DWV (group)

Last updated

DWV
Detox, William and Vicky Vox at Venue Nightclub in Houston, Tx. (8743144337).jpg
DWV in 2013
Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres
Years active2012–2014
Past members
Website willambelli.com

DWV was an American pop group based in Los Angeles, consisting of drag queens Detox, Willam Belli, and Vicky Vox. [1] They found fame with the release of "Chow Down (at Chick-Fil-A)" in March 2012, a parody of "Hold On" by Wilson Phillips, satirizing Chick-fil-A's controversial stance on gay marriage. [2] The single's music video went viral online. [3] [4] They followed this up with the January 2013 release of "Boy Is a Bottom", a parody of the Alicia Keys song "Girl on Fire", which proved to be even more popular, amassing 25.8 million views on YouTube, as of 2022. [5] [6] [7]

Contents

Between 2012 and 2014, DWV released seven singles together commercially, three of which charted on the Billboard Comedy Digital Songs chart. [8]

In June 2014, it was officially confirmed by all three members on social media platforms that the group had split. [9]

History

Drag Race beginnings

Willam Belli was a contestant on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race , which premiered in 2012 while Detox was a contestant on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, which premiered in January 2013. Vicky Vox has yet to make an appearance on Drag Race. The three queens began working together, releasing music, and touring as a group in 2012 following Willam's appearance on Drag Race. [10]

Viral success

In March 2012, DWV released their first collaborative single "Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A)" on Belli's personal YouTube channel. [2] The song, a parody of "Hold On" by Wilson Phillips satirizing Chick-fil-A's controversial stance on gay marriage, [2] went viral online. [3] [4]

In December 2012, DWV embarked on a 60-day world tour, promoting their singles throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and also in Dubai. [11] [12]

In January 2013, following up on the success of their first single, DWV released another music video, this time for their single "Boy Is a Bottom", coinciding with the premiere of the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, on which Detox was a contestant. The song is a parody of the Inferno version of Alicia Key's "Girl on Fire". The song features lyrics that satirize sex positions, specifically tops and bottoms during anal intercourse. [5] [6] The song proved to be even more popular than their previous single, amassing 25 million views on YouTube, as of 2021. [7]

In May 2013, DWV released "Silicone", alongside the premiere of the reunion episode of the RuPaul's Drag Race season five. [13] Written by Willam Belli, the song is a parody of Robyn's "Dancing On My Own". [13] The single marked the singing debut of Detox, who usually rapped verses in the group's songs rather than singing them. [13] It also is the first to have been released officially under the DWV group name. [13]

In 2013, DWV became the faces of a limited edition selection of OCC Makeup Lip Tar and & Nail Lacquer packs. [14] [15] [16]

In September 2013, DWV released another single called "Blurred Bynes", a parody of Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines". [17] The song pokes fun at Amanda Bynes' new image on social media including her hair, new breast implants, and her infamous tweet to Drake. [18] On 10 December 2013, DWV released a Christmas single, "That Christmas Song", using many elements of TLC's All That . [19] On March 8, 2014, they released another single and music video called "Gaycation". [20]

Between 2012 and 2014, DWV released seven singles together commercially, three of which charted on the Billboard Comedy Digital Songs chart. [8]

Breakup

In June 2014, rumors circulated on social media platforms that the trio had broken up and all three members addressed the situation, confirming that they had chosen to part ways due to conflicts between them. [9] Belli tweeted that DWV had broken up because "it was just time", Vox stated that "it was fun for a while", and Detox lamented feeling "piegon-holed" by the group. [21] Belli subsequently posted that "DMV is dead" on Facebook and explained further in a response on Tumblr:

We never planned stuff really and we just don’t have anything coming up. We were just friends putting songs out who then turned into DWV. I would think of something and then we’d round up and do it (exception- Chow Down we all thought of and Gaycation was De’s idea but we all wrote). We no longer have time to make stuff happen like we once did. That’s the reality of it. I think when people paid us to be the supergroup DWV for their own products, the ending result video wasn’t as whoreganic and fun as what we were known for.The last two years have been a whirlwind of unexpectedness that I wouldn’t trade for anything but I am looking forward to dealing with one tranimal instead of three for a while professionally. It’s just less variables and I’m a creative despot. [9]

Members

Willam Belli (born June 30, 1982) is an American actor, drag queen, and singer-songwriter from Philadelphia, based in Los Angeles. She first gained fame for her recurring role as a transgender woman named Cherry Peck in Ryan Murphy's television series Nip/Tuck . Willam achieved further prominence as a contestant on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2012, but was disqualified in the "Frenemies" challenge episode, marking the show's first disqualification. [22] In 2018, she appeared in the critically acclaimed film A Star Is Born . For her performance on the dark comedy web series EastSiders , she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series. [23] In June 2019, a panel of judges from New York magazine placed her ninth on their list of "the most powerful drag queens in America", a ranking of 100 former Drag Race contestants. [24]

