RuPaul Charles: How Donald Trump Has Led to the Rise of LGBT TV
EmmyWrap Magaizne: āAs the government has gone away from acceptance and inclusion, I believe that television and the arts have taken up the slack,ā RuPaul tells TheWrap
A version of this story on RuPaul Charles first appeared in the Down to the Wire issue of TheWrap’s Emmy magazine.
For its first six seasons, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” was ignored by Emmy voters. But that began to change two years ago, when the reality series landed a makeup nomination. And then host RuPaul Charles was not only nominated in the reality-host category last year, but won.
That victory was precursor to a bumper crop of nominations this year: seven for “Drag Race” and one for the spinoff series “Untucked.” At a time when television and the Emmys appear to be growing more receptive to LBGT themes and shows, RuPaul spoke to TheWrap about his newfound awards visibility, and the role that politics played in it.
What happened? Why did the Emmys suddenly notice you?
I think people finally got around to seeing the show. You’ve got to be around long enough for people to even know you exist. That’s really prevalent when you’re not selling sex. If you’re a hot young star with big boobs, they jump on you because you can sell shampoo. Or if you’re a young stud with muscles, you can sell beer. What I’m doing doesn’t sell shampoo or beer.
How surprised were you to win last year?
It was a real shock just to be nominated. My whole career has always been on the fringe. The system is about identity and conformity and sticking with an identity your whole life. Drag is about being a shape-shifter and changing and thumbing your nose at identity. So I really did not think it was time.
In hindsight, I know that what is happening in Washington has an effect on how people see the world. And because we’ve gone so horribly backwards in our government, I think people in Hollywood are reacting to that. That’s not to diminish our show at all. I think our show should have won in the second season.
Do you see a change in the way television embraces the LGBT community?
There’s been a huge change, especially as television has emerged as our country’s storyteller. Television is witnessing the second golden age — that’s where everyone’s stories are told. It’s so important, especially in the current political climate, to reflect the promise of the American dream.
Politically, it feels like our collective narrative has been abandoned. This country was about acceptance and inclusion, about open hearts and open minds. And as the government has gone away from that, I believe television, movies, music, the arts have taken up the slack, as they always do.
Do you ever wish Donald Trump would watch your show instead of Fox News?
No, not really. There’s nothing that could be done there. Our focus is on young people, and helping them articulate what’s in their hearts. Our show creates a dialogue with young people who feel the gamut of emotions. We want to get to them before Fox News does.
In this political climate, has your sense of urgency or your sense of purpose changed?
My role has always been the same. Drag has always been there to remind people to not take life too seriously, to not take themselves too seriously.
What stands out to you about this past season?
The contestants were all people who grew up watching our show, which is very funny. They come on thinking they can outsmart our production team, but we’ve been around the block a few more times. These are my buddies from the East Village 30 years ago. We’ve seen every nightclub gimmick and every stunt you can imagine. Our young contestants have no idea what’s in store for them.
How hard is it to keep things fresh?
The contestants keep the show fresh. I love drag queens. I love people that come from a tumultuous background where they have persevered and succeeded.
These gorgeous young people on our show are all heroes. They come from backgrounds where society says you’re worthless, or in some situations their families say they’re worthless. And despite all that, they bloom like the lotus in the mud field. I fall in love with them before they even come to our show.
Yes, we produce and then produce some more before they even get there –but when you add drag queens to any mix, it takes on a new form.
9 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 9 Moments, Ranked From Worst to Best (Videos)
Liza Minelli
It's shocking that a drag queen hadn't attempted Liza before the Season 9 "Snatch Game." Other gay icons have gotten the impersonation treatment multiple times -- Cher and Lady Gaga for starters -- but Liza? No takers? We're glad the first try was done by Alexis Michelle, who clearly reveres the superstar. Her theater training didn't always shine throughout the season, but it didn't get any more clear than this.
Eureka's elimination
"Drag Race" is full of atypical eliminations -- from two queens getting booted at once to Willam getting disqualified in Season 4. However, Eureka's elimination due to her torn ACL was the first time one had been eliminated for medical reasons, and it was bittersweet. Eureka later said that she received support from her fellow contestants and from the crew, which added to the emotional moment. That, plus the fact she got asked back for Season 10, makes us want to tune in.
Sarge
RuPaul loves Sarge. The contestants love Sarge. We love Sarge. The makeover challenge this season went behind the camera and allowed the queens to transform the crew into their drag daughters. They were all surprisingly charming, but one stood out. Sarge was quick-witted and hilarious, but when RuPaul asked him about working on the show and how he views drag, he was able to tone it down for a sweet moment where he showcased his respect for the medium.
Club Kids
It was by far the best runway of the season. The episode gave us a primer on Club Kid culture and allowed the contestants to stretch their creative muscles. Trinity, who had never experienced the culture before, was able to wow with her interpretation but it was Peppermint in her candy-inspired clown outfit that made our jaws drop.
Sasha Velour's entrance
There are only a handful of memorable workroom entrances, and this season, it belonged to Sasha Velour, who walked into the workroom, lifted her hands in the air, and screamed. We know now that Sasha is an intelligent, quirky queen with a unique sense of style, but in that moment we just felt her emotions. When you enter a new situation for the first time, you'd want to scream too (watch the first 20 seconds of the clip to the left).
Valentina compares herself to Selena
We're happy to see the return of a full-length reunion episode, since the queens are allowed to be more emotional and raw when they're not in front of a large audience. The whole episode was tense, but when the spotlight finally focused on Valentina and her fans, things got a little weird. When asked to explain her rabid fanbase -- some of which sent abusive messages to the other contestants -- she compared herself to 1990s superstar Selena. The other queens' faces are priceless.
"Macho Man"
In a season full of lackluster lip syncs, we were happy whenever Peppermint ended up in the bottom two. At least you knew she was going to put on a show. The one quality lip sync featured her and Alexis Michelle going head-to-head while lip syncing to "Macho Man." It's everything a lip sync should be -- competitive and dynamic. Alexis started it off with a mustache reveal, but once Peppermint pulled off her wig to reveal another wig, it was over.
"You look like Linda Evangelista"
We'll be saying this on our deathbeds. When Aja came for Valentina in "Untucked," she, in her own words, "aggressively complimented" her for what she felt was an undeserved spot in the Top 2. "You're perfect, you're beautiful, you look like Linda Evangelista, you're a model. Did you stone those tights? Oh you're smiling!" It's almost like Aja knew it was going to be on a T-shirt, or a song, which you can listen to at the clip.
Valentina shocker
This was the season of one-sided lip syncs. We thought it couldn't get worse than Charlie Hides sway and clap effort, but somehow it did. Valentina was doing well throughout the entire season, but a major misstep sent her into the bottom two and into a lip sync against Nina Bonina Brown. She could've gone all the way, as Ru said after, but when you don't know the words and refuse to take off your mask, you're going to be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
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What this season lacked in pizzazz it made up for with shocking eliminations and quotable drama
Liza Minelli
It's shocking that a drag queen hadn't attempted Liza before the Season 9 "Snatch Game." Other gay icons have gotten the impersonation treatment multiple times -- Cher and Lady Gaga for starters -- but Liza? No takers? We're glad the first try was done by Alexis Michelle, who clearly reveres the superstar. Her theater training didn't always shine throughout the season, but it didn't get any more clear than this.