What Happened to NO GORGE?

Where, oh, where have these beauty queens gone?

Okay first thing– I want to preface by saying: I don’t know these people. I’ve never met Brian or Brian or Jason or Kade. They’re strangers to me– and I to them. All I know about the inner workings of their lives and relationships is presupposed to me by the media I consume of them. So take this with a grain of salt– don’t feel empowered to lodge hateful comments towards any of these people– treat this essay like you would a gossipy twitter thread about a Real Housewives star. 

Gossip is gossip– although, I will say it is partly true that some things can be seen clear as day through a television screen. All that to say, I really only watch two podcasts starring major drag queens: The Bald and the Beautiful and No Gorge. 

Bald and the Beautiful is hilarious- plain and simple. Everyone knows the hosts: Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova– former contestants on RuPaul’s Drag Race who were the first to hit it big with their (shortly-lived) Vice Show, Trixie and Katya. The pair have roller skated their success into various other projects– their Youtube Show UHNnh (or however the hell you spell it), a book, a couple live show tours, makeup products, Trixie’s Motel Renovation Show. Those gals get around– and for good reason. They are a hoot and a half. I swear, during just about every episode I am laughing out loud, alone in my home, to Trixie doing some half-baked impression of Dr. Phil. It’s just Good Television– plain and simple.

I was a die-hard Trixie and Katya fan– until No Gorge came out….. And, I have to admit, it was scary how quickly I switched up. What can I say? I’m addicted to glamour.

No Gorge was Violet Chachki and Gottmik’s chance to throw their hat in the, now overflowing, ring of Drag Queen podcasts. The Bald and The Beautiful, Sibling Rivalry, Very Delta, Queen of Hearts, Hi Jinkx! – podcasting has become the new Reality Television. Everyone thinks they deserve their own show.

Right away, I was a major fan. I immediately abandoned The Bald and the Beautiful in favor of it– caught myself thinking things like “B and B is SO done. It’s over, it’s old news. Pack it up, hags. Time to bring in the beauty queens.”

But oh, how short lived that moment was…

No Gorge started posting videos on Youtube about a year ago as of time of writing. Their premiere September 8th, 2021 episode, featuring the two hosts dressed-to-the-nines in some lime green getups, was genuinely entertaining! However, it started to quickly fall apart after that.

The appeal of the show is mainly two things: the Looks and the Drama. Violet and Gottmik have very good eyes for design. I loved tuning in to see the different fantasies they would create. It was, quite honestly, the primary reason why I followed them in the first place. Their cover spread for Galore Magazine was truly delectable– I highly recommend giving it a Google.

The pair also seemed to always find themselves in the midst of drama. Whether it be a friend who was annoying at the club, a theft during a party, Violet breaking a marble table during a performance, they always had a story to tell. And Violet especially was not afraid to pull punches when it came to telling everyone her exact feelings– sometimes to her detriment. 

Their dynamic is this: Violet is the Type-A Diva and Gottmik is the Chaos. It’s the same dynamic that Trixie and Katya have had for years. The main difference is: Trixie and Katya ostensibly value each other’s partnership. However mired by addiction or ego-fueled infighting that their relationship is, the basis of their professional partnership is one of equals. Two performers with even stakes for accolades– who are equally eligible for admiration. Their names would be side-by-side on the call sheet.

Sure, it is clear that Trixie handles the lion’s share of managerial and organizational responsibilities between the two of them– and this has, at times, sparked a couple back-handed comments from her towards Katya. But the viewer is never given the perception that this is “The Trixie Show”-- it’s always Trixie AND Katya. 

That is not the case with Violet and Gottmik.  Violet sees herself as above Gottmik, held back by them. When the truth is, Gottmik provides a much needed likability and friendliness to the show. I doubt anyone would listen to a solo Violet podcast– it’s their catty banter off of each other that makes the show interesting.

But it all seems a little too late now, as No Gorge has just about fallen off the face of the earth. Their last real video was posted on January 5th, 2023– followed by two sponsored Pride videos which were, one could guess, posted in order to uphold previously signed contracts.

So what happened? 

The writing was on the wall in their Paris Fashion Week FW/22 video. The pair get into an on-screen fight regarding some tension that transpired during their trip.

“For the first time you were like, actually mean to me” Gottmik says

“Are we seriously getting into a fight again?” Violet says, incredulous.

Violet views Gottmik as irresponsible, immature and selfish. Gottmik views Violet as controlling, overly critical and tiresome. They don’t respect each other– which is a death sentence for any creative partnership.

I think it ultimately comes down to ego and jealousy. Neither, truthfully, is willing to share the spotlight and, Violet especially, becomes very openly jealous whenever Gottmik receives any kind of praise.

She mentions, part-way through an argument about how she was big dogging Gottmik at a party, that it seemed her friends– who she’d known for years longer– were seeming to like Gottmik a lot more than her. I don’t think Violet intends to come off cruel. I think this stems from a deep insecurity– a feeling so insurmountably that she feels the need to lash out to all those around her. Which can be very difficult when your career involves essentially hiring friends to make content with you.

Sure, one could argue that maybe this was a temporary hiatus– them putting the podcast on pause while they finished their tour. But, they didn’t announce anything. Trixie and Katya podded during their tour, Bob and Monet podded during their tour, why wouldn’t Violet and Mik do the same?

I would propose that it’s more likely things combusted from the inside– the infighting grew too severe and the Egos got so big you couldn’t fit both their heads in the studio. I anxiously await their return– I really did like the podcast. And god, am I curious about what exactly went down.

In the meantime, I’ll go where I know I can get some good ole’ fashioned entertainment. Twirlina Marie Poukette feat. Drinklina Turlington??? Don’t mind if I do.