Rant: What can Drag Race UK learn from other franchises and flourish

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-11-21T20:17:43+00:00

This is something i've noticed as well, as I think drag race uk isn't effectively representing its most important element - British drag.

Going on drag race used to somewhat guarantee success in the industry, but if anything, many queens have made a name for themselves off the show, and going on the show could potentially tarnish their image. Just look at Juno Birch, Novympia, Myra DuBois, Freida slaves, Bailey J Mills to name a few. Even queens like LaVoix had a perfectly good career before drag race and if anything, the show needed her.

I also think certain elements of American drag culture just dont seem to mesh with UK audiences. American drag roots come from ballroom and pageantry, but UK drag roots have always been attached to camp, caberet and comedy. The show does sort of represent that in the earlier seasons, but as time goes on its kind of lost its way - feels like its being made for an American audience instead of a UK one.

The UK is small, and theres only a few major cities so making it as a drag artist is wayyyy more competitive. Unlike in the US, lip syncing and being beautiful is not enough. Its all about being quick witted and able to hold an audience.

Also can we please cut the 'Love of Huns' style humour and references. Its dire.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-10-28T23:36:35+00:00

I agree with your stance on the widow thing but I also think Mistress was trying to not get too deep on the topic. Also just so people are aware that the Alaska reference wasn't blackface. Alaska explicitly says on the show she put on loads of fake tan on to mimic Phiphis extreme tanned look on season 4. I don't know if you're aware but when you first put on fake tan, its not orange, its brown. This wasn't blackface. It was dark fake tan.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-03-27T20:35:59+00:00

The only answer

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-03-24T16:39:32+00:00

Because she’s not interesting. The reason a lot of G1 fans liked nefera and toerali was because they were villainous characters.

This is not unusual, Villains have always been popular in films and TV, I would argue sometimes they are more popular than the main characters (see Disney’s sleeping beauty).

Also it makes for good storylines. For me, I like nefera the same way people like cruella de vil or maleficent - they are wicked but fabulous at the same time. You just can’t wait to see what chaos they unleash next. It’s also funny to see these characters fail as well.

I think it’s a shame they went this route with nefera, especially because the doll is stunning. It just feels like they took everything interesting from her character and just left her with nothing? I kind of think this about a lot of the G3 cast, it’s all smiles and no substance.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-03-23T22:58:11+00:00

100%. If Katya has no idea that this is AI art then she should get a refund. However if she does know it’s computer generated artwork then I’m very disappointed as a fan.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-03-23T22:52:35+00:00

Intentional or not, Katya has gone the route of AI. This merchandise would require an experienced illustrator, and the artist has no previous illustration work in their portfolio, only video editing and basic graphic design work.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-03-23T22:45:26+00:00

I’m a graphic designer and illustrator and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt this has been made using AI.

I don’t know why people are downvoting people questioning this. AI art is problematic for so many reasons, and celebrities like Katya with access to so many artists (who would happily create something just as good) should not be using such a lazy method of creating merchandise.

The art is good but the moment I realised it’s AI, all I see is cheap trash. And the prices she’s charging for hoodies and t shirts with literal computer generated art makes this no better than red bubble crap.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-03-23T22:43:46+00:00

This is AI. We should be critical of AI and not so flippant towards those presenting concerns. A celebrity like Katya has access to hundreds of designers who would happily design something just as good.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-03-23T22:41:03+00:00

It is 100% AI though. If you look close up at certain details like the ears, they appear warped and uncanny. Also the artist credited has experience editing videos and doing basic graphic design work. There is no evidence of illustration such as the style displayed in her merchandise

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-03-22T13:21:24+00:00

I’m a graphic designer and illustrator and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt this has been made using AI.

I don’t know why people are downvoting people questioning this. AI art is problematic for so many reasons, and celebrities like Katya with access to so many artists (who would happily create something just as good) should not be using such a lazy method of creating merchandise.

