Oscars 2011 style: Drag queen Raja rates Halle Berry, Michelle Williams and more
The Ministry has noted all kinds of high-brow critiques of Academy Awards fashion and felt the need to respond in kind — by asking one of our favorite drag queens, Raja, to help us size up the women of Oscars 2011.
As a contestant on the third season of the addictive "RuPaul's Drag Race," the West Hollywood-dwelling queen has an arty concept and professional execution to her look.
Here's how she ranks the good, the bad and the "Gurl, you wore what?" from Hollywood's biggest night.
Thank you, James Franco: Like cohost Anne Hathaway, Franco came across "adorable and young," and Raja praised the actor's own drag moment when he appeared in a Marilyn Monroe-inspired dress and wig. "Normally I don't even care about men's fashion but ... that was so fun and perfect."
Michelle Williams, the quiet storm: "She's so magical, so feminine, so soft and beautiful. That dark brow against her [light] hair," Raja said.
Where are the risk takers? "I miss the days of Celine Dion wearing the backwards suit [by] Galliano and Cher in the Bob Mackie crazy headpieces," she said. The blame can be pinned on excessive playing it safe, says Raja — like Halle Berry in a lovely but predictable nude frock. "A lot of the time it's the same thing," she says of Berry, "avant-garde it a little! She's beautiful, but it's a little stale."
Helena Bonham Carter: "What a kook," Raja said, lovingly.
Lumberjack realness: Praise to Christian Bale for going edgy "with a black-on-black suit" and an unshaven look. "I love his rants, by the way," she said.
And we love your red carpet evaluation, Raj.
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— Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly
Right photo: James Franco channels Marilyn Monroe on the Oscar telecast. Credit: Getty Images.
Left photo: Raja in her "RuPaul's Drag Race" glory. Credit: Mathu Andersen / Logo.









Raja, if don't have anything nice to say about Halle Berry the most beautiful and sexy woman in the world, just shut up!
Posted by: the taipan | Feb 28, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Raja, your opinion of Halle Berry is .............see where it is coming from!
Halle Berry is the most beautiful and sexy woman in the world!
Posted by: the taipan | Feb 28, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Get off your high horse taipan! If you don't have anything nice to say about Raja just shut up! :P
Posted by: SJP | Mar 01, 2011 at 10:54 AM
LOL! When James Franco was dressed up like that, I fell off my couch laughing! LOL! Also, I do agree with what you said about Halle Berry. She's one of the most attractive women on the planet, so why is she wearing stale pieces of clothing? FRESH IT UP! I wonder what's your take on what Natalie Portman & Hailee Steinfeld was wearing? I'm sure you got something very tre cool to say about those two! RAJA RULEZ! ;)
Posted by: Alexzandro | Mar 03, 2011 at 04:41 AM
Raja looks like a klingon and acts like one too.
Posted by: Nathaniel Myer | Mar 31, 2011 at 11:42 AM