Latest news with #DragRaceFrance
Euronews
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
How Drag Race attempts to reconcile entertaintment and politics
After three publicly acclaimed seasons, some of the most beloved Drag Race France cast members returned to TV screens last month for France's first All Stars edition. However, audiences were surprised to see that singer and DJ Kiddy Smile, who had been a main judge since the show's first season, would not reprise his role. Fans speculated that his past positions against cultural appropriation and in defence of racially oppressed people had made him too political for the publicly-broadcast programme. Une publication partagée par France tv (@ The reasons for Kiddy Smile's absence have not been disclosed and he could well be back in future seasons. But the event exemplified the competing imperatives of a franchise that has brought the art of drag well into mainstream culture while attempting to preserve its deeply political roots. Drag queen RuPaul Charles created RuPaul's Drag Race in 2009 to look for 'America's next drag superstar.' The series resembled classic reality television contests. It included challenges, eliminations and all the drama you could hope for - but with an extra dose of glitter, lavish wigs and gravity-defying heels. The programme has since exceeded expectations. The original US version has aired for 17 seasons, and the franchise now includes international declinations in more than 15 countries, as well as various spin-offs and events. Commodifying drag Drag Race's multimedia empire has revealed prominent artists, from Trixie Mattel and Vanessa Vanije in the US to Philippines' Marina Summers and the UK's Lawrence Chaney. Iconic drag culture phrases have trickled down from the show to Gen Z vernacular. When you say that someone 'slayed', 'ate' or is 'mother,' you're speaking drag. But for some within the drag and LGBTQ+ communities, this success has also led to the commodification of an originally subversive art. For French drag queen Emily Tante, Drag Race keeps raising the expectations placed on artists. 'Judges want more and more fashion and extravagance,' she writes in the online queer Friction Magazine. 'The queens of the Drag Race franchise have gone into debt in the hope of winning this TV contest. This also leads to higher expectations from the audience.' But in real life, doing drag is often financially unstable and many live performers struggle to get paid for their gigs. Drag Race's spotlight then becomes a precious but rare opportunity. 'I still need a little more visibility to succeed in my projects,' drag queen Magnetica shared as she was facing elimination in the first episode of the current Drag Race France All Stars season. 'Drag has been girdled by the logic of competitive individualism and the free market,' researchers Zeena Feldman and Jamie Hakim wrote in a 2020 analysis. They argued that the show's mainstreaming of this art perpetuates 'a culture that positions drag as an economic vehicle rather [than] as a means of mocking, querying or dismantling dominant power structures.' 'Not just an aesthetic' The contest has often been accused of promoting a specific vision of drag, especially due to its exclusion of drag kings. RuPaul also came under fire in the show's earlier seasons for his reluctance to include post-transition trans women. Multiple transgender and non-binary contestants have since competed in the programme. Drag's inherent political nature is at the heart of Drag Race's relationship with its viewers. Some consider that the show is too politicised. Others, not enough. For former judge Kiddy Smile, drag is 'not just an aesthetic,' but an art form that embodies queer history. For instance, drag queens were central characters in the 1969 Stonewall riots, and since then, they have kept on fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and helped create safe spaces for marginalised groups. 'Drag subverts gender norms,' Kiddy Smile said in an Instagram post. 'In communities where these norms are strongly valued, the mere presence of a drag queen becomes a gentle but extremely radical act of confrontation.' Today, Drag Race is possibly the most widespread and popular expression of drag culture. The show is broadcast on public networks in several countries, including in France, Belgium and the UK. It entertains audiences but also tackles questions like mental health, HIV and conversion therapy. Drag Race contestants also raise awareness on LGBTQ+ issues off screen, with the show's US stars slamming Donald Trump's 'two genders' policy. Several cast members also criticised the UK Supreme Court's April ruling on the definition of the term "woman". For those directly involved, the Drag Race franchise remains a political space where, according to three-time participant Soa de Muse, 'we are woke, we will stay woke, and we are proud of it.' The first season of Drag Race France Superstar is currently screening.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meet the légendaire queens competing on 'Drag Race France All Stars'
- YouTube On the heels of her unforgettable performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony, RuPaul's Drag Race superstar and Drag Race France host Nicky Doll has summoned 10 of her most légendaire queens to return for another chance at snatching the crown and securing a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. Nicky Doll, along with a judging panel featuring Daphné Bürki, Loïc Prigent, and Shy'm, will follow the traditional All Stars format of the franchise. Each week, the top 2 queens will be chosen to lip sync for a chance to win a cash prize of €2,500. The winner will also gain the power to eliminate one of the bottom queens. In the end, only one returning Drag Race France star will snatch the crown, enter the Hall of Fame, and take home the grand prize of €30,000. Scroll through to meet the 10 queens competing on — and make sure to watch the series when it premieres Thursday, July 10 on . France 2/World of Wonder Elips on Drag Race France All Stars. season 1: 6th place Age: 28 City: Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine Elips is a self-taught, flamboyant artist with an overflowing imagination. A seamstress and designer of her own outfits, she delivers poetic, intense and striking performances on stage. Elected Miss Congeniality during the first season of Drag Race France, she proudly represents Bordeaux's drag. She performs alongside her drag family, the Familips, in shows flaunting