not to mention the $40 entry fee paid by 40,000 people. I've already packed all my bags, I'm already here.. She came into the "werkroom" with a dress made of trash bags and a comforting, Southern charm. Back in the olden days of Drag Race -when very first, nine fresh faced queens walked into the scarcely decorated World of Wonder set in February 2009 - the scale of the show was completely different. What does the winner of 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' receive? A queen might not be able to splurge on her wardrobe or even be the best at Drag Racewhich, its often said, is different from being good at dragbut those who are exceptionally magnetic, funny, and unique tend to do fairly well for themselves post-show. The process, however, is different: potential contestants for season 11have to answer dozens of questions first, ranging from How did you get your drag name? to Who would you do on Snatch Game? before theyre sent the Participant Agreement, the document you see below. I took a loan out against my asshole to get here, Cracker says, and Kameron snort-laughs. After being on Drag Race, When touring, recording, merchandise and endorsements are factored in, top queens are earning in the low to mid-six figures annually,Jacob Slane, Partner and Associate Manager atProducer Entertainment Group(PEG) told Billboard. It can be all about who has the connections, who is spending the most money. (VH1 declined to answer questions for this article. I do think they give space to the Nina Bonina Browns, the ones that are making stuff, author and blogger Tom Fitzgerald said. Sasha Velour on the Drag Race runway in a $60 look. Photo via VH1. All of this makes the competition steeper each year. Photo via VH1, Exactly! Cracker says, laughing. So, the longer they stay in the competition, the more money they will have. And because of that lack of expression, and that lack of exposure to different forms of expression, I think that sometimes we are just confined to that which we know., Contestants of color might also not have the kinds of connections to designers and other queens that make all of this easier. (Meanwhile, because of British TV standards, Drag Race UK contestants dont win cash prizes at all.). Theres a clause that allows for filming to take place in contestants homes or elsewhere, and the language allows producers to enter and occupy their home or business and place cameras and other recording devices. If a contestant doesnt control a location, they agree tohelp producers get permission. RuPauls Drag Race is a pageant, the biggest pageant out there.. Photo via VH1. A total of 113 queens have competed on the show. I was like, If they eliminate me early, maybe I can return it, and I won't have rented it for so many days. Im not even gonna say how much money I spent to get here, because it is She doesnt finish her sentence and instead twists her overdrawn hot pink ombre lips into a frown you could see from space. Of course, many of the queens have the opportunity to earn lots of money after the show airs. Craig Revel Horwood has been with the show since its inception in 2004 and started on a salary of 110,000. Apr 23 2022. She later competed on All Stars 1 and 4 and on RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay . If you haven't watched much Drag Race, here are the basics of how it works: Around 14 performers compete each season to become Americas next drag superstar. Every episode has a maxi challenge, in which contestants will be asked to demonstrate a skill like acting, improv, choreographed dancing, lip syncing, celebrity impersonation, stand-up comedy, or all of the above, while wearing an outfit theyve brought with them. For 12 runway looks, thats $5,400. The UK's fiercest queens are back and coming for us on Ru Paul's Drag Race UK series 3.That's right, the show that got us through week 694682457 of lockdown and delivered a serious dose of much-needed serotonin is back and bigger than ever.. Put a parka zipper in my dress. She also said that big plastic jewels are likely a better choice than more expensive glass ones, which often dont actually read well on camera. I didnt have much to lose from going. Mondo Guerra, a Brooklyn-based designer and Project Runway alum who has outfitted queens like Blair St. Clair, Jackie Cox, and Olivia Lux for RuPauls Drag Race, told VICE that a simple custom dress of hisi.e., a straightforward silhouette without any rhinestonescosts $700$800. It's just what you do with that in the future that really makes the difference., That said, its probably not the best use of thousands and thousands of dollars if youre not really serious about your drag career. I could tell that I was the cheapest person there. For All-Stars, lip-sync winners earn a cash prize of $10,000. With her frequent collaborator Katya Zamolodchikova, shes published a New York Times bestselling book and had several