Top 10 Insane Rules RuPaul's Drag Race Contestants MUST Follow
#10: Be Cut Off from the World
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For an appearance on “Drag Race,” queens are put in hotel rooms and stripped of most of their social gadgets. The contestants are isolated in their rooms ahead of the show, and blindfolded so they can’t see where they’re staying. Though this would be dramatic enough, their blinds are shut to ensure the surprise of the queen reveals. Their time as a contestant is phoneless as well, to keep them focused on the show. Instead, calls home are awarded as prizes, so queens like Willam have to leave the set if they meet their loved ones in secret. Along with preventing leaks, these extreme precautions center everyone on their season rather than their normal lives.
#9: Taped Doors
As already mentioned, seclusion is part of the off-air downsides of filming “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” But this also means that people’s doors are monitored. Tape is placed over everyone’s door, so staff will know a queen is sneaking out if the tape is broken. The extent of the lockdown is so extreme that the contestants are given notepads to communicate with producers outside their door. The tight rules mean competitors can only really leave for emergencies. Just in case a queen might try to pick a quiet time to re-tape their door, each room's peephole is covered as well. So if you can deal with bag checks, metal detectors and a sealed space, you may be ready for drag super stardom.
#8: No Riders
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Unlike rock stars, contestants on the show aren’t given extra perks with their contracts. In fact, the legal documents for the series state that everyone has to provide their own food and drink. Many queens note that there is some catering, though Willam insists it’s painfully barebones. Vegetarian options aren’t necessarily covered either. Personal expenses are for each queen to cover themselves, so some people reportedly take out loans to get to the show. All competitors are reportedly paid about four hundred dollars per episode, so there is at least a safety net. Whether they’re eating well or not, a lack of contractual food is a little stingy.
#7: Five Suitcases
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Ahead of each season of “Drag Race,” the contestants are given a rough list of the themes for each episode. The catch is that the queens are limited to fitting all their possible looks and fabrics into just five pieces of luggage. Despite the heads up, there’s so much that goes into an episode’s outfit that this rule can actually be pretty game-changing. This restraint severely inhibits contestants from bringing props and any potential dress with fragile components. Realistically, five bags do limit the potential advantages that richer people could have on the show. Given all the amazing looks over the years, the queens have clearly been making things work regardless.
#6: No Media for a Year
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Part of the contract for appearing on the competition bars queens from any media appearances for an entire year. The competitors are allowed to continue their live shows and regular performance work, so long as they hide their relation to “Drag Race.” The rule dictates this ban starts after the broadcast of the final episode. After all that effort put into appearing on the show, the performers are likely already struggling to get gigs at a steady rate again. So limiting their ability to use their time as a contestant as a selling point would likely hurt their earnings more. So it seems like you should try to avoid losing early on “Drag Race,” or else this rule will bite you hard.
#5: Redos for Better Filming
Moments like “Back Rolls” can be hilarious, though they can catch the producers off-guard. To assure all the show’s best moments look amazing, producers have a stipulation on the contract to repeat scenes they deem entertaining. This covers anything queens say or do, with the acknowledgement that the competitors have to do something before they can be asked to do it again. The idea is so that a great quote or reaction gets the best camera angle possible. Good drama can be filmed as such, and it reduces issues with moments that happen when a queen runs off camera. While this can certainly damage the authenticity of any one scene, it helps give us the “Drag Race” highlights we know and love.
#4: Confessional Wear
Keen eyes may notice that as of season 6, queens are always in the same shirt for their confession shots in all of the episodes. This is because the producers demand that they wear a specific outfit during these moments, similar to a uniform. The repeated looks are supposed to allow editors to use these comments on whatever episode they think is best. So if a queen talks about her first episode shenanigans near the finale, editors can cut it in seamlessly. These consistent outfits also allow them to splice audio from different clips, so infamous so-called “Frankenedit” errors like Shangela on season three can’t be spotted easily. Once you realize this little detail you’ll likely wonder when any comment was actually filmed.
#3: Bad Edits
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Misquotes are just the tip of the iceberg for “Drag Race” post-production, since inaccurate editing is part of competitors’ deals. Each performer can be presented however the editors want, just for dramatic effect. It’s specifically noted that changes can be made to show queens in any light, which is why several people appear as villains. Other people like Max can look strange and unhinged due to unusual cuts. Editing can really warp how you view someone, especially when you consider that Phi Phi O’Hara describes contestants as basically pawns to the production. Keep in mind that this misrepresentation, which would normally constitute legal action, is specifically waived by everyone in their contracts. For the stardom it offers, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” controls exactly how you get famous.
#2: No Unions
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Despite all the dancing, singing and drag on the series, competitors on “Drag Race” specifically appear as non-performers. Though this might seem arbitrary at first, it’s put in place to prevent anyone from getting union benefits from the Screen Actors Guild. This could include wages, individual pay bargaining and residual checks for reruns. Without a union: issues with food, personal expenses and proper break time can continue as well. Forget compensation or legal action for on-set injuries too. Unions are likely kept out to keep costs for “Drag Race” low as well, and to avoid excessive demands from people already acting like divas. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Legal Documents & Assuming Risks of Physical or Emotional Injuries Unsure Where They Are Staying Long, Not Set Filming Hours Percentage of YouTube Revenue
#1: Winners Don't Know Until Fans Do
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Since finales film well before they air on television, leaks have to be actively countered. So, starting with the 4th season, the crew and contestants began shooting winning moments for each queen who’s in the running, and don’t tell anyone who wins. This avoided the spread of rumors from the top players as well as audience members who participate in the taping. This meant that the actual winners only found out if they’ve won along with audiences at home, which at least ups the excitement for their personal viewing. According to Michelle Visage, this practice has also been put in place for the UK edition of the show. In a world of fast information, the recording of multiple endings has kept “Drag Race” interesting for everyone watching.
