Dark Secrets Inside The Drag Scene

1.  Fibre Glass in setting powder

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Yep, you read that right! Queens have spoken out about some really horrible experiences within the cut-throat industry of drag. Some reported having actual fibre glass mixed into the setting powder of their makeup by their competition. Ruthless, right?

2. Eye drops in cocktails

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Spiked using eyedrops! When eyedrops are mixed with alcohol, they're known to bring on extreme drowsiness or even cause the person drinking it to pass out. This sounds ideal when you're wanting to get rid of some threatening competition, doesn't it?

3. Supergluing zippers shut

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Drag performers need to be quick in the dressing room! A queen can be expected to switch between an LBD to an elaborate ball gown in just a couple of minutes ready to return to the stage. It's been known for other queens to super glue others zipper's shut, completely ruining their outfit!

4. 'Winners’ and ‘filler’ queens

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The queens that enter drag race usually have a very clear idea on who the planned winner is and which of them are merely acting as a “filler”. It's apparently clear from day one, as it's noticeably different how many producers are following each queen.

5. Playing happy families

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A drag family is as a group of queens who hang out, educate and support each other. The head of the family is the drag mother - the most skilled and experienced, acting as a role model. However, the families are notoriously falling out behind closed doors and stepping on each other's toes!

6. There are drag creatures

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Have you ever heard of a drag creature? Well, they exist! They're people of any gender, but use makeup and clothing to express themselves and entertain. But they don't take on the persona of a male or female, instead their alter ego identifies as a creature.

7. It’s tough to be a king

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Drag kings are massively ignored on the drag scene. They've opened up about how less people cheer for them, they get far less tips and are straight up not invited to perform. This is even when the kings usually do more stunts than their queen friends!

8. Drawn out of the closet

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It's not unusual for people who consider themselves 'straight' to come onto drag queens - even when they're married! Something about the fun, flirty alter-ego seems to draw people out of their closet. But this will usually be a one-night thing, never spoken of again.

9. Misogynistic culture

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The culture's known to have a theme of misogyny running through it. Some queens are nasty, rude and dismissive of non-male drag artists. Others performances/names include mocking and objectifying the female body. Anyone standing against these issues have been known to be blacklisted from gigs or events!

10. Dirty laundry

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So practically ALL drag wear is re-used. From clothing, shoes and jewelry, even down to wigs, makeup and brushes. Apparel is literally passed around from queen to queen. Whilst it's nice to share, with some items, you should probably draw the line...

11. A strain on relationships

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A drag performer has a LOT of stuff. Often, their houses look like there's an extra person living there. Often, their drag alter ego will have their very own separate wardrobe. Then add on the wigs, makeup, products and props. One person dating a drag queen said this "was honestly a strain on the relationship."

12. Bad attitudes

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Now, of course this does not apply to most queens!! But unfortunately, there are some nasty divas in the industry. One girl opened up about her drag friend constantly putting her down. He would constantly make cruel comments about her outfits and hairstyle choices.

13. Fake finales

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You know the huge build up at the end of RuPaul's Drag Race, when all the queens are a bag of nerves waiting to see who will win the crown? Well, it's all fake! The final episode is actually filmed multiple times, where each queen is crowned the winner! This is to stop the audience leaking the outcome.

14. Waiting game

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And that's not all! The actual queens themselves don't even find out who the winner is until we do! They wait to see which version is aired on TV and that's how they find out who the winner actually is. I can only imagine the dramas back stage watching this!

15. Pretty hurts

Image Source / nytimes.com

Imagine performing on TV amongst the top queens in the country. Sound glamorous? Well, in reality filming can take up to 11 hours, mostly spent on stage! They're tucked and they're in heels. Painful! Tucking is actually only safe for 4-8 hours. So it's no surprise this causes nausea, pain, fainting, sores and rashes!

