16. The Evolution of RuPaul's Drag Race (w/ Nina West)

2 Servings of Fruit

Racers, start your engines because this week we're talking about RuPaul's Drag Race–the iconic and history-making drag competition. Since 2009, RPDR has acted as a launchpad for over 175 drag performers' careers. Through its heartwarming, hilarious, and sickening message, the show has become a staple of modern television and currently holds the records for the most Emmys won by a reality competition series (19, to be exact). However, not everything about Drag Race has been positive and uplifting. Controversy has surrounded the show on multiple occasions, mostly in regards to how the show represents a very narrow representation of drag and in the contestants' contracts. While history was made on Season 13 (with GottMik being the first trans man on the show), is the show evolving enough to keep up with the times? How can the show be more inclusive in the future?

Joining us this week to chat about these questions and her own experience on the show is legendary drag performer, Nina West! Yes girl you heard right, Nina freaking West is on our show! Nina West is an American drag queen, actor and singer/songwriter based in Columbus, Ohio played by Andrew Levitt who is the most Googled Drag Queen In The World from 2020-2021 with over 7.8 billion unique searches. She rose to national prominence in 2019 with her appearance on VH1’s Emmy winning show RuPaul's Drag Race Season 11, where she placed sixth and won Miss Congeniality. In 2021 she returned to the show and was anointed “America’s Sweetheart” by RuPaul herself. She made history at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards in Sept 2019 when she became the first ever person to walk the carpet in Full Drag, while her season won 5 Primetime Emmy Awards including best Reality Competition Show. On November 8th 2019, she released her first Christmas EP, "The West Christmas Ever" featuring Disney Legend Jim Cummings which debuted at #5 on the Billboard Comedy Charts. Her animated short "Coaster" was shortlisted for a 2020 Oscar. West has been performing in central Ohio and around the United States for the last 18 years, doing regional theater and of course, drag. As Nina West, she has produced over 35 main stage production shows. West writes/hosts/directs/performs in the annual sold out "Heels of Horror" show at Axis Nightclub. In 2008, she won the Entertainer of the Year award, and was included in Columbus Business First's "40 Under 40" list in 2018 and 2019. Nina is a LGBTQ advocate and has raised over $4million for charitable causes in the last decade alone, through her charitable foundation The Nina West Foundation.

We are absolutely honoured that Nina took the time to chat with us about her experiences on the show (and if she'd ever return for All Stars). Enjoy this episode–it's a good one!!

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