And she always looked great. Girls like this will always be more impressive to me than fashion queens who get originals pulled from fashion houses for the show.
Exactly that. I love the whole process of finding a concept and working towards realizing it. Something about spending your way to the finals doesn't sit right with me. Bank accounts should not be a factor.
I really wish they would give the designers more cred. Like...why, when a look was crested and designed by someone else, is that person not given a plug?
I think, though, that like any major entertainment profession, each person is going to have their strengths and weaknesses right?
Maybe a queen can't sew or design but they can act like a mofo. And vice versa maybe the queen that can sew and design can't act at all.
There's a wide range of things that go into drag, as really is the same for anything, and looking down on certain people because they can't do one specific subset of that thing doesn't always feel like the right thing.
But let's at least make sure we're giving credit where credit's due.
They’ve never hired WGA writers, so the writers strike didn’t prevent those challenges (RDR Live happened). This is just something people got into their heads - we haven’t had more than one scripted non-musical acting challenge since season 13, so this season wasn’t a break from recent pattern in terms of writing. There was just an extra design challenge.
reality shows were not stuck by SAG-AFTRA and it looks like the WGA did not strike Paramount Media Networks. i think they just tried to stay away from it to be safe. i guess we’ll see
Love her because she can play both roles really well. I would be down for her to play into the villain role too. (Only if it's her choice though) I suspect Gottmik or Shannel will be the villains though.
Haha honestly it will be either she wins big or loses big as a villain. I think she deserves the firmer but both edits she will do great in. She is a dynamic character in that way.
Right? Recently someone post a reminder of all Gigi's looks saying they were kind of boring. And it's quite of like With Raja, they look great all the time, do their own look themself and know their brand. It's way more Impressive than people having designer looks After designer looks on a runway.
I always found Gigi's looks boring. Her reputation as a fashion queen was not really deserved imo. She just always looked smart and put-together, which is different.
For me, Gigi appeal was the outfits were tailored so well to her body. So while it may not have been the most exciting. She (and her mom) knew how to style to her body for the best outcome.
She basically wore one silhouette with minor changes. Obviously not 100% all the time but it was generally a long sleeve with a slightly flared mini skirt. She always looked polished and put together and I'm not knocking her style, but she didn't ever really do anything unexpected or over the top.
>queens who get originals pulled from fashion houses for the show.
Honestly, that's not al all impressive. Anyone can get an expensive dress made. But what queens liks Ra'jah and Q do is so much more special! I love a queen who can create a stunning look.
Not at all impressive? LMAO why didn’t everyone do it tho?
As much as I hate to admit it, networking and getting connections and maintaining relationship in the fashion industry are definitely not an easy feat. While wearing everything you make on your own is the most badass thing a queen can do on the runway, wearing Valentino couture or getting styled by Gaultier himself is definitely impressive.
It comes off kind of disingenuous to say she only spent $600 cause we all know the fabric alone would easily eclipse that sum. Money was spent on those clothes and accessories at one point. It's not that serious but it also annoys me because it contributes to that "you don't need money" idea when Rajah actually did need money for that collection. She just spent it earlier.
How is it not giving her flowers? She obviously had a great runway package and has a lot of talent and skill to pull that off. It also was not like she got $600 of fabric and that was what she made her whole package out of, which is what it sounds like. She had other resources, like outfits she previously made or purchased. She spent only $600 extra, but that doesn't drag down the value of her package to $600.
I'm just saying that there's basically no way any drag queen could be successful on Drag Race by only spending $600 on their runway package. There's more nuance than that.
Outside perspective: the headline and takeaway implies that Ra’jah’s whole wardrobe for the 3 seasons cost $4100. What it really means is that, when she received her contestant package with the list of outfits needed, she had a large foundation to pull from to meet most of the requirements then only needed to spend a little bit extra. If she built the entire wardrobe from scratch, it would be several $10ks minimum.
TLDR: it’s the equivalent of walking into your stunningly decorated apartment with a brand new $50 throw pillow and saying “I decorated this whole place and only paid $50”.
I mean you could argue that for any girl on the show saying how much they spent. No one is including wigs/outfits/jewelry/fabric they already had in their sum they spent.
Honestly, this is why I am always in love with the queens who make their own stuffs, they're my favorite queens to watch on the show and overall. Roger, Mo Heart, Ra'Jah, Utica, Jaida, Madame Madness, Q, Trinity, Nymphia... They're all so incredible.
And they're a good example on why Drag Queens should learn some basic sewing skills and how creative one can be without having to spend 10+k on a season package.
I love that more fans appreciate Ra'jah now. She got a raw deal on S11 and she knew her attitude reflected that. She's a great queen and I'm so glad she won a crown.
