Violet Chachki Reveals Why Toxic Fans Loathed 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 7: 'End of an Era'

A Nostalgic Look at RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7

RuPaul’s Drag Race has long been a cultural phenomenon, and its impact on the world of drag and reality television is undeniable. Among the many seasons that have shaped the show’s legacy, season 7 holds a special place. For Violet Chachki, the season 7 champion, it was more than just a competition—it marked a turning point in both her career and the evolution of the show itself.

Violet recently sat down with Entertainment Weekly to reflect on the season and its reception over the years. She admits that when the season first aired in 2015, it faced criticism from some fans who were not ready for the changes that came with it. “Season 7 is the turning point of where we were at culturally and TV-wise,” she says. “It was the beginning of the end of an era.”

This season introduced a new wave of queens who brought fresh energy and creativity to the competition. Among them were Trixie Mattel, Ginger Minj, and Gottmik, all of whom have since gone on to achieve great success. In fact, Minj recently won All Stars 10, making her the third queen from season 7 to claim a crown.

Gottmik, who will be co-headlining the Knockout tour with Violet, calls season 7 “the most amazing Drag Race cast ever.” He praises the talent and charisma of each contestant, from Trixie Mattel, who later won All Stars 3, to RuGirl legends like Miss Fame and future All Stars contenders such as Kennedy Davenport and Jasmine Masters.

Despite the initial backlash, both Violet and Gottmik believe that the season was ahead of its time. “The challenges were pissing people off. It was a weird season,” Violet recalls. “But now, people realize it was something great at the time, and we just didn’t know it.”

One of the most iconic moments from the season was the ShakesQueer acting challenge, where RuPaul publicly reprimanded the entire cast for their lack of preparation. Violet admits that watching the episode now still makes her angry. “Looking back at episodes, I look so pissed. I’m f---ing pissed the whole time, and it’s so entertaining,” she says. “There’s something that’s so bad that it’s good.”

The season also marked a shift in how fans engaged with the show. As Violet explains, it was a transitional period for pop culture, where Drag Race began to build a loyal fanbase beyond just those watching on TV. Fans started to create digital communities online, which helped shape the show’s growing influence.

Even with the challenges, Violet believes that the season laid the foundation for the future of Drag Race. “Seasons 1 through 6 are the fundamentals of what Drag Race is and what the TV show was,” she says. “Season 7 is the turning point of where we were at culturally and TV-wise.”

Since winning season 7, Violet has continued to thrive in the entertainment industry. She has built a successful career as a live performer, recording artist, and fashion icon. In 2019, she even had the honor of attending the Met Gala.

Alongside Gottmik, Violet co-hosts the popular podcast “No Gorge,” where they discuss everything from drag culture to personal experiences. The pair is also set to embark on their Knockout tour starting September 12. They recently released their new music video for “TKO,” which involved some real-life punches during filming—something they admit was a bit painful.

As the Drag Race universe continues to grow, season 7 remains a significant chapter in its history. While it may have faced criticism at the time, its legacy is now celebrated by fans and queens alike. For Violet and Gottmik, it was more than just a competition—it was a moment that helped shape the future of drag and reality television.