Bob the Drag Queen Expands Her Career: From Drag Superstar to Novelist
Few RuPaul’s Drag Race winners have managed to carve out careers as dynamic and multifaceted as Bob the Drag Queen. Since snatching the crown in season eight of the show’s flagship franchise in 2016, Bob—whose real name is Christopher Caldwell—has become an influential voice in entertainment. From hosting the wildly successful podcast Sibling Rivalry alongside Monét X Change to touring with Madonna and competing in The Traitors, Bob has solidified herself as a powerhouse performer. Now, she’s adding another title to her already impressive résumé: novelist.
Harriet Tubman Like You’ve Never Seen Before
Bob’s latest project is a novel that brings an unexpected twist to the story of legendary American abolitionist and activist Harriet Tubman. In an exclusive interview with Vanity Fair, Bob revealed that her book explores an imaginative reawakening of Tubman, who returns to life to write and perform a hip-hop album, continuing her fight against oppression in a modern context. The concept is as audacious as it is thought-provoking, blending history, music, and satire in a way only Bob the Drag Queen could deliver.
A Musical Novel with a Powerful Message
Not only does Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert reimagine the abolitionist icon in a contemporary setting, but Bob has also taken it a step further by recording original songs that accompany the novel. One standout track, Queen of the Underground, serves as the fictional album’s title track, while another, Now I See, takes a more emotional approach. Bob explained that the latter song delves into a specific experience in Tubman’s life, though with a creative and musical interpretation.
“Obviously, I’m imagining what Harriet Tubman would have rapped like, because we have no idea what her voice even sounded like,” Bob shared. “I pulled from my own experiences and my own voice to bring this vision to life.”
Balancing Comedy and History
While Bob is known for her sharp wit and comedic flair, she emphasized that Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert is not just satire—it carries an important historical and social message. She hopes the novel will help readers appreciate Tubman’s full legacy beyond her famous work as a conductor of the Underground Railroad.
“She wasn’t just walking people back and forth—which, of course, is already an incredible achievement,” Bob explained. “She continued her work as an abolitionist, a suffragette, and a civil rights leader. She built communities and uplifted others throughout her entire life.”
An Unconventional Yet Meaningful Tribute
Bob acknowledges that the concept of Harriet Tubman returning to life to record a hip-hop album is undeniably outlandish. However, she insists that there is a deep sincerity at the core of the project. “There’s a genuine sincerity in my book while also acknowledging how ridiculous it is for Harriet Tubman to come back to life and record a hip-hop album in Harlem,” she stated.
With a mix of humor, history, and musical innovation, Bob the Drag Queen’s novel is set to be one of the most unique and talked-about literary works in recent years. As a performer who consistently pushes boundaries and challenges norms, Bob is once again proving that there are no limits to her creative genius.
Fans eagerly anticipating Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert can expect a project that is as entertaining as it is enlightening. Whether through drag, music, or literature, Bob the Drag Queen continues to inspire, educate, and entertain in ways that only she can.