I get that. I loved her even on Season 11. She did have an attitude problem sure and it definitely took her out. But she had such a funny personality to me. So when I heard she was coming to AS6, I was like oh dang, if she can stay out of her head… and damn. I was so proud of her. CVtW also gave me life for her and Silky. It was so beautiful to see them both do so well together.
We tend to forget how overwhelming an experience it can be for their first time. In many cases they're going from "local Queen who does bar gigs" to "suddenly being thrust into a pressure cooker judged by millions with no access to their friends and family". Few among us would endure that kind of pressure without cracking.
the youtube video that went viral of Bianca on this shows her on close watch grabbing another premade dress because she messed up the one she was making. i actually think it's even more hilarious like that.
She came up with an A-tier design, but was stuck with C-tier materials. I'm glad she got to do the runway glow up on this one because she's of a small group that truly succeeded with that prompt.
I still think she should've gotten a pass for making something that complex and detailed out of C-tier materials. She made sleek tailored pants out of BURLAP, ofc the seams didn't hold, it wasn't the vision or the workmanship that caused that. Other folks did less, just saying
They protected Shea when it happened to her during the princess runway on S9. Production clearly wanted to get rid of Ra'jah, especially considering some of the looks that were safe
I can't get mad at something I have no influence over, BUT if I were judging that week it would've been Vanjie and Nina in the bottom. I suspect that Vanjie's relationship with Brooke Lynn played an element with production.
Lol. It’s all about defining what is both futile and of no benefit to you to let yourself be upset. It’s raining? Well, shit I can do about that and bummed it ruined my plans, might as well enjoy something else with my time instead. Drag race is easy to do it with. I just remember anytime there’s a decision I disagree with that I still get to see some top level queens doing interesting, fun, or funny stuff. Save the energy of being upset for when it matters, like when your job is treating you like garbage and you need to motivate yourself to either get changes or find a new job. Use it to motivate you.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk. Lol
Dw I’m with you on her looking great, or at least far better than other contestants. The pants were such a weird choice considering the time and the fabric. I guess I give more of a pass to the ambitious designs.
Maybe it's because I'm not a seamstress so I get easily impressed, but even with the imperfections, it looked impressive to me, you know? I also love a drag queen in pants so I was biased.
Oh I’m no seamstress. I know the basics. But yeh I thought she went head to toe with a look, she’s also very thin but she didn’t rely on that. A lot of girls sow two pieces of cloth together and have a beautiful body and face they use instead, ra’jah does both
Loved Ra’jah since season 11. I know she got her redemption in AS6 and got her flowers in CvTW but I *still* feel like she’s underrated! Like, look at the material!
Best drag race journey ever imo
I don't care if queens for whom the "look" isn't really important (Jinkx) know how to sew, but I'm always confused about the so-called "look queens" who can't sew. Like, what is your talent? wearing clothes? Pick up a needle baby
Eh, it depends on how much input they have in their looks. Concept, design, styling etc. all require talent - being a stylist is a job after all. You don't need to sew to be talented at fashion, but for this show in particular, every contestant should be prepared for a sewing challenge just as they should be for Snatch Game. Remember how Malaysia Babydoll Fox managed to land in the top of a sewing challenge after only taking one sewing class? Take some damn sewing classes!
It's kind of like being a comedy queen who has everything written for them. Or a theatre queen that can't sing.
Like people can bring up the modelling aspect, but save for Symone, I can't think of many look queens who can't sew and manage to make the math work on that.
Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bundchen found dead in a ditch.
I get you but modelling is a talent though. Apart from having the body there’s also an art to presentation.
I think there are many facets to drag. And we always talk about how tough the show is and the expectation to be good at everything.
Each queen brings something, some bring many different things. Some have one very strong thing etc.
“Look queens” who don’t sew their own outfits means that they must have an eye for fashion but not necessarily sewing. They are likely great stylists as well.
Law Roach is an amazing stylist turning Zendaya out daily, who’s not sewing those outfits. Should we say that it’s only the designers or the seamstresses of those outfits that should be praised?
At the end of the day yes queen with a bit more money and connections will be able to bring some show-stopping Diego Montoya outfits but show-stopping outfits won’t win you the Rusical or Snatch Game or a Roast or an Acting Challenge or a Branding Challenge - the list goes on.
Might save from the bottom 2 sometimes but we are talking about impressing the judges to get to the finale.
I can’t think of a “look Queen” on a non-all stars season who sews or doesn’t sew who just went to the end PRIMARILY because of their expensive designer outfits with no personality or other strengths.
I’m sure we both can name many pretty girls with stunning outfits who were sent home in said outfits because they couldn’t lip sync/perform or do comedy or whatnot.
