“RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” season 8 came to a close on July 21 with the twelfth episode streaming on Paramount+. For the first time ever, RuPaul Charles announced a “second way to win” in addition to earning the coveted crown and $200,000 prize given to the traditional winner. In “Grand Finale,” either Jimbo or Kandy Muse entered the “Drag Race Hall of Fame” as the AS8 champion and a second queen banked $60,000 as the “Queen of The Fame Games.”
The queens up for the consolation “Fame Games” prize were the eliminated queens: Monica Beverly Hillz, Naysha Lopez, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Darienne Lake, Jaymes Mansfield, Kahanna Montrese, Lala Ri, Alexis Michelle, and Jessica Wild. Heidi N Closet opted out of competing for the second prize when she quit earlier in the season.
Check out our full recap of episode 12 below to see which two queens earned the coveted cash tips in “Grand Finale”:
Following their “Variety Extravaganza,...
The queens up for the consolation “Fame Games” prize were the eliminated queens: Monica Beverly Hillz, Naysha Lopez, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Darienne Lake, Jaymes Mansfield, Kahanna Montrese, Lala Ri, Alexis Michelle, and Jessica Wild. Heidi N Closet opted out of competing for the second prize when she quit earlier in the season.
Check out our full recap of episode 12 below to see which two queens earned the coveted cash tips in “Grand Finale”:
Following their “Variety Extravaganza,...
- 7/21/2023
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
Each season on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” there’s a big song and dance group number that showcases the queens performance abilities. Dubbed the “rusical” — an amalgamation of RuPaul and musical — it’s the chance for each of the competitors to show off their acting, dancing and lip-syncing skills.
For the competition series’ milestone Season 15, the rusical was “Wigloose,” inspired by the 1984 Kevin Bacon classic “Footloose.” The number starred the top six queens: Anetra, Loosey Laduca, Luxx Noir London, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Salina EsTitties and Sasha Colby. “Wigloose” is set in the fictional small town of West Bumtuck, where a local teacher (Brooks) seeks to outlaw drag. The local youth protest the law by holding a secret drag ball. In the end, the teacher is reminded by her old friend (Anetra) and husband (Colby) about the power of drag, and the law is overturned.
TheWrap spoke with Miguel Zarate, the choreographer of “Wigloose,...
For the competition series’ milestone Season 15, the rusical was “Wigloose,” inspired by the 1984 Kevin Bacon classic “Footloose.” The number starred the top six queens: Anetra, Loosey Laduca, Luxx Noir London, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Salina EsTitties and Sasha Colby. “Wigloose” is set in the fictional small town of West Bumtuck, where a local teacher (Brooks) seeks to outlaw drag. The local youth protest the law by holding a secret drag ball. In the end, the teacher is reminded by her old friend (Anetra) and husband (Colby) about the power of drag, and the law is overturned.
TheWrap spoke with Miguel Zarate, the choreographer of “Wigloose,...
- 6/22/2023
- by Lawrence Yee
- The Wrap
It’s Emmy season so what better time than now for Television Academy voters to consider the 15th season of MTV’s reality competition series “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” On Saturday, June 10, Gold Derby spoke with the year’s big winner, Sasha Colby, on the red carpet at the network’s FYC event held at The Village at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Watch our interview above.
“I’m really more powerful than ever,” Sasha proclaimed on the red carpet. “I think [Pride month] is the exact moment when the audience is most proud, [especially] with everything that’s going on in the world. It just means that they are really seeing how powerful love and queer love is, and it means we’re doing something right.”
SEEMaking of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’: Lively roundtable with producer and 3 crafts artisans [Exclusive Video Interview]
Sasha explained how her finale looks were “really loosely based on like a type...
“I’m really more powerful than ever,” Sasha proclaimed on the red carpet. “I think [Pride month] is the exact moment when the audience is most proud, [especially] with everything that’s going on in the world. It just means that they are really seeing how powerful love and queer love is, and it means we’re doing something right.”
SEEMaking of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’: Lively roundtable with producer and 3 crafts artisans [Exclusive Video Interview]
Sasha explained how her finale looks were “really loosely based on like a type...
- 6/21/2023
- by Latasha Ford and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
‘Drag Race’ Team on ‘Wigloose: The Rusical’s’ Importance: ‘Our Existence Could Be Put Out Like That’
Rusicals have been a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” institution since Season 6 and something audiences look forward to each season. Executive producer Tom Campbell credits fellow producers John Polly and Michael Seligman for coming up with this year’s “Wigloose: The Rusical.” Says Campbell, “They said ‘Wigloose,’ like ‘Footloose,’ and it writes itself.”
The maxi challenge puts the queens’ performing skills to the test, through song, dance and acting, as they tell a musical story. Previous challenges have included “Moulin Ru: The Rusical,” Madonna, Cher and even Donald Trump’s presidency. The idea is that audiences already know the story of the Rusical and condense that into a production that’s less than 12 minutes long.
