Two striking faces, immersed in glitter from cheek to cheek, filled my screen as pop songs bounced from ear to ear. One jump split later, a dancer stood alone on the stage, as the other sashayed away. Tears ensued, bags were packed, and a melancholic song played as one queen left the stage for good. 

I spent my summer enthralled by this extravagant showcase of fashion and comedy. The stress of my favorite competitor possibly being eliminated was much easier to stomach than the anxiety surrounding college applications.

 “Rupaul’s Drag Race” (RPDR) is a reality TV show where 14 drag queens, a performer (typically a man) who adopts a parodic feminine persona with exaggerated costumes and makeup, compete to win $200,000 and become “America’s Next Drag Superstar” in a series of sewing, acting, and comedy challenges. At the end of each episode, two queens lip-sync to a song, with the weaker performer being eliminated from the show.

As I indulged in this distraction, I began to see that RPDR was different from other reality TV shows. It was a platform for powerful lessons about sisterhood and healthy competition.

Sisterhood is undoubtedly the central theme of RPDR. Despite $200,000 on the line, the queens support each other through their highs and lows. 

I remember many moments from the show when I asked myself, “Why is that queen sewing a garment for someone else? Why did they lend her a wig? Why are they giving out makeup tips?” 

I was utterly confused before I came to understand competition is more than winning. It’s about finding the best version of yourself. A healthy competition brings out your compassionate side while simultaneously motivating you. 

In high school, it’s easy to see your peers as competitors. For the best grades, popular friends, or most selective college acceptance. In January 2024, Business Insider reported that getting into college has gotten, “more and more competitive year after year,” thus impacting students to try and meet unrealistic standards. 

In both the world of RPDR and the competitive college admissions process, the true goal should not solely be about outshining others, but rather about personal growth. Embrace the journey as an opportunity to elevate your own potential and support those around you. 

Just as the queens on RPDR learn that true success comes from building each other up, so can you.