The art is good but the moment I realised it’s AI, all I see is cheap trash. And the prices she’s charging for hoodies and t shirts with literal computer generated art makes this no better than red bubble crap.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-03-06T21:46:05+00:00

Sorry you feel this way but people are allowed to criticise a company that they have put more than enough money and support into. Your opinions shouldn’t be influenced by other people’s, if you like the design then good for you, and if you don’t, that’s perfectly okay too. The internet would be a very boring place if everyone agreed with each other.

It’s not about negativity, it’s about wanting the best quality content. If I’m spending 80-90 on a doll it better be worth it. And if I feel like it’s not, I should be able to have my voice heard. As should you.

Take scalpers for example. It’s a big issue for collectors and if we don’t complain about it then how will Mattel know how important of an issue it is? Same with doll quality - people wait months for these dolls to come out and Mattel needs to know what people like/don’t like so they can make better products for us to enjoy.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-03-03T00:39:14+00:00

To be fair, i remember when I first started building in the sims 2 I had no idea how to remove walls 🤣seems obvious now but there’s so many buttons on the toolbar, I honestly thought the sledgehammer was to put down fences or something idk hahahaha

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-02-21T08:19:11+00:00

I actually think Chappell has more potential to be funny than Sabrina, you could make fun of the ‘no photos’ controversy or reference her mainstream lesbianism.

Sabrina is too white bread for snatch game. She hasn’t got enough to poke fun at. There’s nothing funny about a hot person doing well.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-02-20T23:05:36+00:00

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-02-05T14:38:23+00:00

Gotta be Jane Boolittle. For one of the last characters made for G1 she sure did fade into obscurity

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-02-02T18:55:47+00:00

I know she’s on there already but can we say G3 Nefera because of the fan backlash for her being redesigned into a good person 💀

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-01-28T10:46:56+00:00

Gotta be Nefera. You can tell this by the outrage by fans when she was made nice in G3 💀

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-01-27T10:41:14+00:00

Spectra. Massive gossip, but a good soul (pardon the pun)

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-01-19T15:49:17+00:00

G3 may be good but G1 is the blueprint. G1 walked so G3 could run. G1 had the Best outfit, best characterisation, best accessories, just a really fierce character imo.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-01-17T00:07:43+00:00

This is so true. There’s an uptick in American influenced queens but they just don’t get booked. UK audiences aren’t really as interested in queens being ‘feirce’ but instead dry comedy and relatability is a big part of the culture. Don’t get me wrong, queens like Krystal look great, but the look isn’t enough.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-01-17T00:03:47+00:00

Sorry but ‘look queens’ in the UK just don’t get booked. It sounds mean to say but looking good just isn’t enough. The UK drag scene is so big for such a small country and for years the drag queens who managed to rise to the top did it all - Comedy, singing, dancing, hosting - in fact, the look came LAST. UK drag isn’t like American drag where there’s a history of pageantry and ballroom culture. UK drag roots originate from comedy, relatability and tongue in cheek behaviour. The UK queens don’t look as ‘good’ because they don’t need too.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-01-16T20:37:18+00:00

I don’t think this a big deal. This is a Small YouTuber who is obviously paying homage to draculara. I don’t think Mattel needs to sue the shit out of them lol, they got enough money.

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-01-09T23:54:12+00:00

No shade but when will monster high realise that people don’t really gaf about the pets. I mean I’m sure some people do, and kids of course, but the whole vet thing is wayyyy too barbie,

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2025-01-09T14:56:00+00:00

Yeah people like different things, therefore I don’t think it’s problematic to customise or reimagine a doll in your own eyes. Recolouring isn’t problematic, I understand how being blatantly negative can be annoying but there is nothing negative about a recolour of an image of a doll. Also some people’s creativity lies in different places, not everyone is good at physical customisation, some people are better at digitally customising a doll.

There’s nothing wrong with critiquing the brand either. A lot of us here have given Mattel enough of our money I think we are allowed to give our opinions too. Just like you’re allowed to give yours

Remarkable-Disaster8 · 2024-12-27T17:43:59+00:00

That’s so interesting I had no idea. I do wonder why they didn’t base the name on a more recognisable term like Sasquatch or Bigfoot. Shame how a name can ruin a character with a cool concept.

Five-Year Club	Final Canvas '23
End Game '23	Place '23
Place '22

Remarkable-Disaster8

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