What Happened to Santino Rice & Lucian Piane? 

FINALLY The only video on this topic was by Butterface AKA Content Farm and baby I wasn’t gonna give them my views I’m glad you took the mantle bro proud of your growth

Carson's reaction to Violets iconic tartan reveal solidified him as a permanent judge

I think that the addition of Carson to the show was a major positive. Some of his jokes may be lame, but he is kind and encouraging to the contestants while providing constructive criticism. Santino was never really my favorite and seeing Carson, who has a long history of both fashion and reality tv under his belt, replace him was a positive. At least in my opinion.

I love that you used the Jackie Cox image of Michelle lol

5:18 sitting here listening to Santino talk about drinking unfiltered woods water to cure illnesses while I have a parasite in my stomach from drinking contaminated water. Priceless.

Another missing person I still wonder about is Mike Ruiz, the photographer for the first seasons. Idk if it grants a whole video but I've been curious about his disappearence for a long time

I really miss Merle, she seemed both knowledgable and genuinely nice and trying to uplift the queens even if they bombed without sounding fake, also her more subtle demeanor would be a real breath of fresh air in a panel full of personalities trying so hard to be funny/relatable/filled with gay sex jokes

Legit love and miss Merle. I love Michelle, but Merle brought something to the table, regarding the current trends in pop culture. She understood fashion and what would/wouldn’t run in Vogue. She was brilliant.

I hate Santino's anti-vax and pseudo-scientific propaganda but goddamn if he wasn't a messy and entertaining judge (if a bit harsh at times). I will never forget how Adore said he's "hot from certain angles." 😭

Making the queens use those cheap sewing machines to create storylines and drama is just trifling.

I'm not surprised that the production purposefully provides wonky sewing machines so that it makes it more difficult for the queens to succeed. I mean in season 7 episode 1 all the sewing machines were broken and JASMINE MASTERS of all people was the one to fix all of them. I'm glad Santino is at least honest and able to call that part out, because I was wondered why even queens who knew how to sew were not delivering very good garments, or at least not as good as you'd expect from their experience.

Re: the sewing machine issue. As a professional, I can confirm that those Singer models are bottom barrel cheapy-cheap. At best, they are good for hemming slacks and making pillows, not for construction of wearable garments. I don't agree with a lot of what Santino says, but he was right about this one.

The quality of Lucian work is one of the main reasons RPDR rising to fame. I hope he’s getting better.

Many of us were present during Lucian's meltdown. Drag race fans would flood his lives & IG posts with comments poking and triggering him to go off even more. He got naked once or twice on live, and would post feet pics as he saw it caused more commotion in the comments. At one point his sister was commenting begging people to stop giving him attention, but he cut them off too for a while. I'm glad that era is finally done. I know what he said was awful, but we can't turn our backs on members of our community in need

Alyssa Edwards thanks you for choosing this straightphobic picture of Santino for the thumbnail. Dude is weird and mean

back in the day, I want to say around 2017 me and a few drag race fan mutuals were in a groupchat on messenger. Somebody added Lucian to the chat and then he called the chat, called us all the n word with the hard r then hung up. I know this sounds like one of those “Demi lovato called me fat and punched me when I asked for a pic” but it’s not lmao

watching what happened to lucian was insane when it was all going down on instagram

I had such a huge crush on Lucian back then, he then went downhill mentally and was hustling for coins in the streets, sad and scary..

I’m so happy we have Carson and Ross as judges. Their positivity is so humbling and they’re honest without being demeaning or humiliating. Both of them are such sweeties 💗

And no Ross matthews’ critiques are not on point at all. He is so clearly there to push whatever WoW tells him to. It’s so fake and annoying it’s really obvious. Carson is the better of the two frequent guest judges.

Please make ‘What Happened to Mike Ruiz and Jeffrey Moran? I want to know!

