Life

How to Watch Drag

Miz Cracker’s under-the-wig guide to how a queen works her magic. Vol. 1: Makeup.

This post is part of Outward, Slate’s home for coverage of LGBTQ life, thought, and culture.

When you think about drag, many elements come to mind: the wigs, the makeup, the dancing, the lip sync, the jokes. But even a seasoned spectator might not realize how carefully each queenly skill is used to delight your eyes and brain. In this series, Miz Cracker, a Slate contributor and fan favorite on Season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, offers an insider’s guide to the art and science behind the glitter of a great drag performance.

See all of How to Watch Drag:
Vol. 2: Wigs
Vol. 3: Fashion
Vol. 4: Comedy
Vol. 5: Performance