This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at CMU chapter.

RuPaul’s Drag Race is an amazing show that, on the surface, is a reality show in which from thousands of aspiring drag queens around the world, a group is chosen by the one and only RuPaul to come and compete for the title of ‘America’s Next Drag Superstar’.

The show has been running for eight years and counting, and in every season it has featured a diverse, eclectic group of drag queens that have each made their mark on the world of drag.

But underneath the competition is the essence of the show, which RuPaul says at the end of every episode; “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?”

The show is unique not just in its premise of featuring drag queens fighting for the crown, but also because, at its core, it isn’t simply a cutthroat competition where everyone is only concerned with winning.

It’s a show about drag queens coming together as sisters and sharing their stories.

It’s a show that creates shocking, hysterical, and historical moments.

It’s a show that elevates the term ‘lip sync’ to an entire level, and shows that lip syncing is not just moving your mouth, but is also an art form.

RuPaul’s Drag Race is unique not just in its hilarity and raunchiness, but also in its ability to appeal to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or sexuality.

Since the beginning it has been a show that aims to push the boundaries of gender and sexuality through drag.

It’s a show about makeup, glamour, fashion, and making people laugh.

And above all, it is a show about queens bettering and showing off their drag, and, along with the audience, learning how to be and love themselves. RuPaul’s Drag Race has risen the bar for reality shows, and it will go down in history as one of the most iconic shows to exist.

Sources:

http://www.auditionsfree.com/2011/rupauls-drag-race-tryouts/rupaul-drag-…

http://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2016/08/25/491348403/what-to-watch…

http://wifflegif.com/tags/138397-rupaul-charles-gifs

https://www.pinterest.com/Hejbitterfitta/i-love-rupauls-drag-race/

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/469500329886296254/

http://www.wow247.co.uk/2015/06/01/7-reasons-why-you-need-to-watch-rupau…

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/10-reasons-why-everyone-should-watch-ru…

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http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-queen-comeback/03/2017/

https://wifflegif.com/gifs/193514-rupauls-drag-race-drag-queens-gif

http://popcrush.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-9-winner/