Bob the Drag Queen

Caldwell Tidicue,[2] also known as Bob the Drag Queen, is an American drag queen, comedian, black activist, musician, and reality television personality best known for winning the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.[3] In June 2019, a panel of judges from New York magazine placed Bob eighth on their list of "the most powerful drag queens in America", a ranking of 100 former Drag Race contestants.[4] She currently has more than one million followers on Instagram and was the first black Drag Race queen to reach the milestone.[5][6] After Drag Race, she pursued acting, appearing in television shows such as High Maintenance, Tales of the City, and A Black Lady Sketch Show. In 2020, she began hosting We're Here on HBO alongside fellow Drag Race contestants Shangela and Eureka O'Hara.

Bob the Drag Queen
Bob the Drag Queen at RuPaul's DragCon LA in 2017
Born (1986-06-22) 22 June 1986
Columbus, Georgia[1]
Other namesCaldwell Tidicue
OccupationDrag queen
Years active2009–present
Known forRuPaul's Drag Race (season 8) winner
PredecessorViolet Chachki
SuccessorSasha Velour
Websitebobthedragqueen.com

Early life

Tidicue was born in 1986 in Columbus, Georgia,[1] and he was raised in Clayton County, Georgia.[7] He explained, "You can call it the hood. You can say it. That’s where I’m from.”[7] His mother owned a drag bar in Columbus, Georgia. On the nights that she could not afford a babysitter, she brought Tidicue to the drag bar, where he would work and collect money from the patrons.[8]

Tidicue has described his mother as a supportive early influence on his life. He explained, "I also grew up with a mom who told me I could do anything, so I was like, 'Y'all don't even know how amazing I am.' My mom was one of the moms who was like, 'You are so handsome why aren't you modeling? I am handsome, but model... let's not get crazy."[8]

As a teenager, Tidicue attended Morrow High School. He then went on to study theater at Columbus State University.[7]

When Tidicue was 22 years old, he moved to New York City with $500 and two suitcases. He originally intended to become an actor and standup comedian.[8][7] Before becoming a drag queen, Tidicue worked in children's theater for years and "always found children to be a source of joy for [him]."[9] He is also an LGBT activist and spoke on RuPaul's Drag Race of a moment when he was protesting for LGBT rights and was arrested in drag.[10]

He is the drag mother of Miz Cracker[11] and drag sister to Monét X Change,[12] who placed fifth and sixth, respectively, on season 10 of RuPaul's Drag Race, with X Change going on to win RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 4, along with Trinity Taylor, and Cracker placing as runner-up on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 5, along with Jujubee, losing to Shea Couleé.

Career

Drag career beginnings

In the summer of 2009, Tidicue started doing drag, after watching the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race on Tivo. He explained that he "became obsessed" with the show, and it immediately inspired him to order a TK-7 makeup kit off of the Ben Nye website. Since his first presentations, his character was focused on stand-up comedy routines, and he started lip-syncing after a couple of months into his drag.[13][7][14] His initial stage name was Kittin Withawhip, which was a reference to Kitten with a Whip (1964), a film that starred Ann-Margret. He was featured in Leland Bobbé's Half Drag Series with his name.[15][8] In his early drag career, Tidicue would perform with a nine-foot bullwhip.[8]

In the beginning of his career, Tidicue faced challenges as a drag queen. As he described, "It did not make me money or get me gigs. It cost me a lot. I did this competition every Thursday. Then another one on Wednesday. And another on Tuesday. I never won any of them. Ever. After a few years, I finally won one. It was really addictive and fun doing competitions."[7]

In 2013, Tidicue officially changed his stage name to Bob the Drag Queen.[16] As they explained, at a karaoke hosting gig, "The guy goes, 'Give it up for your host... Kate. But she made light of the moment, reintroducing herself as 'Kate the Drag Queen,' then 'Kim the Drag Queen' throughout the evening. Then at the end of the night, I was like, 'Give it up for... Bob the Drag Queen.' And I was like, 'That sounds really funny.'"[8]

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8

On February 1, 2016, Bob was revealed as a cast member on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.[17] On the show, he was noted for his focus on comedy. During the show, he won three challenges, including the recurring "Snatch Game" (where they portrayed Uzo Aduba and Carol Channing).[18] On May 16, 2016, Bob was crowned the winner of the season and received a cash prize of $100,000.[3]

Other ventures

In 2016, shortly after winning Drag Race, Bob released the single "Purse First" featuring DJ Mitch Ferrino. Also in 2016, he appeared in the music video for MC Frontalot's "Mornings Come and Go". He also collaborated with Alaska Thunderfuck on the single "Yet Another Dig" in 2017,[19] and contributed to the compilation album Christmas Queens 3 (2017).[20] He collaborated with Shangela for a Christmas theme song, "Deck A Ho" in December 2017.[21]