Matthew Sanderson (born June 3, 1985), known mononymously as Detox, is an American drag queen and recording artist from Orlando, based in California. Detox was a contestant on season five of RuPaul's Drag Race, placing fourth, and also competed on the second season of All Stars , placing as a runner-up. Detox has appeared in music videos with Ke$ha and Rihanna and is a member of Chad Michaels' Dreamgirls Revue, the longest-running female-impersonation show in California. [25] In June 2019, a panel of judges from New York magazine placed her 14th on their list of "the most powerful drag queens in America", a ranking of 100 former Drag Race contestants. [26]

Vicky Vox is an American actor, drag queen, and singer-songwriter based in California. Vox is Detox's drag daughter. She is known for performing live instead of lip syncing. [27] In 2015, she played a supporting role in the 2015 feature film Magic Mike XXL . [27] She also has her own YouTube web series called The Vicky Vox Project, [28] and has performed on stage in a London production of Little Shop Of Horrors. [29]

Discography

Singles

YearSongPeak chart positionsAlbum
US Comedy Digital Songs [30]
2012"Chow Down" (Willam Belli featuring Detox & Vicky Vox)12 The Wreckoning
"Starfucker" (Willam Belli featuring Detox & Vicky Vox)—
2013"Boy Is a Bottom"6Non-album singles
"Silicone"—
"Blurred Bynes"5
"That Christmas Song"—
2014"Gaycation"—

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Courtney Act</span> Australian drag performer and recording artist (born 1982)

Shane Gilberto Jenek, better known under the stage name Courtney Act, is an Australian drag queen, singer and television personality. Courtney first came to prominence competing on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003. After the show, she signed to BMG Australia, and she released her debut single, "Rub Me Wrong", which peaked at No. 29 on the ARIA Singles Chart and eventually gained a gold certification. While auditioning for Australian Idol, she also became the first LGBTQ contestant to openly appear on a reality TV talent show. In 2014, Courtney was one of the runners-up in season six of RuPaul's Drag Race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willam Belli</span> American actor, drag queen, and recording artist

Willam Belli, mononymously known as Willam, is an American drag queen, actor, singer-songwriter, reality television personality, author, and YouTuber. Willam came to prominence as a contestant on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2012, but was disqualified in the "Frenemies" challenge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharon Needles</span> American drag queen and recording artist

Sharon Needles is the stage name of Aaron Robert Coady, an American drag performer and recording artist. A self-described "stupid genius, reviled sweetheart, and PBR princess", Needles rose to international attention on the fourth season of the Logo reality competition series RuPaul's Drag Race, where she quickly became a fan favorite and was subsequently crowned "America's Next Drag Superstar" in April 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manila Luzon</span> Filipino-American drag performer (born 1981)

Karl Philip Michael Westerberg, known professionally as Manila Luzon, is a Filipino-American drag queen, reality television personality, recording artist, and comedian. Luzon came to international attention as a contestant on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race and on the first and fourth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

<i>RuPauls Drag Race</i> (season 4) Season of television series

The fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on January 30, 2012, and aired its final episode on April 30 of the same year. The cast members were announced November 13, 2011. The winner of season four headlined Logo's Drag Race Tour featuring Absolut Vodka, and also won a one-of-a-kind trip, a lifetime supply of NYX Cosmetics, and a cash prize of $100,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shangela</span> American drag queen

Chantaize Darius Jeremy Pierce, better known by the stage name Shangela Laquifa Wadley or simply as Shangela, is an American drag queen, reality television personality, and actor best known for competing on RuPaul's Drag Race. Shangela was the first contestant eliminated in season two, and returned as a surprise contestant in the series' third season, placing sixth. She returned once again for the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars where she finished in joint-third/fourth place alongside winner of the first season, BeBe Zahara Benet. Shangela has also made several television appearances and regularly performs across the United States and Canada.

