RuPaul’s Drag Race is notorious for its marriage of pop culture and drag. Whenever the show can throw a pun into a topical reference, it helps bring that spark to the campy art we know and love. During its seventh season, RuPaul invited eight of her best and brightest winners to compete for an all-winners season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. With such a heightened excitement already infused into the season, the show needed to keep audiences gagging. What better way to gag the fans than by gagging the queens!
During the third episode of the seventh season, the queens were tasked to compete in the infamous ball. The theme was The Realness of Fortune Ball. Inspired by Wheel of Fortune, each queen had to present three runway looks. One was to be designed and constructed in the Werk Room based on a city and color that they spun a wheel for. Another was called “Before and After,” inspired by the category from Wheel of Fortune. And the third was Vanna White Realness. For this look, they had to serve their best Vanna White-inspired drag. While some of the queens botched the execution, it didn’t really matter because when they turned the corner on the runway, there was the namesake, standing right before them.
Vanna White Had Them Gagging
The queens presented their best in the fashion-forward challenge, but the real prize in this challenge wasn’t the Legendary Legend Star. No, no. It was walking the runway before the legendary legend and star, Vanna White. As the queens turned the corner and saw Vanna White there in all her glory, the faces were almost as incredible as winning that final puzzle. Bringing that signature smile to the screen, the moment was one that certainly will be remembered. For many, it was pure shock and enjoyment, especially for Jinkx Monsoon, who was wearing nearly the same outfit. As White said, “This queen stole my look!” Jinkx Monsoon was grateful that they were twinning as black is normally not a typical Vanna White color. Others were in a bit of panic and despair, knowing that their interpretation was far from reality.
While some of the queens admitted they were not all too familiar with the pop culture icon, it was Jaida Essence Hall who put things into perspective as to how important Vanna White is to the mainstream media. She said, “Vanna White is probably the first white lady that has ever been in my household. We watched her every single day, so I know exactly how to serve her like it’s nobody else’s business. Would you like to solve my puzzle?”
Pop Culture Is A Major Part of Drag
When it comes to pop culture, it’s a major part of drag culture. The subversive art takes on political and social commentary, often using references from mainstream lexicon to make their statement. Even when used in a more comedic and campy manner, pop culture seeps through in glorious form. Just take a look at the “Before and After” runway from this particular episode. The queens were tasked to create a look with that concept in mind. Many of the queens were able to take pop culture references to provide concepts you could only see on the mainstage of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Yvie Oddly came out as “Cardi B. Arthur,” combining the rapper with The Golden Girls icon. Jinkx Monsoon united an infamous movie and Hollywood legend Jane Fonda in “Whatever Happened To Baby Jane Fonda?” “Bob the Drag Queen Elizabeth?” Only from the mind of Monet X Change. Drag Race fans live for this type of humor.
Drag Race may be at the forefront of mainstream media’s perception of the drag scene, but it does provide a glimpse into how drag is presented at a local level. Expect to go to a club and see a drag artist perform a mix featuring the latest hit track dressed as a pop culture icon to help tell a punny story. Having Vanna White on Drag Race was simply camp. Having the queens present to honor her contributions to pop culture was important. No other show could honor her in such fabulous fashion. RuPaul’s Drag Race airs Fridays at 8:00pm on MTV. RuPaul’s Drag Race and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars are available to stream on Paramount+.