Season 15’s Rusical, “Wigloose,” is set in the small town of West Bumtuck, where drag has been outlawed, and is a parody of the 1984 film “Footloose” starring Kevin Bacon.
In cracking the song lyrics, singer and...
The maxi challenge puts the queens’ performing skills to the test, through song, dance and acting, as they tell a musical story. Previous challenges have included “Moulin Ru: The Rusical,” Madonna, Cher and even Donald Trump’s presidency. The idea is that audiences already know the story of the Rusical and condense that into a production that’s less than 12 minutes long.
Season 15’s Rusical, “Wigloose,” is set in the small town of West Bumtuck, where drag has been outlawed, and is a parody of the 1984 film “Footloose” starring Kevin Bacon.
In cracking the song lyrics, singer and...
- 6/8/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
It’s not just a television series. It’s a global phenomenon. And it’s here to “shantay, you stay” for many glittery and fabulous years to come.
Since its humble beginnings in 2008 as a low-budget reality competition show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has become a hugely successful and influential pop culture sensation, loudly and proudly celebrating drag culture for a worldwide audience. To celebrate the the show’s spectacular fifteenth season, check out our special 40-minute “making of” roundtable discussion with executive producer Tom Campbell, production designer Gianna Costa, composer and songwriter Leland and choreographer Miguel Zarate. Together they are joined by Gold Derby senior editor Rob Licuria for a memorable and lively Q&a about their highlights, key scenes and goosebump moments. Watch our exclusive Q&a video above.
See Exclusive Video Interview: Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato (‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ producers)
Over 16 episodes of Season 15 for the series,...
Since its humble beginnings in 2008 as a low-budget reality competition show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has become a hugely successful and influential pop culture sensation, loudly and proudly celebrating drag culture for a worldwide audience. To celebrate the the show’s spectacular fifteenth season, check out our special 40-minute “making of” roundtable discussion with executive producer Tom Campbell, production designer Gianna Costa, composer and songwriter Leland and choreographer Miguel Zarate. Together they are joined by Gold Derby senior editor Rob Licuria for a memorable and lively Q&a about their highlights, key scenes and goosebump moments. Watch our exclusive Q&a video above.
See Exclusive Video Interview: Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato (‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ producers)
Over 16 episodes of Season 15 for the series,...
- 6/8/2023
- by Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
“Normally, on one reality show you look for one or two things. With this we’re looking for like eight,” exclaims “RuPaul’s Drag Race” casting director Ethan Peterson. He and fellow casting director Goloka Bolte have earned two consecutive Emmy Awards for bringing beloved drag queens to the screen. Before a queen can rocket to stardom on the hit reality series, they must first make an impression with these two creatives. Watch the exclusive video interview above.
The key to scoring a slot in the “Drag Race” competition is a killer audition tape and this pair of casting directors watches them all. “We’re looking for those authentic voices, queens who really know who they are and bring something fresh and new to the table,” explains Bolte. She admits that in order to get through the inundation of audition reels there are “a lot of late nights in pajamas,” but the hours are worth it.
The key to scoring a slot in the “Drag Race” competition is a killer audition tape and this pair of casting directors watches them all. “We’re looking for those authentic voices, queens who really know who they are and bring something fresh and new to the table,” explains Bolte. She admits that in order to get through the inundation of audition reels there are “a lot of late nights in pajamas,” but the hours are worth it.
- 6/11/2022
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
“It was a huge undertaking, but something I had dreamt about for so long,” confesses Miguel Zarate about becoming the choreographer for Season 14 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” He inherited the title from Jamal Sims, who Zarate describes as a “father figure.” The dance guru put the queens’ moves to the test during an iconic “Rusical,” a 60’s-inspired girls group number, and the epic original songs for the top 5 contestants. Watch the exclusive video interview above.
One of the most acclaimed maxi challenges from Season 14 was the Rusical, “Moulin Ru.” It’s inspired, of course, by the Broadway adaptation of “Moulin Rouge!” but that doesn’t mean Zarate was content to plunder Sonya Tayeh’s Tony-winning dance numbers. “I definitely wasn’t looking at her choreography, nor any form of reference,” confides Zarate. “I just wanted to take the reins and have my own creative freedom with it.” Character work was...
One of the most acclaimed maxi challenges from Season 14 was the Rusical, “Moulin Ru.” It’s inspired, of course, by the Broadway adaptation of “Moulin Rouge!” but that doesn’t mean Zarate was content to plunder Sonya Tayeh’s Tony-winning dance numbers. “I definitely wasn’t looking at her choreography, nor any form of reference,” confides Zarate. “I just wanted to take the reins and have my own creative freedom with it.” Character work was...
- 6/9/2022
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
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