<i>The Wreckoning</i> (Willam Belli album) 2012 studio album by Willam Belli

The Wreckoning is the debut studio album by American drag queen Willam Belli, released on November 17, 2012. The album was self-released by Belli and was available exclusively on his website.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detox Icunt</span> American drag performer and recording artist

Matthew Dail Sanderson, better known by the stage name Detox Icunt or simply Detox, is an American drag performer and recording artist. Detox was a fixture of the Southern California drag scene before coming to international attention on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, as well as the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boy Is a Bottom</span> 2013 single by Willam Belli featuring Detox and Vicky Vox (DWV)

"Boy Is a Bottom" is a song by American singer and drag queen Willam Belli, featuring Detox and Vicky Vox (DWV). The song was released to coincide with the fifth season premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race. The original music video went viral. As of June 2021, the clip has been viewed over 25 million times since uploaded to YouTube on 28 January 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chow Down</span> Single by Willam Belli

"Chow Down " is a song by American singer and drag queen Willam Belli, featuring Detox and Vicky Vox—known collectively as DWV (Detox-Willam-Vicky), a take on the American R&B trio SWV. The song was released on March 18, 2012, following Willam's sudden elimination midway through the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Upon its release, the song's music video went viral online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alaska Thunderfuck</span> American drag performer and recording artist

Justin Andrew Honard, best known by the stage name Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 or mononymously as Alaska, is an American drag queen and singer from Erie, Pennsylvania. She is best known as the runner-up on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the winner of the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Latrice Royale</span> American drag queen

Timothy K. Wilcots, better known by the stage name Latrice Royale, is an American drag performer, recording artist, and reality television personality. She is best known for her appearances on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2012 and on the first and fourth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. She finished fourth on her original season; in its final episode, she was crowned Miss Congeniality. She placed fifth on the fourth season of All Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhea Litré</span>

Rhea Litré is an American drag queen, singer, songwriter, and DJ. She is a fixture in West Hollywood nightlife.

<i>RuPauls Drag Race</i> (season 6) Sixth season of RuPauls Drag Race

The sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing February 24, 2014. Like the fifth season, the season featured 14 contestants competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar". For the first time in the show's history, the season premiere was split into two episodes; the fourteen queens were split into two groups and the seven queens in each group competed against each other before being united as one group for the third episode.

<i>Shartistry in Motion</i> 2015 studio album by Willam Belli

Shartistry in Motion is the second studio album by American drag queen Willam Belli, released on June 2, 2015. The album was self-released by Belli but experienced a much wider release than his previous album, The Wreckoning (2012), and was made available to buy on iTunes and Amazon, and to stream on Spotify. Much alike Belli's debut album, Shartistry in Motion features a mixture of original songs and parodies. The album quickly became Belli's most successful album, debuting at number 1 on the Billboard Comedy Albums chart.

<i>Christmas Queens</i> 2015 compilation album by various artists

Christmas Queens is a Christmas album featuring classic covers and original songs by several of the contestants and fan favorites from the TV series RuPaul's Drag Race. The album was released on November 13, 2015.

<i>Christmas Queens 2</i> 2016 compilation album by various artists

Christmas Queens 2 is a holiday compilation album by various artists. It was released by Producer Entertainment Group on November 11, 2016. Consisting of 30 tracks, the album is a sequel to Christmas Queens (2015) and features RuPaul's Drag Race contestants alongside Jackie Beat, Michelle Visage, and Carnie Wilson performing mostly original material; exceptions include ensemble covers of "Deck the Halls" and "Auld Lang Syne, as well as Visage's rendition of "O Holy Night". The compilation was promoted by a music video for "Working Holiday", which features Alaska Thunderfuck and Manila Luzon, a web series entitled Christmas Queens, and a tour by various artists with December 2016 shows in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. It received mixed reviews from music critics and peaked at number two on Billboard's Comedy Albums chart.

<i>Poundcake</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Alaska Thunderfuck

Poundcake is the second studio album by American drag performer and recording artist Alaska Thunderfuck, released by Producer Entertainment Group on October 14, 2016. The album features RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Adore Delano, Gia Gunn, and Miss Fame, and drag performer Jackie Beat. "Puppet" was released as the lead single, and an accompanying music video was directed by Santiago Felipe. Music videos were also created for "The T", which features Adore Delano and other Drag Race competitors Coco Montrese, Katya, Tatianna, and Trixie Mattel, "Stun", which features appearances by Gia Gunn, Courtney Act, and Mariah Paris Balenciaga, as well as "Come to Brazil".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The AAA Girls</span> American drag queen supergroup

The American Apparel Ad Girls, commonly abbreviated as The AAA Girls, are a drag queen supergroup composed of Alaska Thunderfuck 5000, Courtney Act, and Willam Belli. On July 7, 2017 they released their debut extended play Access All Areas.

