draggz 
Drag queens have been competing on RuPaul’s Drag Race since 2009, and it has since become an iconic reality show that celebrates the art of drag. However, lately, several drag queens have announced they are leaving the show, citing a variety of reasons. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at why drag queens are quitting RuPaul’s Drag Race, exploring the reasons behind their decisions and what it means for the future of the show.
The Pressure to Be Perfect
Competing on a reality TV show is no easy feat. Contestants are expected to perform at their absolute best, and all eyes are on them. In RuPaul’s Drag Race, this pressure to be perfect is only amplified. With each season, the looks on the runway become more advanced and fierce, and the clothes required to bring these looks to life are becoming increasingly more expensive. Not only do the queens need to possess exceptional sewing skills, they also have to demonstrate unwavering commitment to their artistry. This combination of talent and dedication can be difficult for many queens to balance, leading some to leave the competition prematurely.
The Emotional and Mental Strain
Some of the contestants have pre-existing anxiety that can be amplified when competing in such a high-pressure environment. With no time off from constant filming and no privacy, it can be difficult to cope with the stress of the show. Additionally, contestants have no access to the internet or their families for support, which can make it even harder to manage their mental and emotional wellbeing. Those who remain in the race report feeling overwhelmed by expectations, as well as isolated from those who don’t understand what they’re going through. Other contestants state that the judging panel’s decisions often feel arbitrary and unfair. In addition, editing can heavily alter how viewers perceive a contestant, making them feel misunderstood and misrepresented. The lack of control over one’s representation has caused some drag queens to regret being part of the competition altogether. It’s clear that the grueling process of competing on RuPaul’s Drag Race takes its toll, both physically and mentally. For this reason, some drag queens feel they must take a step back from the show to better take care of themselves.
The Financial Burden
Drag looks can be extremely expensive to create and maintain, and the expectations for contestants on RuPaul’s Drag Race are extremely high. The majority of drag queens hire designers to help them create runway looks and keep up with the show’s ever-evolving beauty standards. According to one drag queen who competed on season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, a runway package—which includes materials, accessories, and the cost of having a dressmaker—can easily exceed $50,000. As such, the financial investment of competing on the show can be huge—and it can become a particularly bad investment if a contestant is eliminated early in the season. This can create an additional strain on the contestants, as they have to weigh the risks and rewards of investing so much money into something that may not bring them very far in the competition.
Drag Queens Who Left the Show
Recently, Icesis Couture quit RuPaul’s Drag Race Canada vs the World because she was exhausted and emotionally drained. She also said she was on bad terms with the production crew as they had high expectations of her. Icesis had a lot to prove as she was the only winner in that cast. While most drag queens want to use this platform to promote themselves and make a living, Icesis chose to step away from it all for self-care.
Adore Delano quit All Stars 2 because of stressful life situations and very negative critiques from the judges. Adore felt she was cornered into doing only specific things the show wanted to see from her. She was also very hurt by Raven Symone’s critiques.
Baby from UK Season 4 quit because she couldn’t deal anymore with the frequent panic attacks. You can read more about that here: https://draggz.com/anxiety-crushes-dreams-baby-explains-why-she-quit/
BenDeLaCreme was a top performer on All Stars 3. She was loved by the judges and her fans. However, DeLa made the unexpected move of eliminating herself from the competition during the sixth episode of All Stars 3.
DeLa has stated that she struggled with the decisions she had to make and the high expectations on the show. Despite having a good relationship with the show, DeLa decided it was best for her mental health to leave the competition.
Laganja Estranja didn’t technically quit, however we saw how much she was struggling with anxiety. She didn’t have any means of calming herself, therefore she totally lost it. Laganja not being able to control her emotions made her quite uncomfortable around other contestants, which could be one of the reasons why people thought she should just quit.
So, what now?
Some people say the contestants are responsible for their decisions, as they chose to go on a reality tv show. However, the majority of drag queens don’t know what they are dealing with. Most people are not veterans when it comes to competing on a reality tv show. There is also added pressure of perfection, beauty, runway looks and performances. As Magnolia Crawford once said – it’s great exposure. Unfortunately, anxiety is a real thing and it creeps up on you, especially in stressful environments. Being filmed every single day and not knowing how you’ll be perceived by the public once the show is edited is very stressful. Luckily, the show has been helping contestants afterwards and that’s definitely the step in the right direction.
What do you think about drag queens quitting RuPaul’s Drag Race? Leave a comment! Let’s chat!
