Stop That Train Review
· curiosity
The Golden Age of Drag: What’s Behind RuPaul’s Enduring Reign?
The latest iteration of Adam Shankman’s film Stop! That! Train!, starring a whip-smart cast led by RuPaul, is a riotous celebration of the drag world. As I watched it, I couldn’t help but think about the phenomenon that has brought this niche art form to the mainstream.
RuPaul’s Drag Race, which debuted in 2009 with its DIY ethos and plywood sets, has evolved into a high-gloss spectacle with 14 Emmy awards under its belt. Its impact can be seen in the careers of former contestants like Trixie Mattel and Katya, who have successfully transitioned to music and other creative pursuits. Others, such as Bob the Drag Queen, have toured with music legends like Madonna.
The drag world’s unique blend of camp, humor, and self-expression has finally caught up with mainstream culture. But what’s behind this enduring reign? Is it clever marketing or a cultural zeitgeist that has allowed the production company World of Wonder to keep access to 14 international spin-offs exclusive to their own platform Wow Presents Plus?
The history of queer culture in America is marked by underground clubs, mainstream acceptance, and pushing boundaries. Drag – with its playful subversion of traditional notions of masculinity and femininity – has long been a key part of this cultural narrative.
The current cultural climate, where irony and nostalgia are in high demand, may also be contributing to the drag world’s increased visibility. The film Stop! That! Train! feels like a deliberate attempt to capture the essence of the drag world – its energy, creativity, and joy. But it also raises questions about commercialization and the future of queer culture.
As Drag Race continues to produce hit after hit, it’s worth asking what this means for marginalized communities. Will the show maintain its role as a beacon for inclusivity or become just another mainstream brand looking to capitalize on its popularity? The cottage industry that has grown up around it – with talented individuals like Trixie Mattel and Katya – will they be able to maintain their creative control and authenticity in the face of increasing commercial pressure?
RuPaul’s enduring reign is not just about drag culture itself, but what it represents: a celebration of self-expression, creativity, and individuality in a world that often seeks to constrain us. The future of drag culture is a story still being written – but with Stop! That! Train! , we’re reminded that sometimes the most compelling narratives are those that blend high camp and low art in perfect harmony.
Reader Views
- TAThe Archive Desk · editorial
The drag world's meteoric rise to mainstream acceptance is as much about calculated risk-taking as it is cultural zeitgeist. World of Wonder's ability to capitalize on RuPaul's Drag Race's success has led to an unprecedented level of creative control and profit sharing for the production company, but at what cost? As the show continues to churn out winning contestants with built-in brand recognition, fans may be losing sight of the DIY ethos that initially made drag so compelling. Is this new business model a necessary evil or a threat to the art form's authenticity?
- ILIris L. · curator
The commercialization of drag culture is a double-edged sword. On one hand, mainstream acceptance and financial investment have undoubtedly boosted creative opportunities for performers like Trixie Mattel and Katya. But as World of Wonder's lucrative spin-offs illustrate, this success also risks eroding the DIY ethos that initially defined drag as an underground movement. It's worth considering whether the influx of corporate dollars is more than just a welcome windfall – might it eventually stifle the very experimental spirit that made drag culture so groundbreaking in the first place?
- HVHenry V. · history buff
One aspect of RuPaul's reign that's often overlooked is its savvy appropriation of campy humor, which has been hijacked by corporate America to sell everything from coffee to beer. The drag world's clever subversion of traditional notions of masculinity and femininity is now being repackaged as 'edgy marketing'. While it's undeniable that RuPaul's production company has cornered the market on queer content, one can't help but wonder if the commodification of drag culture is a Faustian bargain: is its increased visibility worth sacrificing some of its raw, underground edge?