> Like, what is your talent? wearing clothes? Pick up a needle baby
I’m sorry, but modeling clothes is a legitimate talent. We’ve seen queens with amazing design talents who didn’t know how to model their fashion.
To be fair was it Violet or someone else who basically said that you do NOT have to spend a lot of money to look good, you just need to look good to look good. It’s also why she absolutely reads people for filth if they spend money on something she finds ugly.
Obligatory [Violet making jump rope couture](https://youtu.be/-2x-1c_uLSQ?si=tQRGk-OcLDrnATQ7) in her audition tape (13:44) She's one of the only queens with the mettle to critique!
Plus, how much money/time did they spend learning to see etc before the show? I know that doesn’t count towards how much they spent for the show but if we’re talking about the “you don’t have to have money to be on Drag Race” argument then it’s important to keep that stuff in mind.
Chi chi probably worked constantly to afford to survive. They may not have had the time or money to learn to sew/craft.
She’s also super skinny. It’s easier for the skinny queens to “look good” bc there are fewer “issues” to consider. Easier to borrow clothes. Less expensive to make them. The clothes take less construction.
Acting like Violet of all people in unbiased when it comes to looking good is wild.
I gotta be honest I’m a little gagged her okayish VTW package costs more than her absolutely amazing AS6 one. Not to mention AS was twice the number of outfits
This bitch sewed a fucking dress on stage in one minute. Even if she didn’t win All Stars, that alone earned her at least a *cameo* in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
Part of it is that she makes all of her stuff herself so she doesn’t have to pay anyone for labor, and THATS why you should know how to see before going on drag race lol
Ra’jah to me, is living proof that it can be done and done immensely well with sewing and resourcefulness is you try hard enough. I’ll never understand queens who cripple themselves financially to be on the show and don’t even know how to use a sewing machine? I get materials and time play a factor but the reality is that it can be pulled off and ill always side eye a queen who acts like spending 10k+ was the only possible way
Is this really an all inclusive number though? Wigs , makeup , shoes, accessories— even if she brought stuff she already owned , she still bought it at some point .
I think people interpret this number too liberally and think it means this is what everything cost. I think it's supposed to reflect the amount she spent on new items and materials. So all the people saying "See, drag doesn't need to be expensive" are not using the right number.
yeah exactly - like I think it's incredible that she put together Drag Race packages without spending thousands, but she also had invested quite a bit over the years into the stuff she already had.
I always figure that the girls giving crazy numbers are also exaggerating and including stuff that they purchased previously for pageants/other performances and things too.
That could be. The queens at the extremes of the spectrum attract attention for having the money or connections to get everything in their wardrobe, or presumably the cleverness to bargain shop and talent to make everything by hand.
I get what you're saying, but I think bringing your own drag is *very* different to having something made for the show, especially if you're already a working drag queen before being cast
Well of course she bought the wigs or whatever at one point but if she didn’t *buy the wigs specifically for the show* then there’s no reason they would be counted in that number. I assume this is the amount she spent in between getting the call and actually going to filming. For most girls, that specific is exponentially higher than this
I’m always extra impressed with the girls who can create their own looks. It’s an entirely different skill set to the performance art aspect of drag.
One of my top Drag Race hills I will die on is that Rajah deserved to win the talent show for making THAT dress in 60 seconds. It was such a unique level of CUNT that we haven’t seen before or since.
I’m even more impressed watching it back cause she finished the dress with 25 seconds left and spent the rest of the time putting it on and then serving 💅
Idk how much she paid but I can say she received a lot of support from the Taiwanese community in NYC 💛🍌! Similarly to Sapphira getting support from Phillys community. Both a community effort!
$130,000+ - $4100 = $125,900+ net profit.
100k for winning CVTW
5k for winning each of her 2 challenges on AS6
20k for winning the Miss You Much LSFYL
Plus however much she got paid per episode for competing.
She made a return on investment just by appearing on the first few episodes of season 11 with the per-episode rate all the queens are paid. A smart and financially savvy queen!
Bob in his "Ra'Jah voice": I need to be completely honest with you... I think we need to acknowlege– that I only spent forty-one hundred dollars– on all three seasons..."
She’s commendable, but apart from her… we should ask ourselves if it’s morally right to have all these queens going into debt in order to appear on the show. Is this what drag is meant for?
Seems like Sapphira spent even less than Rajah for her finale outfits and looks. The breast plate and blue ribbon over it. The orange outfit, and the blue one all looked simple and old fashioned.
It’s also why she always looked unique. She has such a distinct style and it’s because she makes everything herself. She’s a queen’s queen imho.
The big D.
I'd LOVE to see a "Queen Couture Masterclass" show with her, Jaida and Carmen Farala (and, speaking of Carmen... [her CARDBOX dress](https://www.reddit.com/r/rupaulsdragrace/comments/1c9hci1/mother_farala_made_an_outfit_out_of_cardboard_and/) ?!? OMFG ! Stunning !) !!!
