In this re-released episode, Gabrielle speaks with The Vixen — star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10 — about the emotional impact of reality TV and what it means to take back control of your narrative. One of our most powerful episodes to date, and a key inspiration for Gabrielle's play, The Edit, now in previews at Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney..
We’re back with another special re-release of Back From Reality, celebrating the return of the podcast and the launch of The Edit — a brand-new play written and directed by Gabrielle Scawthorn, inspired by the interviews, themes and lived experiences explored across this series.
🎭 The Edit is now in previews at Belvoir St Theatre, Downstairs, and runs until 26 October 2025. Tickets are selling fast — we’d love to see you there.
🎟️ BOOK TICKETS: belvoir.com.au/productions/the-edit
In today’s episode, we’re revisiting Gabrielle’s conversation with The Vixen — the fierce and fearless queen who took the world by storm on Season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. This episode was originally released in 2020, not long after her season aired, and has remained one of the most listened-to and talked-about episodes of the podcast.
The Vixen opens up about the emotional toll of appearing on the show, the public backlash she faced, and the reality of being a Black queer performer navigating mainstream media. She also discusses the importance of reclaiming agency over your own story, and how the editing process can distort and define perception.
This conversation was a turning point in the Back From Reality journey — and one of the key inspirations for The Edit, which examines the human cost of media storytelling and the blurred line between truth and narrative.
🎙️ Back From Reality is a podcast about the human impact of reality television, hosted by actor and writer Gabrielle Scawthorn. Originally created with the support of Arts Council England, the podcast became the foundation for The Edit, now on stage at Belvoir.
📱 Follow Gabrielle on Instagram: @gjosca
🌐 Listen on Apple Podcasts: Back From Reality