Podcasts > Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin > The Business of Drag with Alaska Thunderf*ck (RuPaul's Drag Race)

The Business of Drag with Alaska Thunderf*ck (RuPaul's Drag Race)

By Money News Network

In this episode of the Money Rehab podcast, drag performer Alaska Thunderf*ck shares insights into the business aspects of drag, chronicling her journey from early awe at the art form to establishing a career. Alaska reflects on navigating the financial and entrepreneurial realities of being a drag performer, from modest bar tips to ventures like merchandise and show production.

She also opens up about redefining personal success following her appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race, expanding her sense of fulfillment beyond fame. The discussion touches on Alaska's passion project "Drag the Musical," a creative endeavor with profound personal significance as a vehicle for LGBTQ+ representation and affirmation.

The Business of Drag with Alaska Thunderf*ck (RuPaul's Drag Race)

This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Dec 19, 2024 episode of the Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin

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The Business of Drag with Alaska Thunderf*ck (RuPaul's Drag Race)

1-Page Summary

The journey into drag and initial experiences

According to Alaska, her entrance into drag was marked by early awestruck moments seeing drag shows, and a revelation that drag embraces creativity without strict rules. She initially had no performing aspirations, but crafted the persona Alaska Thunderfuck after an eclectic Duran Duran-themed drag show in San Francisco inspired her. Alaska's official drag debut was a meticulously planned stunt-filled performance at a contest in Pittsburgh, where she won by strategically appealing to the host and impressing the audience.

The business and financial aspects of being a drag performer

Alaska reveals that making a living solely from drag performance was challenging due to significant costume and makeup costs. She turned to other queens for inspiration on revenue streams like merchandise sales, show production, and releasing original music. Performing at bars generated modest income through tips, but more reliable revenue came from entrepreneurial ventures. Alaska highlights the structural benefits of her fixed-payment arrangement for a local show, providing creative freedom without ticket sale pressures.

Before appearing on Drag Race, Alaska romanticized fame as a solution to her problems. However, per Alaska, the realities of post-show chaos and upheaval dispelled that illusion. Alaska endured hardships like a lost pet and house fire, prompting a long process of redefining personal success beyond just her career. She underscores the importance of finding fulfillment through interests and relationships outside drag.

Alaska's creative projects and their personal and professional significance

Alaska's longtime passion project, the musical "Drag the Musical" which she co-wrote and stars in, explores themes of family, identity and the socio-political landscape around drag performance. For Alaska, the show provides vital LGBTQ+ representation and affirmation, resonating deeply with audiences including repeat attendees. Despite challenges staging the production amid shifting attitudes toward drag, Alaska remains committed to celebrating and advocating for the art form through creative endeavours like potential future musicals.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Making a living solely from drag performance can be challenging due to high costs associated with costumes and makeup. Drag performers often rely on various revenue streams like merchandise sales, show production, and original music releases to supplement their income. While performing at bars can bring in tips, more stable earnings typically come from entrepreneurial endeavors outside of traditional performances. Establishing diverse income sources is crucial for drag performers to sustain their careers financially.
  • Drag performers often supplement their income through various revenue streams beyond tips from performances. These can include selling merchandise like t-shirts, posters, or other branded items related to their drag persona. Additionally, they may generate income by producing and hosting their own drag shows, where they can control the production and potentially earn from ticket sales or venue partnerships. These additional revenue streams help drag performers diversify their income sources and establish a more stable financial foundation in the competitive entertainment industry.
  • After appearing on RuPaul's Drag Race, Alaska faced challenges and disruptions in her life, such as dealing with the aftermath of sudden fame, managing personal struggles like losing a pet and experiencing a house fire, and navigating the pressures and changes that came with increased public attention. These post-show experiences led Alaska to reassess her priorities and redefine success beyond just her career in drag, highlighting the emotional toll and unexpected difficulties that can accompany newfound fame and visibility.