Things can't be that bad between Ru and Santino because Ru still mentions Santino, albeit as a punchline, but still gets mentioned. The most recent example being just from this past season, season 14, when Maddy Morphosis found Santinos' hat in the tic tac pool. Because as we all know, no matter how iconic, popular or successful a queen is or has become, if they cross Ru in anyway, they are dead to World of Wonder as a whole, like Delta, Willam, James, etc.

IMO Lucian's music for Drag Race is better than anything that has come after.

I always felt so sorry for Lucian, sad story. Really shows how things can change for the worse.

I'm sorry but that photo of Santino in the thumbnail is killing me!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Using the photo of Jackie Cox as a standin for Michelle kills me lol

So I would like to add that I used to follow Lucian on Instagram. It was clear he was on drugs. He would post weird pictures of himself with sores on his body and captions about how his family was disowning him or something. He ranted about taking bleach baths and posted feet pics too. It was a weird time and I unfollowed him. Its sad because I was a big fan of him on the show

Bless this narrator for explaining the premise of Project Runway to people watching Drag Race content as though they’ve no idea what it is. That’s good, if ironic, journalism.

Lucian's story sounds very similar to Katya's, except Katya probably had a better support system with her friends, family and fans. I don't judge him.

I remember listening to Michelle’s book, The Diva Rules, and she mentions not being able to do seasons 1 and 2 not only because of contractual commitments, but because she went to her boss and asked permission and the particular boss didn’t think the show would “reflect good on them” if she did it … the boss in question sounded … dodgy😑😤

Also, not that I want to kick the guy when he's down, but GreenGay also didn't mention the Piane's Sept 2021 arrest where he was arrested for vandalism and starting singing some rendition of "Over the Rainbow". The main news there being TMZ (being TMZ) regrettably posted the video which helps no one.

“By season 3 Merle would be replaced by Michelle Visage” Proceeds to show Jackie Cox as Michelle 💀😂💀

The big thing that modern drag race lacks now is a foil. I really miss Santino's judging and how it was insightful and critical to the task at hand and really focused on helping contestants to create better art overall even if they had to check their ego in the moment. The current seasons are so zeroed in on painfully tired and schticky one liners and a predetermined story line that the aspects of competitiveness to actually find a "drag superstar" feel really thrown to the side. I hope they diversify the judging panel and replace RuPaul, the American seasons desperately need some new blood.

The show has had some interesting judges over the years, like Todrick who is a scammer and fraud artist.

As a therapist, I really adore how so many people feel empathy towards Lucian. Poverty makes sick and it shows with him. However, I also see the point as to racism is NEVER excusable and he should show remorse. Therefore, as far as I am concerned as a human being and as a mental health care worker, I feel like we should let the door be opened for him but stand firm and show him that his behavior is not okay and he needs to do a turn-around for us to forgive him. Remember folks, forgiveness comes from giving, not from taking. :)

Is no-one going to talk about Santino's friction with Michelle? There are a lot of moments that are tense, (like when Michelle says whatever she says santino says the opposite). I always thought that conflict had something to do with it

As someone with arthritis, the pain and inflammation flares and reduces at random intervals. Perhaps some of the dietary changes did help but his arthritis was probably just not flaring. Also, arthritis is degenerative. His diagnosis is fairly new (5/6 years) and it will get worse with time- speaking from experience. If he doesn't treat it, he will really struggle in the future.

Sitting patiently for someone to explain Maddy finding santinos hat in that vat of tictacs

Back when Lucian was having his rants on Instagram and twitter, I completely dismissed RuPaul's claim the problem was mental health and call for compassion - as far as I am concerned, Holocost denialism and slurs using is not a medical diagnosis. Reading he was experiencing psychosis because of his marijuana abuse now makes it make more sense, in retrospect. When your brain is predisposed for it, Marijuana can trigger psychosis. And that's medically a loss of contact with reality. Not that it makes what he said and did acceptable, but I'm not going to judge someone's character based on what they said or did while in a psychotic state.

Poor Lucian was a crazed tweaker in my opinion. His rants sounded just like a meth addict. Hope he found help and sobriety. No one is in their right mind under the influence of that horrible drug.

