Generation Drag

Last updated
Generation Drag
Generation Drag.png
GenreDocumentary
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers Tyra Banks
Jasmine Stodel
Clinton Irey
Hayley Lozitsky
David St. John
Rob Schwarze
Ollie Brack
Producer Monkey Kingdom
Production company Discovery+
Original release
ReleaseJune 1, 2022 (2022-06-01)

Generation Drag is a television series produced by Tyra Banks for Discovery+. [1] The show features children ages 12 to 17 preparing for a drag ball along with their families. Reception to the show has been mixed; while some groups have praised the premise, others have criticized it and have made accusations of grooming. The show premiered on June 1, 2022. [2]

Contents

Background and production

The Dragutante drag ball was created in March 2019 by Robin Fulton, the mother of one of the contestants on the show. [3] [4] On April 26, 2022, a Deadline Hollywood exclusive announced the upcoming series. [1] The series was produced by Monkey Kingdom, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal International Networks, along with Cat Fight Productions and Banks' production company Bankable Productions. [5] Banks was listed as the executive producer along with Jasmine Stodel, Clinton Irey, Hayley Lozitsky, David St. John, Rob Schwarze, and Ollie Brack. [1]

Premise and performers

The series, "which follows five teens as they get ready for an iconic drag showcase", shows performers and their families as they prepare for Dragutante, which is held in Denver, Colorado. [6] [7] In a press release, Banks stated:

"I have such admiration and respect for these teens. They are bravely navigating coming into their own in a world that can be very challenging and not always accepting. What is so beautiful is seeing their parents and siblings supporting them. These teens' laser-focused tenacity inspires my team and me and we are honored to share their stories. I can't wait for these popping personalities to show their fierceness to the world." [8]

Following are the names and ages of the performers at time of filming: [9]

ContestantDrag nameAge
BaileyNemo15
JamesonOphelia Peaches17
NabelaDunkashay Monroe12
NoahPoptart16
VinnyVinessa Shimmer12

Release

The series was released on the Discovery+ streaming platform on June 1, 2022, the first day of Pride Month. [12] All six episodes were released the same day. [12] The release was included as part of the platform's new hub called Always Proud, which features LGBT content. [13] Other series released on the platform with Generation Drag included Trixie Motel with Trixie Mattel, and The Book of Queer . [13]

No.TitleRelease date
1Born This WayJune 1, 2022
2Raising QueensJune 1, 2022
3A Family That Slays TogetherJune 1, 2022
4Just Be a QueenJune 1, 2022
5A Wig and a PrayerJune 1, 2022
6Getting a Little Bit SparklyJune 1, 2022

Reception

Reception for the show has been mixed. Writing for The Daily Beast , Jordan Julian stated, "...these inspiring kids [are] trailblazing against hate". [9] Collider writer Tamera Jones stated the series "...will be full of not just glamor and sparkles but heart." [14] Queerty stated the ball gives the children "a safe space to be their own drag superhero." [15] Writing for The Advocate , Rachel Shatto stated the series was "heartfelt" and "feels both like a balm and a spark of hope." [16] Screen Rant's Gina Wurtz wrote, "The new reality series will undoubtedly help other teens in the community feel seen and accepted. It will also open conversations and help parents better understand their children." [17]

Criticism

After the series' announcement in late April, conservative media and individuals were largely critical. Politician Lauren Boebert stated the show amounted to "grooming" since it features children. [18] She retweeted a tweet by Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik with the caption "Siri, define grooming." [18] The Advocate stated the tweet is "in keeping with the right’s current — deeply cynical and homophobic — midterm strategy of equating anything LGBTQ-related to grooming and pedophilia." [18]

Christian Broadcasting Network writer Billy Hallowell wrote a highly critical review, stating "This tragic move [to create the show] comes amid increased debate over the impact of LGBTQ content on children. This series ups the ante on Hollywood’s presentation of such content and continues the cultural narrative of pushing back against biblical truths and norms." [19] Jay W. Richards of The Heritage Foundation told The Christian Post "Anyone that has seen a drag queen performance recognizes that it's usually a flamboyant and highly caricatured treatment of femininity and also highly sexualized. So the very idea that you would have any kind of drag for young kids, I think it's just absolutely outrageous." [20]

Bobby Burack of Outkick wrote, "Good to see Discovery trying to follow in the footsteps of Cuties on Netflix, another perverted show that sexualizes minors." [21] The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property started a petition to have the series cancelled which was signed by over 7,600 supporters. [22]

Townhall writer Madeline Leesman called the show "moral decay", while political commentator Debra Soh stated the show would feature the contestants "pouting and gyrating while wearing little clothing" and compared the experience to a child beauty pageant. [23] [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drag queen</span> Entertainer dressed and acting with exaggerated femininity

A drag queen is a person, usually male, who uses drag clothing and makeup to imitate and often exaggerate female gender signifiers and gender roles for entertainment purposes. Historically, drag queens have usually been gay men, and have been a part of gay culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hedda Lettuce</span> American drag queen, comedian and singer

Hedda Lettuce is the stage name of Steven Polito, an American drag queen, comedian and singer who lives and works in New York City. Polito debuted his character Hedda Lettuce in 1991 on the Manhattan Cable TV show The Brenda and Glennda Show. Lettuce's appearances include MTV, Comedy Central, The People's Court and a cameo on Sex and the City as Samantha's ex-beau turned Bingo Drag impersonator. Lettuce's film appearances include To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar; Cruise Control, The Look, Red Lipstick, and Musical Chairs.

