Current:Home > reviewsRuPaul's Drag Race Judges Explain Why Drag Is More Important Than Ever -Wealth Empowerment Zone
RuPaul's Drag Race Judges Explain Why Drag Is More Important Than Ever
View
Date:2025-04-13 19:54:59
After all, we're all born naked and the rest is drag.
As the stars of RuPaul's Drag Race reach the precipice of crowing their 15th winner, states across the country are attempting to criminalize drag performances and transgender individuals altogether. Luckily, RuPaul and his fellow judges are using their platform to speak out against hate.
"Now more than ever it's really important that we highlight drag and we give drag entertainers a platform and a voice," Carson Kressley exclusively told E! News at the season 15 finale on April 1. "The more people that watch the show, or see a local drag show, or get to know their local drag queen, or go to a drag queen story hour, [they] will realize there's nothing but joy and positivity associated with drag."
He added, "This manufactured fear is really a bunch of nonsense."
On the other hand, Michelle Visage pointed out that drag is supposed to be disruptive.
"Drag has always been controversial, that's the purpose of drag," she explained. "That's the 'FU' to society that drag is meant to be. Drag doesn't ever take itself too seriously, it's them that are taking it too seriously. Drag is an artform, you wouldn't tell a painter or a sculptor to stop painting or sculpting. How can you tell a drag queen to stop performing their art?"
Four of the artists in question include season 15 finalists Sasha Colby, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Luxx Noir London and Anetra.
And as former guest judge-turned-panelist Ts Madison pointed out, the reality show is a pillar for queer people everywhere.
"Drag Race is so important to our community," she noted. "It cannot go anywhere, it must not go anywhere. People have found themselves through Drag Race."
Herself included.
"There's so many girls who have came through and I've seen so many girls blossom," Madison shared. "If this was something that had been available for me when I was younger, I would have definitely been in the competition."
And while the current social climate may be worrisome for queer folks, Ross Mathews isn't afraid to stand his ground.
"Everybody knows somebody LGBTQIA+," he noted. "It's because we're friends with them, we're not quiet anymore. They know us, they know our hearts, they see us on shows like Drag Race, We're Here. So many shows have representation now, that's why I say you can't put the genie back in the bottle."
Ross continued, "They're gonna try to use this as a wedge issue and it's not gonna work."
See who comes out on top in the RuPaul's Drag Race grand finale, airing April 14 on MTV.
Get the drama behind the scenes. Sign up for TV Scoop!veryGood! (49)
Related
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- ‘You lose a child, but you’re so thankful': Organ donation bonds families in tragedy, hope
- Paris Hilton's entertainment company joins brands pulling ads from X, report says
- The pilgrims didn't invite Native Americans to a feast. Why the Thanksgiving myth matters.
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- German police raid homes of 20 alleged supporters of far-right Reich Citizens scene
- The White Lotus' Meghann Fahy and Leo Woodall Finally Confirm Romance With a Kiss
- Brazil forward Rodrygo denounces racist abuse on social media after match against Argentina
- Illinois Gov. Pritzker calls for sheriff to resign after Sonya Massey shooting
- The EU Parliament Calls For Fossil Fuel Phase Out Ahead of COP28
Ranking
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Stellantis recalls more than 32,000 hybrid Jeep Wrangler SUVs because of potential fire risk
- Dutch election winner Geert Wilders is an anti-Islam firebrand known as the Dutch Donald Trump
- Longer droughts in Zimbabwe take a toll on wildlife and cause more frequent clashes with people
- 'Stranger Things' prequel 'The First Shadow' is headed to Broadway
- Apple announces iPhones will support RCS, easing messaging with Android
- Sister Wives' Christine and Janelle Brown Reveal When They Knew Their Marriages to Kody Were Over
- Erin Foster Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Husband Simon Tikhman
Recommendation
3 years after the NFL added a 17th game, the push for an 18th gets stronger
Air Force base defends itself from claims of political bias over conservative rally warning
AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa
How U.S. Unions Took Flight
Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
2 dead in vehicle explosion at Rainbow Bridge U.S.-Canada border crossing; officials say no sign of terrorism
'Bye Bye Barry' doc, Scott Mitchell's anger over it, shows how far Detroit Lions have come
Sea turtle nests break records on US beaches, but global warming threatens their survival