Gutted to hear about Lucians downfall :( he always came across so focused and talented and I had a huge crush on him. I really hope he is in a better place ❤️

Tim Gunn would be a wonderful judge on RPDR. However I believe he has an exclusive contract with Amazon for his series with Heidi.

I’ve seen Lucian on Instagram and it was really sad. He was homeless and a heroin addict but was till doing Instagram live. He was so erratic, all over the place and unrecognizable. He would ask people to send him money and post videos of him living in a motel and buying crack from dealers.

I had a huge crush on Lucian and seeing this really made me so sad, he always seemed so focused and put together, I hope he’ll get better very soon:(

The double standard between Tyra and Lucian Piane's stories is just ABSURD. Seriously, it's just ABSURD.

Merle was actually nice and I miss her. Her criticism was founded and constructive and detailed, far from that very generic and repetitive " You are not being yourself" "You are hiding behind a costume" "I do not know who you are" blah blah we get nowadays.

If Ross Mathew’s was hilarious, Ru wouldn’t need to tell us this every episode

I love how Jackie stands for Michelle, it's so lovely

I understood why Santino was chosen as a judge. He did really well on PR. Project Runway was in it's early stages too- it wasn't until Christian Siriano took off that the height of PR actually soared. Either way PR was VERY intense- he knows what its like to be on a constant deadline working to make yourself win. He was an up and coming fashion design icon-sadly I think Drag Race took him away from that element of design cause I never saw celebs in his outfits. I would've loved if Ru utilized him for a maxi challenge where the Queens were presenting a Fashion Brand/Line as an ambassador. That would've been an amazing challenge, since many aren't capable of doing so (but now that is post drag race life- fashion/brand ambassadors and endorsements). He's also biracial so that was some representation queer POC all over. I know we got to know of a lot of back story of Michelle, but knowing some of Santino's back story beyond being a judge would've been a greater appeal to his character. He def understood style and I can appreciate that. I appreciate Merle Ginsburg A LOT as well. She's a very talented individual and I wish drag race invited her back for a spot even in a spin off. She knows her job and does it well- would've given the audience more of her to fall in love with as well. Maybe Drag Race Canada or International All Stars? I think along with Michelle she would’ve done well- It would've been a good balance of extreme and pleasant. Michelle is very gay culture/ballroom culture oriented and extravagant but Merle was def the straight man- a lot more tame, demure, her fashion was much more commercial. She knows what's marketable.. she knew what would sell cause she was a writer, publicist , interviewed on red carpets and understood style and fashion like in terms of Vogue & what Anna Wintour would run- she knew fashion history as well. She was very much a very well rounded taste critic, because she understood the challenges like in Season 2's book challenge. Her critiques were well thought out and very articulate. She was always soft spoken- never rude. BY FAR. a lot better than Billy B who gave such rude critiques about drag and makeup- yet couldn't properly paint Shangela for her season's reunion. Now at this point, I do wish Ru would go back to basics, with Merle, Michelle, and Santino - Hell, I'm still waiting for Timm Gunn & Heidi Klum to be a guest judge & Timm help's Ru mentor in the workroom. Such great minds. I think could've brought the judges and competition more full circle.

As Blanco de! Rio said " "I will show you verasility when Santino wins a sewing competition and Visage wears a f---ing turtleneck. Ain't gonna happen!"

I've always hated Santino. Never felt he had the right to be a judge

lucians tweet about rupaul, logo etc ruining the art form of drag is kind of true tbh. famous drag now is all about profit, notoriety, followers, plastic surgery, thinness, image, filters, etc. it used to mean something. drag was political. now it’s been completely watered down into utter nonsense. (just look at the recent all stars ep with nancy frickin pelosi, our drag sisters passed would be disgusted to see queer people worshiping someone who stands for nothing but capitalism and greed!!) read about S.T.A.R.S, read sylvia and marshas words, research mark ashton and LGSM, listen to them and see how far we have strayed from the revolutionary potential of the lgbtq community.

