So what do you think of someone like Lady GaGa, who obviously approrpriates a lot of drag culture in her shows.
RuPaul: I think she's brilliant. At its core, drag is about sampling all aspects of pop culture and repurposing a lot of ideas. And that's what GaGa does -- someone of my generation, I can pinpoint what she took from where. The same was true of Madonna. We knew when she was doing Dietrich or Monroe or Barbarella. A smart person knows the future belongs to those who can remember the past.
PW: With that in mind, and what you said earlier about the Obama-related winds of change back in season one, how do you think he's done in office, one year later?
RuPaul: I think you really can't do a lot in one year. And so much damage had been done before he even came into office. I do think Obama was very ambitious going in, but the reality of the DC political machine is that there are a lot of people who are standing in the way of any type of change. Because change means they'd lose their jobs. Their leverage. So the truth is, he hasn't had enough time.
PW: Looking at the 12 dolls competing in "Drag Race" season two, what stands out to you?
RuPaul: You know what it is, it's the ruthlessness. The kids in season one were very diplomatic. Second season, not so much. Some of the front-runners are there because they're really good at what they do -- but they're also ruthless in their ability to detach from what people may think of them. I think there are a few you need to watch out for.
PW: Sounds like it gets dirty!
RuPaul: There is a fight that breaks out between two of the girls. I've seen four episodes so far and some of the things that happen had my mouth dropping open, thinking, "Oh my god, I had no idea that was going on!"
PW: As judge and mentor, how much of the behind the scenes drama are you privy to prior to elimination?
RuPaul: Not a lot. I hear certain things from the producers about what happens when I'm not there, but I think it's better that I don't know. It boils down to: how the kids do in the challenge and are they presenting themselves on the main stage with beauty and respect. Their ability to be diplomatic can be taught. Look, there are plenty of people in Hollywood that are hugely successful and miserable, rotten bastards! It just makes you think, "How did they get ahead like that? Why are they so beloved?"
PW: Have you come to a conclusion?
RuPaul: I think it's because the two don't have to be synonymous. We grew up with this Judeo-Christian idea that if you're sweet, you'll get ahead. Well, that's not necessarily true. I would love it if they were all sweet queens, but that's not the case here. And it's certainly not the case in Hollywood!
source
RuPaul: The contestants are ruthless this season!
Feb. 01, 2010
I take umbrage when I hear people describe "RuPaul's Drag Race" as a guilty pleasure. By definition a guilty pleasure is a show you're ashamed to admit you watch. And while season one had enough double entendres to make a limerick writer blush, "Drag Race" has heart, brains and balls to spare.
Not only do the dolls' drive and daring put every other reality show contestant to shame, but try and imagine if "Idol's" contestants were required to sew their own costumes every week! Adam Lambert would still be stitching!
With season two revving up for tonight's premiere, I called up the queen of queens, RuPaul, for a candid chat. In addition to revealing that there is some very unladylike behavior this season, RuPaul weight in on: Obama's first year in office, Lady GaGa and the best drag name she's ever heard!
PopWrap: Was there a moment when you knew season one had connected with audiences?
RuPaul: We shot the show six months before it aired, but I knew just from being in the studio with so many bombshells dropping daily that the show would be irresistible. Plus the timing was perfect for us, the winds of change were blowing in our direction.
PW: So going into season two, did you talk about upgrades?
RuPaul: The only change came with the production value. The show simply looks better now. But in terms of content, we knew the drag was the thing -- put a bunch of drags in a room and you got yourself a show! [laughs]
PW: You've always been a trailblazer when it came to putting drag on display for the world, what excites you the most about this particular endeavor?
RuPaul: Everyone at [Ru's production company] World of Wonder grew up in the East Village and NYC used to be this kind of place where you'd get this incredible gumbo of different cultures, ideas and aesthetics. But now you have to be a millionaire to live there so you aren't getting the same cross-section of people. So it's really fabulous for young people who've never experienced this kind of tapestry of people; one who didn't let societies rules stop them from being fabulous. Because at its core, "Drag Race" is about the tenacity of the human spirit.