Counterarguments

  • While Alaska's entrance into drag was inspired by the creative freedom of the art form, it's worth noting that some individuals may find the drag scene intimidating or restrictive due to its own set of unspoken norms and expectations.
  • The creation of a drag persona like Alaska Thunderfuck, while inspired by a specific event, is a complex process that often involves ongoing development and refinement beyond a single source of inspiration.
  • Strategic appeal in performances, such as Alaska's debut, might suggest a calculated approach to art that could be critiqued for prioritizing competition over pure creative expression.
  • The challenges of making a living from drag performance highlight the broader issue of financial instability in many artistic careers, suggesting a need for better support systems for artists.
  • Learning about revenue streams from other queens underscores the importance of community and mentorship in drag, but it also raises questions about the sustainability and accessibility of such income sources for newcomers to the scene.
  • The fixed-payment arrangement for shows that Alaska benefited from may not be available to all performers, which could perpetuate inequalities within the drag community.
  • Romanticizing fame is common, and Alaska's disillusionment with fame post-Drag Race could be seen as a cautionary tale about the realities of celebrity culture.
  • Redefining personal success is a subjective process, and what works for Alaska might not resonate with or be applicable to other performers facing similar challenges.
  • While "Drag the Musical" provides LGBTQ+ representation, some might argue that a single production cannot fully capture the diversity and complexity of the entire LGBTQ+ community.
  • The commitment to celebrating and advocating for drag through creative endeavors is commendable, but it's also important to recognize that not all drag performers may have the resources or opportunities to engage in such projects.

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The Business of Drag with Alaska Thunderf*ck (RuPaul's Drag Race)

The journey into drag and initial experiences

Alaska's entrance into the world of drag and her beginnings as a performer reveal the unexpected twists and formative moments that would shape her eventual success.

Awestruck Beginnings

Alaska's first brush with drag performance occurred unexpectedly in a bar in West Virginia. Initially, she didn't see herself on stage as she couldn't imagine achieving the level of glamor and style she witnessed. The experience left Alaska awestruck, but rather than inspiring her to perform, it instilled a simple desire to get drunk.

An Early Flair for the Dramatic

However, signs of Alaska's future stage persona could be seen in her early interest in style and appearance. As noted in her memoir, she exercised her creativity through fashion statements, making makeshift Catwoman suits from trash bags and experimenting with her appearance by dyeing her contacts with food coloring due to her desire for darker eyes.

Finding Drag's Eclectic Spirit

The turning point for Alaska came after moving to San Francisco where she attended a Duran Duran-themed drag show. The revelatory moment wasn't the show itself but the realization that drag didn't adhere to a strict set of rules. The experience inspired her to craft her own drag persona, Alaska Thunderfuck.

Alaska's Debut and Early Triumphs

Alaska's official debut came in the form of a contest at Pegasus in Pittsburgh, known as Chi Chi LaRue's fish bowl contest. With the determination to win, Alaska meticulousl ...

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The journey into drag and initial experiences

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Explore your past for hints of your passion by journaling about childhood interests and how they might inform a current hobby or career path. For instance, if you always loved organizing your space, consider dabbling in interior design or professional organizing for friends.
  • Create a DIY costume project using unconventional materials found at home to tap into your creative potential. You could fashion a superhero cape from an old curtain or design jewelry from kitchen items like pasta or foil, which can be a fun activity with kids or a unique way to accessorize for a themed event.
  • Practice engaging an audience by planning a small performance for friends or family, focus ...

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The Business of Drag with Alaska Thunderf*ck (RuPaul's Drag Race)

The business and financial aspects of being a drag performer

Alaska, a prominent drag performer, shares her experience and journey in navigating the financial realities of the drag world.

To make a living as a drag performer, Alaska had to get creative, looking to other queens for inspiration on how to sell merchandise, promote shows, and produce her own music.