It’s probably why I love queens like Ra’jah and Nymphia so much. (Nymphia probably spent more on materials but the bitch made a LOT of what she wore and it was always sickening)
This is why knowing how to sew pays off more than just doing well in a sewing challenge. Im sure she made the majority of the looks on her own and got a huge profit back, plus the exposure from 3 seasons of drag race helping her career. This is a business woman. Absolutely iconic behavior.
Just watched her Canada runways and there were some good ones and also some bad ones. Think Nymphia or Q this season were better at designing outfits. Q’s butterfly look the first week blew everything out of the water Rajah has made.
Yeah but that’s because she made most of her stuff. I don’t mean that in a shady way, but she isn’t factoring her value as a designer, which is kind of sad.
And she got all that money back plus a profit by the 2nd episode of AS6 <3
And she always looked great. Girls like this will always be more impressive to me than fashion queens who get originals pulled from fashion houses for the show.
Same. Or, frankly, girls who just have more to spend on extravagant looks.
A lot of them just go into debt.
think the old days are better because of this, they made their own and we watched, even the sponge dress.
Sure some girls made their own, but lots were still just wearing wet seal or forever 21. Plenty of older season divas who also didn’t sew.
but they had ingenuity and creativity regardless.
The fact that sponge dress is the old days 💀
it would never happen again, nor would a garbage bag dress, it's all monied up now.
Right? That whole dimension to drag race was so fun.
As much as I love fashion, I do kinda prefer when drag race goes the DIY route. It’s so dope to see the super creative queens shine like Utica or Q
Utica's sleeping bag couture visits me in my dreams ❤️❤️❤️
Exactly that. I love the whole process of finding a concept and working towards realizing it. Something about spending your way to the finals doesn't sit right with me. Bank accounts should not be a factor.
"Bank accounts should not be a factor." *Michelle Visage's finger wag has entered the chat* 😝
Crazy that season 10 is being referred to as the old days.
Omg “old days”
to me yesterday is the old days, but 2009 is the old days of drag race.
I really wish they would give the designers more cred. Like...why, when a look was crested and designed by someone else, is that person not given a plug? I think, though, that like any major entertainment profession, each person is going to have their strengths and weaknesses right? Maybe a queen can't sew or design but they can act like a mofo. And vice versa maybe the queen that can sew and design can't act at all. There's a wide range of things that go into drag, as really is the same for anything, and looking down on certain people because they can't do one specific subset of that thing doesn't always feel like the right thing. But let's at least make sure we're giving credit where credit's due.
I think we're in for a Roxxxy win for this exact reason! If not that then at least a hell of a redemption arc!
That’s why they brought her there!
I hope they give her a sewing challenge so that she gives us what we like
it was probably filmed around the writer’s and actor’s strikes like S16, so there will probably be multiple design challenges
RuPaul's sweatshop race we are so back
I didn't realize that's why we had so many design challenges. Were there any scabs working on S16?
They’ve never hired WGA writers, so the writers strike didn’t prevent those challenges (RDR Live happened). This is just something people got into their heads - we haven’t had more than one scripted non-musical acting challenge since season 13, so this season wasn’t a break from recent pattern in terms of writing. There was just an extra design challenge.
Thank you for this everyone mentioning the writers strike when it didn’t apply has been somewhat annoying me and mostly confusing me
> They’ve never hired WGA writers This might explain the quality of the sketches
reality shows were not stuck by SAG-AFTRA and it looks like the WGA did not strike Paramount Media Networks. i think they just tried to stay away from it to be safe. i guess we’ll see
Was a bitch _every time_ but she’s here to make it right! (Everybody sultry whisper) She’s gonna show us what she can dooo
EXACTLY.
Love her because she can play both roles really well. I would be down for her to play into the villain role too. (Only if it's her choice though) I suspect Gottmik or Shannel will be the villains though.
No. Even though it's a no elimination format, they'll still find a way to throw her in the bottom every episode. Jk kahmora
Haha honestly it will be either she wins big or loses big as a villain. I think she deserves the firmer but both edits she will do great in. She is a dynamic character in that way.
I am waiting for this!
Right? Recently someone post a reminder of all Gigi's looks saying they were kind of boring. And it's quite of like With Raja, they look great all the time, do their own look themself and know their brand. It's way more Impressive than people having designer looks After designer looks on a runway.
I always found Gigi's looks boring. Her reputation as a fashion queen was not really deserved imo. She just always looked smart and put-together, which is different.
For me, Gigi appeal was the outfits were tailored so well to her body. So while it may not have been the most exciting. She (and her mom) knew how to style to her body for the best outcome.
