The show is directed by Nick Murray, who has done work in the past on Dr. Phil, and Ian Stevenson, who's track record is a little longer, with names like The Mole and the reality series The Biggest Loser. RuPaul himself acts as a counselor and role model to the younger Queens, giving advice and help as needed, whereas RuPaul the Queen Bee serves as Head Judge during Runway challenges in the climax of every episode. In the seasons, there have been multiple different judges. As of Season three, the staples were Santino Rice of Project Runway and Michelle Visage, a former R&B Artist, as well as the occasional join in by Billy B, make up artist extraordinaire. The show features a guest judge weekly, sometimes relating to the challenge itself. Examples from the third season include Latoya Jackson, Eliza Dushku, Amber Rose, Aisha Tyler, and Wayne Brady, to name a few.
As far as Reality TV goes, the show has a great concept. Competition shows generally do very well because America loves a competition, and to watch one involving something you love is always good. This emerged as really the first televised Drag show in the US, setting a standard and opening people up as far as the idea of Drag Queens go. To the general public, Drag Queens are still something of a spectacular, rather than a person, or even something seen as disturbing. This is not the case. Drag can be compared to acting, make up artistry, performance art, and sometimes stand up comedy.
This show brings Drag Queens right into your living room, and gets you into their heads. In my opinion, this is one of the most successful reality shows I have ever seen, for many reasons, and the GLAAD Media Awards agree, awarding the series with, "Outstanding Reality TV Show" for the year.
I will not discuss certain eliminations or who won the Drag Race in any of the seasons, but- focusing soully on season 3- I will go into some of my favorite characters. The first of which is Shangela LaQuifa Wadley. Miss "LaQuifa... I said WHAT?!?!" Wadley. Shangela was the first to be eliminated on season two of RuPaul's Drag Race and surprised the cast with her last minute entry into season three. When she appeared on season two, she was only a baby in the art of drag, having only done it for a couple of months... it's truly amazing that she made it onto the show, at all. Come season three, she had a little over a year under her belt, and she had made quite a stir in the LA Drag scene. She's known for her stand up, singing and dancing, and wit. Unfortunately, what Shangela is NOT known for is her skill at beating face. Many a girl gives the baby queen a hard time in the show for not knowing how to blend properly, using a bad wig, or a wrong color. But, rest assured, "If Shangela's got somethin' to say about you, she gun say it TO you," as she likes to say. This Southern Lady has a few things to prove this time around.
Raja, otherwise known as Sutan Amrull, is a make up artist in the truest sense of the word, and a runway girl, tall, thin and tan. She also hails from LA, where she does make up work with big name celebrities like Adam Lambert- a close friend- and also worked for several seasons on America's Next Top Model alongside Tyra Banks as lead makeup artist. She's one of the oldest contestant, in her thirties, but doesn't look her age, and it certainly doesn't slow her down. She takes a perfect picture, and she pumps down the runway with power that no other girl displays, but she comes up short in moving footage, making her appear over-thought and jittery, as well as choreographed dancing. She's gone one Hell of a spirit, though, fashion, fashion, fashion, and a killer sense of humor. The judges might just be in love.
Delta Work is a plus size queen, and my favorite one I've seen thus far. Big queens in the past haven't quite been able to represent. This queen has it all. With one of the most genuinely sarcastic and blunt personalities the show has seen, she's hilarious, clever, and very hard working. She also beats the Hell out of her face. Such beauty in a big girl is not always easy to come by (simply because of a lack of confidence) and that is where Delta sometimes loses herself. She tends to fall back on being big- probably because she too is from LA, where body type plays such an essential role in one's life (LA is bullshit, no one should take them seriously :P) and it tears her down, a little. Her nerves may get the best of her at times, but Delta is gorgeous, fabulous, and certainly fierce. Might I just add... I want that dress.
Manilla Luzon was always my second choice for winner, even from the start. She's start, quirky and cute- even though the other queens tend to call her annoying. She acts at the drop of a hat to perfection and always looks stunning in a seamless blend between glamor and camp that some of the lesser contestants simply cannot accomplish. From the parody of a pineapple, to the Philippine First Lady, to the sexiest Big Bird you've ever seen, Manilla is one crazy chick. She's also in a relationship with season two contestant, Sahara Davenport, known for her ballet dancing and thin frame. Even when the pressure cooks, Manilla looks flawless, and she does her best. Her queeny attitude is infectious and adorable. But, unfortunately, for me, she was always runner up.....
Yara Sofia was always my favorite queen, right from the start. I loved her aesthetic, a mixture of strong, dark, wickedness with a cooky zany personality and a perfect body. She too is simply fabulous at knowing her own face, and creates some of the most insane headpieces I have ever seen. To quote Aisha Tyler, "that face-make up was, 'What, what,"." From Puerto Rico, she often struggles with her English, and on speaking challenges, she falls shorter than she'd like to-- or into the "Charo stereotype" that angers some of the other girls. One thing I absolutely adored about Yara was her ability to make friends without taking sides. Through all the backstage cat fights and drama drama drama, Yara pulled a poker face. She never said a bad word about anyone when things got heated, unless she herself was PERSONALLY offended by that person. Yara is a sweetheart, and provided us with the most emotional lip sync I have ever seen. Yara is a thing of beauty, and is my favorite queen of seasons past and all put together. Latina!!
The show has finished now, but it can be viewed at logotv.com to see the first, second, or the third season. The show is currently casting again for season four, which will air in 2012! Remember... if you can't love yourself... how in the Hell you gonna love somebody else, can I get an amen?
No comments:
Post a Comment