Top 10 Things Only Drag Race Fans Understand
#10: Pork Chop
She was the first queen who ever sashayed away on “Drag Race”. But Victoria “Porkchop” Parker’s influence on the show in the years since has been undeniable. For one thing, Ru loves giving her shout-outs. The most dramatic example of this arguably took place during the season 9 finale. The host’s famous “hey Porkchop” line was also included in Alaska’s All Stars 2 “Read U Wrote U” verse. Parker then took on a significant role in season 13, which began with lip sync battles that resulted in half the contestants getting the “pork chop.” It’s safe to say that to the uninitiated, these references could easily be misunderstood.
#9: Code Green
Competitors be warned: sporting green on the mainstage can be a bit of a risky move. Fans of the series - and the queens themselves - are aware that resident judge Michelle Visage hates the color. Funnily enough, the fact that you’d have to watch the show to know this came up during a season 9 roast of the beloved personality. Alexis Michelle took to the stage in full body paint, intending to get a rise out of the guest of honor. When the gag fell flat and flew over guest judge Tamar Braxton’s head, the queen boldly asked her if she’d ever seen the show. This insider fact also made moments like Tia Kofi suggesting Visage wanted to wear her design challenge concoction particularly hilarious.
#8: Miss Vanjie… Miss Vanjie… Miss Vanjie
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These words made Vanessa Vanjie Mateo an instant star. Although it’s tough to be eliminated first, she made the most of her brief appearance on Season 10 with this unforgettable exit quote. The catchphrase had everyone cracking up, and quickly became a go-to saying for Vanjie’s competitors. During the reunion, she shockingly revealed that the viral moment was completely improvised! The queen admitted she hadn’t prepared a proper speech, and resorted to simply saying her own name while sashaying away as a result. But the funniest part was probably seeing Ru and Michelle’s obsession with the phrase play out during the season.
#7: BEAST!
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This was far from Alyssa Edwards’ only iconic All Stars 2 saying. For instance, “rigor morris” has become a hilarious synonym for “rigged”. But the queen’s habit of calling people a “BEAST!” is truly one for the herstory books. We memorably heard it during the “Reading is Fundamental” mini challenge, as Edwards laid into her old rival Coco Montrese. But perhaps the best use of the word came during the comedy duo maxi challenge. In a set-up that was as simple as can be, Alaska asked her stage partner to describe Michelle Visage in one word. The rest was history. The line was so iconic, in fact, that season 13 had a “BEAST Couture” runway category.
#6: Cucu
Although she didn’t win either of the seasons she competed on, Cynthia Lee Fontaine is a “Drag Race” icon. She was a vulnerable and lovable presence on the show, and definitely earned the title of Miss Congeniality. However, you’d have to watch the series to understand her very frequent references to her “cucu.” The invented term simply refers to her derrière, and went on to become a second name for the queen. In one Season 9 episode, Cynthia actually detailed the birth of her signature saying. Needless to say, it’s one of the most unforgettable words in the “Drag Race” lexicon.
#5: Lil’ Pound Cake
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Though it sounds like a sweet concoction, this term doesn’t refer to a dessert. Rather, it’s the name of a character who’s made two very notable appearances on “Drag Race”. Lil’ Pound Cake was born out of a season 5 mini challenge collaboration between Alaska and Lineysha Sparx. But her most famous outing occurred on the second season of All Stars. For the “Two Looks in One” runway, Alaska came out in a garbage bag-type garment, only to unveil an immaculate recreation of the doll underneath. The fun times didn’t end there, as she then lip synced in the one-of-a-kind look! The show loves to pay homage to itself, and this inside joke truly took the cake.
#4: The Beyoncé Curse
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The most highly-regarded “Drag Race” challenge is arguably the Snatch Game, where contestants attempt to impersonate celebrities with wit and humor. It often helps to portray well-known figures, so certain competitors have chosen to imitate Queen Bey. But it’s usually not the best idea. Look no further than Tyra Sanchez’s uninspired take, and Kenya Michaels’ immature caricature to see why. Even Asia O’Hara’s interpretation was a flop. So it certainly seemed prudent to steer clear of the star altogether. Yet the curse was seemingly broken on “All Stars” 6, when Trinity K. Bonet performed a Bey-inspired routine for the “Hall of Fame Half-Time Show”. While she didn’t need to capture the singer’s every mannerism, she had her look, moves, and stage presence down pat.
#3: Ro-Laska-Tox
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Fans of the show know this to be a portmanteau representing the rock-hard alliance between Roxxxy Andrews, Alaska, and Detox. Ro-Laska-Tox was formed in season 5, and their bond became particularly clear when they were vying for the top three positions at the expense of Jinkx Monsoon. But it also reared its head during the second season of All Stars. Alaska and Detox both repeatedly chose to eliminate other competitors - like Alyssa Edwards and Tatianna - in order to save each other and Roxxxy. It led to some controversy, especially considering the latter queen’s subpar performances. Never in “Drag Race” her-story has a close friendship led to so much frustration among viewers.
#2: Lip Sync for Your Life & Legacy
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These performances are integral parts of the show. But only avid viewers understand the stakes. A “lip sync for your life” caps off the majority of “Drag Race” episodes. It involves the bottom two queens facing off by dancing and mouthing the words to a song in a bid to remain in the competition. “Lip syncs for your legacy”, in turn, have become an “All Stars” staple. In certain seasons of the spinoff, the top two contestants perform in order to gain the power to eliminate a competitor. There’s been many different takes on these showdowns, like a six-way battle and the introduction of guest “lip sync assassins”. But no matter what form they take, they’re one of the most entertaining parts of any episode. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Walk Into the Room Purse First Bob The Drag Queen Coined This Phrase After Her First Season 8 Runway Flazéda Pearl Invented a New Word Somewhere Between Blasé & Laissez-Faire During Her Season 7 Stint Party City Phi Phi O’Hara Created a New Shorthand for Costumey Drag During an Explosive Fight Proportionizing Eureka!, Kameron Michaels & Monét X Change’s Clever Term for Crafting the Perfect Silhouette
#1: The Library Is Open
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When this announcement kicks off the perennial “Reading is Fundamental” mini-challenge, a “Drag Race” newbie might assume that the queens are about to hit the books. But seasoned fans of the show know that these four words signal an impending shade-fest. Drawn from the 1990 documentary “Paris Is Burning,” reading involves directing witty jabs at one’s peers. Luckily for us, the library being declared open has led to some of the funniest moments in the history of the show. Granted, things can sometimes get brutal. But we know that at the end of the day, it’s all being done in good fun.
