| Generation Drag | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Documentary |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Tyra Banks Jasmine Stodel Clinton Irey Hayley Lozitsky David St. John Rob Schwarze Ollie Brack |
| Producer | Monkey Kingdom |
| Production company | Discovery+ |
| Original release | |
| Release | June 1, 2022 (2022-06-01) |
Generation Drag is a television series produced byTyra Banks forDiscovery+.[1] The show features children ages 12 to 17 preparing for adrag ball along with their families. Reception to the show has been mixed; while some groups have praised the premise, others have criticized it and have made accusations ofgrooming. The show premiered on June 1, 2022.[2]
The Dragutantedrag ball was created in March 2019 by Robin Fulton, the mother of one of the contestants on the show.[3][4] On April 26, 2022, aDeadline Hollywood exclusive announced the upcoming series.[1] The series was produced byMonkey Kingdom, a subsidiary ofNBCUniversal International Networks, along with Cat Fight Productions and Banks' production companyBankable Productions.[5] Banks was listed as the executive producer along with Jasmine Stodel, Clinton Irey, Hayley Lozitsky, David St. John, Rob Schwarze, and Ollie Brack.[1]
The series, "which follows five teens as they get ready for an iconic drag showcase", shows performers and their families as they prepare for Dragutante, which is held inDenver, Colorado.[6][7] In a press release, Banks stated:
"I have such admiration and respect for these teens. They are bravely navigating coming into their own in a world that can be very challenging and not always accepting. What is so beautiful is seeing their parents and siblings supporting them. These teens' laser-focused tenacity inspires my team and me and we are honored to share their stories. I can't wait for these popping personalities to show their fierceness to the world."[8]
Following are the names and ages of the performers at time of filming:[9]
| Contestant | Drag name | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Bailey | Nemo | 15 |
| Jameson | Ophelia Peaches | 17 |
| Nabela | Dunkashay Monroe | 12 |
| Noah | Poptart | 16 |
| Vinny | Vinessa Shimmer | 12 |
The series was released on the Discovery+ streaming platform on June 1, 2022, the first day ofPride Month.[12] All six episodes were released the same day.[12] The release was included as part of the platform's new hub called Always Proud, which features LGBT content.[13] Other series released on the platform withGeneration Drag includedTrixie Motel withTrixie Mattel, andThe Book of Queer.[13]
| No. | Title | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Born This Way | June 1, 2022 |
| 2 | Raising Queens | June 1, 2022 |
| 3 | A Family That Slays Together | June 1, 2022 |
| 4 | Just Be a Queen | June 1, 2022 |
| 5 | A Wig and a Prayer | June 1, 2022 |
| 6 | Getting a Little Bit Sparkly | June 1, 2022 |
Reception for the show has been mixed. Writing forThe Daily Beast, Jordan Julian stated, "...these inspiring kids [are] trailblazing against hate".[9]Collider writer Tamera Jones stated the series "...will be full of not just glamor and sparkles but heart."[14]Queerty stated the ball gives the children "a safe space to be their own drag superhero."[15] Writing forThe Advocate, Rachel Shatto stated the series was "heartfelt" and "feels both like a balm and a spark of hope."[16]Screen Rant's Gina Wurtz wrote, "The new reality series will undoubtedly help other teens in the community feel seen and accepted. It will also open conversations and help parents better understand their children."[17]
After the series' announcement in late April, conservative media and individuals were largely critical. PoliticianLauren Boebert stated the show amounted to "grooming" since it features children.[18] She retweeted a tweet byLibs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik with the caption "Siri, define grooming."[18]The Advocate stated the tweet is "in keeping with the right’s current — deeply cynical and homophobic — midterm strategy of equating anything LGBTQ-related to grooming and pedophilia."[18]
Christian Broadcasting Network writer Billy Hallowell wrote a highly critical review, stating "This tragic move [to create the show] comes amid increased debate over the impact of LGBTQ content on children. This series ups the ante on Hollywood’s presentation of such content and continues the cultural narrative of pushing back against biblical truths and norms."[19]Jay W. Richards ofThe Heritage Foundation toldThe Christian Post "Anyone that has seen a drag queen performance recognizes that it's usually a flamboyant and highly caricatured treatment of femininity and also highly sexualized. So the very idea that you would have any kind of drag for young kids, I think it's just absolutely outrageous."[20]
Bobby Burack ofOutkick wrote, "Good to see Discovery trying to follow in the footsteps ofCuties onNetflix, another perverted show that sexualizes minors."[21] TheAmerican Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property started a petition to have the series cancelled which was signed by over 7,600 supporters.[22]
Townhall writer Madeline Leesman called the show "moral decay", while political commentatorDebra Soh stated the show would feature the contestants "pouting and gyrating while wearing little clothing" and compared the experience to achild beauty pageant.[23][24]
On June 1, the service drops all six episodes of the Tyra Banks-produced "Generation Drag," a documentary series centering on Dragutante, the first drag ball for minors.