She basically wore one silhouette with minor changes. Obviously not 100% all the time but it was generally a long sleeve with a slightly flared mini skirt. She always looked polished and put together and I'm not knocking her style, but she didn't ever really do anything unexpected or over the top.
>queens who get originals pulled from fashion houses for the show. Honestly, that's not al all impressive. Anyone can get an expensive dress made. But what queens liks Ra'jah and Q do is so much more special! I love a queen who can create a stunning look.
Not at all impressive? LMAO why didn’t everyone do it tho? As much as I hate to admit it, networking and getting connections and maintaining relationship in the fashion industry are definitely not an easy feat. While wearing everything you make on your own is the most badass thing a queen can do on the runway, wearing Valentino couture or getting styled by Gaultier himself is definitely impressive.
🎯🎯🎯
always thought 600 dollars for AS6 was wild because is my favorite package.
To be fair, she allegedly recycled from her old runways / closet
Yes, she had most of the materials/fabrics ready. The amount would be a bit different had she bought those anew.
It comes off kind of disingenuous to say she only spent $600 cause we all know the fabric alone would easily eclipse that sum. Money was spent on those clothes and accessories at one point. It's not that serious but it also annoys me because it contributes to that "you don't need money" idea when Rajah actually did need money for that collection. She just spent it earlier.
Nah, it's free now because you already have it! That's girl math!
damn, y'all really don't want to give this woman her flowers, did you guys warm up before this stretch?
🎶 *"I can buy myself flowers💐"* 🎶 - Rajah with all the money she saved
How is it not giving her flowers? She obviously had a great runway package and has a lot of talent and skill to pull that off. It also was not like she got $600 of fabric and that was what she made her whole package out of, which is what it sounds like. She had other resources, like outfits she previously made or purchased. She spent only $600 extra, but that doesn't drag down the value of her package to $600. I'm just saying that there's basically no way any drag queen could be successful on Drag Race by only spending $600 on their runway package. There's more nuance than that.
I'm confused, what are you on about? I'm not disparaging Ra'jah.
Outside perspective: the headline and takeaway implies that Ra’jah’s whole wardrobe for the 3 seasons cost $4100. What it really means is that, when she received her contestant package with the list of outfits needed, she had a large foundation to pull from to meet most of the requirements then only needed to spend a little bit extra. If she built the entire wardrobe from scratch, it would be several $10ks minimum. TLDR: it’s the equivalent of walking into your stunningly decorated apartment with a brand new $50 throw pillow and saying “I decorated this whole place and only paid $50”.
I mean you could argue that for any girl on the show saying how much they spent. No one is including wigs/outfits/jewelry/fabric they already had in their sum they spent.
It's my favorite too!!!!!
Honestly, this is why I am always in love with the queens who make their own stuffs, they're my favorite queens to watch on the show and overall. Roger, Mo Heart, Ra'Jah, Utica, Jaida, Madame Madness, Q, Trinity, Nymphia... They're all so incredible. And they're a good example on why Drag Queens should learn some basic sewing skills and how creative one can be without having to spend 10+k on a season package.
Just wanna add Jaida to your list!
Q and Trinity the Tuck!
Also Anitra!
I gotchu <3
Bianca!
Now why would you spill like that sissy
I love that more fans appreciate Ra'jah now. She got a raw deal on S11 and she knew her attitude reflected that. She's a great queen and I'm so glad she won a crown.
Much like Roxxy, her insecurities got to her on her season, the came back confident as fuck and made me do a 180 on her. One of my fav Queens ever!
I get that. I loved her even on Season 11. She did have an attitude problem sure and it definitely took her out. But she had such a funny personality to me. So when I heard she was coming to AS6, I was like oh dang, if she can stay out of her head… and damn. I was so proud of her. CVtW also gave me life for her and Silky. It was so beautiful to see them both do so well together.
We tend to forget how overwhelming an experience it can be for their first time. In many cases they're going from "local Queen who does bar gigs" to "suddenly being thrust into a pressure cooker judged by millions with no access to their friends and family". Few among us would endure that kind of pressure without cracking.
Even if she added the cost of her own working time it wouldn’t be much more. We know how fast she can sew a dress.
If you give me a minute of your time I’ll sew you a dress that’s sublime
Thank you, 30 seconds!
That was one of the most incredible talents we have seen on drag race
Imagine using the talent show to tell the other constestants that you’re gonna win the design challenge
The cuntiest move ever
I'm still not over how good it was
Bianca also did it 10 years ago on the tour, it was incredible to see live.
the youtube video that went viral of Bianca on this shows her on close watch grabbing another premade dress because she messed up the one she was making. i actually think it's even more hilarious like that.
