Do you agree with RuPaul when he says Drag Race is meant to push queens into breaking their self imposed barriers?

On the one hand, the fact that RPDR is a crucible and Ru herself seems personally invested in helping queens push through barriers is a good thing for a lot of girls: Trinity K Bonet, Pearl, Jiggly Caliente, and -- in the upcoming season -- Aja.*

But who wins RPDR? Who does the show actually reward? Half the time the queen walks in the door already well-established and polished and secure in their identity and ready to win the gig and doesn't really develop over the course of the season: Bob (over Chi Chi), Bianca (over Adore), Raja (over Shangela), Jinkx (over Roxxxy and Alaska), Sharon (over Phi Phi), Chad... when the chips actually go down, while Ru seems to find it rewarding (and the editors find it flattering) to focus on the girls who grow, the winners rarely fall under that category.

I'd also suggest that there are more than a few girls who had the potential for a growth arc and much of the same treatment about "overcoming the inner saboteur", but were basically disowned and cast aside, or even turned into villains: Magnolia Crawford, Phi Phi, Serena Cha-Cha, Monica Beverly Hillz...

  • No, not really. I just said that because I knew it would make the Aja stans turn funny colours.
/r/rupaulsdragrace Thread