Alaska Thunderfck recognized early on that making a livelihood from drag would be a challenge due to the significant costs for wigs, makeup, and costumes. She admitted that if she hadn’t gotten on "Drag Race," she would have nonetheless continued in the drag scene since she did not see herself having skills for other types of employment. To find revenue streams, Alaska looked at how other queens were monetizing their art and decided to try similar paths, such as producing shows, throwing parties, and making her own music. She also entered the merchandise market, selling T-shirts online. Despite initial setbacks, where no one bought her T-shirts, she persisted in her efforts to emulate the success of other performers.

While performing at bars could generate some income through tips, more reliable revenue streams came from other entrepreneurial ventures, like selling merchandise and releasing original music.

Performing in bars and collecting tips constituted a portion of Alaska's income, at times amounting to about $20 or $40. However, Alaska found that more reliable revenue was available through other entrepreneurial endeavors. This included selling merchandise, such as T-shirts, and releasing original music. She was determined to continue with these ventures despite the initial low sales, understanding that these methods were tried and tested by successful artists in the drag c ...

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The business and financial aspects of being a drag performer

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Being a drag performer involves significant costs for wigs, makeup, and costumes, which can be financially challenging. These expenses can add up quickly and may require performers to find creative ways to fund their drag careers. Additionally, without a platform like "Drag Race" for exposure, sustaining a livelihood in the drag industry can be even more difficult due to the competitive nature of the field.
  • Appearing on "RuPaul's Drag Race," a popular reality competition show for drag queens, can significantly boost a drag performer's career by providing exposure to a wider audience, increasing booking opportunities, and enhancing their credibility within the drag community. The show's platform offers contestants a chance to showcase their talent, personality, and unique style, leading to increased fan following and industry recognition. Drag Race alumni often experience a surge in demand for performances, collaborations, and merchandise sales post-show, leveraging the visibility gained from their time on the program. The show's impact extends beyond just financial gains, as it can also open doors to mainstream media, acting roles, and other entertainment opportunities for drag performers.
  • In the drag community, typical revenue streams include performing at venues for tips, selling merchandise like T-shirts, and releasing original music. Drag performers often engage in entrepreneurial ventures such as producing shows, throwing parties, and exploring creative avenues to monetize their art. These ventures help drag performers diversify their income sources and establish themselves as brands within the drag industry.
  • Alaska, a drag performer, earned income through performing at bars where she received tips from the audience. She also explored additional revenue streams by selling merchandise ...

Counterarguments

  • While Alaska's approach to generating income through merchandise and music is valid, it may not be a sustainable model for all drag performers, especially those without a platform like "Drag Race" to boost their visibility.
  • The significant costs associated with drag performance might be mitigated through partnerships, sponsorships, or community support, which are not mentioned in the text.
  • The text implies that Alaska did not see herself having skills for other types of employment, which could be challenged by the idea that many drag performers have transferable skills that can be applied to various industries.
  • The reliance on tips from bar performances as a source of income could be criticized for its unpredictability and potential to undervalue the performer's work.
  • The fixed payment arrangement at the Blue Moon bar, while beneficial for Alaska, might not be replicable in all venues or regions, and other performers may face different fi ...

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The Business of Drag with Alaska Thunderf*ck (RuPaul's Drag Race)

Navigating success and redefining success after RuPaul's Drag Race

Alaska, a former contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race, had once romanticized fame, believing it would be the solution to all her problems. However, she soon learned that reality was much more complicated, leading her to redefine what success meant to her on a personal level.

From Idealization to Reality Check

Prior to being cast on RuPaul's Drag Race, Alaska had romanticized the idea that fame and success would solve all her financial and personal problems, but the reality was much more complicated. Alaska thought that getting on Drag Race would make all her problems go away. However, the chaos and upheaval in Alaska's life during and after filming Drag Race, including a lost pet and a house fire, dispelled the illusion that appearing on the show would serve as a panacea for her struggles.

Redefining Personal Success

Alaska faced multiple hardships following her appearance on Drag Race, such as her cat running away and her house burning down. These events were instrumental in her long and challenging process of redefining success. It took Alaska a ...

