As drag has gotten more mainstream, its gotten further from its DIY rootsand performing on the biggest stage is becoming prohibitively expensive. But the cost of materials still adds up. Winning a maxi challenge now nets a $5,000 cash prize, but that only began in Season 12 in 2020; before that, it was gift certificates for wigs and jewelry, and, eventually, in Season 11, nice vacations. Not every dedicated viewer is a fan of the shiftand not every queen who appears on the show can keep up. I spent more on this competition than I did on college, Cracker replies solemnly, and a moment of silence falls over both queens. ), Mondo Guerra at work on Crystal Methyd's Drag Race Season 12 finale look. RuPaul herself was reported to make $50,000 per episode all the way back in 2013. However, the serious money making happens postseason, which is the gift that keeps on giving. When I went to Drag Race, I actually had only 33 cents in my bank account the day I showed up, she said in an episode of Gap Chat, her Wow Presents streaming show. Well, if you'd ask some of the queens that have sashayed their way onto the "werkroom" themselves, the highly sought after opportunity to compete on Drag Race is quite the pretty penny. Trixie Mattel, one of Drag Races most blessed and booked bitches (to use the term of art), has put out three albums, gone on tour, and been the subject of a Netflix documentary. However, the lead gets an impressive payoff. How Much Do Contestants On RuPaul's Drag Race Make Per Episode? This is where the charisma really pays off. HBOs excellent series Were Here centered around Eureka, Bob, and Shangela. Whereas some girls spent 20, 30, 40, even $50,000 on garments, Heidi said. (You just need to wear a suit!) Still, its a start. (Above: never-before-seen footage of Sasha Velour trying on her faux fur runway outfit in her Brooklyn bathroom before going on the show. I took a loan out against my asshole to get here, Cracker says, and Kameron snort-laughs. Copyright @ 2000 to 2022 Reality Blurred LLC and individual contributors, reality TV reviews, news, and analysis since 2000, The Mole behind the scenes: how it was produced, Desi Williams on her DQ, rules, theft, and more: not everything in The Challenge is fair, How The Amazing Race started: an oral history of CBSs first race around the world, interviews with producers and reality stars. The queens came with costumes they'd made themselves and rarely breached the costly pricey of contestants nowadays. Uncategorized. Photos via VH1, I know a lot of those girls have never sewn before, Tom Fitzgerald said. Meet the cast of 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' season 1, including Cheryl Hole, Blu Hydrangea, Crystal, Baga Chipz, and more fabulous British drag queens! Together, Bolte and Petersen have also cast unscripted reality shows like "Million Dollar Listing" and "Say . Similarly, RuPaul herself openly chastised competitor, Joe Black on the second season of the show's UK spin-off. Naturally, we're all wondering who the 12 new contestants are - well, technically 11 new, 1 old - and cannot wait to see them serve some sassy . Branman told VICE that one of his custom leotards costs anywhere from $150$500, depending on the complexity of the pattern. Brooke Lynn Heights, 2019's US runner-up, shares ALL the behind-the-scenes info you need to know. Dont waste my time. Today, I review and recommend reality shows, documentaries, and nonfiction entertainment; analyze news and report from behind the scenes; and interview people who create and star in reality TV shows. Social and financial marginalization forced drag artists to be creative. Latrice Royale was ranked in the tenth position on the list. In spite of some of the more conservative numbers quoted, it appears to me that some contestants on RuPauls Drag Race are very likely spending upwards of $15$20,000 on their wardrobes but winners are not necessarily spending the most money on their wardrobes, or splurging on a bunch of custom pieces. Oh! the second mermaid, Kameron Michaels, replies knowingly. The queens are exclusive to Drag Race for 24 months after their last episode airs. Contestants on the Drag Race get paid by episode. I was like, If I go and get eliminated first, at least I can say I was on it, get a couple gigs, get an increased booking fee, and keep working. If youre not talented, if youre not funny, if you cant sing, you cant dance, your drag is basic baby, you shouldnt go.. Meet The Contestants Of RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 3 - Glamour UK Popular Days. It's not necessarily unusual for participants in a competition show to be paid meager wagers. The outlet also notes that participants in "The Bachelor" franchise don't get paid at all. Though we do not know exactly how much 60 Days In participants are paid, we do know that the A&E show also pays money to the prison to film there. Here's How Much Married at First Sight Contestants Get Paid - So Dramatic! Not only did Season 14 provide