I am very late to the party that is Rupaul's Drag Race. Not late in the watching and enjoyment part, but I am behind in doing drawings from the show. If you've already seen this program, then you know it's probably the best thing ever on television. If you aren't familiar, well, it's a reality show hosted by Rupaul (duh) and her search for America's Next Top Drag Performer. The show is a strong cocktail made up of equal parts: Project Runway, Top Model, and a sloppy- drunken night at a lively drag bar. Rupaul out of drag plays a Tim Gunn-ish mentor giving the drag performers guidance on whatever the week's challenge may be. Rupaul always leaves the gals with the sage advice: And remember ladies, don't f*ck it up! The last third of the show is shot with the most blurry soft camera focus imaginable. It must be the same camera they use for Barbara Walters Prime Time interviews and anything Michael Jackson related. That final portion of the program takes place on a catwalk with a judging panel. Hello Project Runway. Hello Top Model. During this part, Rupaul channels Heidi Klum as hostess done up in glam to the hilt. Extravaganza Eleganza! I can't underscore just how out of focus the filming is during this portion. I'm constantly rubbing my eyes in case the usually two glasses of wine I'd had by that point has made my vision go. Rupaul also gives the same Don't F*ck It Up pep talk to the gals before they take the catwalk. After the judging, there's two contestants remaining who must lip sync for their lives. Seriously. The gals are given a song to prepare just in case it comes to that point and it's usually a fairly awful choice. Sorry, but that's my opinion. I'd prefer a "Poker Face" by Lady GaGa or "Pull Up To My Bumper" by Grace Jones, but that's just me.
What's crazy is the show seems like it just started and after last night, there's only three queens remaining. Not sure if that means one more show or two? :( The show definitely has a budget of $200 per episode feel so maybe this first season was meant to be brisk? I just hope it goes on forever. I mean if the mess American Idol can be in its 9th season, then certainly, hopefully Rupaul's Drag Race will come back for a couple more years. Please LOGO, please. Oh I must mention too that each week there are two huge, built, hunky chocolate adonises that bring the ladies drinks, give them fabric, pose in photos, sweep up.......... whatever's needed. I wonder how much LOGO pays those two as I'm willing to match that salary. They make me weak in the knees and other parts. :)
There are a number of contestants I've especially enjoyed, but for this first posting I'm focusing on my favorite, Nina Flowers.
He's 34, Puerto Rican, and a mass of fierceness. I love his accent, attitude, range of looks, and I hope he wins. When they show him in the confessional scenes, I always want to reach in and squeeze his cheeks. Look how adorable he is. I couldn't snatch any photos off of the LOGO site, so a quick google search lead me to the photo below.
I tried to find a moment during Nina's drag performance to hit pause on my TIVO so I could do a drawing of him in full glamour, but as I've stated, the focus is so blurry that I couldn't find a good shot. So, I added a little digital makeup to the first drawing. Here it goes.......
In closing, I thought it appropriate to finish with the quote Rupaul always uses at the end of her show. She asks, "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love someone else?"
Amen sister!
Drawing of Nina Flowers done with ink on 9" x 12" hot press watercolor paper while my TIVO was on pause. Thanks TIVO!
I love Nina... but Bebe's my fave. She's so fierce it literally hurts. But I'd be fine as long as Rebecca doesn't win. Do not like her at all.
Posted by: J to tha Da | March 10, 2009 at 03:32 PM
It is on VH1 now, they rebroadcast the show. LOVE IT!!!! I like Chanelle.
Posted by: Maggie | March 10, 2009 at 06:12 PM
I LOVES me some Nina Flowers. And I SWEAR she could be Charo's drag daughter. GREAT drawing!!
RuPaul's Drag Race is truly the best show on TV right now. Check out my recap of last night's show here:
http://daviddust.blogspot.com/2009/03/rupauls-drag-race-episode-six-rupaul-is.html
XOXOXOXOXO
Posted by: David Dust | March 10, 2009 at 07:34 PM
LOVE THIS SHOW!
Did you notice this coincidence? Rupaul tells the contestants what they will be judged on:
Charisma
Uniqueness
Nerve and
Talent
Hmmm, what does that spell? LOL
Nina is my favorite, too.
Posted by: rhoda | March 10, 2009 at 07:46 PM
OMG! My daughter and I have switched to watching this show now that RHoOC is over for the season. We are torn between Nina and Bebe. Just as long as that Rebecca doesn't win! Makes me love Logo even more, where else am I going to see "Latter Days", "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" and "Showgirls" but Logo?
Posted by: Calulu | March 11, 2009 at 06:36 AM
David Dust - Ur a genius. I love this show too, especially since Project Runway is in litigation. They prolly gave RuPaul only 6 episode but this should come back especially if they gave ANTM so many seasons. Let's start a petition.
