Written by Jayse Smith
AJ and the Queen, Netflix’s new original series created by and starring RuPaul Charles (RuPaul’s Drag Race), the show is filled with a list of RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni such as Katya, Bianca Del Rio, Jujubee, and Alexis Mateo, just to name a few, and it is a hilarious glitter filled romp across the country with a twist.
Robert ‘Ruby Red’ Lee is a washed up drag queen on her final cross-country tour who picks up an unexpected guest when she packs up her R/V, ready to leave New York after being ripped off to the tune of $100,000 by his ex-boyfriend and con-man, Hector. Little does Robert know that whilst being pursued by Hector and his companion, Lady Danger, who are both intent to getting revenge on Robert, he would find more than just himself along the way.
Under the glitz and glamour of the story lies another story which is tender, poignant, and thought-provoking. AJ, whose mother is a drug addict and has been picked up by police leaving AJ to fend for herself, is a very complex character. She covers up her feelings with bratty and illegal behaviour. As the story progresses, the unlikely friendship between Robert and AJ develops and by the end, the unlikely duo learns not only to love each other, but they develop a love for themselves.
There’s so many great moments in the season, including Ruby’s hilarious sidekick Louis, the blind drag queen. This character brings a whole other level to the TV show and makes for some laugh-out-loud moments. His favourite line being ‘Bitch, I’m blind’, is frequently used to get out of all manner of situations. Ru’s acting and one-liners are extremely relevant.
Brilliant, fresh, and fun, the series has a message of love, hope, and acceptance underneath the glitter and glitz and it also has a brilliant sound track reminiscent of the 80’s. If you are looking for a fun, light-hearted TV series with a whole lot of heart, AJ and the Queen is for you.
SYNOPSIS: AJ and the Queen follows “Ruby Red, a bigger-than-life but down-on-her-luck drag queen who travels across America from club to club in a rundown 1990’s R/V with her unlikely sidekick AJ, a recently orphaned, tough-talking, scrappy 10-year-old stowaway. As these two misfits, one tall, one small, travel from city to city, Ruby’s message of love and acceptance winds up touching people and changing their lives for the better.