successful web series (including one that ran on VICE and one with Netflix). Photo courtesy of Mondo Guerra, Wigs are another significant expense contestants have to account for. In the first-ever UK series in 2015, there were four winners - Lauren English, Emily Dredge, Stephen Hardiker and Martin Cole. But contestants on Survivormake about $2,500 in the beginning, plus there is a big payout for first, second and third place winners. At the other end of the spectrum, the glam Jack-in-the-box look Sasha put together for a club kidsinspired runway was fairly cheap. And I don't want to discredit anyone who spends a lot of money if it takes that amount of money to achieve what they want to achieve. (In the US, that time is Mondays at 5:45 p.m. By commenting below, you confirm that youve read and agree to those rules. They would buy cheap shit, and then they would make it all glittery and stone it or do whatever they had to do to turn it into drag.. 8. Human hair generally will start around $1,000 or $1,500, and go up from there, depending upon what they want., You can spend an entire week, week-and-a-half working on one thing, Guerra said. However, the few people who are on standby and don't get to be naked in front of the nation, get paid 75 just for . Cast members have just two to four weeks after getting the call to prepare 2025 unique looks for all of the episodes events above (including an outfit, wig, and shoes, along with any unique makeup or accessories they want to use) before filming starts. This competition. the first mermaid, who goes by the name Miz Cracker, is saying. The Vivienne has taken her drag from the club to primetime TV thanks to her appearance on Dancing On Ice. The incident brought long-simmering questions up to the surface: What does it actually cost to compete on RuPauls Drag Race? We had a whole feather runway on our season, which I know was financially crazy for the girls. My waist in a corset is about three inches lower than the average female waist placement. Mostly, those are prohibitions of certain behaviors (such as drug use, photography, and physical violence) and dont get into specifics of the competition. Jan 21 2023. Like, my asshole is collateral against a loan, my asshole is in a bank vault somewhere, Miz Cracker on RuPaul's Drag Race Untucked. House buying money. Put another way: the value of her wardrobe was far more than the $5,000 she spent. I had maybe $1,500 total. 418 posts. Youre not there playing patty-cake. She adds, If youre not competitive, why the hell are you there? Season 11 . Of course, it's true appearing on the show can boost celebrity and launch careers. The idea of investing a ton of money in a drag career and having it pay off is a relatively modern one. Mama Ru has an invitation for you. In signing the contract, the participants also give away rights to anything they do on the show, including "characters, songs, and anything they say about themselves.". If bespoke pieces arent in a queens budget, buying something inexpensive off the rack and customizing it (or glittering the fuck out of it, as Ru told Joe Black to do with the H&M frock) might not be a feasible alternative. The underground aspect of drag defined the aesthetic for a very long time., Even in earlier seasons of Drag Race, when contestants were competing for an amount of money that was unprecedented in the drag world, the runways had nowhere near the scale that they do in more recent seasons. Every time you travel somewhere, you're spending money; every time you plan a new show, anytime you go to a DragCon or somethingeverywhere you go, everything you do, you are spending money., Yvie Oddly wearing an outfit to DragCon that led to fan backlash. While we dont know what Season 12s top three queens spent (none could be reached for comment for this article), winner Jaida Essence Hall recently said that she made all but two of her costumes herself. Its also what makes it impossible to wear stuff off the rack., Bob the Drag Queen at DragCon UK. Because the show tapes more than six months in advance of its broadcast, that option could expire well over a year after filming ends. They also dont know which of the looks on the list will be worn for the all-important runway, and which will be worn for, say, less important acting challenges. The rules acknowledge that they may not always be enforced, but it says thatfailure to enforce the rules on one occasion, or in connection with a particular Participant, shall not preculde enforcement on someone else or at another time. The contract also notes that any appearances after the first season come with a 5% raise. Monique, who told Paper magazine that her car broke down as she was preparing to go on Drag Race, was open about how a lack of funds hurt her prospects on the show during a heartbreaking episode of Untucked following her elimination. Week 9 - Pixie Polite Drag Race UK star