The Drag Enthusiast: Let's Have A Chat About Phi Phi O'Hara

Rupaul's Drag Race is one of the most popular television shows to hit LOGO TV. As the show gets more and more popular, the fanbase becomes more and more intense. So intense, that they don't look at the contestants of the show as human beings, they look at them as game pieces. And it's taken so seriously, that some fans will go as far as sending death threats to contestants over a reality tv show that is known to be heavily edited for entertainment purposes.

Phi Phi O'Hara is a prime example. She said some nasty things during the competition in season 4 of the show and she has never really denied saying those things, but for some reason it's hard for people to wrap their heads around the situation these queens are put into when filming. They go almost a month without any contact to the outside world, locked in a hotel room unless they are filming in the studio, and there's $100,000 at stake. Not only that, but most of the girls who get on the show have gone out of their way to struggle with their art. Some of them will sacrifice taking care of themselves just so they can perform. It's serious to them, and it's a huge opportunity for them to showcase what they do and live their dreams so they don't have to financially struggle any longer. As someone who spends my free time with performers behind the scenes, I have gotten to see the sacrifices some people make.

That being said, I don't know Phi Phi O'Hara personally. Every interaction I have had with her has been online, and I have never met her in person. But what I do know, from many people who have worked along side her, I have heard nothing but positive things about how she treats people. And the negative things I do hear about in person encounters are very rare. All I'm trying to say is, the threats need to end. If you don't know someone personally, and you have never met them, why would you base your judgement off of a TV show that is known to provoke situations and get the most dramatic footage possible? Even if you don't like the things she has said on camera, you have absolutely no right to send her death threats. You can disagree with her, and you can say you don't like her, but being in this community people need to understand that we shouldn't be sending such vile and disgusting things, because all of us know what it's like to feel broken down.

Earlier this week Phi Phi sent out a tweet saying she locked herself in a room and broke down. And later announced she wouldn't be at the Rupaul's Drag Race All Stars reunion because she feels like she's being picked on. Did anyone ever think that maybe she's just sick of being treated like a game piece? Does anyone think of her feelings? No they don't. Because she got in a fight with their favorite performers while filming a competition where she is obviously competitive and at her wits end, and no one cares about her. Does anyone understand how petty and immature that sounds? To hate someone from a TV show so much that you have to send them death threats and condemn them for not liking someone else...? Everyone is ugly at some point. And I can 100% guarantee that every queen that gets behind that camera has said something petty at some point during filming, but the network chooses the most dramatic footage possible. Phi Phi happened to be more dramatic. So they painted her to be a villain. But in reality, they could've made anyone the villain. Be real.

And it's not just her, this has happened before to a few other girls as well. But the funniest part is that the network doesn't come to anyone's defense. Why? Because they're focused on the drama and making money off of it. And if you're too blind to see that, then you need to take a step back and remember that it's a TV show, and they're solely focused on making money off of the drama, because let's be real, no one wants to watch a reality show where everyone gets along. Drag queens have big personalities, and they will get incredibly competitive...especially put into the situation at hand. I'm very well aware. And this is why I personally don't hate any of the girls. We should be focused on their talent and the beautiful work they do.

And you know what else? Phi Phi O'Hara is very talented. One of the most talented queens that exists...and if you are going to deny her talent because of things she's said on Season 4 and her argument during the most recent season of All Stars, then you shouldn't call yourself a real drag fan, because that's saying you are going to discredit someone's obviously phenomenal work over a stupid dramatic TV show. You don't have to agree with the things she's said, but don't you dare discredit her work and pass it off as trash when your only knowledge of drag is from TV.

The whole reason this page exists is to bring attention to the different types of artists that exist and for people to connect with drag performers and make new connections. This page is focused on the art. Which is why I, as the person who runs this blog, will never discredit anyone's work, even if they have said some questionable things in the past. For the record, I think a lot of people don't like Phi Phi because she's honest. A lot of the things I see her say, not completely all, but a lot, are pretty accurate. I also think it's funny how people will be so quick to attack Phi Phi for back talking World of Wonder but everyone will defend Willam in a heart beat and she has done the same exact thing. These queens are human beings. They are artists. And they should be treated as such. They are not game pieces. They don't deserve such hate. They don't deserve death threats. You can disagree all you want, but appreciate their art at least, because that's why they put themselves out there in the first place.

All that is being asked is to stop the hate. Stop harassing someone you don't know on the Internet and sending them death threats. And if you do so, you are no better. In fact, you are more vile and disgusting than the person you're attacking over drama on TV.

That is all. We love you Phi Phi.