You should investigate the situation with Billy B - one of the early seasons makeup artist guest judges that apparently fully went off grid because of some mental health issues.

I'm all for 100% destigmatize mental illnesses. Saying that, I take care of a person with mental illness and they will do anything to not take their meds. They will remove themselves from family, stay inside all day, and start yelling at strangers, eventually requiring the police. The most ironic thing is that once they are on their meds, stable, they take them by themselves, but it's very hard to get some people to start taking them.

I LOVE how you using photo of Jackie Cox instead of Michelle! Brilliant! @

i love how you managed to find the worst possible photo of santino for the thumbnail

As shitty as santino is now, I do miss the era of early RPDR where he'd dress in silly costume-y outfits and the judges would joke about that

I just love to get junk food and watch your videos! I recognize hyperproduction would hurt the quality of your content, but darn would I want to see more and more!

I love it how when you're talking about Michelle visage you're using a picture of Jackie Cox as Michelle visage

The way santino disrespected shannel multiple times I didn’t like him he came off such a bully to shannel and even pandora as well

I get the point of questioning the doctors as sometimes they can over prescribe and lead to addiction, the opioid epidemic main cause was by over prescriptions. But we should still consult with doctors and seek medical attention as needed. Just make sure to look into any medications that can be addictive/harmful.

I LOVED Billy B. on early drag race and I wish he still made appearances or just never left lol he gave genuine critique on specifically the queen’s makeup, and queens in modern seasons like Marcia Marcia would actually be told what to do by Billy B. Instead of just being vaguely told to do more.

Lucian Piane is the definition of pretty privilege

Love that you used Jackie cox picture for Michelle visage 😂😂 6.44

"While I wouldn't describe (Ross Matthews) as hilarious..." This. It always gets me how Ru introduced him as "..the hilarious Ross Matthews." He is a great marketer and is well aaware of the tactic of, if you keep repeating something, people will begin to believe it's true.

Part of the reason why season 2 is my favorite is I think In small part to Meryl and santino season 2 was just fun and for anyone who's never watched it you can clearly see the vibe is so different compared to every season after this is because I'm the end I think Meryl,santino and RuPaul understood drag is not meant to be taken seriously it's for fun Michelle changed that vibe while santono would be a dick sometimes he's critiques still never came over as bad as Michelle also even though Michelle had been around the drag scene for so long in her early seasons it she came across as a hypocrite like how could she critique queens when her herself wouldn't take them and she just came across as mean for the sake of being mean also and this is my biggest issue with her the comes across as RuPaul's flunky laughing at whatever RuPaul says never to disagree Meryl and saintino never felt like that

I’ve chatted with Merle Ginsberg in passing. The sweetest. She’d be great on dragrace again.

mental health is serious, i do hope Lucian Paine gets the right help

Poor Lucian honestly. I’ve been following him for awhile and I remember his last big outburst where he was posting it all to his instagram story. I hope he gets the help he needs

If you had experienced Psychosis before, you might have compassion. "Mental Illness" is a vague umbrella term, and depression/anxiety/mood symptoms are NOT anything like psychosis (delusions and hallucinations). Nothing excuses bad behavior completely! I.E. Someone who, well, murders a person then gets labeled "mentally unfit for trial" still faces repercussions, just not necessarily in prison. And someone who makes public statements while unfortunately in a state of psychosis, may never recover their life and that MAY be punishment enough. There is a certain star I'm thinking of who years later is still struggling from a similar public "meltdown" (which did offend people) but it seems she is receiving a little more public compassion this time around. Don't kick people when they are down and recognize that severe mental illness and/or drug use (both can go hand in hand) can in fact make you do things you never thought you would.

the system fails the mentally ill. a tale as old as time

I always liked Santino for the fact that I appreciated someone with actual design skills and knowledge of how clothing is made on the panel. Knowing the actual work, process and thought that goes into constructing a garment lets you be a better judge of the runways.

