Rupaul’s Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 1
on January 29, 2013 at 11:03 amAnother season of the Drag Race is underway, and I’m already overwhelmed–so many queens! So much drama! So much to draw!
But seriously, it is a really fascinating mix of queens. They kept saying how fishy they all are, but I’m more impressed at the diverse set of skills and styles we have here. I had done a bit of research into the queens prior to the season for my full-cast poster that you can see here, so I definitely already had some favorites.
First of all, I love the deranged, funny, self-aware queens: Alaska, Detox, and Jinkx.
Alaska’s got her demented glam style down, with a sharp wit to match. My only concern had been whether she’d be able to show a softer side, which this episode delivered. There’s been a lot of discussion about whether Alaska’s relationship with past winner Sharon Needles will be either a hindrance or unfair advantage–I’m glad that this episode let the girls ask all those questions and get ‘em out of the way. Alaska was candid and funny about the jealousy, frustration, and insecurity she feels about it all. And now, hopefully, she can move on in this competition unencumbered.
And I seriously can’t wait to see her shine in some performance challenges.
Detox is a clear frontrunner–she’s got incredible style, a distinctive look, and an ego the size of California. I’m hoping we’re able to get to know her better throughout the season– she has an ironic detachment and arrogance that reminds me a lot of her friend Willam. But regardless, I can’t wait to see what else Detox brings to the show!
And then there’s Jinkx: what a gem!
I have a huge soft spot for Jinkx, and I’m not afraid to shout that from the rooftops. I think she’s funny as hell, embraces a delightfully quirky style, and is an amazing performer. I think she might be the greatest “funny queen” in the show’s history, and I’m hoping this show helps launch her into superstardom. She’s already been producing hilarious web videos for years (check out her Funny or Die series “Monsoon Season“) and is currently starring in a Seattle production of Hedwig & The Angry Inch, which I would DIE to see. My only worry about Jinkx is that, although she’s a fantastic actor, singer, and comedian, the Drag Race’s emphasis on lip sync and fashion might be her downfall. (but I hope not!)
But, as in every season of the Drag Race, there are surprises. I didn’t know much about Roxxxy beforehand, but with her juicy curves, enormous hair, and sleek fashion, I think she could go far. And if you watch Untucked, you’ll see that Roxxxy can read these girls FOR DAYS.
I think Honey Mahogany is as sweet as her namesake, not to mention strikingly gorgeous and stylish. She’s also one of several queens this season who’s an accomplished singer. I’m hoping she’s a standout this year, but I’m worried she might be too damn nice for this show!
I can’t wait to draw the outrageous outfits that Ivy Winters will walk down the runway! She clearly has some design skills, and I’m hoping she gets more of a chance to show off her personality, too. (I had been hoping to draw her this week, but just didn’t have time. But soon!)
My biggest surprise this week was Lineysha Sparx–although she’s an obvious beauty, I hadn’t expected her to bring such style and grace to the show. Seriously, that girl moves like a cat. And even though her runway look was stunning and should have won the challenge, I decided her first look would be even more fun to draw!
I’m definitely not planning to animate all my Drag Race art this year, but I wanted to have some fun this week. Let me know if you like ‘em!
As always, prints of my Drag Race work from past seasons can be found here, as well as art books that collect the best pieces!
Check back next week for my thoughts and drawings of the second episode!
Yes, all these Queens were killer. (I would also like to point out that Roxxxy and Detox are friends, which makes sense as they both can read and are very good at what they do).
I also love Detox even more after watching the Untucked. I mean, she’s sassy as all heck, but the fact that she shut down the sheer bitchiness of Alyssa about Alaska made me applaud. She knows her stuff well, and not only knows her own area of drag, but seems to respect other types too. I was skeptical of her at first, but she totally won me over.
Jinkx is amazing. I adore her.
Really, the only person I outright hated was ChaCha. I have a certain pet peeve about people who are so ready to dish it, but can’t take it. It’s like, you do realize if you read people (especially when you read them badly) they will read you too right? Same reason I disliked PhiPhi. Plus, another pet peeve is the artist who ignores criticism. So she kinda ticks me off all over.
SIMPLY amazing!!!
