E4 decided against airing the rest of season one of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' back in 2009, and fans of the show were absolutely distraught.
Since then, multiple campaigns to bring the drag queen talent competition to the UK and Ireland have been set up, and so last week when it was announced that all five seasons of the series would be airing on Netflix UK and Ireland, fans and the cast of the show were in awe.
We got the chance to chat to Michelle Visage - judge on the RuPaul's Drag Race panel since the third season about the show, her favourite queens, season six and just how much she loves the UK.
For those who haven't yet seen the show, what can you tell us about it?
RuPaul's Drag Race is a show about love, art, passion, acceptance and the quest for finding America's next drag superstar. NO SHOW on the telly box has more grit than these queens. End of.
Fans of the show have been fiercely loyal to you, RuPaul and the programme since seeing the first episode on E4 back in 2009 - how important is this show to a community in the sense it can educate and enlighten about the world of drag?
You basically just said it all right there. It is immensely important for the community because drag was always something that the mainstream world would kind of point at and snicker. No one ever took it as a serious form of art. These boys work day in and day out to perfect their looks and brands and it is MOST DEFINITELY an amazing art form that deserves the highest recognition. It is another avenue to show the world that the LGBTQ community is not only thriving, but growing and STAYING.
In your role on the show you have to critique the drag queens - is this something you ever find difficult?
Never. It is my job to push these queens out of their comfort zones. We all get stuck in them, it's part of life. One of the things the queens comment about most is the fact that they did things on the show that they NEVER thought they would be able to do. It's the drag olympics.
Who are some of your favourite Queens who have appeared on the show?
Oh honey, all of them. No bulls**t either. Even the ones that left first have given me huge amounts of joy. What they do inspires me continuously and I love and respect every drag queen in the world. Yes, even the ratchet ones.
How is the chemistry on set between yourself, RuPaul and the rest of the show's cast?
Ru and I have been best friends since, well, let's just say they used the telegraph when we first met. Being able to work with my BFF is a dream come true and even more? To see what he has done for himself, the art of drag and the gay community in general constantly blows me away. The cast is just scared (which I secretly love) and most of them are in awe of the fact that they are sitting right in front of Mama Ru. That makes me smile.
The show has evolved so much throughout the years - how have you found that journey?
I think the show grew the most at the start of season 3. (Ahem, that's when I joined the judges panel. Coincidence?) The journey has been amazing and I honestly feel that it's just really getting legs. Just as we think we can't top the last batch of queens, new ones come out of nowhere and blow us away! Honestly! From the looks of it, this show could go on for the next 10 years.
Season six is currently in production - can you tell us anything at all about that season?
I can say this: there has never been a season with so many strong contenders right out of the box. Blew. Me. Straight. Away.
Do you have any other projects you're currently involved in that you can share some details with us about?
I have a few, but I am not a blowhard who talks about things before they've actually come to fruition, so I will keep mum. BUT, I am working feverishly on establishing a presence in the UK as I am a HUGE anglophile (my Twitter peeps know this). I have been a morning radio presenter for 17 years and I would LOVE to have a shot in the UK with that. The general rule is that we Americans are enamoured with the British accent, but the British are not so keen on ours so I will have to fake it is all. My humour is spot on. I know Chris Moyles is gone (loooooved his show) but surely Nick Grimshaw needs an American co-host to have a laugh with? I am also a MASSIVE Keith Lemon fan, so Celebrity Juice is on my radar as well. I want to do it all over there - I LOVE THE UK!
Find out more about Michelle Visage by following her on Twitter @michellevisage and going to her website www.michellevisage.com.
'RuPaul's Drag Race' - seasons one to five are available to stream now via Netflix UK and Ireland.
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