The best show on television is, and always has been, RuPaul’s Drag Race. It has everything you’d ever need from a good reality TV show (and everything you don’t need too, sorry Santino Rice) — drag queens, heartfelt conversations, tight tucks, gender fluidity and above all else — acceptance!
But, like any other majorly magnificent operations (hi Disney World, how are ya?) ‘Drag Race’ has its own secrets.
And after 11 blissful, flawless seasons of television, a lot of true tea has been spilled and my kettle is set to BOIL, bby!
1. The first season of ‘Drag Race’ was filmed in mama Ru’s garage.
They don’t call it the “lost season” for nothing.
Since the show was the first of its kind, unapologetically breaking barriers and taking underground drag culture to the forefront of American television (AMEN YAS QUEENS), the budget for the first season was incredibly low.
It was so low , in fact, that they couldn’t afford a film studio; enter Ru’s own PROPERTY.
2. Each season is filmed in only four weeks!
A typical week on ‘Drag Race’ is five days a week, with each day lasting at least 12 hours. This kind of fast paced schedule keeps the production costs low while also keeping the energy pumping for the contestants.
3. The queens get lightly prepped for their season.
If it seems like the queens always have something prepped for themed challenges, it’s because they’re told brief descriptions of each challenge before they come onto the show.
4. Ru has two separate dressing rooms, because Drag is *not* a contact sport.
According to Ranker one room holds gowns, while the other holds suits — one room for each of Ru’s personas.
I’m gagging on the eleganza!
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5. Jujubee was so drunk during her season two lip-sync for her life that the show immediately started watering down the cast members’ drinks.
Sis was THAT messy!
Blaaaaackkkkkkk velveeeeeeeeet and that little boy smile!!!!!!! Blaaaaaaaaaaaaacccckkkkk velveeeeeeeeeeeet with that slow southern style !!!!!!
6.The new watered down drinks are a mixture of lots of cranberry and very little vodka. Thanks a lot, Jujubee!
Jk, I love you gorl. Stay fishy.
7. Cast member Willam claims the catering SUCKS, especially if you’re vegetarian.
He told In Magazine , “This set was rife with untaped wires underfoot, non-regulated food breaks (like $75 to feed 12 men after a 14 hour day). Sharon (Needles) subsided on bread dipped in ranch for a month while filming because her vegetarian food needs were never met.”
8. The queens walk down the runway, twice. Once with music, and once without.
They walk without the music so Ru, Michele Visage, Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews etc etc can get their sassy one liners in.
9. Guest judge Ariana Grande went backstage to hug Kandy Ho after her elimination.
When fan fav Kandy Ho went home after lip-syncing to “Break Free,” Ari was so touched by her charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent that she snuck backstage to wish Kandy good luck in the future.
QUEENS SUPPORTING QUEENS!
10. Contestants are physically duct-taped into their hotel rooms with no cell phones and are forced to communicate only through sticky-notes.
This is what we like to call some post-Willam conjugal visits precautions.
Isolation station!