Jimbo, the Canadian drag queen, made a bold entrance on the latest season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8, sparking a conversation about the acceptable depiction of women in drag. The controversy centers around the oversized breastplate Jimbo wore as her signature drag aesthetic, which some fans are calling “misogynistic.”
While wearing breastplates is a common practice among drag queens, some fans of the show are now claiming that these kinds of breastplates are making a mockery of women by being an over-exaggerated depiction of a “bimbo.” As a result, many fans are divided on the issue, with some defending Jimbo’s artistic choice and others calling it out for being offensive.
Those defending Jimbo argue that the accusations against her are actually rooted in bimbo-phobia, and that women with larger chests are simply being judged for being empowered. Others claim that the controversy is simply an overreaction from young fans who are policing drag so hard that they may become conservative in the process.
Despite the criticism, there are also fans and Drag Race alumni who are praising Jimbo for her impressive full-body illusion. Evan Ross Katz wrote that Jimbo’s entrance look deserves a dissertation, while Canada’s Drag Race star Kiara pointed out that Jimbo’s ability to create a viral controversy in just one hour is a testament to her talent.
While the debate rages on, it’s clear that Jimbo’s entrance has sparked an important conversation about the representation of women in drag, and whether certain depictions are harmful or not. As the season continues, it will be interesting to see how this controversy evolves and whether it will lead to any changes in the way drag artists approach their craft.”