Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin: The Business of Drag with Alaska Thunderf*ck (RuPaul's Drag Race) Release Date: December 19, 2024

Hosted by Morgan Lavoy in Nicole Lapin’s absence, this episode delves into the intricate business side of drag through the experiences of one of the most iconic drag queens, Alaska Thunderfck.*

Introduction to Alaska Thunderf*ck

The episode kicks off with host Morgan Lavoy introducing Alaska Thunderf*ck, highlighting her impressive career trajectory:

• Background: Alaska hails from Erie, Pennsylvania, and gained fame as a runner-up on Season Five of RuPaul's Drag Race. She further cemented her legacy by winning RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season Two.
• Achievements: Beyond the show, Alaska boasts a massive following with 1.8 million Instagram followers. She engages in diverse ventures including her memoir "My Name's Yours", the rewatch podcast Race Chasers, music production, touring, a fragrance line, and her groundbreaking show Drag the Musical in New York City.

Alaska’s Journey into Drag

Early Experiences and Inspiration

• First Drag Influence (04:27): Alaska recounts her first encounter with drag, which took place in a bar, possibly in West Virginia, where she saw a performer named Amanda Love lip-syncing. This sparked her curiosity, though initially, she felt she couldn’t embody such glamour herself.
  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “I just wanted to get drunk, you know.” (05:23)
• Realization and Commitment (07:00): It wasn't until Alaska attended a Duran Duran drag show in San Francisco on her 22nd birthday that she realized she wanted to pursue drag professionally. The performance broke her preconceived notions of drag, blending rules and pushing boundaries.
  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “I want to do that, I want to do this.” (07:00)

First Performance and Branding

• Debut as Alaska (08:16): Alaska decided on her drag persona immediately upon encountering the name "Alaska," which coincided with a weed strain. This branding was pivotal in establishing her unique identity.
  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “It was like a lightning bolt. It was like instant.” (08:16)

Financial Dynamics of Drag

Revenue Streams and Challenges (12:06)

• Primary Income: Performing remains the main source of income for many drag queens. However, Alaska points out that performing is both lucrative and costly due to expenses related to costumes, makeup, and accessories.

  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “Eyelashes, hair, makeup is expensive. Clothes, shoes, all of it is so costly.” (15:29)

• Supplementary Income: To offset these costs, Alaska explored additional revenue streams such as selling T-shirts, producing shows and parties, and creating music. Initially, merchandise sales were slow, but these efforts diversified her income.

  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “When I was first starting out... no one was buying it.” (14:46)

Cost Management

• Budgeting (12:12): Alaska emphasizes the importance of managing expenses to ensure that income from performances surpasses spending on drag necessities.
  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “I have to make sure I'm not spending more than that to get there.” (12:13)

Drag the Musical: Creation and Impact

Development and Themes (21:07)

• Genesis: Alaska collaborated with friends Tomas and Ash to create Drag the Musical, dedicating nearly eight years to its development.

  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “It was very difficult, but we did it.” (21:43)

• Storyline: The musical explores the dynamics of two rival drag houses with underlying family themes. It addresses issues like financial struggles, familial relationships, and the intersection of biological and chosen families.

  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “It's about all of those things. There's a lot of, like, family elements to it, whether it's your biological family or your chosen family.” (23:12)

Cultural Relevance and Reception

• Political Climate: Alaska discusses how the musical intersects with current political debates surrounding drag, especially concerning children’s exposure to drag culture.

  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “Children being in proximity to drag is now, like, a hot button political issue.” (24:29)

• Audience Connection: The reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with audiences resonating deeply, including families witnessing the show together.

  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “A couple has seen the show 16 times as of today.” (25:56)

Personal Insights and Redefining Success

Financial Struggles Pre-Drag Race (19:43)

• Alaska shares her financial hardships before gaining fame on Drag Race, highlighting the precarious nature of making a living through drag.

  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “Are we going to keep the lights on? Are we going to keep the heat on?” (19:43)

• Reinvention: Post-cast, Alaska learned to redefine success beyond mere fame, focusing on personal happiness and self-worth.

  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “I had to make it work because I wasn't good at anything else.” (16:16)

Lessons Learned (18:41)

• Value Beyond Career: Alaska emphasizes the importance of valuing aspects of life outside of one's career to ensure stability and fulfillment.
  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “You have to have something beyond that, because if that evaporates or slows down or goes away, like, that can't be your whole existence.” (18:41)

Interactive Segment: Never Have I Ever - Money Edition

Host Morgan Lavoy engages Alaska in a fun, money-themed game of "Never Have I Ever," revealing personal financial anecdotes:

• Credit Card Debt: Alaska admits to maxing out a credit card. (27:02)
• Cash Prizes and Lotteries: She shares experiences of winning cash prizes and playing scratchers. (27:24, 28:09)
• Job Experiences: Recounts being fired for staying at Burning Man beyond her work obligations. (28:19)

Money Tip: Embrace Rewearing Clothing

In the closing segment, Alaska offers a practical financial tip:

• Sustainable Fashion: Alaska advocates for rewearing outfits, especially costumes, to save money and benefit the environment.

  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “Don't be afraid to rewear stuff. It's good for the environment, but it also saves you money.” (29:00)

• Cultural Shift: Encourages normalizing the practice of reusing clothing to foster cultural change and promote financial prudence.

  • Alaska Thunderfck:* “Normalize that. Why not? We should culturally do that.” (29:31)

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Alaska’s heartfelt appreciation for the support she has received and her commitment to continuing her creative endeavors. Listeners are left with actionable financial advice and an inspiring look into the resilience and business acumen required in the drag industry.

Notable Quotes:

• Alaska Thunderfck (07:00):* “I want to do that, I want to do this.”
• Alaska Thunderfck (12:13):* “I have to make sure I'm not spending more than that to get there.”
• Alaska Thunderfck (29:00):* “Don't be afraid to rewear stuff. It's good for the environment, but it also saves you money.”

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Produced by Money News Network with executive production by Morgan Lavoy and research by Emily Holmes.