The Power of RuPaul's

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Throughout its nine seasons, RuPaul's Drag Race has been an integral way to spread the influence of drag beyond its previous boundaries and expose many future queens to the community that they would join in the future. Because of this, it has been one of the primary genres of communication used by the drag community since it first aired in February of 2009.

Queens Unite

Viewers of RPDR have found themselves connected to both the competitors as well as other viewers. An entire community of loyal viewers of the show have bound together to form a dedicated fandom. However, an even larger union of the entirety of the drag community may be the goal of the show. RuPaul's Drag Race is a show featuring individuals who, although they may be competing, are working to achieve a common goal and maintain the feeling of a shared identity. This is visible in comments from the show such as "we are sisters" and "this is like a drag sorority" (Simmons 633). The visual of the community of contestants bonding together and connecting with each other may be a model for the closeness they want to inspire within the drag queen community as a whole.

Queens Inspiring Queens

RuPaul's Drag Race is not just your average reality competition show. It is a method of mass communication to the drag community that what they do is not something to be ashamed of but something to take pride in. It is also used to communicate to outside audiences that there is more to drag than men putting on dresses and makeup (Edgar 138). RPDR is used to show the complexities and artistry of drag performances and the passion and talent of drag performers.