What is the perfect gift for a drag performer this holiday season? Wigs? Makeup? Tuck tape? At the World of Wonder holiday party, drag stars like Lady Bunny, Alyssa Edwards, Yara Sofia, Kelly Mantle, Landon Cider, and more revealed what they'd love to see in their stocking this December.
In the spirit of the season, the divas also offered advice for straight people on what not to give their gay friends (See "Gifting No-Nos for Gay Men" for more bad ideas.) See their responses below.
Lacey Noel, YouTube star
What should one give a drag queen for the holidays?
Tucking tape.
Is there a gift that straight people should never give gay people?
A Chick-fil-A gift card.
Landon Cider (right)
Will RuPaul's Drag Race ever have a drag king competitor?
I still feel hopeful! I still feel hopeful that there is a ball rolling. The opportunities are endless, and there's a more inclusive idea of what drag is. By being invited here today and upcoming things that I am a part of, I think that it's just a matter of time.
What should one give a drag performer for the holidays?
Stones. Rhinestones. A gift certificate to Nova in the downtown L.A. fashion district, because they have beautiful rhinestones.
Is there a gift that straight people should never give gay people?
Anything that's assuming of their gender or what preference they like and a pronoun -- that's a big no-no for sure.
Lady Bunny
Introduction: I just ate a salmon pizza, so I'm really exuding fish.
What should one give a drag queen for the holidays?
If you're a fan of Paris Is Burning, there is an executive realness pen that you can order online.
Alyssa Edwards
Introduction: This is my good ol' Texas hair.
What should one give a drag queen for the holidays?
Being delivered RuPaul's Drag Race season 7. All drag queens are waiting.
Is there a gift that straight people should never give gay people?
My straight friends know what I like. A little dessert. A little pumpkin pie.
Randy Barbato, executive producer of RuPaul's Drag Race
On the upcoming RuPaul's Drag Race season: Best. Season. Ever. That's the only note we have to send to our team, is "Best. Season. Ever." It's a combination of the evolution of drag. It's a combination of the evolution of the show, the producers, the queens are so revealing and they represent such a broad spectrum: They're from young to old to art to fashion to comedy. They represent humanity. It almost makes me teary-eyed thinking about it. But it's because it's everything.
What should one give a drag queen for the holidays?
Cushions from an '80s couch for padding. [And] money.
Tempest DuJour, RuPaul's Drag Race season 7 cast member
On the upcoming RuPaul's Drag Race season: This season is really unique, because we're such individuals. All 14 of us this year. Many of us are from smaller towns, so in a way, we have more to prove. There's more on the line for us, too. We can't depend on big-city press. We depend on our performance and how we show ourselves to the world to gain popularity and to gain fans.
What should one give a drag queen for the holidays?
In general, cash is always appreciated. [But] if it was me, stockings, and foundations, and powder, and lashes. A box full of lashes. Shit that you need, always. Useable gifts.
Is there a gift that straight people should never give gay people?
Anything with a rainbow flag on it. Yawn. We're done with that, right? And Kokopelli, because I'm from the Southwest.
Brendan Jordan (right) with Raven-Symone
What should one give a drag queen for the holidays?
Ten-inch heels. I'm obsessed with those.
Is there a gift that straight people should never give gay people?
If someone gave me a football, I wouldn't know what to do with it.
Kelly Mantle
What should one give a drag queen for the holidays?
A gift certificate to Mac.
Is there a gift that straight people should never give gay people?
Season tickets to the Dodgers -- and this is coming from Mickey Mantle's nephew. Also, no Uggs. No Crocs. And they shouldn't be wearing them to the Dodgers games either.
Laganja Estranja
What should one give a drag queen for the holidays?
Talent! I think that would be a great gift for a lot of these girls. But the gift that I'm looking for this year is love and at least an eight-inch cock.
Daniel Franzese, Looking
What should one give a drag queen for the holidays?
A drag queen Chia pet, where the wig just grows.
Is there a gift that straight people should never give gay people?
Marble statues of a bust of a man. And sex toys. They're like art! You can't just buy them for people.
What's the best part of being on Looking?
It's just the most gracious, friendly atmosphere, and everyone is so artistic and intelligent, and I love it. I love that show, and I love those people.
Bobby Trendy
What should one give a drag queen for the holidays?
A gift card to MAC Cosmetics or Hollywood Wigs.
Sham Abrihim, artist
What should one give a drag queen for the holidays?
Love! That's what everybody needs.
Is there a gift that straight people should never give gay people?
They should give a gift that they would give everyone else. I don't believe in breaking friends down into sexual orientation or race.
Yara Sofia
What should one give a drag queen for the holidays?
Makeup remover [from] Neutrogena.