<i>Now Thats What I Call Drag Music, Vol. 1</i> 2018 studio album by Willam Belli

Now That's What I Call Drag Music, Vol. 1, also known as Songs in the Key of Nope, is a comedy album by American drag performer Willam Belli, self-released on October 26, 2018. The album features fellow RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Latrice Royale and Trixie Mattel, as well as drag performer Rhea Litré. In the United States, the album spent two weeks on Billboard's Comedy Albums chart, reaching a peak position of number four.

References

  1. ↑ "Dwv: Shhh...It'S A Show!". Spincyclenyc.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 Wong, Curtis (19 March 2012). "'Chow Down (At Chick-Fil-A),' Wilson Phillips Drag Spoof, Parodies Fast Food Chain's 'Anti-Gay' Controversy (VIDEO)". HuffPost. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  3. 1 2 Kinser, Jeremy (20 March 2012). "EXCLUSIVE: Willam Belli on Drag Queens Eating at Chick-Fil-A". The Advocate . Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  4. 1 2 Soloman, Brian (20 March 2012). "Chick-fil-A Even If You're Gay? Three Drag Queens Lampoon Company In Music Video". Forbes . Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  5. 1 2 Tungol, Jr (28 January 2013). "'Boy Is A Bottom' Music Video Parody From Drag Queens Of 'Chow Down (At Chick-Fil-A)' (VIDEO)". HuffPost. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  6. 1 2 Tharrett, Matthew (27 May 2013). "Willam Belli, Detox, And Vicky Vox Shut Down The Life Ball With "Boy Is A Bottom"". Queerty. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Boy Is A Bottom". YouTube. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  8. 1 2 "RuPaul Nets Highest Charting Album Ever, Plus A 'Drag Race' Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 "DWV Confirms Breakup: "It Was Fun For a While"". Dragaholic.com. Archived from the original on 22 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race: 20 Times The Real Cast Drama Happened Off-Screen". ScreenRant. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  11. ↑ "Willam Belli". Willam Belli. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  12. ↑ "DWV: Shh...It's a Show! Photos and More | The Laurie Beechman Theatre, New York City, NY". Theatermania.com. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "DWV Silicone Music Video | Detox | Willam Belli | Vicky Vox". homorazzi.com. 6 May 2013. Archived from the original on 8 May 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  14. ↑ "Detox, Willam And Vicky Fox Are The New Faces of OCC Makeup | Out Magazine". Out.com. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  15. ↑ Chris Spargo (28 April 2013). "Detox, Willam & Vicky Vox New Faces of OCC Makeup". NewNowNext. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  16. ↑ "OCC Makeup Lip Tar & Nail Lacquer Duos featuring Willam, Detox, and Vicky Vox". Temptalia.com. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  17. ↑ Nichols, James (11 September 2013). "DWV, Draq Queen Trio Featuring Detox, Willam And Vicky Vox, Release 'Blurred Bynes" (VIDEO)". HuffPost. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  18. ↑ Malec, Brett (11 September 2013). "Amanda Bynes Called Out by Drag Queens in Funny New "Blurred Lines" Music Video Parody". E Online. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  19. ↑ "DWV Releases Music Video For Their Holiday Single 'That Christmas Song'". dragofficial.com. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  20. ↑ Nichols, James (11 March 2014). "GAYCATION!". HuffPost. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  21. ↑ Tharrett, Matthew (18 June 2014). "Drag Group DWV Splits Amid Social Media Shade, Toss Each Other Under The Bus". Queerty. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  22. ↑ Dommu, Rose (8 June 2018). "Willam Finally Spills the Tea On His Drag Race Disqualification". Out (magazine). Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  23. ↑ "NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 47TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARDS" (PDF). theemmys.tv. National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences . Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  24. ↑ The Editors (10 June 2019). "The Most Powerful Drag Queens in America: Ranking the new establishment". New York . Archived from the original on 10 June 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.{{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  25. ↑ "See Chad Michaels Perform with the Dreamgirls Revue!". World of Wonder . 27 November 2012. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  26. ↑ The Editors (10 June 2019). "The Most Powerful Drag Queens in America: Ranking the new establishment". New York . Archived from the original on 10 June 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.{{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  27. 1 2 Podell, Michael; ContributorWriter (12 May 2016). "An Interview with Vicky Vox (She's an Entertainer, Bitch!)". HuffPost. Retrieved 21 July 2021.{{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  28. ↑ "21 questions with drag sensation Vicky Vox". Attitude.co.uk. 19 January 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  29. ↑ Earp, Catherine (29 September 2019). "Drag superstar Vicky Vox talks returning to the stage for Zeus On The Loose". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  30. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (6 March 2014). "RuPaul Nets Highest Charting Album Ever, Plus A 'Drag Race' Chart History". Billboard . Retrieved 8 March 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.