RuPaul's Drag Race type TV Show network VH1 genre Reality Where to watch Close Streaming Options

RuPaul once said he'd rather have an enema than an Emmy, but that didn't stop the Television Academy from decorating the pop culture icon with one of its golden statuettes anyway. As if his 35-year career as a drag performer wasn't enough, RuPaul has consistently proven himself worthy of industry accolades — and a seat at the mainstream table — after becoming a leading LGBT influencer, fronting 103 episodes across eight seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race, which has evolved from a niche gem on Logo and into a primetime staple as it makes the jump to VH1 for season 9.

Though the move comes with a bigger network, a higher profile, and a larger pool of potential viewers, RuPaul has admittedly never felt like a part of the industry establishment — despite notching a hit single on the Billboard Hot 100, toplining his own talk show in the late '90s, and landing Lady Gaga, Lisa Kudrow, Meghan Trainor, Kesha, and more A-listers for guest-starring stints on Drag Race‘s upcoming episodes.

Now that the show stands to be seen on a wider scale than ever before, RuPaul had a chat with EW about what to expect from this season's contestants, Gaga's guest appearance, what not to do during a Drag Race audition, and why the show is such an important piece of the societal puzzle at the dawn of Donald Trump's presidency.

Read on for EW's full discussion with RuPaul. For more exclusive photos of Gaga on the show's set, click here.

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ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Everyone is SO excited for Gaga! What can you tell us about her guest spot!

RUPAUL: You have to watch the show! We have some surprises, and I don't want to give away the surprises, but she is there throughout the whole show, I'll just say that.

It almost feels like she was already so much a part of the family and the legacy of this show because of how close to the gay community she is. Did it feel organic when she stepped on set?

I've worked with her before, so there's an ease and familiarity that is apparent when you watch her. We had a fabulous time with Gaga. She was in heaven because this is all so much a part of her wheelhouse and what she does with imagery, costumes, and the way she presents herself.

Did you guys share any meaningful moments that the cameras didn't catch? I imagine there was a lot of gratitude on her part.

There were lots of memorable moments and lots of gratitude. When she kneeled to kiss my hand on the runway, that was unexpected and lovely. It goes to show you what a sweetheart she is.

You have had other pop stars on this show as judges, though. Did Gaga bring a different energy?

Yes: her appreciation! She comes from this background of downtown New York City clubs, so that was the difference between her and other guests who've been appreciative of what we do but don't know where we come from. She comes from that world.

This season's cast seems like such an eclectic group, but will they keep longtime Drag Race fans happy and also spice things up a bit?

Anyone who actually makes it on the show already has such an interesting backstory. Anyone who chooses to do drag in a male-dominated culture is a superhero because these are precisely the things we, as boys, are told not to do. The number one taboo for boys is to be feminine, so for someone to not only override their internal directive but society's directive, is mind-boggling and heroic. It's courageous. Automatically, they're super interesting and I think the audience will find them super interesting. I know they will.

How involved are you in the casting process?

I'm there from the very beginning to the very end… This is my world. It's been my world for the past 35 years. All of the other people involved trust me. There are the other producers, and then there's the network. They're the main entities… but usually I get my way. [Laughs]

I'd expect nothing less!

[Laughs]. Tammie Brown in the first season, she's one I had to fight for. I needed to represent that sort of kooky, irreverent style of drag that was very eccentric. Initially, the network didn't understand it, but ultimately we got Tammie Brown. <iframe src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/embed/mgid:arc:video:logotv.com:54365e2c-d598-420c-bb9e-8f9c10fba806" width="512" height="288" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" class="" scrolling="no" resize="0" replace_attributes="1" name=""></iframe>u¯_wO8÷myã~Úïg×žZåïóÝ5õöÞÓFø

Did you have to fight for anyone this season?

No. They know and trust me now. The only time I come up against any kind of [opposition] is when we have two girls who are really good at representing the same genre, whether it's body queens or comedy queens or younger or older queens. We want a cross-section. That's the only time there's any kind of a dilemma: if we have two queens we really love and really want but they kind of cancel each other out.

Have you seen a noticeable difference in the way queens audition or even in the way they perform the art of drag since the first season began? The new generations of queens have learned from the show and have molded their art based on what they've seen on Drag Race. I imagine that's a powerful evolution to witness.

I'm really proud of it. Because they've seen the show, a lot of times in auditions [people] try to behave in a way they think I'll respond to. The truth is I'm looking for their real selves. I want to see who they are. I don't want them to come on and be something they think I want… During most of the auditions, they'll say, "If you don't pick me I will cut a bitch!" We always laugh when we hear that… I've learned so much sitting on the other side of the table casting Drag Race about how to go into [an audition] and just be myself… If you're not right for the role you're reading for, they'll go, "Oh, actually, you fit over here." It's an interesting process, but most people do the exact same thing in every audition. Out of 10 people in an audition reel, there's probably one person who shines through because they're not doing something they think I want.

You obviously saw something special in the season 9 queens.

It really gets down to a person being their authentic self… that's how we're able to place them in the show and understand where they fit.

Given how Trump has treated the LGBT community as of late, I feel like that might be hard for a lot of young people to do right now.

Our show is important now more than ever before, and that's why I'm so proud of it. Young people need to know there are ways for them to navigate this life. Our show has been a great way not just for drag queens, but also for anyone who dances to the beat of a different drummer to see the courage, the family, and the tribe band together to support one another.

RuPaul's Drag Race season 9 premieres Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m. ET on VH1.

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