[Interview to be found in the autumn issue, at your newsstand or by subscription.] Facing the criticism, host Nicky Doll defends a show as precious as it is vulnerable.
Five years already that you are the face of Drag Race France! At the beginning, some doubted your legitimacy… How did you experience these reservations?
I knew I would live up to it. People were mainly questioning the ability of a French production to conceive an American-style show. From the first season, we proved that it was possible! Fans of the franchise who didn’t believe in the French version changed their minds. When I returned to the All Stars season in the United States to do a lip-sync, I was able to discuss it with RuPaul: she is very proud of what we have created.
Abroad, the French version is considered to be one of the best of the franchise. Do you know why?
It’s clearly something that I’m told often in the United States. I think people appreciate a much more palpable kindness among the queens. By contrast, the French audience is harsher than the American audience who, on the other hand, understands that the queens don’t die when they are eliminated…
This ferocity is reflected in the reactions to some of your decisions…
Drag Race remains a competition, I am uncompromising about the lip-syncs. When I was eliminated from RuPaul’s season 12, I felt a sense of injustice. So I fight to ensure our verdicts are impartial. I don’t think I made a mistake on the eliminations, but I can understand that the proposed editing may not always align with what I have seen and felt in the workshop.
The role of the production is also questioned.
I would be a puppet of the production, yes! Rest assured, it’s indeed me who decides and I do not take this role lightly.
Do you fear the reactions on air nights?
It always settles down in the end. In season 2, Cookie Kunty was the witch that had to be burned. In All Stars, Piche could no longer move without being criticized. What worries me is that people forget that this is the only program on French television that carries such strong queer messages. If you want to shower an eliminated contestant with love, go ahead! But do not demonize a production that fights day and night to celebrate our communities, while the far right tries to undermine public service… Drag Race France is not a given.
Can these criticisms from the community eventually endanger the show itself?
Airing one’s dirty laundry in public isn’t always a good idea. LGBTphobes read everything said about the show to use it against it.
After this tumultuous summer, won’t you take us on new Nicky Travels?
Season 2 has already been filmed… We just need to nudge France Télévisions for the air date!
