Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Drag queen contest is campy, fun, has positive messages.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
RuPaul's Drag Race
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Parents say that while the show offers inspiring messages of acceptance and creativity, it contains significant sexual innuendo and language that may not be suitable for younger viewers, often leading to mixed feelings about its appropriateness. Some parents recommend this as a valuable viewing experience to foster conversations around themes of identity and self-acceptance, especially for older teens, but many agree that it should ideally be watched with parental guidance due to its adult content.
- sexual content
- positive messages
- parental guidance
- mixed suitability
- self-acceptance
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 45 kid reviews
What's the Story?
RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE is a reality competition designed to find America's next drag superstar. Hosted by actor, model, and drag queen RuPaul, the series follows 12 performers as they compete in a variety of designing, modeling, dancing, and acting challenges to show off their drag personalities and styles. To move to the next round, they must impress a panel of judges and weekly guest celebrity judges like Kathy Griffin and Kim Coles. The two contestants who least impress the judges each week must face off in a lip-synching performance to remain in the competition.
Is It Any Good?
This series provides an entertaining and voyeuristic glimpse into the performance art world of drag queens. Combining the fashion design drama of Project Runway with the modeling excitement of America's Next Top Model, RuPaul's Drag Race offers plenty of over-the-top camp as its signature tone. But rather than treating drag performers as people to be laughed at and/or scorned, the show also focuses on the hard work and talent that goes into the unique art form.
RuPaul's Drag Race isn't for everyone, and there's enough strong language, sexual innuendo, and bigger-than-life personalities to make it an iffy choice for younger viewers. But it does offer positive messages about self-acceptance and overcoming adversity. In the end, the series' goal is to celebrate people who are willing to follow their passions and be true to themselves.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stereotypes. Do the contestants in RuPaul's Drag Race reinforce or undermine stereotypes typically associated with LGBTQ+ communities? Where is the line between indulging in stereotypes or using them for camp humor?
Every show ends with RuPaul reminding the contestants: "If you don't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?" How do you think the performers practice self-love through the art of drag?
How has Drag Race made space for trans contestants to be their most authentic, courageous, and hardworking selves on-screen? How have mainstream views about trans people changed, or stayed the same, throughout the series?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 2, 2009
- Cast : Merle Ginsberg , RuPaul Charles , Santino Rice
- Networks : Logo , VH1
- Genre : Reality TV
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Awards : Emmy - Emmy Award Winner , Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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