Why doesn’t the BBC’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK have prizes? And why did Willam really get kicked off season 4? All the reality show’s biggest scandals and unsolved mysteries revealed

Feb 20 , 2021

RuPaul’s Drag Race has become one of the most successful shows on television, but it’s not been without its fair share of unresolved scandals. Photo: @rupaulsdragrace/Instagram

From its humble beginnings and fuzzy season one filters, RuPaul’s Drag Race has experienced a major glow-up, growing from an obscure reality TV competition mostly watched by the LGBTQ+ community, to a global entertainment juggernaut beloved by everyone.

The series has spawned spin-off shows in countries around the world, launching the star-studded, stilettoed careers of a sisterhood of drag queens (or legendary children to Mama Ru). And while its international popularity and success is unquestionable (as is the fortune is has made its host), as the seasons have progressed, the iconic show has left many questions unanswered.

Why did the early seasons’ judges leave? What did Willam really do? And what’s the T behind the lack of prizes on Drag Race UK? We thought it was high time to investigate.

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What happened to Santino and Merle?

Merle Ginsberg on screen. Photo: @RuPaulsDragRaceEnEspanol/Facebook

In the early years, Ru was accompanied by judges Santino Rice and Merle Ginsberg. This panel didn’t last long as by season three Merle had been replaced by Ru’s bestie Michelle Visage. Visage couldn’t join from the onset due to contractual obligations with a prior radio job, and Santino continued to sit on the judging panel but only for a couple more seasons.

Though no official explanation has ever been provided, it has been alleged that as the show evolved, it outgrew Rice’s contribution as a judge focused on design and garment construction.

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What did Willam really do?

via GIPHY

During the breakout fourth season viewers were gobsmacked by Willam’s disqualification for “breaking the rules”. It was explained during the reunion show that Willam was disqualified for engaging in conjugal visits with his husband while filming.

The fan favourite has since refuted this storyline and stated he was booted off the show after some real drama involving conflict with the crew, unpermitted contact with people off set and, perhaps most shockingly, allegedly hooking up with a producer. Can you say escandalo?!

Where are Drag Race UK’s prizes at?

One of the show’s most-popular and exciting spin-offs is its UK counterpart, currently airing a second season. Once the show jumped across the pond, audiences noticed that compared to the American series, the British offering was decidedly lacking in prizes.

The reason? Because it is aired on publicly funded broadcaster BBC, the show is not legally permitted to offer prizes, sponsorships or paid endorsements.

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What happened to Mathu Andersen?

Mathu Andersen and RuPaul. Photo: @LaGrupados/Facebook

Superfans of RPDR will remember RuPaul’s former long-time collaborator Mathu Andersen. The uber-talented make-up artist had painted Ru’s glamorous face for years and was responsible for the host’s glam up until the beginning of season nine.

What happened to the creative extraordinaire with whom Ru had worked for over 30 years? Though the exact details remain unclear, rumours swirled that shortly before the start of season nine Mathu and Ru had a major fallout, ultimately causing Mathu’s departure from the show and season two runner-up Raven stepping in as Ru’s make-up artist.

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AS1 Teams? Why?!

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, season one. Photo: Logo TV/RuPaul’s. Drag Race

The first season of All Stars is often regarded as the season-that-shall-not-be-named. This is mostly due the show forcing contestants to team up in pairs to compete throughout the season, which has generally been considered by RPDR fans to be an epic fail.

So, what were the producers thinking? Unfortunately, no explanation has been provided so this may remain a mystery for the ages.

Whose lipstick did Bebe choose?

Like crop circles, UFO sightings and the actual amount of hairspray and highlight needed for each episode, the name on the lipstick chosen by Bebe in All Star series three sadly seems destined to be another of the show’s unsolved mysteries. Hey, you win some you lose some.

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Fame and celebrity

From the judges that were phased out in favour of RuPaul’s bestie Michelle Visage, to the mysterious disappearance of Mathu Andersen
The now ultra-successful show is still going strong, but has had its fair share of on- (and off-) screen drama