#thwoorp

One of my favorite things to watch is the web series “UNHhhh.”  It features two notable Rupaul’s Drag Race Alumni: Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova.  It is super campy in it’s comically erratic editing, two drag queen hosts, and its take on the traditional talk show format.  Over the seasons, UNHhhh has become meta and self-referential in how the hosts start quoting themselves in past episodes, and its growing and loyal fan base that keeps this show going.  The hosts themselves have had quite a camp drag career.  Trixie Mattel is known for being heavily inspired by vintage Barbie dolls, and cites that as her makeup inspiration.  This is something Mattel used to be criticized for and often polarized audiences, but since she’s fully embraced the “Kabuki Polly Pocket” look, she’s made it iconic, and been able to create a makeup brand around her aesthetic.  Katya, on the otherhand, is known for her offbeat dark humor, inspirations ranging from “Twin Peaks” to strong, complex women like Jodie Foster in the film “Contact”.  She’s been open about her struggles with mental illness and drug addiction, often using humor and frankness to share with audiences issues that a number of LGBTQ+ folks also face.  Trixie and Katya often times also talk about their experiences growing up gay, facing the stigma, navigating online dating, and how they’ve come to be the lovely queer performers they are today.  This dynamic duo are able to provide mainstream audiences and younger queer generations with the weekly camp, humor, and representation they need in their lives.