an increased grand prize for the winning drag queen, but it also added a runner-up prize of $50,000, according to Entertainment Weekly. (The pandemic decimated live entertainment, including drag performances.) As the shows profile has grown, so too, it seems, has the budget needed to feel competitive. Bigger builds are in the $1,200$1,400 range, and season finaleworthy looks start at $2,400. It was created in 2000 byAndy Dehnart, who's still writing and publishing it today. Contestants can also compete in other challenges that allow them to earn prizes like immunity, a lifetime supply of high-end makeup or even a vacation. On May 1, 2009, the casting website for the series opened, allowing prospective contestants to create user profiles and upload videos of themselves to be voted on by viewers; the applicant collecting the most votes being invited to become a contestant of the second season. According to a contract obtained by Reality Blurred, cast members are paid $400 per episode that they appear in. (Meanwhile, because of British TV standards, Drag Race UK contestants dont win cash prizes at all.). I don't think having money is a bad thing. The stakes are just higher.". The process, however, is different: potential contestants for season 11have to answer dozens of questions first, ranging from How did you get your drag name? to Who would you do on Snatch Game? before theyre sent the Participant Agreement, the document you see below. Photo: Santiago Felipe. If a queen returns in an additional season, such as Shangela . ET and 2:45 p.m. PT . She also took part in the first and fourth seasons of 'RuPaul's Drag Race: All-Stars.' In 2019, a panel of judges from New York magazine compiled a list of the 100 most powerful drag queens in America by ranking former 'Ru Paul's Drag Race' contestants. But at what cost? I spent close to $20,000 just on supplies, fabrics, and wigs and designers and whatnot, and didnt win! Every time you travel somewhere, you're spending money; every time you plan a new show, anytime you go to a DragCon or somethingeverywhere you go, everything you do, you are spending money., Yvie Oddly wearing an outfit to DragCon that led to fan backlash. Girl. But contestants on Survivormake about $2,500 in the beginning, plus there is a big payout for first, second and third place winners. Even to just pay for the suitcases to get there was stressful., Contestants may go on Drag Race hoping to strike gold, but before the lucky few get to that point, theyll be paid a per-episode rate of just a few hundred dollars for two to three long days of filming. "I auditioned three times to get on . It was easier and safer to go look for a size 13 pump in a used store than it was to go into the ladies section. Drag Race contestants can make a pretty penny per episode, depending on the season and their placement. You may be surprised to find out that the only monetary compensation available on The Circle is the winning prize of $100,000 and the Fan Favorite . Be there. Yup. Queens are competing for a pretty significant prize. Coming up with thousands of dollars on very short notice has been all but impossible for some contestants. But what you don't get to see on "Drag Race" is that all the queens bring their catwalk wardrobe choices with them from day one, meaning that even if a queen goes home during the first week, chances are she brought all the clothes necessary to take her to the final. That's an astounding amount seeing as how she only spent around $4,000 her first time around. How Much Do You Get Paid To Be On Drag Race? - thales-ld.com Its the Game of Thrones of reality TV., I think for some people its worth it, she continued. That outfit off the rack was a huge disappointment to me, Ru says. Were looking for Great Britains next superstar. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Being a contestant on RuPauls Drag Race can ultimately help a glamorous queen generate a ton of career-long biscuits. Im not even gonna say how much money I spent to get here, because it is She doesnt finish her sentence and instead twists her overdrawn hot pink ombre lips into a frown you could see from space. Craig Revel Horwood has been with the show since its inception in 2004 and started on a salary of 110,000. or something stupid like that, she said. (In the US, that time is Mondays at 5:45 p.m. Though the pressure of looking like a million bucks weighs on each queen that walks into the competition, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity cajoles competitors to readily dig into their savings. 418 posts. 