Latest news with #RuPaulCharles
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
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars : Ariana Grande, Guest Judges Revealed
Originally appeared on E! Online Squirrel friends, get ready to start your engines. Ahead of the season 10 premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars on May 9, the Emmy-winning franchise ruvealed the 'biggest dream team of celebrity guest judges' who are set to join host RuPaul Charles this season. Among the A-list names who will be seated on the judges' panel are Wicked actresses Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, whose joint appearance will mark each of their returns to the show. 'The witches will see you now,' the pair said together in the May 1 promo. Cynthia later added, 'It's good to see us, isn't it?' 'No need to respond,' Ariana chimed in. 'That was rhetorical.' Also set to make her return is Buffy the Vampire Slayer herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar, who made her franchise debut in season 16 of RuPaul's Drag Race. Plus, the reality competition series will welcome the reigning Best New Artist Grammy winner Chappell Roan, who has been open about the impact that drag has had on her artistry. She even gave a shoutout to drag during her acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards in September, saying, 'I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspired me.' More from E! Online The Masked Singer: Oscar Winner Revealed in Shocking Twist Full House's Jodie Sweetin Addresses Candace Cameron Bure Feud Rumors Sherri Papini, Subject of Kidnapping Hoax, Breaks Her Silence in New Docuseries Other guest judges for season 10 will include rapper Ice Spice, actress Kate Beckinsale and actor Colman Domingo, who is a co-chair of the 2025 Met Gala on May 5. Also returning to the judges' panel are franchise fixtures Michelle Visage, Ts Madison, Ross Mathews, Jamal Sims, Carson Kressley and Law Roach. But while the show is set to have many familiar faces returning to the judges' panel, All Stars' format will break from tradition this season. For the first time in Drag Race her-story, 18 queens will compete in a bracket-style competition to determine the season's winner. 'From coast to coast and across the Drag Race universe,' RuPaul said in the promo, 'welcome to the first-ever Tournament of All Stars.' The Queen of Drag continued, 'Who will sashay to the sidelines and who will shantay their way to the final for their chance to snatch the trophy in this ruvolutionary new tournament? All stars, are you ready for the games to begin?' Before the season 10 premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars on Paramount+ May 9, keep reading to see other shows set to premiere soon. The Four Seasons (Netflix) - May 1100 Foot Wave (HBO/Max) - May 1Lucky Chow (PBS) - May 1Formula E: Driver (Prime Video) - May 2The Walking Dead: Dead City (AMC) - May 4Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (Netflix) - May 4The Playboy Murders (Investigation Discovery) - May 5David Spade: Dandelion (Prime Video) - May 6Poker Face (Peacock) - May 8Forever (Netflix) - May 8Karol G: Tomorrow Was Beautiful (Netflix) - May 8Academy of Country Music Awards 2025 (Prime) - May 8Vanderpump Villa Reunion (Hulu) - May 8Criminal Minds: Evolution (Paramount+) - May 8RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (Paramount+) - May 9Gold Rush: Mine Rescue (Discovery Channel) - May 9The Judd Family: Truth Be Told (Lifetime) - May 10Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute (NBC) - May 13The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu) - May 15Overcompensating (Prime) - May 15Duster (MAX) - May 15Love, Death + Robots (Netflix) - May 15Welcome to Wrexham (FX) - May 15The Chi (Paramount+ With Showtime) - May 16 For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Los Angeles Times
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
A record 51 films chosen for California film and TV tax credit program
A record 51 films shooting in the Golden State will receive a government incentive in the latest round of the state's film and television tax credit program, according to the California Film Commission. The total, which includes 46 indie films, is the most projects ever awarded in a single application window, the commission said in a statement Wednesday. Together, they're expected to employ more than 6,400 people and generate nearly $580 million in economic benefits. They're also set to pay more than $346 million in wages, the commission said. Some of the awarded films include a yet-untitled drag queen feature film from producer RuPaul Charles and an untitled project from Oscar-winning filmmakers Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, also known as Daniels, and producer Jonathan Wang of 2022's 'Everything Everywhere All at Once.' That project is expected to receive almost $21 million in tax credits and generate wages of nearly $62 million. 'Everyone knows that California is the entertainment capital of the world, but that hasn't stopped others from trying to replicate what's been built in Hollywood through decades of innovation and hard work,' Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. 'Today's awards are vital to keeping production here in the Golden State.' As other states and countries have bolstered their film and TV tax credit programs, productions have increasingly left California, squeezing opportunities for workers still in the Golden State. Late last year, Newsom proposed an increase to the state's film and TV tax credit, upping the annual tax credit allocation from $330 million to $750 million in an attempt to keep production in-state. Last month, state legislators proposed a pair of bills that would make changes to the state's tax incentive program, though details are still being worked out by stakeholders.