Pixie Polite. Theyre working paycheck to paycheck. While she made the vast majority of her costumes herself (with the help of her longtime partner, Johnny Velour), it was a huge effort. When does RuPaul's Drag Race UK 2021 air? And, as the show is currently auditioning for it's 14th cycle, it can be inferred that the price tag for contestants will continue to rise. Even to just pay for the suitcases to get there was stressful., Contestants may go on Drag Race hoping to strike gold, but before the lucky few get to that point, theyll be paid a per-episode rate of just a few hundred dollars for two to three long days of filming. Several people I talked to for this article said that they dont love the proliferation of designer looks on the runway because, in many cases, queens are using money not to simply elevate their drag, but to become a different queen entirely. And Drag Race contestants received $400 per episode, . Answer (1 of 6): Only some do. 22 things you didn't know about 'RuPaul's Drag Race'. The music hits a dramatic note as the camera cuts to RuPaul, who looks grim. The biggest pitfall of Drag Race to its queens- among the long hours of filming and impending hateful tweets from the . The-bank-owns-my-butthole money. After interviewing several former contestants on the show, a reporter for Vice concluded that most participants are spending anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000 on their get-ups for the show. But when contestants try to wear leotards alone, the judges notice; Michelle Visage has been known to ding queens who show up in nothing but a leotard week after week. I asked Milk when I saw him and I've asked The Princess before because she didn't get to officially tour with Drag Race. David Petruschin (born April 8, 1979), best known as Raven, is an American drag queen, iconic make-up artist, and reality television personality from Riverside, California.Raven was a fixture in the Southern California nightclub scene before gaining international prominence for appearing in both the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the first season of All Stars. I personally could give a shit if my drag looks more expensive as long as I have a roof over my head, and, like, a future, Yvie said. And they're not wrong - it works out at about 2.80 an hour. But at what cost? Though we do not know exactly how much 60 Days In participants are paid, we do know that the A&E show also pays money to the prison to film there. Meanwhile, Joe Black got loads of love and support from viewers, and from H&M itselfthe retailer sent Joe a cake and flowers, along with free clothing. While Aquaria had a major hand in creating her own pieces, including designing, sewing, and stoning many looks herself, she got a lot of help from extremely talented friends who happened to work in fashion, and who were excited to help her prepare. Contestants agree to participate in sponsor integrations, which includes naming, identifying, wearing, using, describing, demonstrating or interacting with sponsors products or services. Dont waste my time. Contestants on RuPauls Drag Race earn a salary more in line with what someone might receive on Amercian Idol. So it was definitely a good up-front investment., Aquaria believes that a run on RuPauls Drag Race is what you make of it. One queen is named the week's winner, while the two bottom queens compete in a lip-syncing competition to avoid elimination. On May 1, 2009, the casting website for the series opened, allowing prospective contestants to create user profiles and upload videos of themselves to be voted on by viewers; the applicant collecting the most votes being invited to become a contestant of the second season. A lot of contestants are simply taller, broader, and heavier than the people that off-the-rack clothes in the womens department are typically designed for, and thats before they put on thick hip pads and big fake breasts. I now live in L.A., living my best life. And this goes to all of you up here: If it is from H&M, you better glitter the fuck out of it, and make it something special. The other mermaid looks like your friends ex-stepmom celebrating her third divorce with a trip to Vegas: Her luscious margarita-green hair is accented by a headband topped with starfish, seashells, jewels, and fake flowers. How Much Do Contestants On RuPaul's Drag Race Make Per Episode?Hi there, and welcome to Luxology! Premiere: May 20, 2022. Today, I review and recommend reality shows, documentaries, and nonfiction entertainment; analyze news and report from behind the scenes; and interview people who create and star in reality TV shows. As revealed in episode 122 of the So Dramatic! In the years since it began airing, RuPauls Drag Race has become a cultural juggernaut, with numerous spin-offs and international editions. Sam Branman, of the Brooklyn-based queer fashion label 10 Yards, worked on several of Tina Burners looks for Drag Race Season 13. Im in a bankruptcy, she says to the judges after receiving criticism for her Neon Queen Realness look in Episode 4. The first season of Drag Race had a grand prize of $25,000. She also said that shed been setting aside money in the hopes of getting on the show, but that her savings was not a lot. Ever wondered how much the contestants get paid for Love Island Australia 2021? When a person who doesnt fit our preconceived notion of fashion does this, well, its because they cant afford anything better. 