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Navigating success and redefining success after RuPaul's Drag Race

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Create a "Beyond the Spotlight" journal where you document daily non-career related joys and achievements, such as a conversation with a friend, a new recipe you tried, or a moment of relaxation. This practice helps you recognize and value the small but significant aspects of life that contribute to a well-rounded sense of success.
  • Establish a monthly "New Horizons" day dedicated to exploring a hobby or interest outside of your professional life. Whether it's hiking, painting, or volunteering, engaging in diverse activities can enrich your life and provide a sense of fulfillment that isn't tied to career milestones.
  • Initiate a "Circle of Support" group with friends ...

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The Business of Drag with Alaska Thunderf*ck (RuPaul's Drag Race)

Alaska's creative projects and their personal and professional significance

Alaska, a multifaceted drag performer, has ventured into musical theatre with her passion project "Drag the Musical." This creative endeavor holds both personal and professional significance, resonating with audiences and challenging the shifting political climate surrounding drag.

Alaska's collaboration on the musical Drag the Musical, which she co-wrote and stars in, has been a passion project spanning nearly a decade, allowing her to explore themes of family, identity, and the political landscape surrounding drag performance.

Alaska has dedicated nearly eight years to working on "Drag the Musical," which she co-wrote and stars in. The show, which intertwines the lives of two rival drag houses and navigates complex family dynamics, touches on empowerment and finding one's identity. A focal point of the narrative is a drag queen who seeks to resolve financial issues with her estranged brother, bringing in themes of both biological and chosen family.

The musical's resonance with audiences, including repeat attendees, has been deeply meaningful for Alaska, as she sees the work providing representation and affirmation for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially young people.

The significance of "Drag the Musical" extends far beyond the stage, as Alaska contemplates its potential influence on young LGBTQ+ individuals. She hopes the work reduces the societal-imposed shame around femininity and flamboyance, providing representation and affirmation to young people. The impact is evident; audiences from various locations have praised the musical's resonance, with some attendees returning multiple times—the record being 16 visits.

Despite the challenges of creating a theatrical production, especially amidst the shifting political climate around drag, Alaska remains committed to the project, seeing it as an opportunity to celebrate and advocate for the art form she loves.

The recent contention regarding children's exposure to drag per ...

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Alaska's creative projects and their personal and professional significance

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Alaska is the stage name of Justin Andrew Honard, a prominent drag performer known for competing on the reality TV show "RuPaul's Drag Race." Alaska is celebrated for her unique style, wit, and musical talents within the drag community. She has a significant following and has ventured into various creative projects beyond drag performances, such as musical theatre.
  • A drag house is a group or community of drag performers who work together, support each other, and often compete as a team in drag competitions and events. Members of a drag house may share resources, mentorship, and a sense of belonging within the drag community. Drag houses can serve as a chosen family for their members, providing support and camaraderie in the world of drag performance.
  • LGBTQ+ representation in drag performances involves drag artists, who may identify as LGBTQ+, using their art to express their identities and experiences. Drag performances often serve as a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals to showcase their creativity, challenge societal norms, and provide visibility for the community. Through their performances, drag artists can offer representation and empowerment to LGBTQ+ audiences, especially those who may feel marginalized or underrepresented in mainstream media. Drag performances can also play a role in breaking down stereotypes and promoting acceptance and understanding of diverse gender identities and expressions.
  • The resilience and soli ...

Counterarguments

  • The musical's focus on drag culture and LGBTQ+ themes may not resonate with all audiences, potentially limiting its appeal to a broader demographic.
  • While the musical aims to reduce societal shame, some may argue that it could inadvertently reinforce stereotypes by presenting drag culture in a theatrical context.
  • The claim of the musical's resonance might be subjective and not universally shared; some individuals may not feel represented or affirmed by the narrative.
  • The repeated attendance of the musical could be seen as a sign of a niche but dedicated fanbase rather than widespread appeal.
  • The assertion that the musical is relevant amidst political controversies could be challenged by those who believe art should be apolitical or that it should not engage with such divisive issues.
  • The praise for the drag community's resilience in the face of political opposition might be contested by those who believe that the community should engage ...

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