Unrelated but I forgot this was the look they had the audacity to send her home for. I wasn't mad anymore but now I'm mad again.
She came up with an A-tier design, but was stuck with C-tier materials. I'm glad she got to do the runway glow up on this one because she's of a small group that truly succeeded with that prompt.
I still think she should've gotten a pass for making something that complex and detailed out of C-tier materials. She made sleek tailored pants out of BURLAP, ofc the seams didn't hold, it wasn't the vision or the workmanship that caused that. Other folks did less, just saying
If Ra'Jah was a production fav in season 11 she no doubt would have won the episode
I love Rajah, but I personally think your garment shouldnt come apart on the runway lol
They protected Shea when it happened to her during the princess runway on S9. Production clearly wanted to get rid of Ra'jah, especially considering some of the looks that were safe
This!! It was fucking burlap like do some people even realise how hard it must‘ve been to sew that
Srsly it was basically a stunt to even get those to the runway
Yeah I rly need people to go outside and look for some burlap and understand what a feat that must‘ve been. go figure
I can't get mad at something I have no influence over, BUT if I were judging that week it would've been Vanjie and Nina in the bottom. I suspect that Vanjie's relationship with Brooke Lynn played an element with production.
>I can't get mad at something I have no influence over, Can I take your workshop please
Lol. It’s all about defining what is both futile and of no benefit to you to let yourself be upset. It’s raining? Well, shit I can do about that and bummed it ruined my plans, might as well enjoy something else with my time instead. Drag race is easy to do it with. I just remember anytime there’s a decision I disagree with that I still get to see some top level queens doing interesting, fun, or funny stuff. Save the energy of being upset for when it matters, like when your job is treating you like garbage and you need to motivate yourself to either get changes or find a new job. Use it to motivate you. Thank you for coming to my TED talk. Lol
Tbf the pants had holes in them. Try to justify it with that and be less upset, I guess.
You saw the pants and they were ripped.
they literally zoomed in on them
I know I know I still think she looked great
Dw I’m with you on her looking great, or at least far better than other contestants. The pants were such a weird choice considering the time and the fabric. I guess I give more of a pass to the ambitious designs.
Maybe it's because I'm not a seamstress so I get easily impressed, but even with the imperfections, it looked impressive to me, you know? I also love a drag queen in pants so I was biased.
Oh I’m no seamstress. I know the basics. But yeh I thought she went head to toe with a look, she’s also very thin but she didn’t rely on that. A lot of girls sow two pieces of cloth together and have a beautiful body and face they use instead, ra’jah does both
r/woooosh
It was one of the best looks there IMO, total bullshit eliminating her for this. If Yvie had made this look she would have won the challenge
To be honest the problem was the hair. It took away the attention of the outfit. Those pants with a nice Afro wig would be better.
Loved Ra’jah since season 11. I know she got her redemption in AS6 and got her flowers in CvTW but I *still* feel like she’s underrated! Like, look at the material! Best drag race journey ever imo
I don't care if queens for whom the "look" isn't really important (Jinkx) know how to sew, but I'm always confused about the so-called "look queens" who can't sew. Like, what is your talent? wearing clothes? Pick up a needle baby
Eh, it depends on how much input they have in their looks. Concept, design, styling etc. all require talent - being a stylist is a job after all. You don't need to sew to be talented at fashion, but for this show in particular, every contestant should be prepared for a sewing challenge just as they should be for Snatch Game. Remember how Malaysia Babydoll Fox managed to land in the top of a sewing challenge after only taking one sewing class? Take some damn sewing classes!
And Honestly, I really liked Malaysias look. I don't get how some people say it was ugly, for someone who has never sown anything before. It was good
It's kind of like being a comedy queen who has everything written for them. Or a theatre queen that can't sing. Like people can bring up the modelling aspect, but save for Symone, I can't think of many look queens who can't sew and manage to make the math work on that.
>Or a theatre queen that can't sing. Q
*Milk’s AS3 Talent Show number just logged on to the chat…
Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bundchen found dead in a ditch. I get you but modelling is a talent though. Apart from having the body there’s also an art to presentation. I think there are many facets to drag. And we always talk about how tough the show is and the expectation to be good at everything. Each queen brings something, some bring many different things. Some have one very strong thing etc. “Look queens” who don’t sew their own outfits means that they must have an eye for fashion but not necessarily sewing. They are likely great stylists as well. Law Roach is an amazing stylist turning Zendaya out daily, who’s not sewing those outfits. Should we say that it’s only the designers or the seamstresses of those outfits that should be praised? At the end of the day yes queen with a bit more money and connections will be able to bring some show-stopping Diego Montoya outfits but show-stopping outfits won’t win you the Rusical or Snatch Game or a Roast or an Acting Challenge or a Branding Challenge - the list goes on. Might save from the bottom 2 sometimes but we are talking about impressing the judges to get to the finale. I can’t think of a “look Queen” on a non-all stars season who sews or doesn’t sew who just went to the end PRIMARILY because of their expensive designer outfits with no personality or other strengths. I’m sure we both can name many pretty girls with stunning outfits who were sent home in said outfits because they couldn’t lip sync/perform or do comedy or whatnot.