7PM. RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 3 airs Mondays at 10:45 p.m. UK time on BBC One. In other words, it seems like contract language that acknowledges what many reality shows do: they ask contestants to repeat a conversation or line, or dosomething again if the cameras missed it. Following a Drag Race run, many queens use their boosted incomeas well as any prize money they took hometo re-invest in their drag career. The UK's fiercest queens are back and coming for us on Ru Paul's Drag Race UK series 3.That's right, the show that got us through week 694682457 of lockdown and delivered a serious dose of much-needed serotonin is back and bigger than ever.. After being on Drag Race, When touring, recording, merchandise and endorsements are factored in, top queens are earning in the low to mid-six figures annually,Jacob Slane, Partner and Associate Manager atProducer Entertainment Group(PEG) told Billboard. In other words, Im here to call it out when it sucks and celebrate it when its amazing. Despite spending $14,000, Yvie said she knew from her first day on set that she had been outspent by everyone else on Season 11. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. I think of writing about television as the start of a conversation, and I value your contributions to that conversation. The glamour of the contestants' outfits and make-up suggests opulence and wealth, so it's easy to assume that those competing are among the rich and powerful. The 22-year-old fashion obsessive has . Naked Attraction laid bare - all your mad questions answered Theres a clause that allows for filming to take place in contestants homes or elsewhere, and the language allows producers to enter and occupy their home or business and place cameras and other recording devices. If a contestant doesnt control a location, they agree tohelp producers get permission. Producers own the rights and proceeds for anything the queens do on the show, which includes characters, songs, and anything they say about themselves (elements of my life story). The queensagree to fully cooperate with recreatedscenes, though that the specific languagerequire me to re-create, re-enact or repeat certain actions, activities, statements etc. Or you canyou can go, but you wont win.. Queens who return for additional seasons earn a 5% bump on their weekly episode payout. Each one of them scooped 25k. Read on for a list of all of the contestants who have left Drag Race UK season 4 so far, including who was eliminated in Week 9. As we all know, the winners split 50k between them, and the majority of the cast will go on to secure a wealth of sponsorship . For Season 6, the fan site TARFlies found that the team placing 11th and eliminated first was given $1,500. According to Vulture, the winner's grand prize was upped to $150,000 in the latest, Season 14 of the show the first prize increase since 2011. 8. U.S. fans can watch RuPaul's Drag Race season 14 episode 3 on Friday, January 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on VH1 (which is available in most cable packages). I knew I had personality and flavor. The judges called it genius and magical.. When Drag Race first started, they were literally coming in off the street to do this TV show, Fitzgerald said. And they're not wrong - it works out at about 2.80 an hour. Ever wondered how much the contestants get paid for Love Island Australia 2021? You still have the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, no matter where you go home. Even if the winning queen doesn't walk away with 100,000, we are sure they will make it up with increased booking fees after their global exposure. This conversation between Cracker and Kameron, which happened on a Season 10 episode of Untucked (a spinoff show dedicated to behind-the-scenes aftermath of each episode of Drag Race) offers a rare glimpse into just how much the performers who have appeared on the show over its 12-year lifespan are spending to prepare. The contestants on The Bachelor do not get paid to appear on the show - in fact, some have been reported to spend thousands of their own dollars on gowns. With . So it was definitely a good up-front investment., Aquaria believes that a run on RuPauls Drag Race is what you make of it. Welcome! Meet the queens competing on Drag Race UK vs The World My body shape is very unique in drag; I have a huge ribcage, she said. I think I had a month's worth of time between getting the phone call and leaving. How contestants prepare to go on Drag Race, How much money contestants are actually spending on a season of Drag Race, What happens to queens careers after Drag Race, Money isnt a panacea on RuPauls Drag Race. Prize money is a big deal for a reality/competition show, and it's possibly the biggest deal on RuPaul's Drag Race. Photo via VH1. Back in 2016, when the show was really coming into the nation's attention, Drag Race royalty Alyssa Edwards told Mic that she spends around "$450 for a wig a custom wig that's fitted to your head, and for your face." Jan 21 2023. My hand-crafted newsletter is sent most Fridays, and is free! Week 9 - Pixie Polite Drag Race UK star Pixie Polite. The two candidly bantered about how the expense for the show were higher than that of going to college or a down payment on a house. The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking a record number of 349 bills targeting LGBTQ rights introduced during