Is RuPaul's Drag Race star Princess Poppy's look fashionable for the 2023 Emmys? In the words of Peppermint: It's fashion, it's a green troll, and it's also one of the most hilarious red carpet looks in recent memory.
Nearly a year after confirming her intention to retire from drag in an interview with EW, the Drag Race contestant attended Monday night's ceremony to celebrate Season 15's Emmys success alongside her fellow cast members, and strolled past high-profile celebrities on the red carpet while dressed in a bright green leprechaun.
“RuPaul's Drag Race” star Princess Poppy is attending the 2024 Emmys as the Green Goblin.
Jay L. Clendenin/Getty
“I wanted to do the exact opposite of what is expected of you when you go to an event like this. “I wanted to turn decorum on its head,” Poppy exclusively tells EW of her inspiration for the look, which included pop culture references like Jabba the Hutt, Roz from Monsters, Inc. and a witch from the Tom Cruise film Legend from 1985. “Mainly I wanted to be a troll-slash-witch. I wanted to be so shocking that you just have to turn around and look at me – in the worst way possible.”
While Poppy's appearance at the event made headlines, Drag Race's Emmys successes also made headlines. The series won its fifth award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program, extending producer and head judge RuPaul's streak as the most awarded person of color in Emmys history at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmys.
In his acceptance speech, RuPaul called on Americans to be more accepting of drag performers and the art they represent.
“If a drag queen wants to read you a story in a library, listen to her, because knowledge is power, and if someone tries to limit your access to power, they are trying to scare you,” Ru said, referencing a recent one Wave of anti-drag and anti-trans legislation and sentiment that has swept the nation over the past two years. “So listen to a drag queen! We love you! Thank you very much!”
RuPaul's speech took place as 12 of the 16 season 15 queens attended the ceremony alongside him, including Poppy, TikTok twins Sugar and Spice, Miss Congeniality winner Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Irene Dubois, Robin Fierce, finalist Luxx Noir London, Jax, Marcia Marcia Marcia, Aura Mayari, Salina EsTitties and the eventual season winner Sasha Colby.
Although Poppy competed in Season 15 and has gone viral several times since her second exit from the competition in 2023, the San Francisco queen spoke about wanting to retire from drag following her debut on national television.
The cast of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 15 at the 2024 Emmys.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
“I want to disappear from the face of the planet. I don't want to be famous, I want to fade into obscurity,” Poppy told EW in April 2023, two months after taking a social media break during Drag Race's run. “That's not a bad thing. I think people place so much value on success and fame, and it's okay to not want to be famous. It's okay not to want to be known by a lot of people. “That's just not what I want.” I don’t want that for my life.”
She confirmed that her pseudo-retirement wouldn't be permanent, but that the role of Princess Poppy wouldn't necessarily be returning with a vengeance.
“Princess Poppy will always be there. I always will, but it will probably be much less common,” she said at the time. “Constantly touring and doing drag is really hard, it’s hard on the body and if you don’t enjoy every minute it’s difficult.”
In the photo above you can see Princess Poppy attending the 2024 Emmys as a green troll.
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