Television
'Drag Race's Madonna Rusical Was 'Raunchier' Than What Aired
And yes, it was in Jaida Essence Hall's section.
July 08 2020 8:23 AM EST
May 26 2023 1:32 PM EST
MikelleStreet
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And yes, it was in Jaida Essence Hall's section.
When RuPaul's Drag Race aired its Madonna Rusical in season 12, we called it one of the best Rusicals in herstory. We, unequivocally, stand by that assessment. But now creative director and choreographer Jamal Sims, is revealing that some of the most salacious parts were left on the cutting room floor due to careful editing.
For those who don't remember, Madonna: The Unofficial Ru-sical saw contestants embody different eras of one of entertainment's longest-reigning popstars. It was quite the competition with Gigi Goode and Jaida Essence Hall coming as clear stand outs -- Goode justifiably won that week's maxi challenge and Hall went on to win the season. But according to Sims it was all done on just hours of rehearsal.
"I have an hour [two teach the queens] on camera, and then I have 45 minutes to an hour after, off-camera," he told Entertainment Weeklyof preparation. Sims is somewhat of a secret weapon for Drag Race -- and a sometimes judge -- having choreographed quite a number of the show's performances as well as RuPaul's Drag Race: Live in Vegas. "Normally, something like this would require a week's rehearsal. It's intense."
But given that Sims has been a lifelong fan of Madonna, and is a professional at what he does, he made pretty quick work of getting the job done. After coming up with choreography, he customized it to the queen's individual dance ability. And this is what we saw on the runway -- mostly.
\u201c\ud83c\udfb6 Because she\u2019s what?! Whip smart. \ud83c\udfb6 #DragRace @jaidaehall\u201d— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaul's Drag Race) 1586566625
"'Justify My Love,' it was a little edited because I kind of went there with that one," Sims said. "They didn't show everything ..."
"So it was raunchier?" EW Drag Race reporter Joey Nolfi asked.
"Yes!" Sims replied.
Go take a look at the rehearsal footage on EW.
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Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.
Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.