“RuPaul’s Drag Race” is one of the most well-known, long-running reality shows in the history of the genre, and producers Randy Barbato And Fenton Bailey have some thoughts about why that is, giving credit to “Drag Race” for pulling drag queens into the mainstream and appealing to “families, kids, grandparents.”
The series features a revolving cast of drag queens competing for the approval of the eponymous host. “Drag Race” received 11 Emmy nominations this year, putting it in the running to become the fifth most Emmy-winning TV show in history.
It’s been on television for 14 seasons and spurred multiple spinoffs in that time.
Bailey delved into the popularity of “Drag Race” with Deadline, boasting it comes at an “important time” in history. Conversations are heating up over the morality of drag shows, especially for young audiences, as drag becomes mainstream and gets promoted at local libraries, restaurants, and even public schools.
“We are seeing an attempt to turn the clock back to stereotypical values,” Bailey says. “To a time when women weren’t empowered, when there wasn’t marriage equality — there’s been a huge sort of retrenchment. And this show is the antithesis of that, because the message of ‘Drag Race’ is: ‘Don’t be afraid to be yourself, be who you are.’”
The producer points out that even in Catholic-majority countries such as Italy and the Philippines, “Drag Race” is popular. He says it’s “a counterbalance to conservatism, bigotry, and homophobia, and all those other unpleasant things that make everyone’s life so unpleasant.”
Bailey goes on to claim that “drag is universal” and that while some consider it niche, he believes that everyone is participating in drag simply by getting dressed in any clothing.
“In the past, people thought, ‘Oh, drag is great, but drag’s for the margins, drag’s a downtown thing.’ But, really, you’re born naked and the rest is drag,” he insists. “Everything you put on is some kind of statement of identity about yourself. It’s like kids in the attic playing dress-up. It’s as old as time and everybody’s done it.”
The “Drag Race” producer goes on to say drag is for everyone, including children.
“‘Drag Race’ isn’t what I think it was originally perceived to be, which is a niche LGBTQ+ show. It isn’t. And that’s I think the secret of the success,” he says.
“Because I don’t know if you’ve ever been to RuPaul’s DragCon, but you’ll see from the people there it’s not just LGBTQ+. I mean, obviously we’re queer and that’s our core being, but at DragCon you get families, kids, grandparents — it’s multi-generational and fun.”
Barbato agrees, saying “Drag Race” is “about love and self-expression and openness.”
“It’s like we’re on a mission. … It does feel like we’re answering to a higher drag being,” he says.
Many critics are becoming concerned about the mainstream nature of drag culture, especially as it’s being marketed to children. They point out how the overly-sexualized performances are not appropriate for kids, especially as now some are being encouraged to participate.
In June, a Dallas gay bar came under fire for hosting an afternoon drag show for children where kids were invited onstage and tipped performers in front of a neon sign bearing an obscene message, The Daily Wire originally reported.