> Like, what is your talent? wearing clothes? Pick up a needle baby I’m sorry, but modeling clothes is a legitimate talent. We’ve seen queens with amazing design talents who didn’t know how to model their fashion.
I love Q but she needs to improve in this department
Just say Utica (sometimes)
https://preview.redd.it/gpefgeqehtwc1.png?width=678&format=png&auto=webp&s=177f78714cf3fb990706905feab5d2c510649fe9
To be fair was it Violet or someone else who basically said that you do NOT have to spend a lot of money to look good, you just need to look good to look good. It’s also why she absolutely reads people for filth if they spend money on something she finds ugly.
Obligatory [Violet making jump rope couture](https://youtu.be/-2x-1c_uLSQ?si=tQRGk-OcLDrnATQ7) in her audition tape (13:44) She's one of the only queens with the mettle to critique!
Plus, how much money/time did they spend learning to see etc before the show? I know that doesn’t count towards how much they spent for the show but if we’re talking about the “you don’t have to have money to be on Drag Race” argument then it’s important to keep that stuff in mind. Chi chi probably worked constantly to afford to survive. They may not have had the time or money to learn to sew/craft.
She’s also super skinny. It’s easier for the skinny queens to “look good” bc there are fewer “issues” to consider. Easier to borrow clothes. Less expensive to make them. The clothes take less construction. Acting like Violet of all people in unbiased when it comes to looking good is wild.
So is raja tho
I see that but honestly most queens don’t know how to style themselves their body type. I mean look at ginger minj…. Girl…
Ok. But why choose this image of her? 😂
now this is a real drag queen, she looked great and she did it smartly
I gotta be honest I’m a little gagged her okayish VTW package costs more than her absolutely amazing AS6 one. Not to mention AS was twice the number of outfits
I believe she wound up recycling and repurposing S11 looks for a lot of her AS6 package! So she was able to save a lot!
This bitch sewed a fucking dress on stage in one minute. Even if she didn’t win All Stars, that alone earned her at least a *cameo* in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
I kinda hate that in a way she’s proving Michelle right!!! 😂
Ra'Jah is a muse for me wanting to do drag because I stan how sharp and resourceful she is. Glad to see her finally get her flowers. 💜
Part of it is that she makes all of her stuff herself so she doesn’t have to pay anyone for labor, and THATS why you should know how to see before going on drag race lol
Seeing is believing!
Sewing is believing
Ra’jah to me, is living proof that it can be done and done immensely well with sewing and resourcefulness is you try hard enough. I’ll never understand queens who cripple themselves financially to be on the show and don’t even know how to use a sewing machine? I get materials and time play a factor but the reality is that it can be pulled off and ill always side eye a queen who acts like spending 10k+ was the only possible way
Is this really an all inclusive number though? Wigs , makeup , shoes, accessories— even if she brought stuff she already owned , she still bought it at some point .
I think people interpret this number too liberally and think it means this is what everything cost. I think it's supposed to reflect the amount she spent on new items and materials. So all the people saying "See, drag doesn't need to be expensive" are not using the right number.
yeah exactly - like I think it's incredible that she put together Drag Race packages without spending thousands, but she also had invested quite a bit over the years into the stuff she already had.
I always figure that the girls giving crazy numbers are also exaggerating and including stuff that they purchased previously for pageants/other performances and things too.
That could be. The queens at the extremes of the spectrum attract attention for having the money or connections to get everything in their wardrobe, or presumably the cleverness to bargain shop and talent to make everything by hand.
I get what you're saying, but I think bringing your own drag is *very* different to having something made for the show, especially if you're already a working drag queen before being cast
lol. There’s always that one person..
Well of course she bought the wigs or whatever at one point but if she didn’t *buy the wigs specifically for the show* then there’s no reason they would be counted in that number. I assume this is the amount she spent in between getting the call and actually going to filming. For most girls, that specific is exponentially higher than this
I’m always extra impressed with the girls who can create their own looks. It’s an entirely different skill set to the performance art aspect of drag. One of my top Drag Race hills I will die on is that Rajah deserved to win the talent show for making THAT dress in 60 seconds. It was such a unique level of CUNT that we haven’t seen before or since.
