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dontwritedown's review
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
2.5
I feel like I just read a 496 page ad for Rupaul's Drag Race.
When I picked this book up, I did not realize this was a collarboration with World of Wonder, I thought it was one journalist who happened to get all the key players involved and interviewed for behind the scenes secrets. But nope instead it is overly produced and heavily edited, which is a main reason why I don't really watch the show anymore.
As a result of this being a collaboration with WoW, many people who were pivotal in the early years of the show, do not get to tell their perspective, whether it be for valid social reasons or petty behind the scenes in-fighting. Notable names that I found mentioned a lot and helped form the show but not interviewed include: Santino Rice, Mathu Andersen, Phi Phi o'Hara, Sharon Needles, Tyra Sanchez, Delta Work, Willam Belli, Courtney Act, Carmen Carrera, Pearl Liason and probably more that I can't think of off the top of my head. As a result, you have page long segments devoted to what Willam did to get kicked off the show, without interviewing Willam and other odd stuff. It's very weird and jarring and out of place.
Would be nice to one day see these interviews combined with interviews with the people mentioned above to get the true story.
I love how the book also tries to sanitize or glosses over completely aspects of the show that didn't age well, like the mail message before "she done already had herses" and whatnot. It feels very sanitized and I thought drag was all about being nitty and gritty, so why is this book so polished and glossy?
It's just such a letdown.
When I picked this book up, I did not realize this was a collarboration with World of Wonder, I thought it was one journalist who happened to get all the key players involved and interviewed for behind the scenes secrets. But nope instead it is overly produced and heavily edited, which is a main reason why I don't really watch the show anymore.
As a result of this being a collaboration with WoW, many people who were pivotal in the early years of the show, do not get to tell their perspective, whether it be for valid social reasons or petty behind the scenes in-fighting. Notable names that I found mentioned a lot and helped form the show but not interviewed include: Santino Rice, Mathu Andersen, Phi Phi o'Hara, Sharon Needles, Tyra Sanchez, Delta Work, Willam Belli, Courtney Act, Carmen Carrera, Pearl Liason and probably more that I can't think of off the top of my head. As a result, you have page long segments devoted to what Willam did to get kicked off the show, without interviewing Willam and other odd stuff. It's very weird and jarring and out of place.
Would be nice to one day see these interviews combined with interviews with the people mentioned above to get the true story.
I love how the book also tries to sanitize or glosses over completely aspects of the show that didn't age well, like the mail message before "she done already had herses" and whatnot. It feels very sanitized and I thought drag was all about being nitty and gritty, so why is this book so polished and glossy?
It's just such a letdown.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
tylerraustin's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting read for avid fans of drag race, but if you are an avid fan of drag race you likely know a lot of this already. I thought there might be some insider scoop/juicy details, but it was created in collaboration with world of wonder so I guess it makes sense that there wouldn’t really be anything scandalous in it.
It was a bit too long. The first ten chapters (most of the book) each focus on the first ten seasons, and then a brief discussion of all stars and drag race UK is thrown in at the end. I personally would’ve preferred they edit down the chapters about each season and delve a bit more into international expansions beyond just UK. Still, it was nice to read a book about one of my favorite tv series.
It was a bit too long. The first ten chapters (most of the book) each focus on the first ten seasons, and then a brief discussion of all stars and drag race UK is thrown in at the end. I personally would’ve preferred they edit down the chapters about each season and delve a bit more into international expansions beyond just UK. Still, it was nice to read a book about one of my favorite tv series.
hollywood's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
2.0