Posted by: Borg Queen | March 11, 2009 at 07:43 AM
Sorry I gave props to the wrong person. Rhoda ur a genius. Nina is my favorite. I didnt think she could do corporate woman realness since he is so "punk and edgy". But Nina slayed it.
Posted by: Borg Queen | March 11, 2009 at 07:45 AM
I was really disappointed with Shanelle on the show last night, the rebroadcast on VH1. She looked gorgeous and would not have been sent home if she had just not been so over the top needy putting herself up to go home. I loved her booty shaking. I did not like and have not liked the music for the lip sync show down. Maybe they are restricted by their budget as to what songs they can to play. I would love some Thelma Houston, "Baby don't leave me this way". It is going to be sooo good the lip sync throwdown between Bebe and Nina, because we all know there is no way Rebecca will make it to the final 2. Very clever there Rhoda, love it.
Posted by: Maggie | March 11, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Ongina was my favorite of the original group but Nina is definitely next on my list. Girl is fierce, talented and awesome and seems to be really sweet as well. I was heartbroken when my Ongina was sent home, but I would be very happy with either Nina or Bebe taking the win. Both are wonderful at the art of drag.
Shannel is absolutely gorg too, I was quite sad to see her leave, even though it seemed as if she was done with the whole competition.
Tammie was another favorite of mine, it's a shame that the competition really wasn't her thing, and that none of the challenges played to her kooky retro strengths. She's quite an adorable guy out of drag too.
LOVE this show. So sad that it's almost over, but at least I won't have to worry about sneaking in my viewings when my husband is asleep, he doesn't have the same appreciation for the queens that I do. :)
Posted by: wheresandrae | March 11, 2009 at 01:26 PM
I miss Tammy. She was the best! This show is awesome!
Posted by: Babs | March 11, 2009 at 06:58 PM
I've been watching this show since it started and Nina Flowers is definitely my favey!
Posted by: Anthony | March 11, 2009 at 08:13 PM
Thanks for pointing me to this show! Oh how I miss Tammie Brown!
Posted by: Jeff | March 12, 2009 at 06:59 PM
I freaking love Ongina. This show is my favoritest thing going! The fact they have to lip sync for their life kills me. SO CAMP <3
Posted by: Sarah | March 13, 2009 at 09:54 AM
OMG! I'm out in Vegas for the week, and all of a sudden Gilmore starts blogging about THE. BEST. REALITY. SHOW. EVER! Oh yes, and I also LOVE Nina! She's certainly the most original of all the gals remaining. Bebe's elegant & also worthy of the finals, but IMHO Rebecca should have been sent home 3 weeks ago! If it weren't for the producers intervening to keep her on, I'd love the show even more.
Posted by: atdleft | March 14, 2009 at 07:56 PM
To see more of Nina Flowers visit her Myspace page. Awsome pics and much of her history is there. There is also one for DJ Flowers...see him out of drag.
www.myspace.com/Nina_Flowers
www.myspace.com/dj_flowers
Posted by: AFPO | March 17, 2009 at 09:59 PM
NINA FLOWERS BETTER WIN LOVE HER SHE MAKES ME PUT MORE MAKEUP ON AND BE PROUD OF WHO I AM ANA
Posted by: ANA CANDELARIA | March 18, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Want to hear more from Tammie Brown?
I'm Going to Kill You! Podcast had the honor of sitting down with their new friend the icon, inspiring musician, performance artist, drag queen and TV Star as she dished dirt on her life, her love of avocados, Mexico, her time on Rupaul's Drag Race (including her opinions of the judges and cast members, and an EXCLUSIVE taste of her SPARKLING NEW MUSIC. Check out http://imgoingtokillyou.podomatic.com to listen!
Posted by: I'm going to Kill you | March 18, 2009 at 11:23 PM
i teach at a very famous fashion college (i won't bother to name) and my students put me onto this show. i'm going to end up needing rehab when it's on hiatus- you just know logo hit it with this and they're going to bring it back with the budget it deserves. tammy was my hands down fave but she never had a chance. nina deserves to win, but i always thought shanell was the one to beat. that girl's ego did her in.
Posted by: AC | March 19, 2009 at 10:13 AM
omg i NEVER noticed the judging with Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent! BEST EVER! i love how sneaky sneaky that was!!!
LISTEN UP BITCHES! i got an email for the casting of season 2... GO GO GO! and remember... don't fuck it up!! ;)
www.rupaulsdragracecasting.com
Posted by: thenextdragsuperstar | April 28, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Ongina was the best and she did NOT deserve to be out so soon. Especially when you think that someone like Rebecca carried on till the final. That was ridiculous to me.
In my opinion it should have been Ongina, Shannel and Bebe in the final with Ongina winning (Although I love Shannel too)
Posted by: Anis | March 18, 2011 at 05:09 AM