This essay gives an overview of the impact of RuPaul on the art of the drag. Drag has always been an art form of the LGBTQ+ community. Nevertheless, the roots of the artwork arose in the 17th century during the Shakespearian period as male actors portrayed female characters in the theatre which implies that they also wore female clothes and make-up. Furthermore, drag shows had their origin during that period as well which emphasizes that this art form was always part of the society.
However, since the 18th century drag became an art which fights for the equality of the LGBTQ+ community. During the 1920s Julian Eltinge became the first famous American drag artist with their variety show and the American society was tolerant towards their queer art. However, after the Second World War, and the sex crime fears in 1930, drag acts were frowned upon.
Nevertheless, in 1970 drag emerged with the beginning of drag balls being organized. During those runway shows, experienced drag queens got the opportunity to take up upcoming drag artists and potentially give them a home which made them become drag mothers as well as the head of their own House.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The growing popularity of Drag into mainstream and RuPaul as the ultimate queen - a crticial analysis on RuPaul’s creation of their own TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race
2. Controversy around RuPaul - The representation and mistreatment of transgender drag queens on Rupaul’s Drag Race
Conclusion
Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This study aims to critically analyze the impact of RuPaul’s career and the television show "RuPaul’s Drag Race" on the art of drag, specifically examining how the show's transition into mainstream media has influenced the representation of LGBTQ+ history and the treatment of transgender participants.
- The mainstreaming of drag and its effect on queer identity.
- RuPaul’s role as the "Ultimate Queen" and its impact on power dynamics within the community.
- The historical mistreatment and lack of representation of transgender drag queens on Drag Race.
- The role of "RuPaul’s Drag Race" as a (critically questioned) safe space for queer expression.
Excerpt from the book
1. The growing popularity of Drag into mainstream and RuPaul as the ultimate queen - a crticial analysis on RuPaul’s creation of their own TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race
With RuPaul’s Drag Race being a casting show with eliminations, RuPaul as a head judge decides weather a drag queen has the skills to be ‘America’s Next Drag Superstar’. Furtehrmore, the criterias of being crowned as the winner of the show are ‘charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent’. On its base, drag is actually known for being extremely diverse due to its variation with regions, age or personal identification. Therefore, with RuPaul judging the contestants and deciding whats good drag, the first issue comes to light. Queens with certain styles or forms of drag do not have a chance to succeed on the show if they do not accomodate to what RuPaul demands. Moreover, the selection of the contestants takes place before the show is being recorded which means the queens have to send in an audition tape and only RuPaul decides which one makes it on the show.
An example which underlines the critical view of RuPaul’s selection is Nina West, one of the most famous drag queens, and well known before the show. They had to apply 11 times before they got picked on season 11. During the season, they got criticised for not shaping their body like a real woman since they created a shape with wider shoulders and less bigger hips. In the eyes of the judges, their shape was too masculine even though in the drag scene, outside the show, her aesthetic would have been accepted. Joke Hermes and Michael Kardolus state that with said judgement of RuPaul, they show drag queens that ‘there is a “correct” way to do drag’ and ‘that there is a correct body to have while doing so’ as Eir-Anne Edgar quotes in their study. In the case of Nina West, RuPaul criticises her drag not being feminine enough.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a historical overview of drag from the Shakespearian period to the 1970s ball scene and introduces RuPaul’s rise to global fame.
1. The growing popularity of Drag into mainstream and RuPaul as the ultimate queen - a crticial analysis on RuPaul’s creation of their own TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race: Examines how the show enforces a specific standard of drag while questioning its status as a radical queer space.
2. Controversy around RuPaul - The representation and mistreatment of transgender drag queens on Rupaul’s Drag Race: Analyzes the problematic history of trans-exclusionary rhetoric on the show and the subsequent evolution towards more inclusive practices.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, emphasizing the need for drag culture to remain a safe space that honors its diverse history and advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
Bibliography: Lists the academic sources and online articles used for this analysis.
Keywords
Drag, RuPaul, RuPaul’s Drag Race, LGBTQ+, Transgender, Mainstream, Queer Culture, Identity, Representation, Performance, Casting Show, History, Inclusion, Gender, Art Form
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research?
The work explores the influence of RuPaul on the art of drag through the lens of his reality TV show, critically assessing the impact of mainstream success on queer culture.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers the history of drag, the commercialization of drag via television, the hierarchy established by RuPaul, and the challenges faced by transgender contestants.
What is the central research question?
The main effort is to determine how "RuPaul’s Drag Race" serves as both a platform for visibility and an exclusionary force that impacts the representation of the wider LGBTQ+ community.
Which methodology is employed in the study?
The author uses a critical queer analysis, drawing upon existing academic literature and interviews to evaluate the show's representation of queer identities.
What topics are discussed within the main chapters?
The main text covers the shift towards mainstream pop culture, the "correct" ways of performing femininity in drag, and the specific controversies regarding the treatment of transwomen on the show.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include RuPaul’s Drag Race, queer analysis, transgender representation, drag culture, mainstream media, and LGBTQ+ history.
How did RuPaul’s statements influence the show's inclusivity?
RuPaul's controversial remarks regarding trans contestants led to a significant debate, eventually prompting the production team to alter the show’s opening catchphrases and adopt more inclusive policies.
Why does the author argue that the show is not a "radical queer space"?
The author argues that the emphasis on mainstream appeal and commercial success overrides the potential for deep educational discussions about LGBTQ+ history, thereby limiting the radical nature of the drag art form.
- Quote paper
- Cédric Becker (Author), 2022, The impact of RuPaul on the art of the drag. A critical queer analysis on RuPaul’s empire and his TV show "RuPaul’s Drag Race", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1289682
