RuPaul’s Drag Race is a global phenomenon and those who know about it will vouch for this statement. If you’re wondering what the hell I am talking about, here’s a little background.
RuPaul’s Drag Race is an Emmy award-winning reality show (currently airing season 12) which is basically a pageant for drag queens. But truthfully, it’s much more than that. It’s a complete package of drama, gossip, competition and entertainment. It starts off with a dozen of drag queens who fiercely compete with each other in every episode. One queen is eliminated in every episode until the winner is announced in the finale. The winner is showered with cash prizes as well as crowned as ‘America’s Drag Superstar’.
It’s intense and extremely addictive.
But if you’ve been a long time fan of the show (like I have), you will realize that behind all the glamour and campy-ness of drag, there’s SO MUCH to learn from these queens. When the contestants share their life stories while doing their make up for the runway, you can’t help but feel moved by their struggles and victories.
Life Lessons from RuPaul’s Drag Race
So, here are some of the life lessons that I think RuPaul’s Drag Race teaches us, the viewers, subtly or directly!
If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?
RuPaul ends every episode with this line which gets a resounding ‘Amen’ as a response from the contestants and the viewers at home. Sounds very cliché but it’s so true, isn’t it? If we all start loving ourselves, there’s so much we can do, get through and overcome. A lot of complications arise in our lives just because we aren’t confident is ourselves. Remember, you are all you’ve got and you have to make the most of it. Be yourself – flaws and all – and love yourself entirely. This might sound like it’s one of those ‘easier said than done’ things but if you manage to do it, you will get actual benefits from it that improve your well-being. You can read more about some science-backed reasons why loving yourself is important right here.
If you want to achieve something, you need to give it your all
“To win at life and to win in this competition, you have to be willing to die a thousand deaths and be reborn a thousand times.” – RuPaul
On Drag race, every contestant enters the first episode with a big dream and a bigger fighting spirit. They try, they fail and they try again. It’s the same thing in life – there will be ups and downs in everything you do. No one can escape it. There is absolutely no one in the world who hasn’t seen failure. Whatever it is that you want to achieve, make sure that you give it your best. Don’t let your efforts fall short. Do your best in the things and situations that are in your control. Leave the rest to destiny, fate, God or any other higher power you believe in.
Don’t take yourself too seriously
That is the key to navigating this life—don’t take it too seriously. That’s when the party begins. – RuPaul
When RuPaul goes up to every drag queen and asks them some questions before a challenge, he encourages each and every one to not take themselves too seriously. If you spend your life worrying and stressing, you might realize too late that you have barely been living. Life is short, so crack jokes, be weird, do fun stuff and don’t take everything (and yourself) too seriously.
Everyone has their own uniqueness
Biggest obstacle I ever faced was my own limited perception of myself. – RuPaul
In the 12 seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, there have been over 150 different drag queens who have participated in the show. Each one of them has their own skill set, talents and uniqueness. This show celebrates that and how! When you see so many different people (from various backgrounds) with different make up styles and over the top outfits, you realize just how beautiful diversity is and why it’s essential to understand that you are one of a kind. There is no one – I repeat, no one – in the world like you. That’s why you need to love yourself and embrace your uniqueness. It will be the most powerful thing that you’ll ever do.
It’s okay if you don’t win
At the end of the day, in a competition, there is only one winner (or two if it’s a tie!). In RuPaul’s Drag Race, even though the other queens don’t win the crown, they end up winning hearts. Many of them end up getting a lot of gigs and perform worldwide. Success doesn’t have to be all about winning, you can be successful even if you don’t win. Just keep at it, keep getting better at your craft and eventually, success will find its way to you. Losing is okay – it teaches you the best lessons that winning never could. As the wonderful Alyssa Edwards said, “Don’t get bitter, just get better.”
And there you have it! Some life lessons from a reality show (who would’ve thought, eh? 😉 ) If you’d like to watch the show, RuPaul’s Drag Race is currently streaming on Netflix.
Read more articles: Inspiring Quotes about Never Giving Up, Fulfilling Things to Do Before you Die and How to Deal with Criticism.
Hey Nicky, lovely article. There’s definitely lots to learn from any show born out of minority cultures. Rupaul’s Drag Race taught us to celebrate everyone for who they are, as well as listening and learning about others’ cultures and backgrounds. We’re so happy to see the US version of the show continuing to move forward by casting its first trans contestant in Gottmik this year. Hopefully it keeps pushing boundaries and setting an example for all!