RuPaul Charles is undeniably the current most successful and popular drag queen in the world, thanks to his incredible work on bringing the art of dragto millions of fans through RuPaul’s Drag Race. Having been in front of the public eye for over a decade, it’s not surprising that some audiences have expressed their controversial thoughts about the superstar.
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Fans on Reddit have discussed and debated these unpopular opinions about RuPaul, which are mostly relatedto how he acts on the show. As viewers eagerly wait for season 14 of Drag Race, it’s the perfect time to explore some divisive views fans have about Mama Ru.
RuPaul Is Irritating
It’s impossible to please everyone, especially if the person is a TV personality known by millions around the world. DarthCharizard is among those who don’t find RuPaul particularly endearing, stating how they find him to “be super irritating, especially in the workroom.”
It’s understandable that the fan may find themselves annoyed by Ru’s actions in the Werk Room, as the host doesn’t shy away from giving constructive criticism before the girls go on the main stage. However, most fans would agree that RuPaul’s discussions during those segments are actually informative and insightful — when paired with his witty comebacks and clever jokes, they make for good TV.
RuPaul Is Boring
As the host of Drag Race, Mama Ru meets many queens with fascinating stories and interesting personalities. Unnie55 thinks that these queens are often more interesting than RuPaul, stating how they “prefer the contestants over him.” The user girled captures how many fans would likely respond to this comment, saying they find Ru to be “just darling,” especially because of his “lil quirks.”
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RuPaul is the farthest thing from boring, as his face and personality wouldn’t be at the center of an internationally successful franchise if he was dull. His one-liners, witty remarks, and clever comebacks are only a few of the aspects that make him such an entertaining host.
RuPaul And Michelle Visage Probably Aren’t Friends
Anyone who knows Drag Race knows its iconic judge, Michelle Visage, aka RuPaul’s best friend. A Redditor is convinced their friendship is phony though, wondering if Ru even sees “Michelle as a best friend” and hypothesizing that it’s “one-sided.”
The friendship between the two is as real as it can get, as some fans may know that they have been close for over thirty years. Their relationship blossomed in the New York clubs of the '80s where the two were regularly seen together and they have been inseparable — both in their personal and professional lives — since then (according to Capital FM).
RuPaul Is Fake
The glitz and glamour that constantly surrounds RuPaul can sometimes backfire, as evidenced by USofAristocracy’s view about his authenticity. They think that the “whole sense of 'Mama Ru' is fake” and argues how he “barely remembers most of the queens' names.”
While it’s impossible to deny that a huge part of Ru’s on-screen persona is the result of brilliant branding, it doesn’t mean that all of it is “fake.” RuPaul obviously genuinely listens to the queens’ stories and tries his best to give them useful advice, whether it’s about their personal journeys, outfits, or future careers. The point about his forgetfulness is easily refuted if fans just consider that he may just be a forgetful person — even the world’s most famous drag queen isn’t perfect, after all.
RuPaul Is There For The Check And Exposure
Fans can count on RuPaul to show up during every episode of Drag Race, complete with a gorgeous outfit. The user mrderreck thinks “that Ru shows up for the check and the exposure” and “does her thing and then peaces out until she has to show up again.”
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Ru’s thriving career is a product of his hard work over the years, which has obviously been motivated by his love for drag. Most viewers would find it hard to believe RuPaul only shows up for the “check and exposure,” as if it’s publicity he’s after, he’s already a wildly famous public figure. He could also definitely stop working if he wants to, thanks to his $60 million net worth (according to SCMP).
RuPaul’s Music Is Terrible
Music is a crucial part of RuPaul’s thriving career, as the queen often creates popular hits that also happen to appear as the best songs on Drag Race. MissChattyCathy isn’t impressed with Ru’s singles though, saying “RuPaul’s music is total crap” and explaining that she uses “the same tired catchphrases” for his songs.
While all of Mama Ru’s songs don’t always become major hits, tracks like “Call Me Mother” and “Born Naked” have proven that he can create catchy, popular songs. If he happens to use catchphrases for songs like “Sissy That Walk,” most fans would say that they arguably make the music better because they’re inextricably linked with his brand and personality.
RuPaul Is An Awful Person
Despite all the times Ru has shown that he’s willing to address real issues on Drag Race and support the queens no matter how difficult their situation may be, a Redditor isn’t convinced that he has the LGBTQ+ community’s best interests at heart. They say they “really dislike RuPaul” because he’s an “awful person” who is actually damaging “the very community he’s apparently helping.”
Ru is far from perfect and fans know that he has said and done some questionable things over the years. That said, he’s not afraid to admit when he makes mistakes. What’s more, it’s safe to say that RuPaul has helped more than hurt the community, as he has contributed to making the art of drag known and available to a wider audience.
RuPaul’s Critiques In The Werk Room Aren’t Constructive
Aside from the comments from the judges’ panel, some of the most insightful parts of Drag Race come from the Werk Room. The user kirinai doesn’t “find Ru's critiques in the workroom to ever be constructive,” though, saying that they “get the impression that she wants people to crash and burn.”
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Anyone who takes Mama Ru’s advice in the Werk Room usually ends up faring better. This is especially obvious during the Snatch Game, with contestants like River Medway and Choriza May deciding to go on with their original character despite getting clear advice from Ru about what would fit them better. Ru also often points out if queens bite off more than they can chew, giving them a much-needed reality check to help them avoid a disastrous runway.
RuPaul’s Outfits Aren’t Great
RuPaul can ace any runway category on the show, which is why queens should be thankful they don’t have to compete with him every single week. The user abhainn doesn’t find Ru’s ensembles impressive, though, saying they “rarely like RuPaul’s outfits.”
Most fans would agree that one of the highlights of each episode is Ru’s entrance on the main stage. Although he probably doesn’t have to design and create most of his outfits anymore, his team does an exceptional job at creating stunning gowns for the queen.
RuPaul Is Lazy
Despite building an entire drag empire and thrusting that art into millions of homes throughout the years, a deleted Redditor still doesn’t “like RuPaul” because they “think he’s lazy.” The user even calls him a “2nd rate Oprah” who is only “famous for being a canvas for other people’s work.”
With over a decade of work put into Drag Race and even more years before that building a name for themselves in an industry that wasn’t as open to drag compared to today, there’s no questioning that Ru is far from being “lazy.” If being “a canvas” means he gets to let other queens shine and find a foothold in Hollywood through his series, then it’s a good thing Mama Ru isn’t tired of being that just yet.
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