On March 15, 2018, Bob debuted the podcast Sibling Rivalry with his drag sister Monét X Change as co-host and produced by DJ Mitch Ferrino.[22] On April 2, 2018, a video version of the podcast was uploaded to YouTube.[23]

Bob appeared as a guest co-host alongside Trixie Mattel on The Trixie & Katya Show, filling in for regular co-host Katya during her hiatus.[24] Their TV comedy special, Bob the Drag Queen: Suspiciously Large Woman, aired on Logo in July 2017.[25]

Tidicue played the role of Belize in Berkeley Rep’s production of Angels in America from April to July 2018.[26]

In November 2019, Tidicue was interviewed by KMVT about a one-time drag event hosted in Twin Falls, a show highlighting local drag queens and introducing international drag talent to Magic Valley.[27] This event was filmed as part of Tidicue's HBO show We're Here (2020).

Bob's second comedy special, Bob The Drag Queen: Crazy Black Lady, will air on OutTV in Canada in 2020.[28]

Bob also writes jokes for other drag queens including Trinity Taylor, Ginger Minj, and Monet X Change.[29]

On March 5 and 6, 2020, Tidicue performed alongside fellow drag race alumni BeBe Zahara Benet, The Vixen, Monique Heart, Peppermint, and Shea Couleé in the Nubia tour, a live drag show featuring and produced by black drag queens.[30][31]

On June 14 2020, it was announced that along with Peppermint, they were hosting the first Black Queer Town Hall between June 19-21, in association with GLAAD and New York Pride.

Personal life

Tidicue identifies as pansexual and non-binary[32] and goes by either he/him or she/her pronouns.[33]

Tidicue is polyamorous and has two partners: photographer Jacob Ritts and musician Ezra Michel.[34]

Discography

As lead artist
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Dance
[35]
"Purse First" (featuring DJ Mitch Ferrino)[36] 2016 43 non-album single
"Bloodbath" (featuring DJ Mitch Ferrino)[37] —
"Yet Another Dig" (featuring Alaska Thunderfuck 5000)[38] 2017 —
"Deck a Ho" (Mitch Ferrino Mix) (featuring Shangela) —
Title Year Album
"Soak It Up"
(Monét X Change featuring Bob the Drag Queen)[39]		 2018 Non-album single

Other appearances
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Wrong Bitch" 2016 Todrick Hall Straight Outta Oz
"Sandra Claus" 2017 N/A Christmas Queens 3

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race Himself (Contestant) Season 8, Winner [3]
RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked Himself [3]
High Maintenance Darnel HBO premiere episode, "Meth(od)" [3]
2017 Playing House Himself Episode: "Reverse the Curse" [40]
RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Season 9, Episode 14 [41]
Bob the Drag Queen: Suspiciously Large Woman Herself Television Comedy Special [42]
2018 The Trixie & Katya Show Host Co-host with Trixie Mattel, filling in for Katya
RuPaul's Drag Race Himself (Guest) Season 10, Episode 1
2019 Tales of the City Ida Best Recurring Role [40]
A Black Lady Sketch Show Ball Emcee Season 1, Episode 2 [43]
Bob The Drag Queen: Crazy Black Lady Herself Television Comedy Special [44]
2020 RuPaul's Celebrity Drag Race Herself (Mentor) RuPaul's Drag Race Spin-Off [45]
We're Here Herself HBO series [46]

Film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2017 Rough Night Himself DJ [47][48]
Cherry Pop Kitten [49]
2018 A Queen for the People Himself Documentary
2019 The Queens Himself Documentary
Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts Himself Documentary
2020 Live at Caroline's Himself Comedy special [50]

Audio series
Year Title Role Ref.
2019 Heads Will Roll Remy [51]

Web series
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 Untucked Herself Companion show to RuPaul's Drag Race [52]
Cooking with Drag Queens Guest [53]
2016-2019 Bobbin' Around Co-Host [54]
2017 Bestie$ For Ca$h Guest, with Luis Alvarez [55]
2018 Drag Babies Host [56]
Cosmo Queens Guest [57]
2019 The X Change Rate Hosted by Monet X Change [58]
Portrait of a Drag Queen Guest, episode 4 [59]
Drag My Dad Host [60]
2020 The Pit Stop Season 12 and All Stars 5 Host [61]
Gayme Show Guest judge [62]
The Marti Report Guest [63]

