RuPaul's Drag Race's has maintained its greatness by having a stacked cast each season

The Hollywood Reporter

"To merely compete on Drag Race, a contestant needs to have at least a rudimentary grasp of several of the drag arts: makeup, wig styling, padding, tucking and walking in six-inch heels," says Inkoo Kang. "But to last beyond the first few weeks, competitors need to possess a dizzying array of skills: acting, dancing, lip syncing, interviewing, spokes-modeling, sewing, fashion design, celebrity impersonation and comedy, both improv and stand-up. It also helps to know how to sing, choreograph group dances and be familiar with RuPaul's ancient pop-culture references." Kang adds: "It's hard to think of another reality competition that requires so many disparate talents. CBS' Survivor comes to mind, where contestants have to build makeshift housing, find their own food, compete in physically demanding games and, of course, build and maintain always shifting alliances. But those contestants also aren't evaluated on every one of those competencies. And when Survivor is over, it's over. On Drag Race, there's a $100,000 cash prize on the line every season, but loyal viewers know that what's really on offer for queens is a chance at a lucrative, years-long career post-Drag Race."