Not Just a Cult Hit: More Viewers Embrace and React to ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
It could be argued that in the not-so-distant past, RuPaul’s Drag Race (currently broadcast on VH1, but previously shown on LogoTV) was a show with more of a cult, than mainstream audience. But Drag Race has gained steam recently and has been steadily breaking into the broader cultural consciousness, particularly with younger fans who look up to the show’s (feisty) icons of LGBTQ pride. To celebrate the conclusion of season nine, TVrev worked with Canvs, the emotion analytics company, to look at how fans really feel about the queens on the screen.The most recent season, which began airing in March and concluded on June 23, accumulated 114,609 Emotional Reactions (ERs), compared to 80,782 ERs last season (which was broadcast on LogoTV). As you’d expect, viewers most frequently sent messages of love (32.6%), while excitement and expressions of craziness were nearly tied at 9.5% and 9.4%, respectively. Fans discussed everything from the fashions seen on the show, to the specific queens, to the challenges and battles before the judges.
Rupaul's drag race gives me life
— Marisa (@marisablashford) April 8, 2017
God I love fur coats 😍 #DragRace
— Matt Rivera♊ (@RiveraRoyalty_) April 22, 2017
Aja SLAYED that lip sync #DragRace
— Joanne Vibes (@erikm0nster) April 8, 2017
Farrah Moan is flawless ✨
— princess ✨ (@msjessykrueger) March 25, 2017
Obviously a drag show is all about the looks, and in regards to beauty (comprising 4.4% of all ERs), Valentina was the most-mentioned by far — but Nina came out on top when it came to laughs.
Valentina is so pretty!🌹#DragRace
— ✨💖Kirby💖✨ (@xGamingNinjax) March 25, 2017
Valentina is beautiful and a wise soul #DragRace
— Shug Knavery (@_aminatah_) April 15, 2017
Lmaooo I'm living for Nina #RPDR
— Cassian Endor (@SpartanShepard7) March 25, 2017
I saw that "sue me" look, Nina! 😂 #rpdr #dragrace
— Destiny L (@desiadair) June 24, 2017
Nearly a quarter (24.5%) of this season’s ERs were prompted by the finale, which included a sudden death lip sync battle between fan favorites Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé, with Sasha emerging victorious. Unsurprisingly, Sasha was the most-mentioned queen of the evening, with viewers furiously tapping out messages of congratulations and admiration.
I love Sasha so much!! #DragRace
— Tracy (@lostmemphis) June 24, 2017
CONGRATS SASHA! 😭💕 #DragRace
— Elizabeth (@Elizabeth_yayy) June 24, 2017
SASHA WON!!! I'M SO HAPPY#DragRace
— Kourtnei :) (@kourtneipaige) June 24, 2017
All hail queen Sasha!! #RPDR #RPDR9
— Will (@personallywilly) June 24, 2017
With season nine over, fans are already looking forward to next year. In April it was announced that RuPaul’s Drag Race has been renewed for a tenth season, and will begin airing next spring.
Thank god for VH1 picking up Drag Race for season 10!!! Already can't wait! #RPDR10
— Jared Freligh (@mrmanjf) April 14, 2017
I am BEYOND Excited!! Come thru S10 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻❤️💅🏻💄👄👗👠👑💃 #DragRace
— Nancy Usilton (@UsiltonGirl61) April 14, 2017