Music videos
Title Year Director Ref.
"The Realness" 2016 Jayson Whitmore [64]
"Purse First" Assaad Yacoub [65]
"Straight Outta Oz" Todrick Hall [66]
"Bloodbath" Cheyenne Picardo & Bob the Drag Queen [67]
"Yet Another Dig (featuring Alaska Thunderfuck)" 2017 Assaad Yacoub [68]
"Soak It Up"
(Monét X Change featuring Bob the Drag Queen)"		 2018 [69]
"Super Queen REMIX ft Bob The Drag Queen and Thorgy" 2019 Bob the Drag Queen & Thorgy Thor [70]
"Scores"(Kahanna Montrese) 2019 Brad Hammer [71]
"Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs"(Todrick Hall) 2020 Todrick Hall [72]

Theatre
Year Production Role Venue Notes Ref(s)
2017 Angels in America Belize Berkeley Repertory Theater Credited as Caldwell Tidicue [26]

See also

References
  1. Transformations: Bob The Drag Queen & James St. James. YouTube. July 12, 2016. Event occurs at 1:02. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  2. "Bob the Drag Queen". NPR.org. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  3. "Bob the Drag Queen Wins 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season Eight". Huffington Post. May 16, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  4. The Editors (June 10, 2019). "The Most Powerful Drag Queens in America: Ranking the new establishment". New York. Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  5. Eakin, Marah (June 16, 2020). "Bob The Drag Queen on drag fan racism and why queens are giving RuPaul a bit of a pass". AV Club. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  6. Lindsay, Benjamin (March 9, 2020). "Nubia Proclaims 'Black Queens Matter' in Drag Race and Beyond". Vulture. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  7. "Preview: RuPaul's Bob the Drag Queen comes home for Mother's Day". ARTS ATL. April 28, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  8. "Bob The Drag Queen And Monét X Change: Some Tea, Some Shade". NPR.org. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  9. "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 Winner Bob The Drag Queen Praises Kim Chi — and Schools Michelle Visage". May 17, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  10. "Bob The Drag Queen Recollects The Time She Was Thrown In Jail In Full Drag". April 18, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  11. "drag mothers and daughters: bob the drag queen and miz cracker". I-d. May 11, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  12. Dow, Stephen (May 25, 2018). "'RuPaul's Drag Race': Monet X Change Talks the Key to Lip Syncing, Working With Tyler Oakley & More". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  13. "Bob the Drag Queen, Winner of 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' Has Always Been 'Purse First'". May 17, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  14. "Bob the Drag Queen On Winning RuPaul's Drag Race, Self-Confidence, and Leading 'Purse First'". Vulture. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  15. "Half Drag – Kittin Withawhip". March 27, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  16. "Kittin Withawhip's new drag persona Bob The Drag Queen keeps Barracuda laughing with The Bob Show". August 6, 2013. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  17. Lee, Stephan (February 1, 2016). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 8 queens and premiere date revealed — exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  18. Nolfi, Joey (January 15, 2019). "Watch Carol Channing's adorable RuPaul's Drag Race appearance". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  19. "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Winners Bob the Drag Queen & Alaska Thunderfuck Team Up for 'Yet Another Dig'". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  20. "'Christmas Queens 3' Holiday Album From 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Stars Out Today". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  21. "Bob the Drag Queen And Shangela Are Here To "Deck A Ho" For The Holidays". LOGO News. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  22. "Episode 1: "I Don't Like Hugs"". SoundCloud. The Only Productions. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  23. "Bob The Drag Queen & Monét X Change - Sibling Rivalry Podcast: Pilot Episode". YouTube. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  24. "'RuPaul's Drag Race' champ Bob the Drag Queen co-hosting 'The Trixie & Katya Show' as Katya recovers". EW.com. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  25. "Bob The Drag Queen Walks Into The Comedy Club Purse First In New TV Special". LOGO News. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  26. "'Angels in America' Casts Stephen Spinella and Bob the Drag Queen". Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  27. Manuel Brasil, Jake (November 25, 2019). "International Drag Queens highlight the importance of drag in rural communities". KMVT. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  28. Rudolph, Christopher (July 24, 2019). ""Drag Race" Alums Return to TV in New Documentary, Comedy Specials". NewNowNext. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  29. "Bob The Drag Queen Talks New HBO Show and Life in Quarantine". www.advocate.com. April 14, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  30. Street, Mikelle (January 29, 2020). "Peppermint, Bob the Drag Queen, Shea Coulee Announce New Show". Out.com. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  31. Lindsay, Benjamin (March 9, 2020). "Nubia Proclaims 'Black Queens Matter' in Drag Race and Beyond". Vulture.com. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  32. Bob The Drag Queen [@thatonequeen] (October 6, 2019). "For the record I identify as Pansexual and non binary" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019 – via Twitter.
