RuPaul's Drag Race is essentially Project Runway meets America's Next Top Model, but with drag queens. Hosted by legendary drag performer RuPaul Charles, the show brings together drag artists who compete in weekly challenges to win the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar" (and $200,000).

Each episode typically includes:

The show has spawned multiple international versions (UK, Canada, Thailand, etc.) and several spin-offs. It's won 29 Emmy Awards and has become a genuine cultural phenomenon, bringing drag culture into mainstream conversation.

Drag Race has a massive teen following for several reasons:

It's about finding your people. Most contestants share stories of feeling different, being bullied, or struggling to find acceptance. For LGBTQ+ teens (or any teen who's felt like an outsider), these narratives are deeply relatable. The show celebrates the idea that your "weird" can become your superpower.

The creativity is genuinely impressive. These artists are designing and sewing their own outfits, choreographing performances, writing comedy, and creating characters. Many teens are drawn to the artistry and craftsmanship involved — it's legitimately impressive what these performers create, often with limited time and resources.

It's funny and quotable. Drag Race has generated countless memes and catchphrases that permeate teen culture. "Sashay away," "Reading is fundamental," "Not today, Satan" — the show's language has become part of internet vernacular.

Representation matters. For LGBTQ+ youth, seeing queer people celebrated rather than ridiculed on mainstream TV is meaningful. The show features diverse contestants across race, body type, age, and gender expression.

Here's what the show actually explores:

Drag Race showcases a wide spectrum of gender expression. Most contestants are cisgender gay men who perform in drag, but recent seasons have included transgender women, non-binary performers, and contestants at various stages of gender transition.

The show treats drag as an art form and form of self-expression, not as mockery or deception. It's about transformation, creativity, and exploring different facets of identity. Queens often discuss their drag personas as extensions or exaggerations of themselves, not as separate identities.

What this looks like: Contestants might discuss their relationship with masculinity and femininity, how drag helped them process their identity, or what their drag character represents to them.

Nearly every season features emotional moments where contestants share their coming-out stories. Some had accepting families. Many didn't. There are often tearful conversations about parents who rejected them, siblings who stood by them, or the chosen families they built when biological families failed them.

These segments can be genuinely moving — they're not exploitative, they're just honest about the reality that many LGBTQ+ people face.

What this looks like: A contestant might break down discussing their father's rejection, or share a video message from a supportive parent. The show doesn't shy away from the pain of discrimination, but it also celebrates resilience and growth.

Drag Race frequently references LGBTQ+ history and culture — the Stonewall riots, ballroom culture, AIDS activism, iconic queer performers. The show operates within a rich cultural tradition that many straight viewers (and younger LGBTQ+ viewers) may not be familiar with.

What this looks like: Challenges might pay tribute to legendary drag performers, or the judges will reference cultural touchstones like Paris Is Burning or the work of activists like Marsha P. Johnson.

The show discusses dating and relationships openly, including sex. The humor can be quite adult — lots of innuendo, sexual references, and frank discussions about hookup culture, dating apps, and relationships.

What parents should know: This isn't graphic or explicit, but it's definitely mature content. If you're uncomfortable with your teen hearing jokes about sex or discussions of dating, this show will push those boundaries. The humor is campy and over-the-top rather than crude, but it's still very present.

The good stuff:

The concerning stuff:

Ages 10-13: Generally too young. The sexual humor and mature themes around identity, discrimination, and adult relationships are better suited for older teens. If you have a tween who's specifically interested in drag as an art form, consider watching clips of the design and runway challenges together rather than full episodes.

Ages 14-15: This is the youngest I'd consider appropriate, and only with context. If your teen is asking to watch, have a conversation first about what the show is, what they're hoping to get from it, and what kinds of content they might encounter. Consider watching the first few episodes together.

Ages 16+: Most teens this age can handle the content, especially if they're already familiar with LGBTQ+ culture or have friends who watch. They're likely encountering similar themes and humor in their daily lives anyway.

For LGBTQ+ teens specifically: This show can be meaningful representation and a source of community, even if it's just a TV show. Seeing queer people celebrated rather than ridiculed can genuinely matter. That said, it's still reality TV with all the drama that entails, so don't expect it to be perfect representation.

If your teen is watching Drag Race or wants to, here are some conversation starters:

"What draws you to this show?" — Understand what they're getting from it. Is it the creativity? The humor? The representation? Their answer will tell you a lot.

"Have you learned anything surprising?" — The show often educates viewers about LGBTQ+ history and culture. This can open up discussions about civil rights, discrimination, and progress.

"How do you feel about how the contestants treat each other?" — Reality TV drama is reality TV drama. Talk about what's entertainment versus how people should actually treat each other.

"Is there anything in the show that confuses you or that you want to talk about?" — Keep the door open for questions. If they encounter concepts or terms they don't understand, they should feel comfortable asking.

This is where Screenwise gets real with you: if your family's values include believing that being LGBTQ+ is wrong or sinful, this show will fundamentally conflict with those beliefs. Drag Race celebrates queer identity and gender non-conformity as beautiful, worthy, and valuable.

You can't watch this show and extract the "good parts" while avoiding the LGBTQ+ themes — those themes are the show. The creativity, artistry, and messages about authenticity are all rooted in queer culture and experience.

If your teen is asking to watch despite family values that conflict with the show's message, that's actually a bigger conversation you need to have about why they're interested, what they're seeking, and how your family navigates differences in values. Consider talking to a family therapist if this becomes a significant point of tension.

If your teen is interested in the creativity and artistry but you're not ready for Drag Race's mature content:

If they're interested in LGBTQ+ stories and representation:

RuPaul's Drag Race is a show about queer resilience, creativity, and self-expression wrapped in a reality competition format. It's funny, moving, and occasionally messy — like most reality TV.

For LGBTQ+ teens, it can provide meaningful representation and a sense of community. For all teens, it can spark conversations about acceptance, authenticity, and the courage it takes to be yourself in a world that doesn't always make that easy.

It's also a show with mature humor, adult themes, and reality TV drama. It's not appropriate for young kids, and even for older teens, it's worth watching together or at least having ongoing conversations about what they're seeing.

The real question isn't "should my teen watch Drag Race?" — it's "what is my teen looking for in this show, and how can I support them in processing what they're seeing?"

If your teen is asking to watch, they're opening a door to conversation. Walk through it with curiosity rather than judgment, and you might be surprised by what you learn about them — and about yourself.