Scarlet Adams is an Australian drag performer and contestant on the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under.
About[]
Scarlet is a burlesque performer, pole dancer, costume designer and self- proclaimed party girl. Since she turned 18, Scarlet has worked tirelessly to build her reputation and brand as a drag artist.
After only a year of doing drag, Scarlet won the prestigious title of Queen of the Court, Entertainer of the Year 2016 at the annual PROUD Awards, and even took out the title for Miss Burlesque Western Australia 2018, becoming not only the first drag queen to compete in Miss Burlesque Australia history – but to go on and win the title.[3]
Drag Name Origin[]
Named herself after the book "The Scarlet Letter" because she related to the main character. She chose the surname "Adams" because the "Scarlet Letter" in the book was an A.[citation needed]
Track Record(s)[]
| Statistics | Down Under Season 1 |
|---|---|
| Ranking: | 2nd/3rd/4th Place (Runner-Up) |
| Maxi Challenges Won: | 3 (Eps. 3, 4, 7) |
| Mini Challenges Won: | 1 (Ep. 3) |
| Times as Team Captain: | 1 (Ep. 3) |
| Times in Bottom Two: | 1 (Ep. 6) |
| Episode Eliminated: | Episode 8 |
Memorable Quotes[]
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season 1[]
- "Who's ready to paint the town Scarlet?" (entrance quote)
- "Stitch, sew, red lip, bombshell, burlesque bitch, 30-inch human wig, big crowns, waist cinched. I got immortality in solidarity, west coast legend, Perthonality! You won't forget her 'cause I do it better. Branded bitch, scarlet red letter!" (verse in Queens Down Under)
- "S-C-A-R-L-E-T! Wicked witch from the West, Perthonality! Drag Race main stage, pumps ruby red! Got yellow brick dreams around my head. And I'm here to win, wanna snatch the crown, wanna tour the world and paint the town red! Hot bitch, I'm a fashion harlot. When you cut that check, better write down "Scarlet"!" (verse in I'm a Winner, Baby)
Trivia[]
- Scarlet is the first queen in Down Under...
- ... from the state of Western Australia to compete in Drag Race.
- ... to win the Singing Challenge, a Design Challenge, and the first ever non-All Stars Talent Show.
- She is the second queen to win all three of these challenges after BenDeLaCreme.
- However, the latter's Talent Show was on All Stars.
- She is the seventh queen to win both a Design Challenge and a Singing challenge after Raja, Willam, BenDeLaCreme, Divina De Campo, Lawrence Chaney, and A'Whora.
- She's the sixth queen to do so in a single season since BenDeLaCreme won her Design challenge on Season 6 and her Singing Challenge on All Stars 3.
- She is the second queen to win all three of these challenges after BenDeLaCreme.
- ... to win both the Mini and Maxi Challenge in the same episode.
- ... to win the Maxi Challenge as the Team Captain.
- ... to win two and three challenges.
- She is also the first queen from Down Under to win two challenges consecutively.
- She is the third queen with the name "Scarlet(t)" to compete on Drag Race, after Scarlet Envy from US Season 11 and All Stars 6, and Scarlett BoBo from Canada's Drag Race Season 1.
- Moreover, all three queens competed on different versions of Drag Race.
- She is the second one to reach the finale, after Scarlett BoBo.
- The outfit Scarlet wore in the second episode was created by Drag Race Thailand Season 1 contestant Bunny Be Fly.
- Scarlet is the fourth contestant from all the Drag Race franchise to be the single contestant to receive positive critiques, after Scarlett BoBo on Season 1 of Canada's Drag Race, Janey Jacké on Season 1 of Drag Race Holland, and Anita Wigl'it on Season 1 of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under.
Controversies[]
On March 12, 2021, Scarlet Adams was called out by Aboriginal Entertainer Felicia Foxx for previously performing in traditional Asian looks and makeup, Bollywood looks and makeup, a burqa, blackface, and Aboriginal garments. Notably, she was called out for mocking Aboriginal culture on Invasion Day, also known as Australia Day. Foxx said that "Me or any other POC (persons of colour) that has been affected by your downright racist actions should (not) have to do the emotional labour you need to do, by owning your wrong doings.” On May 25, 2021, Foxx called on World of Wonder to perform more background checks prior to casting.[4]
During Episode 5 of Drag Race Down Under Season 1, after Etcetera Etcetera prompted the question "has anyone done anything they regret," Scarlet admitted to doing blackface. Etcetera used the moment to teach Scarlet exactly why what she did was wrong, saying "Going forward, there should be a lot of steps of reparation, and not just saying you’re sorry, but doing things to show that you’re sorry.” However, when RuPaul addressed the issue on the main stage, she used it as "a teaching moment" and largely swept it under the rug, saying "I’m sure there are people who would want me to cancel you, right here right now. But I'd rather this be a lesson in humility and accountability. I pray all of us can learn and grow from our mistakes.” Queer news article Them said of the issue that "in letting Scarlet off the hook so easily, RuPaul passed up an important opportunity to advance the conversation around racist caricature in Australian culture."[5]
After the episode, many fans felt that the show's reaction, as well as Etcetera's elimination that same episode. One Twitter user wrote "FUCK DRAG RACE DOWN UNDER! Im so sick of white people getting a slap on the wrist for racism. You wait until there's no one but white people in the room to discuss Scarlett Adams performing in blackface for years and she gives the most bullshit apology. The season is fucked," and got a response saying "And then they sent home the one who called her out the most about it. Wooooooow. I cant." [6]
Gallery[]
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season 1[]
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season 1 Looks[]
Filmography[]
TV[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under (Season 1) | Self | Contestant (Placed 2nd/3rd/4th) |
Discography[]
Appearances/Features[]
| Year | Title | Artwork | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | "Queens Down Under (Outback Fake Hoes)" |
|
by The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under |
External Links[]
References[]
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[]
| Winner | Kita Mean |
|---|---|
| Runners-Up | 2nd, 3rd & 4th: Art Simone, Karen From Finance & Scarlet Adams |
| Other Contestants | 5th: Elektra Shock • 6th: Maxi Shield • 7th: Etcetera Etcetera • 8th: Anita Wigl'it • 9th: Coco Jumbo • 10th: Jojo Zaho |
| Judges | RuPaul • Michelle Visage • Rhys Nicholson |
| Pit Crew | Max Currie • Sean Walters • Rod Tian |