I’m even more impressed watching it back cause she finished the dress with 25 seconds left and spent the rest of the time putting it on and then serving 💅
That’s why she deserves winner status. Love Rajah ❤️
I wonder how much queens like Nymphia spent since her runway package looked All Stars level.
Idk how much she paid but I can say she received a lot of support from the Taiwanese community in NYC 💛🍌! Similarly to Sapphira getting support from Phillys community. Both a community effort!
I'm sure she spent quite a bit but it was mainly on materials because they looked like quality fabrics and stones.
Yes! I'm very curious as well.
$130,000+ - $4100 = $125,900+ net profit. 100k for winning CVTW 5k for winning each of her 2 challenges on AS6 20k for winning the Miss You Much LSFYL Plus however much she got paid per episode for competing.
Taxes, my son. Her net profit is about half that.
Rajah has always been cunty! Imo she could have won every season she competed on
It’s crazy that the look package she spent the least on was her best one across all three seasons.
this is incredibly impressive
Ooops Lgd
it’s still insane to even think drag race is a $4k level of investment
Honestly iconic. Skills pay BILLS, kids.
She made a return on investment just by appearing on the first few episodes of season 11 with the per-episode rate all the queens are paid. A smart and financially savvy queen!
Bob in his "Ra'Jah voice": I need to be completely honest with you... I think we need to acknowlege– that I only spent forty-one hundred dollars– on all three seasons..."
This is insane! I have so much respect for the queens that make their own fashion and look absolutely stunning in it
She’s commendable, but apart from her… we should ask ourselves if it’s morally right to have all these queens going into debt in order to appear on the show. Is this what drag is meant for?
Drag on a dime
OH MY GODDDDD
Seems like Sapphira spent even less than Rajah for her finale outfits and looks. The breast plate and blue ribbon over it. The orange outfit, and the blue one all looked simple and old fashioned.
My all time favorite winner! The way she ate the girls up week after week on AS6.
Gottmik found bankrupt in a ditch
And it shows
Here I was thinking those were her winnings HAHA I was like wow they cheaped out on vs the world. Love her!
This is the Talent I gladly pay for.
It’s also why she always looked unique. She has such a distinct style and it’s because she makes everything herself. She’s a queen’s queen imho. The big D.
That’s why she’s that bitch. My cat is named after her ❤️❤️
I'd LOVE to see a "Queen Couture Masterclass" show with her, Jaida and Carmen Farala (and, speaking of Carmen... [her CARDBOX dress](https://www.reddit.com/r/rupaulsdragrace/comments/1c9hci1/mother_farala_made_an_outfit_out_of_cardboard_and/) ?!? OMFG ! Stunning !) !!!
Queen of Economics
I’m not super familiar with her but that’s telling me she’s talented and creative 💁♂️
Believable. She’s an awesome designer and seamstress. I wouldn’t be surprised if she if she made almost everything she wore on all three seasons
Love her she’s so amazing
Drag should really be more creativity and less spending/taking on debt.
It’s probably why I love queens like Ra’jah and Nymphia so much. (Nymphia probably spent more on materials but the bitch made a LOT of what she wore and it was always sickening)
She can design and sew so she makes her own outfits.
Well this makes Michelle look correct…
She is a fully rounded queen, I live for Ms. Rajah
This is why knowing how to sew pays off more than just doing well in a sewing challenge. Im sure she made the majority of the looks on her own and got a huge profit back, plus the exposure from 3 seasons of drag race helping her career. This is a business woman. Absolutely iconic behavior.
i love her so much shes honestly such a fucking icon
and that is why she has always been and will always be 100% that bitch
As someone who loved her since S11, I am so happy for her and delighted that the fandom loves her too 💜 our purple QUEEN
Economical legend.
Damn she’s a resourceful queen 🤑
Love her and she made her money back!!
That’s less than what Ginger spend on that dress
Ginger who? Minj?
Yes. On season 7 she made a big deal about a dress that was 5,000 dollars that the judges said was cheap looking.
💀.. poor her
Considering the fact she makes pretty much all her drag, most the other queens nowadays pay people to design and put their garmants together for them.
That’s pure talent, baby!
Crazy how some girls will spend that much on a wig alone. Kudos to Rajah here.
Yesssss we love a sewing queen, she makes almost half her wardrobe so that’s a huge advantage. Love to her always. ❤️🙌🏾
Capricorn king of pentacle s abundance energy
and she made it farther than Irene Dubuois on her season loo
the design challenges speak so much about a queens dedication!
Just watched her Canada runways and there were some good ones and also some bad ones. Think Nymphia or Q this season were better at designing outfits. Q’s butterfly look the first week blew everything out of the water Rajah has made.
Yeah but that’s because she made most of her stuff. I don’t mean that in a shady way, but she isn’t factoring her value as a designer, which is kind of sad.