We discuss both on this week’s episode of WHO’s TV podcast, Binge List.
This franchise has fast become an obsession for a lot of people, in fact it’s event television in certain places. When I was in LA, I witnessed West Hollywood literally come to a stop as everyone would watch first run episodes in the bars.
But the show is not just popular in the places you might expect. Now it’s not so unusual to hear someone’s suburban grandmother talking about throwing shade.
The Holi-Slay Spectacular should be an excellent taster for fans before the fourth All Stars season. And there looks likely to be some Christmas surprises in store, as word has it RuPaul is sitting on a secret and a half.
The lineup for the special includes old favourites Eureka O’Hara, Jasmine Masters, Kim Chi, Latrice Royale, Mayhem Miller, Shangela, Sonique and Trixie Mattel.
On All Stars we have Monét X Change, Latrice Royale, Trinity Taylor, Farrah Moan, Valentina, Monique Heart, Jasmine Masters, Naomi Smalls, Gia Gunn, and Manila Luzon.
I’m a huge Latrice fan so I’m psyched that she’s got a chance at the crown again.
It’s interesting to see Gia Gunn back since she’s transitioned. RuPaul recently got in trouble for musing in The Guardian that trans performers possibly weren’t in the spirit of drag, which he apparently felt was fundamentally about gender illusion rather than gender identity.
'You can identify as a woman and say you’re transitioning, but it changes once you start changing your body,' he told the paper. 'It takes on a different thing; it changes the whole concept of what we’re doing.'
After some backlash, RuPaul apologised and nuanced his stance, which seems appropriate since trans performers have always been a presence in the history of drag.
But despite that apology, Gia has seemingly been shady towards Ru on Twitter recently, inflaming speculation about how the pair will get on during this season of All Stars.
We don’t have long now to find out for sure! So get ready for plenty of drama, deadly death drops, and cues from Mamma Ru to check out her latest on iTunes.