creativity. She is back in the competition to show her evolution and is determined to bring the crown back to Bordeaux. Instagram: France 2/World of Wonder Kam Hugh on Drag Race France All Stars. season 1: 7th place Age: 26 City: Paris, Île-de-France Drag queen, content creator, and makeup artist, Kam Hugh made a huge impression during the first season with her unique style, inspired by haute couture, combining elegance and modernity, making her a true fashion icon on the drag scene. An expert in makeup, she is the first French drag queen to collaborate with brands such as Sephora, Erborian, NYX, or Garnier, for which she became the face off for a global campaign after her appearance on the show. Instagram: @kam_hugh France 2/World of Wonder La Big Bertha on Drag Race France All Stars. season 1: 5th place Age: 40 City: Paris, Île-de-France Known for starring in the first season of Drag Race France, La Big Bertha has been a burlesque icon for over 10 years. Since the show's finale, she has made notable appearances on cooking shows, humorously blending the art of drag with her love for gastronomy, and has collaborated with international artists, including Sam Smith. La Big Bertha will also be the opening act for musician SANTA in June 2025, bringing her energy and unique style to the big stage. Instagram: @ France 2/World of Wonder Magnetica on Drag Race France All Stars. season 3: 9th place Age: 25 City: Paris, Île-de-France Since her participation in season 3 of Drag Race France, Magnetica, the French-Bolivian queen, continues to shine in the alternative queer scene. Inspired by the Club Kid aesthetic, she offers graphic and visual-focused drag, pushing the boundaries of art. A regular in the Parisian scene, she is a strong advocate for the visibility of non-binary and Latin American identities through her hard-hitting performances, both as an artist and as a host in iconic drag shows. Instagram: @mmmagnetica France 2/World of Wonder Mami Watta on Drag Race France All Stars. season 2: 3rd place Age: 26 City: Saint-Denis, Île-de-France A finalist of season 2, Mami Watta continues to shine on by performing on both French and international stages where she thrills the public with her ever daring and creative performances. She draws on her Ivorian heritage as much as on the ballroom and an Afro-futurist aesthetic to create a strong, sexy, and charismatic visual experience. Instagram: @themamiwatta France 2/World of Wonder Misty Phoenix on Drag Race France All Stars. season 3: 5th place Age: 24 City: Paris, Île-de-France From season 3 of Drag Race France, Misty Phoenix still has all of her overflowing energy and assertive creativity. A daring dancer and performer, she draws inspiration from the Marvel universe, where she reinvents looks with a resolutely modern touch. Her powerful and dynamic drag is distinguished by performances combining careful staging and elaborate looks. Instagram: France 2/World of Wonder Moon on Drag Race France All Stars. season 2: 7th place Age: 33 City: Geneva, Switzerland Named Miss Congeniality of season 2, Moon offers a sensible drag, combining fashion, introspection and artistic expression to create a universe that is both unique and deeply authentic. The first Swiss contestant on the show, she made an impression by proudly sharing her story as a transgender woman. Her art highlights often underrepresented social topics, such as the visibility of trans people and mental health. Instagram: France 2/World of Wonder Piche on Drag Race France All Stars. season 2: 5th place Age: 28 City: Paris, Île-de-France A multi-disciplined drag artist, Piche is a singer, rapper and dancer who brings drag to the forefront of the French musical landscape. Her performance at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 made a huge impression, confirming her status as a daring and essential artist. She recently unveiled an EP entitled Festin and started touring at famous venues and the biggest festivals in France, where she continues to share her music with passion and brilliance. Instagram: @pichecometrue France 2/World of Wonder Punani on Drag Race France All Stars. season 2: 3rd place Age: 34 City: Paris, Île-de-France Since her participation in season 2 of Drag Race France where she brilliantly reached the finale, Punani continues to mark the world of drag with her poetry, eloquence, and charisma. With a unique style that mixes humor and vintage aesthetics, Punani deploys a surprising and inventive drag. Today, she continues to perform on the biggest French stages and remains active on social media with her long-time accomplice, Rose, where they share their creations and commitments. Instagram: @roseandpunani France 2/World of Wonder Soa de Muse on Drag Race France All Stars. season 1: 2nd place (runner-up) : 9th place; Miss Congeniality ("Global Peacemaker") Age: 36 City: Paris, Île-de-France A finalist in the first season of Drag Race France, Soa de Muse has since led a disciplined and committed artistic career. In 2022, she founded her own cabaret in Paris called La Bouche, offering a stage for drag and queer artists while addressing social issues. In 2024, she became the first Martinican drag queen to participate in RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars, where she was crowned "Global Lip Sync Assassin" and elected "Miss Global Peacemaker" by her sisters in the final. Instagram: - YouTube
UPI
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Look: Kam Hugh, Moon among 'Drag Race France All Stars' cast
The cast of "Drag Race France All Stars" was announced Wednesday. Photo courtesy of World of Wonder June 11 (UPI) -- Makeup artist Kam Hugh and Drag Race France Season 2 contestant Moon are among the 10 queens competing to win Drag Race France All Stars, which arrives July 10 on WOW Presents Plus. The upcoming series will follow contestants as they overcome various challenges. Each week, the top performers will participate in a lipsync battle that gives the winner the chance to eliminate someone from the show. The other queens hoping to score the prize of 30,000 euros include artist Elips, burlesque performer La Big Bertha, Season 3 veteran Magnetica, Season 2 alum Mami Watta, Marvel-inspired performer Misty Phoenix, music artist Piche, Season 2 star Punani and cabaret founder Soa de Muse. Nicky Doll is set to host, while Daphne Burki will serve as a judge alongside Shy'm and Loic Prigent. Drag Race France aired in 2022. Season 1 of Drag Race France All Stars will premiere July 10 at 1 p.m. EDT on WOW Presents Plus.
