‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Alumni, Scarlet Envy, Is the ‘Villain’ Behind the ‘Is It Me? Am I the Drama?’ Social Media Trend
RuPaul’s Drag Race was filled with quotable moments. One video clip even became a trend on TikTok recreated by Lady Gaga, Sarah Paulson, and countless others. Here’s what we know about the origins of the “am I the drama” audio.
‘Am I the Drama’ became a TikTok trend even recreated by ‘Born This Way’ artist Lady Gaga
The social media platform TikTok is known for its short, trendy videos and “viral” audio clips. In 2021, that included one about someone being “the drama” even though they don’t think they’re the drama.
TikTok users heard this audio over TikTok videos from Lady Gaga, Corey O’Brien, and everyone in between. In it, they told stories about their drama-filled tendencies, which may or may not have landed them the villain edit.
In these TikTok clips, the lip-syncing person says, “is it me? Am I the drama? I don’t think I’m the drama. Maybe I am! Am I the villain? I don’t think I’m the villain!”
Several social media users recreated their versions of this audio. However, the origins of this audio are actually from the reality competition series RuPaul’s Drag Race, where one contestant discussed her image.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ contestant Scarlet Envy is the mastermind behind the ‘Am I the Drama’ TikTok trend
This audio has some humble beginnings, originating during one video created in conjunction with RuPaul’s reality competition series. The drag performer who first said it was Scarlet Envy, who the world wants (and the feeling was mutual).
Scarlet Envy was known for runway looks and RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked moments on season 11. When she returned for RuPaul’s Drag Race: All-Stars for another chance to snatch the crown, she was sure to mention her villainous reputation during her introduction video.
Scarlet Envy responded to the TikTok love
Scarlet Envy is well aware of this social media trend. On several occasions, the RuPaul’s Drag Race: All-Stars 6 alumni took to Twitter, sharing her thoughts on the secondhand celebrity interactions.
“Sarah Paulson doing ‘am I the drama’ almost makes it worth all the conservatives who also borrowed my voice,” Envy tweeted. For fans on the “naughty list,” the drama performer created ornaments adorned with the iconic quote, now on sale for $20.
The official RuPaul’s Drag Race Twitter account shared Lady Gaga’s TikTok, captioning it, “Definitely didn’t have [Lady Gaga] using [Scarlet Envy’s] audio on our 2021 bingo card, but we are LIVING for it.”
This wouldn’t be the first time Scarlet Envy caught the attention of celebrities. In 2017, the drag artist performed in conjunction with Katy Perry for Saturday Night Live. She also attended the House of Gucci premiere.
Several RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni collaborated with mainstream celebrities, including Trinity K. Bonet, Adore Delano, and others who had a cameo on Taylor Swift’s “You Need To Calm Down” music video.
Aquaria, Symone, and Violet Chachki attended the Met Gala, while Shangela appeared in A Star Is Born. Trixie Mattel created her own cosmetics company while also starring in a Netflix-created YouTube series with Katya Zamolodchikova.
