Violet Olivia Thompson

(she/her)

BA (Cardiff), MA (Cardiff), AFHEA

Research

Violet's primary research interest is queer sub-cultures, with a particular focus on the spectrum of drag performance. Specifically, she is interested in the mainstreaming of drag, as well as its commercilisation and commodification. More broadly, Violet is interested in representations of gender non-conformity in popular culture, transgender studies, as well as the intersecting debates on these topics regarding audiences and fandom. As part of her research, Violet is also interested in queer media, reality television, and feminist media studies.

Thesis

Mainstreaming RuPaul, Homogenising Drag: Analysing the Stakes of the Global Drag Race Empire

Violet's PhD considers the current cultural 'moment', in which drag performers can be seen to enter mainstream popular culture in ground-breaking, and unexpected ways. Drag artists can now be seen in leading roles, across the film, television, fashion and beauty industries. However, this mainstreaming has seen resistance from some queer artists, due to concerns that this visibility could lead to a homogenisation and sanitisation of queer representation. It has also seen hostility, in global contexts, manifested through a politicisation of drag. This mainstreaming has never been so celebrated, yet so controversial. Therefore, Violet's thesis will assess the implications of this mainstreaming, and ask what is at stake, and for who? To achieve this, she will conduct a qualitative textual analysis of the Drag Race franchse, with a focus on three of its international spin-offs, in the UK, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. These seasons, specifically, are the first to be hosted by RuPaul outside of the United States.

Assessing these case studies, Violet will answer the question of what is at stake through considering how they represent these countries drag cultures, as well as their cultural identity more broadly. This will raise questions of representations of drag, but also the meansby which class, race and gender intersect, to inform how it is performed and framed within these contexts. Given the now mainstream success and legitimacy earned by Drag Race, and its international spin-offfs, assessing how drag is framed to now-larger audiences requires increased attention. Furthermore, concerns of homogenisation must be reflected upon, given the pervasiveness of Drag Race's influence within queer communities. Therefore, Violet's research will establish not just how drag is represented within the mainstream, but why it is framed in this way - and, importantly, who this most benefits, and what is most at risk.

Teaching

Conference Presentations

• "Taking over the Mother-Tucking World!": RuPaul's Drag Race and North American Universalism. PhD Conference, JOMEC, Cardiff University, 10th May 2022. 
• "It could be sacrilegious in other cultures, but to us Brits, that's the way to do it": Conflict and Cultural Resistance in RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Celebrity Studies Conference, University of Amsterdam, 1st - 3rd July 2024.

Teaching 

Violet has taught on the following undergraduate modules within JOMEC: 

• MC1110: History of Mass Communications and Culture (Autumn 2022, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Matt Walsh)
• MC3633: Popular Music, Media and Culture (Autumn 2022/Autumn 2023/Autumn 2024, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Lucy Bennett)
• MC3634: Clothing Matters: Global Fashion Cultures & Politics (Spring 2023, Guest Lecture, Module Leader: Dr Alida Payson)
• MC3608: The Creative and Cultural Industries (Spring 2024, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Carrie Westwater)
• MC2645: Media and Sexuality (Spring 2024, Guest Lecture, Module Leader: Dr Alida Payson)

Biography

Professional memberships

• Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, AFHEA (2024 - Present)
• JOMEC Feminist Media Studies Research Group (2022 - Present)

Committees and reviewing

• Editorial Assistant, Feminist Media Studies (2024 - Present)
• Assistant Editor, JOMEC Journal (2022 - Present)
• JOMEC Equality and Diversity Committee (2021 - Present)
• JOMEC Education and Student Experince Committee (2021 - Present)