Yvie Oddly Called "Drag Race" Producers “The Greediest, Most-Calculating, Capitalist Culture Thieves” And Claimed They “Underpaid” Contestants

1 year ago 3

The former RuPaul's Drag Race winner issued a series of tweets, lambasting the show's producers.

Yvie Oddly is well-known in RuPaul’s Drag Race world, having won Season 11 in 2019 and competed on the all-winners Season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. However, on Tuesday, the performer made several allegations about treatment from the show’s producers on Twitter, including a claim that she wasn’t paid swiftly for their Season 11 winnings.

yvie oddly poses on a red carpet

Chelsea Guglielmino / Getty Images

While Yvie did not mention specific producers by name, the show is produced by the production company World of Wonder. BuzzFeed has reached out to representatives for World of Wonder and RuPaul’s Drag Race for comment on Yvie’s allegations.

Yvie issued a series of tweets in response to catching up on the currently airing All Stars Season 8. She initially commented on how “remarkable” the season’s drag queens are, noting “the drag artists are and have ALWAYS been the lifeblood of what makes this franchise great.”

YouTube/RuPaul's Drag Race / Via youtube.com

Specifically, Yvie credited the show’s queens with creating the “looks,” “catchphrases,” “memes,” and “drama” that have made the multiple Emmy-winning series a hit.

Yvie then went on to allege the show’s producers “are often the greediest, most-calculating, capitalist culture thieves.” In particular, she claimed the show messes with “real people’s lives, career opportunities, and health.”

“They drive themselves home in their luxury cars when their contestants are sleep-deprived, depressed, and DRASTICALLY underpaid for their contributions to the cultural phenomenon,” she said.

yvie oddly poses for a photo

Lia Toby / Getty Images

“Then they tell themselves they’re good people for showcasing queer content and creating opportunities for us while ignoring the irreparable damage they cause, and creating a chokehold monopoly on how drag artists can succeed,” she continued.

Yvie then called attention to the show’s having not featured drag kings as contestants and its controversial history of supporting out trans performers competing on the show.

Victoria Scone competed on RuPaul's Drag Race UK and Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World. In the latter series, Victoria wore a drag king look.

Nevertheless, Yvie maintained she is “so so SO thankful” for the show.

yvie oddly poses on a red carpet

Jamie Mccarthy / Getty Images

“That show changed my life LONG before I was ever a part of its fiber, but I’m hopeful for a future where queer people have opportunities to flourish outside of a fake competition to make a few rich old gays richer,” she said.

In addition to accusing the show of underpaying contestants, Yvie also alleged she was not paid her $100,000 for winning Season 11 for over a year and even claimed the following winner, Jaida Essence Hall, was paid “months” before she was.

yvie oddly poses for a photo

Mariano Regidor / Redferns

Yvie made the latter allegation in her “final notes,” a response to her initial comments being picked up by Pop Crave. In her final notes, Yvie expressing her appreciation for her fans, noting they’re the reason she chose to compete on All Stars and tour.

yvie oddly poses for a photo

Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Yvie has previously appeared in Werq the World, an ongoing drag tour, and the Las Vegas residency, RuPaul's Drag Race Live! Both are also produced in affiliation with World of Wonder.

However, she said she was “foolish” for returning to the show, considering her live performances are not populated by other alums of the show.

yvie oddly poses for a photo

Santiago Felipe / Getty Images

She ended her tweets by noting she “milked the system.”

yvie oddly poses for a photo

Santiago Felipe / Getty Images

“No, I don’t regret it. But yes, I want to see a brighter future for our entire community,” she said.

yvie oddly poses for a photo

John Lamparski / Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust

“One that isn’t solely controlled by the kinds of people who would preach ‘we’re all born naked and the rest is drag’ before condemning someone for their ‘boy body’ (in 2023!) all while cashing in on their catchphrases and trauma,” she said.

Read Entire Article