PW: Season one spent a lot of timing delving into the how and why of the contestants life choices. Will season two?
RuPaul: Absolutely. I think the stories and how they got there are very important. It plays on the courage it takes to do that. Not everybody can put on a pussycat wig and a pair of high heels and say, "I'm fabulous!" [laughs].
PW: Given the show's popularity, was casting season two harder because of the increased number of applicants?
RuPaul: Honestly, it wasn't that difficult. We knew exactly what we were looking for -- showgirls who make a living in clubs. We wanted kids who are truly the epitome of drag and represent different aspects of that world: we've got the heavy girl, the glamor girl, the punk rock girl, the country girl, the ingenue ... everybody is represented.
PW: Season one winner Bebe Zahara Benet hasn't been as omnipresent as fourth runner-up Ongina. What do you make of that?
RuPaul: It's like I said on the reunion show, this isn't about who wins -- I mean, obviously that's great. But if you can make your mark, even in the first episode like Porkchop, that's what it's really about. Look at Santino Rice, he didn't win his season of "Project Runway," but he's the breakout star. It's important to focus on doing your best while making sure your frequency is transmitted.
PW: This season's dolls have some great names -- Shangela Laquifa Wadley, Mystique Summers Madison, Pandora Boxx -- how important is a drag name?
RuPaul: It's very important because it sets the tone for what kind of queen you will be. One of my favorite names was always Saline Dion. That's just hilarious. Throughout history drag has been in every culture reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously.
PW: Episode one kicks off with Kathy Griffin as guest judge. She must've been furious not to be included in season one!
RuPaul: Oh yes! [laughs] But she's great. Kathy is someone who understands what drag is. She also understands that she is drag. All the smart performers know there is no different between what the contestants are doing and what they do. Anyone who's ever stepped out on stage or in front of a camera knows there is the persona you project and the you that drinks coffee in the morning.
PW: So what do you think of someone like Lady GaGa, who obviously approrpriates a lot of drag culture in her shows.
RuPaul: I think she's brilliant. At its core, drag is about sampling all aspects of pop culture and repurposing a lot of ideas. And that's what GaGa does -- someone of my generation, I can pinpoint what she took from where. The same was true of Madonna. We knew when she was doing Dietrich or Monroe or Barbarella. A smart person knows the future belongs to those who can remember the past.
PW: With that in mind, and what you said earlier about the Obama-related winds of change back in season one, how do you think he's done in office, one year later?
RuPaul: I think you really can't do a lot in one year. And so much damage had been done before he even came into office. I do think Obama was very ambitious going in, but the reality of the DC political machine is that there are a lot of people who are standing in the way of any type of change. Because change means they'd lose their jobs. Their leverage. So the truth is, he hasn't had enough time.
PW: Looking at the 12 dolls competing in "Drag Race" season two, what stands out to you?
RuPaul: You know what it is, it's the ruthlessness. The kids in season one were very diplomatic. Second season, not so much. Some of the front-runners are there because they're really good at what they do -- but they're also ruthless in their ability to detach from what people may think of them. I think there are a few you need to watch out for.
PW: Sounds like it gets dirty!
RuPaul: There is a fight that breaks out between two of the girls. I've seen four episodes so far and some of the things that happen had my mouth dropping open, thinking, "Oh my god, I had no idea that was going on!"
PW: As judge and mentor, how much of the behind the scenes drama are you privy to prior to elimination?
RuPaul: Not a lot. I hear certain things from the producers about what happens when I'm not there, but I think it's better that I don't know. It boils down to: how the kids do in the challenge and are they presenting themselves on the main stage with beauty and respect. Their ability to be diplomatic can be taught. Look, there are plenty of people in Hollywood that are hugely successful and miserable, rotten bastards! It just makes you think, "How did they get ahead like that? Why are they so beloved?"
PW: Have you come to a conclusion?
RuPaul: I think it's because the two don't have to be synonymous. We grew up with this Judeo-Christian idea that if you're sweet, you'll get ahead. Well, that's not necessarily true. I would love it if they were all sweet queens, but that's not the case here. And it's certainly not the case in Hollywood!
source
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