59 votes, 46 comments. Miss Peppermint made her Broadway debut and was part of the 2021 Inauguration entertainment lineup. There is a three page exhibit attached to the agreement with the production protocol, and its a list of rules. Many self-fund new projects (like tours, comedy specials, and music videos), and do a big post-show glow-up, appearing at meet-and-greets with better wardrobes and wigs, and, occasionally, new teeth. Its cultural. 7PM. However, they are not allowed to plug their own stuff. (Alaska and Trixie Mattel were both wearing BobbiePinz wigs when they were crowned on their respective seasons of All Stars.) Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino / Getty Images. While this means that there's a total of $200,000 up for grabs, some fans may be shocked to learn that going on the show is no guarantee of a pay-out. Its just not gonna happen., In the moment, it feels very like, This is what I brought, she continued. In fact, they are getting paid, just like anyone doing any other job, and in the case of RuPaul's Drag Race, it's not too badly paid. Season: 7. And regardless of what a Black queen wears or how she presents herself, she might not be viewed as elevated or expensive., I was called ratchet on the show, famously by Michelle and Derrick, Bobwho, to be clear, does not do ratchet (or banjee) dragsaid. And now it's 13 years later, it's won all of these Emmys, it's HD, it's got superstar guest stars. While lounging in the sun all day and flirting up a storm might be payment enough, it turns out you can make some mega bucks being an Islander! At the end of the day, the judgesand, I believe, the audiencemostly want to see authenticity. RuPaul's Drag Race has become one of the most successful shows on television, but it's not been without its fair share of unresolved scandals. Yup. As the onslaught of negative critiques from the judges panel towards homemade or store-bought costumes grew much harsher, prospective contestants began running to local fashion designers the second they got the call to be on the show. And thats not including any costumes for other challenges, or the more elaborate custom runway lookswhich many, many, many queens in recent seasons are wearing regularly, if not every single runway. With . Latrice Royale was ranked in the tenth position on the list. I could tell that, even having spent more money than I had ever even had in my life, everybody else was clearly more expensive, she said. DragCon is the cherry on top of the drag sundae. Simple BobbiePinz wigs are available on his site for around $95, and pre-styled wigs, which Zlotnik calls stage readies, start at $275. While most of the queens who spoke to VICE had budgets that were on the lower end, a little back-of-the-napkin math shows that a lot of queens are likely spending way more. From there, the amounts increased to: $2,500; $3,000; $3,500; $4,000; $5,000; $6,00 and . The No. Bob the Drag Queen, winner of Chi's season, told Vice, "If I went back on Drag Race now, I'd probably be spending $20-40,000." That's an astounding amount seeing as how she only spent around $4,000 her first time around. DeLa said that contestants often spend money on details that feel important or high-end, but that dont necessarily give them much bang for their buck. To share our perspectives and exchange ideas in a welcoming, supportive space, Ive created these rules for commenting here. Get reality TV news, reviews, and recommendations in your inbox every week. But it also is very dangerous, because that means it can become all about capitalism, right? Season 11 winner Yvie Oddly told VICE. Later in the episode, RuPaul apologized for being short. The series, which begins in February, will see queens from Drag Race franchises around the world compete against each other . . If you've already cut the cord, you can watch . Being a contestant on RuPauls Drag Race can ultimately help a glamorous queen generate a ton of career-long biscuits. This statement rings true as viewership of the show continues to rapidly expand along with the program's prize money for lucky contestants. I mean, it was just hard.. Take Season 12s Heidi N. Closet, who said that her annual salary at the gas station where she worked before the show was $9,000. Thats never an excuse.. Oh! the second mermaid, Kameron Michaels, replies knowingly.