I know what everyone is probably thinking right now: RuPaul's Drag Race is about to start its 13th season, why are you talking about the first season now? Well, you see, when RPDR's first aired in 2009, I was only six years old and I was somewhat far from becoming the openly queer individual I am today. So, here's my overall thoughts on RPDR's Season 1 eleven years later. The Contestants The contestants were truly a mixed bag, which I appreciated and did not appreciate at the same time. Victoria "Porkchop" Parker was funny, but left a lot to be desired. She just did not, in my opinion, have the ability to grow into America's Next Drag Superstar. I did feel bad about how the other contestants treated her though. No one deserves to be discriminated against due to their weight or body shape/size. Tammie Brown never sat right with me. She felt creepy and predatory for some reason, though maybe I just watch too much Criminal Minds and Hannibal to be objective about certain behaviors. I did enjoy her Episode 1 Drag On A Dime look though. It was very Cinderella meets Tinkerbell. Akashia was never on my good side. I though she was nasty and catty from the start. I did admire her Episode 3 Queens of All Media look when she wore the evening gown. It was a flattering look. Jade was on a whole other level. I loved her, and she was catty as well, but in a fun way. She admitted when she took things too far, and her Drag On A Dime look rocked. I think Jade went home too soon, and it should have been Rebecca Glasscock instead. Ongina was my favorite alongside Nina Flowers from the start. I was so sad when she went home, though I was so glad that she had won the Viva Glam challenge. I do think Bebe deserved to stay though. I thought Ongina was a beautiful person inside and out. Shannel was a character. She was assertive and at times, overbearing. I think she was too much of a Las Vegas showgirl to be a more dynamic performer. After all, even her so-called vulnerability in Episode 3 Queens of All Media, was faked, as she later admitted in Episode 9, Re-United! Rebecca Glasscock should have gone home early. She was nasty. She was fake. The other contestants disliked her, but her beauty kept her going. Nina Flowers was a beautiful soul from the start. Witty and talented, she had a gritty alternative take that was often slept on. Especially in Episode 1, Drag On A Dime. Her look was stunningly alternative and feminine. I loved it. She was always so grateful for what she had, and she was a wonderful friend to BeBe Zahara Benet after she lost to her. She totally deserved Miss Congeniality. Bebe Zahara Beneet was stunning. I wasn't sure what to make of her at first. She seemed cold. As the season went on and I saw her open up, her personality, compassion, and style made me a total fan of hers. She was graceful and a humble winner. I'm not upset that she won at all, as she was a beautiful and kind person who definitely, in my opinion, deserved it. The Judges I don't think there were any guest judges I particularly disliked. I loved Michelle Williams. Santino Rice is very opinionated! He's bold and abrasive, and his opinion is not always the nicest thing to hear. I like brutal honesty, but it does tend to earn mixed reviews. To be honest, I barely noticed when Merle Ginsberg was around and when she wasn't. She seemed to have the personality of a saltine; wonderful for some people, but too bland for me. RuPaul was obviously fabulous. Loud and outspoken when he needed to be, we also got to see some of his softer side. Specifically in Episode 4's Viva Glam winner reveal when Ongina needed some support, she was glad to chime in with praise. Not to mention, there's so many fun catchphrases on the show, and they're mostly, if not all, RuPaul's. Also he's technically not a judge, but Mike Ruiz is such a fun person! He seems so wonderful to work with, always spirited and ready to go. He's even patient when he's being disrespected, and I could stand to learn a thing or two from that. Overall I liked how Season 1 of RuPaul's Drag Race turned out. It was fun, I was surprised, and it was a worthwhile watch. I'm definitely going to try and binge the whole series before Season 13 comes out! 5/5 star watch.
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Marissa seussMarissa Seuss is a writer, musician, photographer, and avid book reader born and based in Northeast Ohio. ArchivesCategories
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