16. Isolation

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Whilst the queens are in the competition, they have little to no contact with the outside world. There's a strict no phones policy on the set. So, if the queens need to communicate with the staff when inside their hotel room, they have to do so by posting notes under the door!

17. Loneliness

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Pursuing a career, or even a hobby, as a drag queen can be a very lonely place. Often, friends and family can be unsupportive. They may struggle to understand the passion, commitments and lifestyle. Because of this, queens end up having to learn to back themselves, sometimes travelling the country attending gigs alone.

18. Edited interactions

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So, we all know that reality TV is heavily biased and edited. This applies to RuPaul's Drag Race, too. One queen on the show said that when she watched her season back it was like "watching a different show". Reactions are misused, lines are said out of place and the context is completely changed!

19. Safety concerns

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For small time queens, they don't have the protection of top notch hotels, bodyguards or camera crew. Travelling to unknown cities, dressed in drag, can be a sure way to attract unwanted attention. Hate crimes and assault are all too familiar unfortunately, the queens are just trying to make some money and do what they love.

20. Money struggles

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Another struggle faced by small time or start up queens is the financial side! Drag takes a lot of work, commitment and money. It can be difficult to go at it properly whilst tackling a full time job. Plus, the costumes, wigs and props cost a fortune. If you're not booking regular gigs, you're gonna struggle. It's been told that queens can work for as little as $15 dollars per gig!

21. Food struggles

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This is an unspoken issue running through drag culture. There's an alarming number of queens struggling with body image and food issues. In some places, it's normalised to go without eating to fit into a costume, or go on crazy crash diets to achieve a certain body type.

22. Substance struggles

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Everybody loves an afterparty. But when these become a nightly event after every gig, then things can start to spiral. Some queens have spoken up about their issues with dr*g use, addiction and party culture within the drag scene. When they're feeling tired and flat the next day, they'll reach for another pick-me-up to get them through their next show.

23. Forced to sexualise themselves

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Not all queens want to perform or dress in a sexual way. Some queens want to stick to comedy, singing or acting. But unfortunately, sex sells! Queens have been known to be forced into situations they're not comfortable with, out of fear of losing their job or damaging their reputation.

24. Trans equality

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Back in 2012, RuPaul himself was close to being cancelled after his controversial comments about a trans contestant. He said he "probably wouldn't" have had the queen Peppermint on the show if he had known that she was transitioning. Throughout the drag scene, there are countless accounts of trans slurs and discrimination.

25. RuPaul backstage

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Behind the super polished appearance of RuPaul is six full hours and several artists working to get him ready. Ru has discussed how it takes him all day to perfect his drag look. And, this is with the help of stylists, makeup artists and hair dressers.

26. Contestants against time

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The contestants of Drag Race don't quite get this treatment or privilege. The queens are constantly running low on sleep, getting up at the crack of dawn and rehearsing all day. After this, they're actually only given 90 minutes to get into drag! Doesn't seem fair, right?

27. Comfort first

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Another double standard is as addressed earlier, queens are stood on stage for hours on end whilst highly uncomfortable. Meanwhile, it's been reported that RuPaul is dressed from the waist up. From the waist down, he's happily sitting in jogging bottoms behind the panel!

28. Criminal records

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Season four's Phi-Phi O'Hara was actually supposed to appear on season one of Drag Race. It later came out that she wasn't able to appear as she got arrested! She has said this was due to "stuff on her background". RuPaul didn't see a problem with this, so she was later invited onto season four.

29. Sexual assault

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Unfortunately, sexual assault is no rarity as a drag queen. Whilst walking around bars, performing or even on the street, some people seem to think queens are the people's property. A shocking amount of queens have been groped, verbally harassed or forcefully kissed.

30. Dodgy contracts

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When queens are desperate to make it big, they can be excited to finally land their first working contract. Unfortunately, a lot of these contracts do not have the queens best interest in mind, only money matters. Contracts have been known to exclude pensions, sick leave, holiday leave and do not cover large travel costs.