Ru Paul’s Drag Raceis a television phenomenon that has taken generations and the world by storm! The flagship series has spawned different franchises in multiple countries around the globe and created superstars that international fans adore. Winning queens have gone on to feature prominently in mainstream media, such as magazine covers, fashion weeks, award shows, films, Broadway productions, and the music industry.
However, fans have become increasingly exasperated by recent seasons whereproducer manipulation and judging panel favoritism have prematurely eliminated talented queens to create a narrative that services an alleged predetermined winner. Online forums are filled with audience discussion aimed at editing flaws, unfair judging critiques, as well as other issues that indicate the show has become less about giving undiscovered queens an equal chance to win. The show is now more about advancing a certain few to the finale for storyline purposes.
It’s Rigged With Favoritism and Production Manipulation
In the past, severaldrag queens fromRuPaul’s Drag Racehave revealed production teams applied special treatment to some cast members and not others.Producers have jumped through hoops with editing techniques, contestant manipulation, and even subtle sabotage in the form of inequitable judging advice, to ensure some contenders win weekly challengesor lip-sync battles. In fact, astute viewers have pointed out countless incidents where the bottom two queens may be given a last-chance song that one of them is likely to know or perform better.
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This has led to the growing dissatisfaction of fans and newer claims that seasons have become too predictable. Currently, there’s controversy surrounding the inauguralseason ofGlobal All-Stars. Fans have been quick to call outRuPaul’s favoritism of previous competitors, such as the United States, UK, and Australia, as well as mainly eliminating drag queens who don’t speak English as a primary language. While it may be hard to prove, the evidence continues to mount that certain queens are given a free pass for bland challenge performances and poor runway looks to save them from elimination.
How The Show Can Get Back To Being Enjoyable Again
The overwhelming accusations ofbiased judging and frustrating favoritism may be a sign of long-time fans giving up on the show. Another sign may be thatThe Traitorshost Alan Cumming won the Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Reality-Competition Program in 2024,a title RuPaul has held since 2016. However, these issues can be rectified so someDrag Racefranchises become fresh and enjoyable again.
To start,the production team should give more fair and transparent edits of the queens because key details are often left out of many episodes. Next, the judges should work on being more impartial and give equal advice to all contestants across all franchises. For example, avoid calling out one drag queen for having a “boy body” but praise other queens with the same silhouette or shape.
RuPaul’s Drag Race might not be as fair as many initially thought.
Another suggestion would be to have the judges stop giving free passes to queens based on personality preference, even though they did not perform as well during the weekly maxi-challenge or runway. Finally, remind the participants to simply have more fun as the entire experience is just a game show meant to be entertaining.Authenticity would go a long way to increasing relatability and, quite frankly, realistic drama.
WithGlobal All-Starscoming to a close and other franchises launching soon, long-timeRuPaul’s Drag Racefans are hoping improvements are made to episode production and editing as well as judging criteria. If not, viewers may end up feeling just as manipulated and exploited as the drag queen contestants, leading to more cynicism and disillusionment. After all, no one wants to watch a rigged competition; at least, not anymore.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars
Cast
RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars is a competitive reality show where twelve fan-favorite drag queens from various countries vie for the title of Queen of the Mothertucking World, a $200,000 prize, and a prestigious spot in the international pavilion at the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
