‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Team on Uplifting Queens and the Queer Community

RuPaul’s Drag Race continues to top itself year after year, and it shows no sign of slowing down after receiving 10 Emmy nominations for the show’s 16^th season.

“Thankfully, we draw from such a deep well of queen talent across the country,” explains EP Mandy Salangsang at a virtual panel for Deadline’s Contenders Television: The Nominees. She was joined by senior producer and judge Michelle Visage, judge Ts Madison, and choreographer Jamal Sims. “Every season obviously brings with it talented queens offering such variety, diversity, and unique new visions.”

“When people interview me, they’ll say, ‘What makes this different than any other season?,’” says Visage. “The queens make it different. Each batch is an incredibly talented, gifted group of individuals that brings so much to this platform.”

As a judge, Visage’s approach comes from tough love rooted in her personal experience. “I’m a mother to a queer child,” she says. “I’m on this earth as an ally to help make this world a better place for all humans, but mostly for LGBTQIA+ humans because they have a harder go of it on this earth. It’s tough out there if they want to be in this game for more than 15 minutes. I want them to show all of themselves while they have the moment because you don’t know if they’re going to be here for one week or 13 weeks. So I think they should lay it all on the line every single episode.”

Ts Madison’s approach to judging is different but equally rooted in advocacy. “When I’m judging the girls, I’m always judging them from the place of ‘I’m a self-made star,’ so they have the opportunity to have a stage that reaches the entire world,” she says. Having that stage is vital for Madison, who adds, “This is our show, our queer community show. I remember being in the airport recently, thinking, ‘Oh my God, there’s no other show that belongs to us except RuPaul’s Drag Race.’”

While it’s not new for RuPaul’s Drag Race to receive multiple Emmy nominations, this year marks the first time the series has been nominated for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming. The recognition has meant a lot to Sims, who has been a longtime member of the Drag Race family.

“I have to say that this is such an honor because other Emmy-nominated dance programs are professional,” Sims explains. “We have to remember that we’re not working with professional dancers here on the show. They’re contestants, and some have never had dance training before. So, to me, it feels like I’m part of the competition. I actually do want each one of them to succeed when I’m choreographing, and that’s what’s so important.”

“I just want to give Jamal his flowers because he works tirelessly and endlessly,” adds Visage. “Some of the queens have never done a step in their life, and he makes sure that they have it down, so they’re comfortable and show the best of what they can do. He does so much more than he lets on.”

Salangsang chimes in, “He just brings with him an enthusiasm and an energy and instills in these queens the belief that no matter how daunting the task may be, he helps them believe and know that they can deliver. And boy, do they.”

The continued success and recognition of RuPaul’s Drag Race highlight the show’s impact on both entertainment and the LGBTQIA+ community. Each season seems to elevate the bar of talent and variety, making it a cornerstone of representation and celebration for queer culture. As it garners more attention and accolades, it stands as a testament to the power of visibility and the endless possibilities that arise from a supportive and creative platform.

Source: Deadline