RuPaul Andre Charles has teamed up with the Logo network to find the next generation of drag queen. With eight, one-hour episodes "RuPaul's Drag Race" is a mash up of reality shows that still has its own identity.
Contestants must fight for the title by designing costumes, choreographing routines and painting on makeup.
RuPaul worked it with Windy City Times in a behind-the-queens interview.
Windy City Times: Hi, RuPaul. I just watched your new Drag Race show yesterday and loved it!
RuPaul: Which episode did you see?
WCT: The second one with Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child guest-judging.
R: Oh, yeah yeah yeah. How fun.
WCT: As one of the producers, did you come up with the concept?
R: The concept has been floating around for a while. In fact, my friends here at World of Wonder tried to get me to do the show for many years. I wasn't really ready to enter the reality show arena not back then but when I changed my mind I came straight to World of Wonder and took it on the road. It pretty much got bought in the room at Logo.
WCT: Was the idea to use other reality show' formats and improve on them?
R: Well, drag has always been a sampling of everything in pop culture. That's what drag is all about. We obviously have carte blanche to take a bit of this and bit of that. If you look at my stage persona there's one part Dolly Parton, two parts Cher, three parts Diane Ross, so on and so forth. That's why it has a little bit of everything. It becomes it's own unique monster based on all of these elements.
WCT: I definitely saw that. Are you channeling Tim Gunn when you are assisting contestants dressed as a man?
R: The audience might see that but for me I am being my natural inquisitive self. It's important for me to do part of the show out of drag. I can accentuate my authenticity in this field because if I were in drag the whole time my authority wouldn't resonate as much.
WCT: You have more Project Runway influences by judging with Santino Rice. How is it working with him?
R: He's great. You know I met him a year before we started filming because I totally recognized his energy and his sense of humor. He has an opinion and he also has a knowledge of pop culture and of fashion. He was a perfect choice and definitely not wishy-washy. He knows what he likes. That's what we needed for a judge.
WCT: Then you have guest judges like Bob Mackie. You are a huge fan of his, correct?
R: Oh, my God. When I first got a budget to do anything in show business, he was the first call that I made. He designed my costumes for my Las Vegas show and many others since then. He's the one to watch. Listen, we chose our judges on their star making expertise. We chose people that know what it takes and how to make a bigger better star. These girls are already stars. They are stars around the United States. They are show girls that work in clubs for a living. To take things to the next level we wanted our judges to be experts in the field of star making.
WCT: Now that I think about it, I really liked how you were respectful of the contestants and were not out to tear them down at the end of the show. You treat them like they are stars already.
R: I respect for anyone that, in a male dominated culture, can walk out of the house in lipstick and pair of high heels and say, "I'm fabulous." It's no easy feat in this world. Doing drag is akin to an act of treason in a male dominated culture. You have to be a strong force to be a hero.
WCT: When you came out big in 1993, it meant so much to me and so many people back then because you were so out and proud. It helped me to come out of the closet and not be ashamed of who I was finally. Now, you influence a whole new generation of people.
R: Aw, that's lovely of you to say, Jerry. Thank you very much. That's very nice.
WCT: You really are a "champion," which is the name of the new CD.
R: That's very kind. That was the inspiration not only with the show, but with the album. For the past ten years everyone in our country has been afraid to speak up and be themselves for fear of being "Dixie-Chicked." It's important to not play small. It's important to make sure your voice is heard and without fear. It's a new day and that's what "Champion" is all about.
This television show is all about showing who you are. And I am not talking about showing who you are as a drag queen but drag has always been about helping our culture understand and not taking ourselves so seriously. You are not your religion or gender or the color of your skin. You are much more than that. If you marginalize yourself then you are missing the point. That's what all of this is about and that's why this is a great time for a show like this.
WCT: Chi-town is represented with one contestant, Jade. What do you think of her?
R: So gorgeous and so gracious. That is really what got her in this competition because she definitely has potential to take it all the way. That's why she's here.
She's so beautiful and just a lovely soul and so talented.
WCT: Do you think there be a Drag Race 2?
R: I hope so. I would love to do it. We had such a great time and again the people that put the show my friends here at World of Wonder are so much fun to work with. I wouldn't have it any other way.
WCT: The new single is called "Cover Girl." And people can find out future news about you on www.rupaul.com, right?
R: Yeah, and it's available on iTunes as well as all the electronic downloading services. It's an integral part of the television show. Every time that I take the runway, every time the girls take the runway, that song is being played.
WCT: Well, congrats on the new show! All my friends were texting me last night to tell you that they love it.
R: That's excellent. Well, I really appreciate it.
RuPaul's Drag Race is presented by Absolut Vodka and runs every Monday through March 23 on Logo. Past episodes are online at www.rupaulsdragrace.com .