  33. Bob the Drag Queen [@thatonequeen] (October 6, 2019). "oddly enough I prefer binary pronouns. he/him/his/she/her/hers" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. My Two Boyfriends on YouTube
  35. "Bob the Drag Queen - Billboard chart search". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  36. "Purse First (feat. DJ Mitch Ferrino) - Single by Bob the Drag Queen on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  37. "Bloodbath (feat. DJ Mitch Ferrino)". iTunes. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  38. "Yet Another Dig (featuring Alaska)". iTunes. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  39. "Monét X Change Serves Up Disco In New Sponge-Themed 'Soak It Up' Music Video: Watch". Billboard.com. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  40. White, Brett (June 8, 2019). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Has a Connection to Netflix's 'Tales of the City'". Decider. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  41. Rudolph 6/23/2017, Christopher. ""RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 9 Crowns Its Winner!". LOGO News. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  42. "Bob the Drag Queen: Suspiciously Large Woman". The Gayly. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  43. Cooper, Mariah (August 13, 2019). "Watch: Bob the Drag Queen emcees a 'Basic Ball' for 'A Black Lady Sketch Show'". Washington Blade. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  44. Rudolph, Christopher (July 24, 2019). ""Drag Race" Alums Return to TV in New Documentary, Comedy Specials". NewNowNext. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  45. Desta, Yohana. "RuPaul Announces Drag Race Spin-Off Featuring All-Celebrity Competitors". Vanity Fair. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  46. ""Drag Race" Legends Invade Small Town USA In New HBO Reality Series". NewNowNext.com. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  47. "Rough Night". IMDb.com. June 16, 2017.
  48. "DJ Bob the Drag Queen Gets Scarlett Johansson Dirty Dancing in the Upcoming Movie "Rough Night" - The WOW Report". Worldofwonder.net. June 2, 2017.
  49. Nolfi, Joey (June 30, 2017). "RuPaul's Drag Race queens trade zany insults in new Cherry Pop movie trailer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  50. Greenough, Jason (July 2, 2020). "Bob The Drag Queen looks to bridge the divide with 'Live at Caroline's'". Vanya Land. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  51. Lambe, Stacy (May 1, 2019). "Kate McKinnon Wants Your Head in First Look at New Audible Series (Exclusive)". ETOnline. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  52. Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 - Episode 1 "Keeping It 100!". YouTube. March 8, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  53. feastoffun (April 20, 2016). "Bob the Drag Queen - African Peanut Curry w/ Tofu, Purple Potatoes & Naan Bread" (YouTube video). Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  54. Bobbin' Around Ep. 5 (Ft basically everyone). Bob The Drag Queen. July 26, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  55. BESTIE$ FOR CA$H: Bob the Drag Queen & Luis Alvarez (aka @BobsAssistant). YouTube. March 6, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  56. Drag Babies: Project #1 "What The Hell Are We Doing?". YouTube. March 13, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  57. Bob The Drag Queen (Cosmo Queens). YouTube. August 5, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  58. The X Change Rate: Bob the Drag Queen. YouTube. June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  59. What About Bob The Drag Queen? 👑 Portrait of a Queen - LogoTV. YouTube. April 9, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  60. MTV - Drag My Dad Official Trailer. Facebook. June 23, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  61. The Pit Stop S12 E1 | Bob The Drag Queen & Sasha Velour Recap the Premiere | RuPaul’s Drag Race. YouTube. February 29, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  62. Curto, Justin (March 30, 2020). "Ever Wanted to Be (Honorarily) Gay? Quibi's Gayme Show Can Help With That". Vulture.com. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  63. Bob The Drag Queen on Getting Arrested in Drag & Why it's Political 🗳The Marti Report |Logo TV. YouTube. March 5, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  64. RuPaul - The Realness Official Music Video. YouTube. May 15, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  65. Bob the Drag Queen – Purse First (feat. DJ Mitch Ferrino). YouTube. May 16, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  66. Straight Outta Oz by Todrick Hall. YouTube. June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  67. Bob the Drag Queen – Bloodbath (feat. DJ Mitch Ferrino). YouTube. October 29, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  68. Bob The Drag Queen featuring Alaska Thunderfuck - Yet Another Dig Official Music Video. YouTube. October 27, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  69. Monét X Change - Soak It Up (feat. Bob The Drag Queen). YouTube. May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  70. Bob The Drag Queen (February 22, 2019), Super Queen REMIX ft Bob The Drag Queen and Thorgy, retrieved May 2, 2019
  71. Kahanna Montrese (March 8, 2019), Kahanna Montrese - "Scores" (Official Music Video), retrieved September 21, 2019
  72. Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs (Official Video). Todrick Hall. April 29, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
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