the legislative session, causing the reality competition series queens to speak out at a recent viewing event . The series, which begins in February, will see queens from Drag Race franchises around the world compete against each other . There is a three page exhibit attached to the agreement with the production protocol, and its a list of rules. Courtesy of VH1. Because the show tapes more than six months in advance of its broadcast, that option could expire well over a year after filming ends. Sam Branman, of the Brooklyn-based queer fashion label 10 Yards, worked on several of Tina Burners looks for Drag Race Season 13. Receiving an invitation to compete on Drag Race is many queens dream come true, but its quickly followed by the reality of the huge logistical challenge ahead. Thats what everyday people do, and you are a star. And I don't want to discredit anyone who spends a lot of money if it takes that amount of money to achieve what they want to achieve. On "Big Brother," for example, Page Six reports competitors getting $1,000 per week of filming. With that, the winning queen will also receive a cash . To wit: Alyssa Edwards starred in a reality show about her Dallas dance studio. The queens agree that the producers have the exclusive option to serve as my exclusive manager, and they cannot get a third-party manager without permission. Buying an H&M dress and not doing anything to it says, Not only do I not have my own perspective on this, but I couldn't even alter somebody else's perspective to get my voice out. So I actually agree with the judges overall, Yvie said. 15 Crazy Rules RuPaul's Drag Race Queens Have To Follow - ScreenRant The biggest pitfall of Drag Race to its queens- among the long hours of filming and impending hateful tweets from the fandom - seems to overwhelmingly be the expenses of competing. "I spent $2,000 on an alpaca wool suit that is so deeply impractical, and I wear it all the time." But it really gets to the heart and the history of what drag is: You pull it together from what you have. According to the Drag Race contract, "Cast members are paid $400 per episode for their first season, and their pay increases 5 percent for future seasons: $420 per episode for their second season, $441 for . Early on in her drag career, she walked around the East Village asking people for money while wearing literal trash as a drag costume. Jinkx Monsoon made $100,000 for winning season five of RuPaul's Drag Race. RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 1 cast of queens photos | EW.com When a person who doesnt fit our preconceived notion of fashion does this, well, its because they cant afford anything better. (Alaska and Trixie Mattel were both wearing BobbiePinz wigs when they were crowned on their respective seasons of All Stars.) how much do drag race contestants get paid uk The RuPaul's Drag Race UK prizes leaves fans bitterly - Metro The stakes are just higher., Fitzgerald, Marquez, and many others all agree that drag becoming mainstream is overwhelmingly a good thing. How Much Money Do Contestants Make On 'RuPaul's Drag Race?' But money was constantly on her mind as she prepared for the show. I could sew, and I knew my silhouette, so I could make stuff work. With . A confident, charismatic queen truly can make an Amazon jumpsuit or a thrift store dress look incredible, particularly if the garment feels authentic to the queens overall personality and vision. @bbciplayer. Meanwhile, Joe Black got loads of love and support from viewers, and from H&M itselfthe retailer sent Joe a cake and flowers, along with free clothing. The glamorous styles showcased in "Drag Race" come at a cost. Answer (1 of 6): Only some do. Monet X Change was in a Pepsi Superbowl commercial alongside Cardi B. In the years since it began airing, RuPauls Drag Race has become a cultural juggernaut, with numerous spin-offs and international editions. I realistically spent maybe, maybe $3,000 to go on Drag Race. (Later, she added that she spent an additional $3,000 on her two finale looks, bringing her total to $6,000.) While the majority of Drag Queens can sew, not all of them sew their own clothes for Drag Race. The larger industry is just starting to catch up and see the entertainment value and commercial value of these artists, Slane added. Brooke Lynn Heights, 2019's "Drag Race" runner-up, shared with Cosmopolitan . I did a look for Bob a few years ago that took 55 hours and was like 300 separate pattern pieces., Sam Branman models Tina Burner's "little black dress," which he worked on for Season 13 of Drag Race. While Aquaria had a major hand in creating her own pieces, including designing, sewing, and stoning many looks herself, she got a lot of help from extremely talented friends who happened to work in fashion, and who were excited to help her prepare. They get $900 per episode this season, not including the finale. Contestants may go on Drag Race hoping to strike gold, but before the lucky few get to that point, they'll