‘Drag Race’ producer explains how they got Liza Minnelli for season 17
Alexis Michelle’s Snatch Game Challenge from Liza Minnelli on season 9 of “Rupaul’s Drag Race” can rank one of the best imitation of the history of the franchises, but the season 17 final of the series pulled one for the ages and the real Minnelli appeared. Yes, Liza with a Z appeared in the main stage of the show.
She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from host Rupaul Charles. “Drag Race” producer Tom Campbell told Variety“I always say that the drag gods have been very good to ‘drag’ over the years, the celebrities, supporters and the politicians who have joined us. It has always been worked out, and this? I bend for the drag gods.”
Previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award are Bob Mackie and Elvira, and final guests have recorded former vice -president Kamala Harris. “Again, I bend for the drag gods,” says Campbell.
When it was time to decide, Campbell explains the production team, including those who secure talent for the series always highly focused, and although a number of names were gone, it was Rupaul who said with laser focus: “Let’s get Liza.” “The team reached for the Minnelli team. Campbell admits:” She seemed undoubtedly like that is too much to ask. “
Strange things have happened, but it turned out that the timing was on their side. Minnelli, who has a moment with her PBS documentary “Liza: a really great true story” and adorned the cover of New York Magazine, said yes. “Her management were also big fans of ‘Drag Race’ and they know what we did, and they know the heart of the show, and they have been invested as viewers.” Various conversations followed and Campbell says it came together easily.
As for how things were when Minnelli was on stage, Campbell says he wasn’t sure what to expect, but one thing he noticed was that Minnelli had a great team around her. “She radiates all this love, kindness and attention for other people. I thought,” Liza is surrounded by love. ” Michael Feinstein came with her and her entourage are these wonderful people who love her.
A surprising guest was the younger brother of Minnelli, Joey Luft. “I didn’t see him in public for a long time and he was there. She was constant as:” Where is Joe? ” Come on, Joe?
Minnelli had kept the show, had a deep meaning for Campbell; She not only brought her seal of approval, but Minnelli has a decades-long relationship as an LGBTQ community icon. Campbell says: “She has made her fans, her chosen family. That’s how it feels. She shared her hardships and triumphs. She has collected millions of dollars for AIDS research at a time when it was a very scary time and she is inexplicable.”
Minnelli is someone who has admired Campbell, like many within the LGBTQ community, for her tenacity, performance and alliance. Campbell says: “She gave us such a huge gift by being part of the show.”