Drag is a performance of exaggerated femininity, masculinity, or other forms of gender expression, usually for entertainment purposes. Drag usually involves cross-dressing. A drag queen is someone who performs femininely and a drag king is someone who performs masculinely. Performances often involve comedy, social satire, and at times political commentary. The term may be used as a noun as in the expression in drag or as an adjective as in drag show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ball culture</span> Black and Latino LGBT subculture in the United States

The Ballroom scene is an African-American and Latino underground LGBTQ+ subculture that originated in New York City. Beginning in the late 20th century, Black and Latino drag queens organized their own pageants in opposition to racism experienced in established drag queen pageant circuits. Though racially integrated for the participants, the judges of these circuits were mostly white people. While the initial establishment of Ballroom mimicked these drag queen pageants, the inclusion of gay men and trans women would transform the Ballroom scene into what it is today: a multitude of categories in which all LGBTQ+ people may participate. Attendees "walk" these categories for trophies and cash prizes. Most participants in Ballroom belong to groups known as "houses", where chosen families of friends form relationships and communities separate from their families of origin, from which they may be estranged.

<i>I Like to Watch</i> 2019 American web series

I Like to Watch is a 2019 American web series hosted by drag queens Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova. The series was created by Netflix, and streams on the company's YouTube channel. I Like to Watch films its hosts as they view and react to various Netflix Original Programming and licensed films streaming on Netflix. The first season aired from November 21, 2019, to March 21, 2020. A second season, recorded in the duo's homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, premiered on May 23, 2020. The third season, still recorded from home but with the hosts together in person before moving to a new set, premiered on February 20, 2021. The series won a People's Voice Webby Award in 2022. In 2023 the series won a Bronze Anthem Award in the Awareness & Media categories for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trixie Mattel</span> American drag queen and musician (born 1989)

Brian Michael Firkus, better known by the stage name Trixie Mattel, is an American drag queen, television personality, and singer-songwriter originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is known for her exaggerated, high-camp style and blend of comedy and acoustic pop. In 2015 she competed on the seventh season of the drag competition RuPaul's Drag Race, where she finished in 6th place. In 2018, she went on to win the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katya Zamolodchikova</span> American drag queen (born 1982)

Brian Joseph McCook, known by his drag persona Yekaterina Petrovna Zamolodchikova, or mononymously as Katya, is an American drag queen, actor, author, recording artist, and comedian. Katya is best known for placing fifth on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race and placing as a runner-up on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, as well as for appearing in the World of Wonder web series UNHhhh and the Viceland series The Trixie & Katya Show with co-host and fellow season 7 alum Trixie Mattel. Trixie and Katya often appear together as a popular comedy duo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob the Drag Queen</span> American drag queen, comedian, and musician

Christopher Delmar Caldwell, known by his stage name Caldwell Tidicue, and better known as his drag name Bob the Drag Queen, is an American drag queen, comedian, actor, activist, musician, and reality television personality. He is best known for winning the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. As of 2020, he has more than one million followers on Instagram and was the first Black Drag Race queen to reach the milestone. After Drag Race, he pursued acting, appearing in television shows such as High Maintenance (2016), Tales of the City (2019), and A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019). In 2020, he began co-hosting We're Here on HBO alongside fellow Drag Race contestants Eureka O'Hara and Shangela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal LaBeija</span> American drag queen, trans woman, founder of the House of LaBeija

Crystal LaBeija was an American drag queen and trans woman who co-founded the House of LaBeija in 1968. The House is often credited as starting the house system in ball culture. She became a mother figure for homeless LGBTQ youth.

UNHhhh is an American comedy web series starring drag queens Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova. In the series, Trixie and Katya discuss a topic humorously in front of a green screen. UNHhhh premiered on March 25, 2016, one year after Mattel and Zamolodchikova appeared in the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race. The show is aired through World Of Wonder's YouTube channel, as well as through its video-on-demand service WOW Presents Plus. UNHhhh has been nominated for ten Streamy Awards throughout its run, winning Unscripted Series at the 2020 ceremony, which the duo also hosted.

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Jared Johnson, best known by the stage name Jaida Essence Hall, is an American drag queen and reality television personality best known for winning the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, and later returning to compete on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, an all-winners season. Since her season aired in 2020, Hall has been a staple of several domestic and international tours that feature Drag Race contestants, including Werq the World, A Drag Queen Christmas, and Drive 'N Drag. In October 2020, Johnson was a featured performer in Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Fashion Show Vol. 2.

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References

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