"Despite the triumph of Drag Race France, performers find themselves in a precarious situation, juggling stress and glamour while awaiting fair compensation"
In the vibrant world of drag, France is making a significant mark. The once niche entertainment is no longer confined to LGBT venues, with large companies hiring drag artists for seminars that blend entertainment with reflection on the inclusion of queer people. This evolution is particularly evident in the upcoming season of Drag Race France, which resumes on July 10 on France 2, featuring an "all stars" edition with ten former contestants from the first three seasons.
The competition, available on France.tv and France 2, will also be broadcast simultaneously on WOW Presents Plus in the US and select territories. Among the contestants vying for the title are Elips, Kam Hugh, La Big Bertha, Magnetica, Mami Watta, Misty Phœnix, Moon, Piche, Punani, Soa de Muse, and Soa de Muse, who also competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars.
The winner of season 1, Paloma, has been a chronicler in Quotidien and will soon release her first feature film. Another season 1 contestant, Lova Ladiva, performs regularly in France and Europe, and recalls a time when drag queens were hardly recognized and had to fight to exist.
Drag artists are now invited to the opening ceremony of the Paris Games and fashion show runways, reflecting the growing acceptance and recognition of the art form. However, not all drag queens enjoy the same exposure, with rarely-raced drag queens facing racist clichés and being less solicited, even within the community.
This is a sentiment shared by drag kings, who are not represented in Drag Race France. Despite a lack of visibility and persistent clichés, drag kings have formed a collective to help each other with administrative tasks and encourage getting paid per gig. Miroslav Toi Les Mains, a drag king, earns between 400 and 1,000 euros per month and plans to take on a part-time job.
Abyce, a drag performer in Amiens, primarily earns money through audience contributions, also known as the "hat". Abyce performs a "precarious and political drag" and believes that they couldn't live off their art in Amiens. Armand Songe, a member of the Parisian association Kings Factory, observes a growing desire among local scenes to structure themselves to be recognized as legitimate artists.
As the industry professionalizes, some drag queens are now being supported in their careers by agencies. Lula Strega, a season 3 finalist, earns between 500 euros and 3,000 euros per month, mainly on Parisian stages. Cookie Kunty spent 20,000 euros on costumes for season 2 of "Drag Race France".
However, Lula Strega summarizes that drag is still an economy in development and that media exposure exposes them to violent criticism. Ruby On The Nail, another season 3 finalist, sees the show as a "buffer" that reassures venues and event organizers about the growing interest in drag.
The French adaptation of the American show RuPaul's Drag Race has been gaining a growing audience, with season 3 attracting over 11 million viewers in 2024, which is 4 million more than the first one. As the art form continues to grow and evolve, it's clear that the future of drag in France is bright and full of potential.
- In the realm of drag, France is making a substantial impact, transcending the boundaries of niche entertainment.
- Large corporations are hiring drag artists for seminars that unite entertainment with discussions on queer inclusion.
- The upcoming season of Drag Race France, airing on July 10 on France 2, features an "all stars" edition with former contestants from the first three seasons.
- The competition will be available on France.tv and France 2, as well as WOW Presents Plus in the US and select territories.
- Among the contestants vying for the title are Elips, Kam Hugh, La Big Bertha, Magnetica, Mami Watta, Misty Phœnix, Moon, Piche, Punani, Soa de Muse, and Soa de Muse, who also competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars.
- The winner of season 1, Paloma, has been a chronicler in Quotidien and will soon release her first feature film.
- Another season 1 contestant, Lova Ladiva, performs regularly in France and Europe, reminiscing about a time when drag queens were scarcely recognized and had to fight for existence.
- Drag artists are now invited to the opening ceremony of the Paris Games and fashion show runways, indicating the increasing acceptance and recognition of the art form.
- However, not all drag queens receive equal exposure, with infrequently-raced drag queens facing racial stereotypes and being less solicited, even within the community.
- This issue also affects drag kings, who are unrepresented in Drag Race France and battle persistent clichés.
- Despite a lack of visibility, drag kings have formed a collective to assist each other with administrative tasks and encourage equitable pay per gig.
- Miroslav Toi Les Mains, a drag king, earns between 400 and 1,000 euros per month and plans to take on a part-time job.
- Abyce, a drag performer in Amiens, primarily earns money through audience contributions, also known as the "hat."
- Abyce performs a "precarious and political drag" and believes they couldn't live off their art in Amiens.
- Armand Songe, a member of the Parisian association Kings Factory, observes a growing desire among local scenes to structure themselves to be recognized as legitimate artists.
- As the industry professionalizes, some drag queens are now being supported in their careers by agencies.
- Lula Strega, a season 3 finalist, earns between 500 euros and 3,000 euros per month, mainly on Parisian stages.
- Cookie Kunty spent 20,000 euros on costumes for season 2 of "Drag Race France."
- However, Lula Strega notes that drag is still an emerging economy and that media exposure can lead to harsh criticism.
- Ruby On The Nail, another season 3 finalist, views the show as a "buffer" that reassures venues and event organizers about the growing interest in drag, boosting its future in France.