be paid a per-episode rate of just a few hundred dollars for two to three long days of . Your Guide to the World of 'Drag Race' in 2022 - Decider RuPaul's Drag Race season 15 airs on MTV, which is available to stream on services like Philo TV ,, Sling TV, Hulu+ With Live TV and Fubo TV. However, they are not allowed to plug their own stuff. The 10 Richest Drag Queens in the World - Money Inc I now live in L.A., living my best life. Bob and Sasha certainly didnt; Aquaria and Yvie spent morein line with the shows higher profile and increased focus on the runways in later seasonsbut per their accounts, not as much as one might expect. The RuPaul's Drag Race winner opens up about her spending, saving, and very glamourous splurging. They cannot, however, mention their connection to RuPauls Drag Race. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 14 Increases Prize Money - Variety "RuPaul's Drag Race" Fun Facts - Insider So what do people who applied to the show agree to? " RuPaul's Drag Race " Season 14 will crown America's next drag superstar on April 22 when the finale airs on VH1. Network: Paramount+. And Drag Race contestants received $400 per episode, according to a contract obtained by Reality Blurred. Cast members are paid $400 per episode for their first season, and their pay increases 5 percent for future seasons: $420 per episode for their second season, $441 for their third, and so on. The winners don't find out they took the crown until the show airs. I put it on the line because this is so important.. However, participating in "Drag Race" is often so demanding and expensive that it's easy to wonder if the salary is worth it. RuPaul's Drag Race contestants, . Heart appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10, finishing in eighth place, and was a finalist on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 4. For those wishing to Drag Race with RuPaul, the out-of-pocket expense can be surprising. Much of the language is standard and makes sense, allowing the production to use whats filmed on television and in advertising, and making perhaps obvious things explicitly clear, including that there is no expectation of privacy.. Michelle puts up a finger, the long nail filed into a sharp point, to stop Chi Chi. If you break it down to how many hours they're filming every day it's absolutely nothing!" According to The Daily Star, 2019's Islanders will receive 250 per week to appear on the show. Rachel Miller is the author ofThe Art of Showing Up: How to Be There for Yourself and Your People. The first mermaid looks like she loves Lush bath bombs and Dunkin Donuts iced coffee, and can usually be found swimming around in the waters of Paramus, NJ: A gold headpiece decorated with larger-than-life pearls keeps her flowing, cotton candy colored hair off her face, so her hot pink eyebrows, thick black eyelashes, and fuschia mouth are fully visible as she speaks. There are very well known designers within drag circles that sew for the Queens. Contestants on the main show, RuPaul's Drag Race, usually make around $400 per episode, while All Stars contestants can make up to $20,000 per episode. podcast, one inside source said the Islanders receive a daily fee of $150 . The contestants also have to prepare looks for the entire season knowing that if they get eliminated early, the outfits wont see the light of day. Destaques; Timeline; Bio; Pataco Maps; Acompanhe; PT; EN; ; Crditos; Privacidade (Many finale gowns are also huge, so having them shipped can add hundreds and hundreds of dollars to the total. A custom wig starts at $325. Season 11 . His salary was reportedly upped to 180,000 in . Drag queens are known for stretching a dollar, so, ahead of their . Up until the 80s and the 90s, drag queens essentially dressed in vintage clothing, Fitzgerald told VICE. I personally could give a shit if my drag looks more expensive as long as I have a roof over my head, and, like, a future, Yvie said. 317 posts For All-Stars, lip-sync winners earn a cash prize of $10,000. Aquaria attends the Drag Race Season 10 finale. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 14 Increases Prize Money - Variety Bob the Drag Queen, winner of Chi's season, told Vice, "If I went back on Drag Race now, I'd probably be spending $20-40,000." That's an astounding amount seeing as how she only spent around $4,000 her first time around. The Pit Crew, also known as the Scruff Pit Crew, are a group of muscular men who appear on each season of RuPaul's Drag Race. For her part, RuPaul has talked about being destitute as a young person. How Much '60 Days In' Participants are Paid - Newsweek As RuPaul's Drag Race passes its 200th episode mark, many of its alums are working to ensure it remains a voice for the LGBTQ community.. "When Drag Race first started," Tom Fitzgerlad, author of Legendary Children:The First Decade of RuPaul's Drag Race and the Last Century of Queer Life tells Vice, "they were literally coming in off the street to do this TV show.