Jamie Martin interview: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ editor

“Always the stories that the queens bring,” answers editor Jamie Martin when asked about her favorite part of working on VH-1’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” “They always bring so much heart and themselves into it. Being able to showcase that with all theses different queens throughout the seasons is always the most fun thing to do. The other thing that just keeps it fresh is that every season and every show has a different theme, a different tone and, as an editor, to be able to bend and shift in that throughout each season keeps you on your toes.” We talked to Martin as part of our “Meet the Experts” TV editors panel. Watch our exclusive video interview above.

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In the Emmy Award-winning series hosted by RuPaul, America’s most sickening queens compete in fashion and performance challenges in hopes of snatching the crown as the next drag superstar.

“My goal is to tell the stories of the queens truthfully and in a way the audience can really connect with,” the editor explains. “When we have those elements mixed in with our competition elements it only enhances all that competition. Without really connecting with the queens on those authentic levels and their personal lives and their style, the competition wouldn’t feel as dynamic. You really have to know where the queens are coming from to know why this challenge specifically matters to them. When we can connect those dots throughout an episode specifically, that’s when I’m like, ‘That one zings!'”

Martin has won three Emmy Awards among five nominations for “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Other projects have included “10 Things You Don’t Know About,” “Below Deck” and “The Real World.” “It was really unexpected for all of us,” Martin says of her first Emmy nomination. “We’re such a small, tight team. We really are a family. We’ve always had this small family dynamic. That hasn’t changed since getting all this Emmy recognition, but it’s so strange to have the whole world watching our little family dynamic. Our viewership has gone up. It’s been incredible, but it hasn’t changed our little family dynamic.”