When the stars of Paris is Burning talk about realness, they use it to describe the ability to blend into groups they’re not a part of, transforming themselves into anything from a high-powered businessperson (executive realness) to a passably straight hood boy or girl (banjee realness). They stress the importance of looking “as much as possible like your straight counterpart…. It’s not a takeoff or a satire, no. It’s actually being able to be it.” With the popularity of RuPaul's Drag Race, though, the idea of realness not being a satire has vanished. Just about every episode has a contestant naming a made-up category that her look could fit into, and sometimes the judges join in too. Many of the categories are insane, specific, and fun. Here are some of our favorites:
Manila Luzon
Evil Henchwoman Realness
Phi Phi O’Hara
Telenovela Realness
Detox
Playboy: The Victorian Years
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Willam
Clash of the Titans Set in a Strip Club realness
Nicole Paige Brooks
Vivienne Westwood does Vivian Leigh
Mimi Imfurst
Manger Couture realness
Coco Montrese
Dorothy Dandridge Latina Glamour realness
Manila Luzon
Frankenstein’s Second Wife
Milan
Infected Betsey Johnson realness
Alexis Mateo
Flash Gordon Does Drag
Coco Montrese
Old Hollywood White Woman Fish
Delta Work
Ann-Margret After the Buffet realness
Raja
C-3PO’s Girlfriend realness
Alaska
Ghost from the Civil War at a McQueen Fashion Show
Sharon Needles
Serving Elvis and Elvira (Elvirus)
Manila
Imelda Markup
Alyssa Edwards
Dallas Meets Dynasty Meets Knots Landing realness
Raja
Christmas Pudding at Vivienne Westwood’s on Boxing Day
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Chad Michaels
Cruella De Vil on Vacation in Aspen
Raven
Harajuku Girl with an Edge of 1920s Hooker realness
Detox
Jem and the Holograms Acid Punk Going to the Met Gala
Mimi Imfurst
Serving Satellite TV realness
Chad Michaels
Punk Rock Carol Brady realness
Alyssa Edwards
Rodeo Drive Fishness
Delta Work
Teen ANgel Food Cake realness
Coco Montrese
Patti Labelle Meets Ziggy Stardust realness
Manila Luzon
Givenchy Meets Jessica Rabbit Meets Playboy Bunny
Which are your favorites? Add your own in the comment section below!