Never knew that stuff about Lucian. I hope he's doing better as well. Thanks for bringing these topics up respectfully

So Rupaul gets no credit for not paying this man the money he deserved. Sounds like a running theme to me. And to blame his anger on mental health is so easy. Yes he would have mental health issues when your working for someone that doesn’t value you monetarily knowing you’re worth more than they’re giving you. Sounds like the same reason his make up artist left 😶 Kinda sad.

Hi Gay !

I remember when Lucian posted a picture of his Piane on instagram during his whole spiral it was wild

Jackie Cox as Michelle Visage: Thank U

Pretty sure in a recent Pit Stop Bob mentioned how there was only like, one working sewing machine in the workroom lol.

I think Santino might have gotten a brain eating amoeba from all of the forest water he drinks 💀

'Denying the Holocaust and worst of all calling RuPaul a racial slur' is a very concerning statement.

Lucian Payne was Rupaul's greatest Producer. My Favourite Rupaul Songs are from that era.

Well they definitely both went to the funny farm 😂☠️😂

I never had respect for Santino to begin with 👨

great video, the pic of Jackie as Michelle made me laugh

The “Michelle visage” always gets me 😂

The way you describe Project Runway makes me feel so old 😂

It’s weird that Lucien is so poor when he should be getting at least ‘something’ in terms of royalties for the music he wrote for the show. I guess it all went up in smoke, so to speak? It’s really sad. Cute, talented, but deeply flawed and the addictions seemed to make everything much worse

Santino serves vegan nachos at a restaurant in Downtown L.A. he was my server and he was super friendly.

Your timeline is messed up. When I was “friends“ with Lucian, which was well before the musical Hairspray, The producer Lucian worked for was working with, and had Lucian working with and producing RuPaul‘s music. This was music/album before Drag Race. Drag Race was not even a thought in anyone’s mind when they were first working together. For the record, the Lucian that I know is a nice, honest, fun and funny person who wouldn’t hurt a fly. Fast forward to several years ago and possibly even present day, and I think we need to take a step back and have some sympathy for his behavior and his situation. It may very well be, and some obviously, mental illness. Let’s not judge people unless we know exactly what’s going on.

I love how when Ru Paul is interviewed and people say what he wants to hear, he says "right", "right". He does it all the time. He obviously gives people clues to how they need to respond to him. It's his way of saying, If you don't agree with me I will make you disappear. This is a common trait of narcissists and something Ru Paul seems to demonstrate in spades. He also appears to be pretty nasty in public and has a hard time having a real conversation with anyone when not in control. He usually dictates or pushes the conversation in the direction he wants it to go in. Another classic narcissistic behavior. Think Donald Trump. His acting seems to suffer from this practiced behavior and cancels out any genuine portrayal of a character. He's a servicable personality on screen, think The Brady Bunch Movie but noting your average community player couldn't accomplish just as well and probably better. His cameo on Grace and Frankie is a good example of what appears to be a lack of real acting talent or a disconnect from the other characters on the screen. Stick to reality TV Ru. 💔

I just realized ur icon is a green bearded man and not a weed nugget

I really hated santino since season 1, he really did shannel bad. She totally deserved to win.

oh my god you now have cartoon dissapointed cricket fan guy.... I love this

Petition to change the title to "What ha' happened to.." lol

Carson was the best addition imo

Santino was so unlikable as a judge on Drag Race. It made the show almost unwatchable. I absolutely hated that he was on so many seasons, his voice and anything he said was so cringey, when he left I was relieved and the show got so much better.

Oml I used to be a project runway stan. Stan your videos, slay

8^o I had no idea of Lucian's character nor his struggles. Yikes. I hope he gets care, heals, and unlearns those ugly things

I think Santino is hot. Lucian is super talented and adorable. Queens can be incredibly cruel to sweet gay men and almost everyone in this demographic of the business has mental health issues.

Well, it’s a LONG story. Edit: Project Runway is STILL relevant!