Last summer saw the debut of RuPaul's Drag U, a feel-good trip down the drag rabbit hole that felt like part therapy session, part extended makeover. During the hour, three women of a certain theme (single mothers, sisters, etc.) would be teamed up with three past Drag Race contestants who would turn them from drab to fab at a breakneck pace. While they were up to their eyes in glitter and gowns, they were confronting past issues of abandonment and insecurity, culminating in a grandiose final reveal that allowed the former wallflowers to really strut their stuff in front of a crowd.
But alas, the internet masses had issue with the fact that the contestants would be receiving two sets of score to ascertain their DPA - that's Drag Point Average, folks. The general consensus seemed to be that taking three vulnerable women, building up their self-esteem, and pitting them against one another could tear them down, leaving the show basically pointless. Now that we're in season 2, the stakes have changed. Yes, there's still a winner to be named, who receives make-up, a trip, and $3166.17, but the scores are officially done away with, replaced by deliberations like we see on Drag Race.
I personally never had a problem with the scoring system the show utilized in season one. I see what people were saying about how it was less than positive to judge these women, especially since most of them weren't exactly adept in the world of heels and handbags. However, it never bothered me because regardless of who wins the show (and subsequently, the prizes), the experience as a whole seemed therapeutic enough to offset any negative feelings garnered from losing. While you want to award every participant on the show for being brave enough to put their issues out on the table, sometimes simply confronting things you haven't had the nerve to confront before and hearing a positive word from an impartial third party can be immensely rewarding.
I do think that the elimination of the scoring system benefits the show (not only for calming the concerns of viewers, but for keeping the show as positive as possible), but I would still be watching if it hadn't left because RuPaul's Drag U is an inspiring, heartfelt bit of reality television that never ceases to make me smile. While other shows of its ilk are all about changing the outside to match the inside, Drag U is all about self-acceptance and owning every curve and every line on your body. It's about knowing that once the glitter is wiped off and the wigs are hung back up, you have to look at the person in the mirror and be okay with who they are, so as understandable as the concerns over the scores were, I don't watch for the competition. I watch to see shy, nervous women who've never had the spotlight on them finally get their moment in the sun; I watch to hear the endlessly positive talk from Ru and the respective mentors; I watch to give myself a little jolt of self-esteem to be able to make it through the rest of my week.
RuPaul's Drag U airs Mondays at 9:00 on Logo. If you missed the first episode of season 2, you can check it out here.
What do you think about the "new" Drag U? If you could change anything else about the show, what would you change? Is there any particular "theme week" that you want the show to cover?
Hello my name is Amanda and I am a 27 year old proud new mother! I love being a mother but feel like I lost myself! I used to feel so good about myself and always thought I had a sexy side but anymore I feel like I lost it and I cant bare to look at myself in the mirror. I love this show it makes me think if these women can stand up maybe I could too. I think the show should do a episode on new mothers getting themselves back not only for them but for their lovers. It could be new moms with boyfriends and husbands or single moms. Well thanks for listening to my opion. Hopefully soon I will be the old "Mandy"
Sincerely
Amanda (a.k.a Mandy)
I love the New Drag U ! Sometimes the look on the contestants face was so sad, when they had worked so hard to accomplish a look or walk, and got a b- ! I love the Lady Bunny segments ! She's a hoot ! Need more Carmen ! She is so gorgeous and funny ! Love her ! Ru, your the best ! I would love to see a show on girls who have had weight loss, but still can't accept their bodies. Strange, but true ! I would love to be a student at Drag U !
"Can you say love?" I love it! I wish the show aired twice a week. The transformations are fantastic! The Drag Professors are awesome with their coaching abilities. Fond of Onginia, Jujubee, Shannel and growing very fond of Raven – Lady Bunny works it!