The Top 9 Drag Queens In The USA Bring The Drama, Outrageousness And Sheer Fabulosity As They Battle It Out To Become The Next RuPaul
RuPaul has pushed the boundaries of popular culture on an international level as a recording artist (“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” duet with Elton John, “Supermodel: You Better Work”), as a television talk-show host (“The RuPaul Show” on VH1) and as an actor (“The Brady Bunch,” “Too Wong Foo…” “Starrbooty”). As the first-ever spokesperson for M.A.C Cosmetics’ VIVA Glam Campaign, RuPaul contributed to raising millions of dollars to the M.A.C AIDS Fund. Now RuPaul is breaking new ground as the host, mentor and judge of this one-of-a-kind reality competition. Playing a dual role, RuPaul, in full glamazon drag, will reign supreme in all judging and eliminations, while the debonair Mr. RuPaul will help guide the contestants as they prepare for each challenge. Challenges will range from photo shoots, to fashion designing, to real woman makeovers, to performing with RuPaul in the first music video from RuPaul’s upcoming album, “Champion.”
“Tell Tyra that the Queen has returned, and while you’re at it have Heidi clear the runway. I’m going to pump some ‘realness’ into reality,” said RuPaul. “To be a winner on this show the contestants need to be a fashion designer, an American idol, and a top model all rolled up into one. And they definitely have to be smarter than a fifth grader.”
While “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will take a look at the outrageous world of drag, it will also reveal the courage, perseverance and humanity of 9 men who have overcome and endured the hardships of a masculine dominated society that mocks and makes fun of men who act like women. Not only will viewers get a bird’s eye view of what it takes for these chameleons to transform themselves but they will also take away the secrets of the artistry of drag.
The eight, one-hour episode series “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has gathered the next generation of outrageous, up-and-coming drag queens to fight for the title. Each cast member must embody the charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent that made, RuPaul an international drag superstar. Each week, joining RuPaul on the judges panel are fashion journalist and best-selling author Merle Ginsberg and Project Runway breakout star and designer Santino Rice plus a bevy of celebrity guest judges including: Bob Mackie (Designer), Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child), Lucy Lawless (actress), Maria Conchita Alonso (actress/singer), Robin Antin (creator of The Pussycat Dolls), Debra Wilson (Mad TV), Jenny Shimizu (model/actress), Tori Spelling (actress), Dean McDermott (actor), Howard Bragman (Author of, “Where’s My Fifteen Minutes?”) Frank Gatson (choreographer) and Gordon Espinet (M.A.C VP of Makeup Artistry.) The judges will determine the bottom two contestants of the week. Those contestants then compete in a show-stopping battle-royal “lip-synch for your life” performance that will determine if they will “shante” and stay or “sashay” away.
“RuPaul made history as drag’s first glamour superstar and will do so once again bringing together a group of exceptionally talented drag artists in the world’s first drag reality series,” said Brian Graden, President, MTV Networks Music Group Entertainment and President, Logo.
“RuPaul is back, and better than ever,” says Barbato. “RuPaul first took the world by storm when Clinton was in the White House. Now, in the new Obama era, the time is right for RuPaul to reign supreme once again.”
In the end, only one will have what it takes to win the coveted title of America’s next drag queen superstar, and a prize package that includes a nationally sponsored ABSOLUT(R) Vodka “Real Fruit” tour, a cash prize of $20,000 courtesy of ABSOLUT(R) Vodka and M.A.C Cosmetics, supply of M.A.C Cosmetics, a feature photo spread in Paper Magazine and a photo taken by renowned photographer Greg Gorman to be used in an l.a. Eyeworks legendary designer eyewear campaign.
Following are the 9 “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestants:
– Akashia — Cleveland, OH
– Bebe Zahara Benet — Minneapolis, MN
– Jade — Chicago, IL
– Nina Flowers — Denver, CO
– Ongina — Los Angeles, CA
– Rebecca Glasscock — Ft. Lauderdale, FL
– Shannel — Las Vegas, NV
– Tammie Brown — Los Angeles, CA
– Victoria Parker — Raleigh, NC
RuPaulsDragRace.com will stream the first episode simultaneous to the series on air premiere Monday, February 2, and will be home to exclusive video content throughout the season. Additionally, each episode will be available on RuPaulsDragRace.com every week following its on-air premiere.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” and its casting website demonstrate Logo’s commitment to reach new levels of engagement with its audience. Examples of this multi-platform approach to entertainment include the site for Logo’s hit animated series, “Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World” at HappiestGayCouple.com and the upcoming “NewNowNext Awards,” airing on-air, online and on mobile devices. Logo continues to be the number one aggregator of content for the LGBT audience with its growing library of online video on LOGOonline.com and its affiliated websites AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com, Downelink.com and 365gay.com.* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/top-9-drag-qu…
Is niece’s boyfriend gay?
Dear Amy: My dear 19-year-old niece, “Laura,” is in love with a terrific guy, “Franklin.” I recently met him and he’s definitely sweet and fun and shares all her interests. They are truly best friends. What’s not to love?
Well, I’m very suspicious that Franklin is gay, but in denial.
I’ve known a number of gay people in my life and my gaydar is pretty accurate. Laura, on the other hand, is a small-town girl and pretty naive in this regard.
If this were a “Will & Grace” friendship with all the cards on the table, or if Laura were a gay nephew, I would welcome Franklin into our family with open arms.
As it is, I fear that if I’m right (and maybe I’m not, of course), their marriage would end in devastating heartbreak.
I would blame myself if I ignored all the pink flags and let it happen.
I could talk to Laura’s mother about this, but if she asked, “What can I do?” I would not have any idea.
ANGUISHED AUNTIE
See answer @ Is niece’s boyfriend gay?
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/12/is-nieces-boy…
Who Will Save America’s Gay Hockey Team?
QUEERTY REPORTS — Like a burning forest fire, the global financial panic is burning everything in its path; businesses are folding, workers are being laid off, and now the burning embers of recession threaten to melt the ice for GForce, America’s national LGBT hockey team.
The team, made up of LGBT athletes from L.A., New York, Atlanta, Denver, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and elsewhere across the country lost their sponsors this year — and the team’s continued existence is in peril.
“We were saddened but not surprised that our private philanthropists and corporate sponsors pulled out this year,” David Farber, one of the team’s centers, tells Queerty. “With a hard fought political campaign, Prop 8, and a severe economic downturn we were expecting to lose some sponsorship, but not all of it! We are now looking to non-corporate sponsors and grassroots support to help keep this great non-profit alive and spread the message of GForce.”
See Who Will Save America’s Gay Hockey Team?
Queerty, NY -
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/12/who-will-save…