You always make these queens look better than they come across. Do you watch make-up tutorials and does that inform your shading/color choices or is drag make-up really just using art techniques to (de)emphasize certain aspects? I just see a certain degree of overlap, which I remember from my art classes, but then what you’re doing is definitely different. I love these animations. Particularly Honey Mahogany. I think the Coco/Alyssa thing is going to wear me out. Actually, Alyssas’s faces and Coco’s contacts are already a concern for me. I’m still on the fence with Alaska. I want to love her, but she needs to really give it her all on each challenge. I think you saw that with Sharon in season 4, and that’s why she’s so ridiculously popular. I watched her edits from last season’s Snatch Game and I’m still DYING behind her Michelle Visage impression. Like a highlander…KILT IT!
I have been dying to see what you do with this season’s ladies, and as always, you never ever disappoint.
I am crossing my fingers with Alaska, because she seems to be such a fragile soul. She pulled off that cling wrap gown beautifully, but I get the bad feeling that if she falls, it’s going to be a long, hard fall and that worries me.
The Alyssa/Coco thing needs to get aired and aired SOON, because I am bored and annoyed with it already.
As for Miss ChaCha, Santino must have been reading my mind, because not two seconds after I said, “She looks like a doll wearing some other doll’s head.” he said almost the same thing! Miss Thing might want to think about those glass houses a bit before she starts throwing more stones.
I’m kind of drawn to Roxxxy and I’m not sure why–although she is as adorable out of drag as she is glamorous in drag.
You’d think I’d be rooting for my namesake, Jade Jolie, but after hearing that laugh of hers on and off for two hours, I’m ready to hurt her.
Can’t wait to see what the rest of this season brings!
At first, of course we like the animation (I do). Alaska’s Bag and Lineysha’s Arms are hilarious. Congrats!
My favorites in sequence: Alyssa, Jade, Detox and Roxxxy.
Since the firts pictures, Alyssa is my top favorite. She’s incredible beauty and a have a body to kill. The premiere just made me reinforce the opinion she is more than that, and get talent to offer in several amounts. Her catwalk full of drama and grace is the best of this season.
Coco may get talent too (I liked her Madonna outfit), and may is the bitch of the season, and obviously will make us laugh with the “thing” between Alyssa, but to be a Drag Superstar you got to have carisma… And she is needin’ it a lot. I hope she go far ’cause Alyssa, but hope more she fall down and be eliminated by Miss Edwards.
I had prejudice with Alaska, and thought she was a bad Sharon (my favorite from all the season), but she got something that intrigues me. I am waiting to see what kind of artist she is, and want to see something her own.
Roxxxy was one my favorites too since I saw the first pictures, by she don’t have that carisma at all. She is clever, talented and hot, but I can see a Shannel vestige. Hope she can be better that that, and not so boring.
Jade is what I am. I love videogames and all that stuff (even I don’t like unicorns and pink and all this shit), and I am excited to see her on Circus Outfit. That remember me Britney Spears, and I love all that do it. As Michelle said, she is the cuttiest thing in the world. But PLEASE stop that annoying laugh (or don’t).
Excited to see your next drawings. I do something like you, but only to Miss Spears. Congrats and keep the grat work!
Love all your animations. I look forward to seeing your interpretations of the queens almost as much as I look forward to watching Untucked!
As always I love your art chad. I think this season is going to be nothing but drama, All T All Shade. With the whole Alyssa and Coco fiasco, Jade with her/his porn past (which I’m not too sure if they are going to mention it this season), a supposedly romance/fling that will occur within the contestants and having all of these beautiful girls/boys fighting for the crown. I thought the first episode alone was captivating. The only one for sure who I think will be top 3 is Detox, but the other 2 I’m not sure. It could be Alaska and Roxxxy or Jinx and Alyssa (cause you can tell that girl has more drive than Phi-Phi). Vivinne is also gorgeous whose style reminds me alot of juju. It’ll be an interesting season and I’m just glad that we get to share this experience with you. Your illustrations makes the whole Rupaul Drage Race journey more enjoyable because once the episode ends, we can’t wait to see what your views and art you post!
Amazing work, Chad! I love the animations!!!
I love your drawing and your comments. Thanks for following me, keep on the look for more of me inbox me your drawing I really like it… Gracias again Lineysha <3