Top 10 Surprising Facts About RuPaul's Drag Race
T this interesting will leave you gagging. These are the most surprising facts about RuPaul's Drag Race! For this list, we're digging up the reality competition series' most awe-inducing facts and behind the scenes secrets from this hit reality competition series. Did you know that the contestants are lightly prepped? That the finale is taped before the episodes air?
#9: The Contestants Are Lightly Prepped
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While the cameras and editing might make it look like the contestants just magically get ready for any challenge, the queens are actually given some advanced notice. Since there's a lip sync every episode, contestants are provided a playlist of songs to memorize. The queens are also told what each week's track will be ahead of the episode, which is why they're often seen practicing with ear buds. As for the outfits, everyone is told a brief description of the season's challenges and runway looks. Of course, given the chaos that often ensues, people bring extra outfits and many contestants still forget their words.
8: Post-Willam Precautions
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When Willam was disqualified from season 4, many fans were shocked and frankly confused at the decision. Willam returned for the reunion however, explaining that she had broken the rules by letting her husband in for conjugal visits. The crew didn't know about her hotel mischief until she told the producers, meaning they had to be more careful going forward. Since Willam's season, the contestants are now isolated in their rooms days before the season starts. Each queen is scanned with a metal detector and has their bag checked when entering their hotel. Their doors are allegedly even taped to assure no one sneaks out.
#7: The Finale is Taped before the Episode Airs
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When it comes time to crowning America’s next drag superstar of each season, viewers would never guess the winner’s reaction on stage isn’t 100% genuine since their reactions and speeches seem so heartfelt.In actuality all the finalists are crowned at the taping but the real winner finds out the exact moment the viewers do.Some redditors speculate that due to the lack of production budget, filming live would be much too expensive since live TV requires itense planning, more time and a bigger crew. The answer that makes the most sense of course is that this way it ensures no spoilers are leaked.
#6: Their Drinks Are Watered Down
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As all the queens enter the Untucked lounge, most of them grab drinks and share some T. But after the first few seasons of the show, all queens allegedly have a drink limit and those drinks are supposedly cranberry juice with a hint of vodka. The drinks were toned down after Jujubee allegedly lip synced drunk to 'Black Velvet,' surviving her elimination despite being a mess backstage. Many queens like Juju were also visibly drunk in Untucked clips in early seasons, and even fought on occasion. While the exact alcohol ratio is unclear, the drink they’re served in later seasons are unlikely to get anyone drunk.
#5: The Confessions Are Random
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Confessions consistently bring the laughs in Drag Race, but they aren't filmed like the show plays them off. While it looks like the cutaways are immediate reactions to all the mayhem, they're actually filmed separately every few days. Many of the queens' comments are therefore edited out of order with when they happen during filming, usually to increase the drama or comedy. Fans had even started charting when each comment happened based on different outfits, prompting the use of one outfit for confessionals in later seasons. Various queens have acknowledged these commentary filming days.
#4: Willam's Side
Willam drew controversy for her disqualification, but she's made a point of clapping back at the show as well. In an interview with In Magazine, Willam called out the show's questionable work conditions, hammering them for loose wires and inconsistent breaks. She even questioned their catering problems, insisting bread was all that was available for vegetarians. These tirades are rife with slams at the show's scripted moments and favoritism, and Willam has stated that producers were obviously gunning for Sharon Needles. Willam isn't innocent however, as she's also admitted to stealing from the set and being drunk while filming the boat episode.
#3: The Queens Walk Down the Runway Twice
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With all the fashion and commentary on display during the runway walks, the crew actually film twice to get things right. According the Shangela, the queens go once with music and once without it to add their puns. While it seems like this just gives the judges time to think, fans have also pointed out that there would be tons of sound issues without the double walk. Many former contestants have even explained they can hear the comments loud and clear, making it hard to keep a straight face. Sneaky or not, it produces the edited magic we all know and love.
#2: The Puns Are Fed Through an Earpiece
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The judges are full of snappy runway jokes, but sadly, they don't make them all up themselves. While it's common place for TV hosts to use earpieces to help filming run smoothly, RuPaul is actually fed many of his comments this way as well. The deceit pays off however, as the show's runway puns are consistently on point. Tammie Brown confirmed Ru's consistent headphone assistance, using it as fodder to talk back to him. Guest judges have also mentioned having producers guide their delivery on camera. While this seems like a deep secret, RuPaul has even reportedly admitted as much to interviewers.
#1: The Show Was Picked Up on Its First Pitch to Logo
RuPaul's Drag Race is essentially part of the mainstream now, but it was a hard sell to both the networks and Ru himself. World of Wonder had tried to get RuPaul a reality show for years, but he found the genre too negative. Executive producer Tom Campbell proposed the clever 'Drag Race' title to RuPaul, and he quickly agreed to an elimination series. The producers initially reached out to E!, Lifetime and even Bravo, but no one was interested. Logo however was already interested in a drag show, and hearing an icon like Ru would host the show sold them wholeheartedly.
