Supermodel and television host Tyra Banks will produce a new show documenting the world of teenage drag shows.
Generation Drag will air on Discovery+ with a six-episode release on June 1. The former America’s Next Top Model host will serve as the executive producer.
The series follows five teenagers – Jameson, Noah, Vinny, Bailey, and Nabela – and their families as they prepare for Dragutante, a drags show for LGBTQ teens in Denver.
“It is produced by Made In Chelsea producer Monkey, which is part of Universal International Studios, in association with Bankable Productions and Cat Fight Productions,” reports Deadline. “Jasmine Stodel, Clinton Irey, Hayley Lozitsky, David St. John, Rob Schwarze and Ollie Brack executive produce alongside Banks.”
The president of TLC Streaming and Network Originals Howard Lee described the new show in a press release as a “heartfelt and joyous coming of age series.”
“Jameson, Noah, Vinny, Bailey and Nabela may only be in their teens, yet they are well beyond their years in being true to themselves and recognizing the importance of living authentically,” Lee said. “Their story is an inspiration to express yourself at any age.”
Jameson, whose mother started the event, performs under the moniker “Ophelia Peaches” while transgender teenager Noah performs as “Poptart.” Some of the children involved in the show are 13 years old.
According to Broadway World, the children’s parents “are on their own path of learning how to guide a child who wants to embrace drag” and have to “step outside their comfort zone in an effort to be there for their children who are still finding themselves.”
This includes using “new pronouns, shopping for the perfect platform shoe or performing alongside them in a local drag show.”
“I have such admiration and respect for these teens. They are bravely navigating coming into their own in a world that can be very challenging and not always accepting,” Banks said in a statement. “What is so beautiful is seeing their parents and siblings supporting them.”
“I can’t wait for these popping personalities to show their fierceness to the world,” said Banks.
Pride, an LGBTQ publication, dismissed concerns about the show expressed on Twitter and said the show “seems relatively innocent.”
we are not doing enough to protect queer youth https://t.co/i75whRPm1E
— mark (@maarkm) April 26, 2022
girl not in a hundred million thousand years would i turn my child over to tyra after watching what she did to those models on antm!
…*glances slowly over at @RegardingJosh* https://t.co/tUV4GgjQMx
— tracy aka Bhad Bhooster (@brokeymcpoverty) April 26, 2022
So rupaul made drag race to spoof antm and the success of drag race now prompts tyra to do a drag show??? Hello???
— Starscourge Nick (@NickNickNeek) April 26, 2022
“We’re incredibly proud to bring the inspirational stories of these fearless teens and their families to the world with this series,” said Ollie Brack, Head of Alternative for Monkey. “We’re thrilled to have partnered with Tyra Banks and Discovery+ on this special show and cannot wait for US audiences to experience and fall in love with it.”
