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Should Drag Queens Take Selfies With Fans After a Show? The Girls Fight It Out.

Also: Fashion Week explodes with studded studs.

If I were a drag queen, I’d love nothing more than taking selfies with my fans after every show, except that it would be difficult to get people to pay to see me, let alone make them desperately want a picture with me afterwards. So let’s instead focus on actual drag stars.

Well, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11 winner Yvie Oddly is openly not fond of the idea. In July, she went public with her view that making a drag queen pose for selfies after a show is like asking a great chef to whip up another meal for free after a long day’s work, and with no ingredients because they’ve used them up. (Yvie has not been averse to briefly chatting with some fans, however.) That prompted Season 6 winner Bianca Del Rio, who lights up for a camera, to post some withering retorts. (“It’s only been a FEW MONTHS ... GOOD LUCK BITCH!”). And that started a mini-drag war that I definitely want photos of.

But Yvie then clarified that she suffers from a rare tissue disorder and that makes things more difficult for her—she feels wiped out after a show and not up to the task. Point certainly taken! And so, leaving that battle behind, I poked around for a consensus about the topic in general.

At NYC’s DragCon this weekend (and at other spots), I went up to a variety of stars and asked if they personally like doing post-performance posing or if they find it hopelessly excessive. This was all too perfect because DragCon, after all, is where they get to hawk their wares for a mass audience. I have to admit I’m Team Bianca, though naturally, I respect each performer’s decision on this subject, blah blah blah—but enough about me. Here are the gals’ takes:

Naomi Smalls

"If I’m well-powdered and well-lit. Those are my only criteria."

Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: Naomi Smalls attends RuPaul's DragCon LA 2019 at Los Angeles Convention Center on May 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)

Yuhua Hamasaki

"I think it's totally up to the performer. It's their company, their rules. Everyone deals with things differently, and we don't know what or how much someone is going through. But I don't mind doing it. The only time I would say “no” is when I'm in half-drag or half-naked in the dressing room, getting out of drag, and I would tell them I would do it after I have completely dressed or am completely out of drag. Other than that, let's smile away!"

Kasha Davis

"I’ll do it! It’s part of the deal for us. I love being able to meet and interact with the fans. I have no qualms about it—and I hope they post it, tag it, and filter it. I’m an old lady."

Willam

"Some want to do it and some don’t. I always say “yes” because someday no one will care!"

Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 09: Willam Belli seen at the LA Pride Parade on June 09, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)

Miz Cracker

"No problem! I’m doing this because I love attention. I have to heal my childhood issues. And the check has already cleared."

Bebe Zahara Benet

"It depends on each individual. You might not be looking right. You’ve gone through a show on full adrenaline and might need a touch-up. I’d say, 'I’ll be back. Two seconds.' I’ve torn the house down and need to touch-up my makeup. These are the days we need to be flawless. They put it on social media and they don’t filter it."

Darienne Lake

"Are you kidding? I have no problem with it. That’s why I’m here [at DragCon]—to take photos with fans. And it’s the best way to get them to buy me a sandwich or a slice of pizza. And they’ll pay for it—I guilt them into it. If they say, 'I have no money,' I say, 'Go check out your car. Everyone has some coins in the ashtray.'"

Santiago Felipe/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Darienne Lake attends RuPaul's DragCon NYC 2018 at Javits Center on September 29, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)

Brenda Dharling

"People are coming out to see you. They’ve already paid and they’ve made the effort. It takes two seconds to smile and be generous back. They want to show their appreciation, so you should show yours."

Mama Tits

"Our fans are who pay our bills. It means the world to them just to have a photo with you. They paid a ton of money, and if you can't take the time, get out of the business. I can see if you're really famous like Whoopi Goldberg, but you're a drag queen. I've been on my way to the emergency room when people have asked me and I say, 'sure, baby.'"

Tammie Brown

"If you feel like it, do it. I'll do anything for my fans. They're life and death to me, baby. I stole that from Mommie Dearest."

Monét X Change

"Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. It depends on how sweaty and gross I look. Because they’ll put it on social networks and say, 'She did her show like that?'"

Santiago Felipe/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Monet X Change attends RuPaul's DragCon 2019 at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on September 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)

Gigi Cutina

"If you want to do it, fine, but it's not my fault if I don’t look my best."

Kennedy Davenport

"The career is always on. This shop is 24 hours!"

Milk (cornered at a fashion show)

I think yes. Why not? Unless you’re going off somewhere. That’s the one time I say no. Like the hospital. But a fashion show? Yes!"

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Field of Dreams

Santiago Felipe/FilmMagic

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 12: Patricia Field attends The Blonds Fall / Winter 2019 runway show at Spring Studios on February 12, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/FilmMagic)

Patrica Field.

And while we’re posing at fashion shows, my Fashion Week started with an explosion of hot colors, mixed patterns, and fabulous people at Patricia Field’s show at the Playboy Club (on the site of the old gay club XL). Field is a queer legend for her former downtown boutiques and her styling of Sex and the City, and she’s currently working on a TV series called Emily in Paris.

At the fashion show, which had pulsing dance music provided by Occupy the Disco, the crowd delighted to the array of designs, logos, slogans, and mixed metaphors as provided by Field’s ArtFashion Artists (like Scooter LaForge). There was lots of titty on display, both female and male, but also colorful iconography, flags used as babushkas, studded denim, faux icicles, and outfits for “Girl Power” and “Executive Bitches." I left empowered.

The art-fashion trend continued with Katya Leonovich’s splendid Fix & Fax show, where hot, dreadlocked male models strutted in prints, threads, and shimmer, with matching chapeaus and lots of attitude.

After the show, Leonovich told me she fuses knitwear with vinyl for themes that are based on nature, with hints of the current high-tech world thrown in. It’s like National Geographic meets a TED Talk and totally wearable. Got it? GOOD LUCK, BITCHES!

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