RuPaul’s Drag Race Queen Manila Luzon has been slaying the runway on the current season of All Stars, and last week’s theme – curves and swerves – proved to be no exception for the season three queen.
However, on Instagram, Ms Luzon revealed that her ‘Rococo Chanel’ look was not her initial choice. As it turns out, Manila took the ‘pads’ theme of the week very literally and shared her original concept for episode four’s runway.
The queen took to Instagram to share an image of herself in a red dress with a very large bloody pad on her torso. On the social media platform, Manila explained her original concept and why she was forced to change it for RuPaul, who did not approve of the period-themed look:
“Ru said my ORIGINAL Curves and Swerves Runway look was in “bad taste” and production told me to wear my back up.”
In the caption, Manila explained that she was prompted by her desire to share a look that normalises periods, to break the taboo that is too often associated with menstruation:
“I was really looking forward to wearing this gown that I think celebrates a perfectly normal human experience! Many of my fans are young women who may feel pressured by society to be embarrassed by periods. It’s empowering to teach young women about their bodies, encourage them to celebrate them AND to question people who tell them not to.”
Manila continued:
“My goal with this look was to normalize menstruation by looking sick’ning even if I was on my period! Instead, I decided to wear the beautiful quilted dress you saw in the episode because it is not my show, it’s Ru’s. But because of Ru, I have my very own platform to speak for myself and show you all my inspiration.”
Manila’s dress was designed by Dallas Coulter, who also designed Naomi Smalls’ padded look.
Manila’s post was met with praise from her best friend, and winner of season three, Raja, who shared the photo with the caption “My best friend is one of the most brilliant artists I’ve ever met.”
Other Drag Race alumni supported Manila’s choice in the comments. Her All Stars 4 co-star, Monét X Change wrote “I was sooo mad when you couldn’t wear this on the runway!! Such a powerful statement that would embolden women/normalize something that 50% of the population does naturally.”
BenDeLaCreme saluted Manila for the look writing “I love this, I love that you are grateful for your platform and also not afraid to use it as your own, and I love you.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars continues this weekend. To find out how to watch it in Ireland, click here.
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