True fans of RuPaul know that for decades she has outsourced her drag. Since at least the 1980s, RuPaul has had other individuals masterminding the persona we know as Monster.
In the culturally rich history of drag in New York City, Zaldy and Mathu Andersen, who were partners for ten years, played pivotal roles as RuPaul’s glam team, taking care of hair, makeup, and costuming for a significant period. Though Zaldy continues to be part of the team, Andersen departed during the filming of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 9, opening the door for others to take on this esteemed position.
One of those who stepped into the role is Delta Work, renowned for doing RuPaul’s hair during seasons 9 through 11, after having competed in season 3. Recently, she candidly shared her experiences in an interview with Joseph Shepherd on YouTube, discussing the significance of trust and friendship in securing such a position.
According to Delta Work, the hiring process was not merely about finding the best hairstylist or makeup artist but rather about becoming RuPaul’s new confidante. “The reason you called me isn’t because I’m the best at what I do, it’s because I’m the best at keeping my mouth shut,” she revealed in the interview.
The transition in RuPaul’s glam team occurred in 2017 when RuPaul’s Drag Race made the leap from Logo to VH1, marking a milestone for the show. With Mathu Andersen’s departure during the initial episode of the new season, Delta Work received a call from producers, offering her the opportunity to step in. Recalling the moment, she said, “We were going right into an episode. There were no conversations about what’s to be expected, really. We’re just going to learn as we go.”
While working on the show, Delta Work received minimal feedback from the producers, which changed once the episodes aired. Her remarkable work on Drag Race led to international opportunities, including shooting for the renowned Pirelli calendar and starring in commercials.
Emmys Drama with ‘Drag Race,’ Mathu Andersen, and Delta Work
In the midst of the excitement surrounding the 2017 Emmys, a controversy brewed, drawing attention to the hairstyling category for Outstanding Hairstyling for a Multi-Camera Series or Special. The nomination was for the “Oh. My. Gaga!” episode, and the original nominee was Delta Work, who had styled RuPaul’s hair for the season. However, after criticism from Willam, another Drag Race alum, Delta’s name was removed from the nominations, and no head hairstylist was ultimately credited.
The situation took a positive turn in 2018 when the show won the same Emmy category for season 10, with Delta Work officially recognized as RuPaul’s personal hairstylist. In her acceptance speech, she dedicated the award to her predecessor, Mathu Andersen. However, the following year, despite working on RuPaul’s hair for season 11, Delta’s name was left out of the nominations. As she revealed, she was no longer associated with the production company at the time of the Emmy nominations, which led to her exclusion.
“The production company can put on or remove anyone they want from the award,” she disclosed, highlighting the ethical complexities surrounding the decision.
Delta Work’s Transition and Friendship with Raven
Delta Work also opened up about her transition and changing dynamics behind the scenes. She revealed that during the production of “AJ and the Queen,” she was asked to do hair for RuPaul and other cast members. However, she preferred to focus solely on RuPaul’s hair, leading to a disagreement with the production team and ultimately resulting in Curtis William Foreman being brought in as her replacement.
Regarding her relationship with Raven, the makeup artist working with RuPaul, Delta shared that they were not particularly close behind the scenes. Raven emphasized the importance of standing individually rather than being seen as a duo package, and their interactions diminished over time.
“I do feel like the fool in many ways. But I’m fine with it,” Delta said, expressing acceptance of the evolving relationships in the realm of glam and friendship.
As Delta Work’s revelations provide a peek behind the curtain of RuPaul’s glam team dynamics, it sheds light on the intricacies and challenges of working with the queen of drag herself.
