Legendary is a series in HBO MAX that follows the journey of several “houses” as they compete to win a trophy and a grand prize. It shines the light on the ballroom scene that isn’t showcased as heavily in the mainstream. Although, with the hit television show Pose & Madonna in the 80’s with her smash hit Vogue voguing and the ballroom scene have reached a broader audience.
With a star studded panel, the judges help determine who will be the top house of the week; and be safe from elimination. Permanent judges are Law Roach, Megan Thee Stallion, Jameela Jamil, and Leiomy Maldonado, with a guest judge each week like; Normani and Adam Lambert, to name a few. Not forgetting to mention the Master of Ceremony Deshawn Wesley who really sets the mood with his mic skills. The series is in its second season, with both available to stream via HBO MAX. This show is one that will keep your attention from the jump.
Synopsis
The show follows various “houses” on their journey to becoming the top house and win the $100,000 grand prize. A “house” is a group of people who generally live or work together and are considered a family/support system for each other and are always not related. It is generally lead by a single person who is the “mother/father” of the house, with everyone else being their children.
The houses are chosen from all across the world and even though it is prevalent in the LGBTQ+ scene, they do include contestants who are CIS gendered and heterosexual. Showing that voguing and the ballroom scene is accepting to everybody; no matter your sexuality.
Each week a ball is held where the houses compete to see who will be the top house. Each ball has a specific theme the houses have to follow. They also have one main challenge that will give them their overall score; as well as mini challenges, that are either done singular or a group that can either help get the house ten extra points to their over score or $10,000 depending on which one the production choose for that week.
They are judged on their look; if they followed the theme and look good, the performance and how it looked and felt; and as well on the specific voguing challenge they are given. The voguing challenge is usually part of the main challenge and they either are assigned certain technique(s) to showcase during their performance or have to incorporate all four of them.
The judges help with deciding who is the best by voting on a scale of 1-10. Each judge has a certain thing they look for and that is why they were chosen to be a judge:
Leiomy Maldonado is a judge because she is ballroom royalty. She is very well known Voguer and she judges the performance to see if that week they included the voguing challenge they are given and if it’s executed well. Megan Thee Stallion is a judge because she sees if the contestants put on a show and we’re entertaining, because it’s one thing to remember a routine and another to perform it. Law Roach looks at the fashion and looks of the house for each performance as he is a well renouned stylist. Jameela is there because… to be honest, I don’t know. NO SHADE (or as Deshaun Wesley would say “No shadé.”) Maybe she helps bring the international audience? But maybe the drama cause she sometimes does disagree with the other judges and then a lil argument commences, so maybe it’s cause she’s messy sometimes. (Lol)
ALL AROUND GREAT
From starting to the show to the end, you will have your eyes glued to the screen. The houses always bring it and serve. From the costuming, to the performances, you will sure to be gagged. It is truly amazing how creative people can be when given a theme, but also how each house comes up with their own interpretation of said theme.
Furthermore, I like how they shine a light on the ballroom scene. They give the contestants a platform to share their story with the world. You have stories of people getting kicked out for being gay or trans and having the ballroom scene as their only outlet. You have people who only finally accepted themselves through ballroom. It’s a window to a world that many don’t know about that could help. I like how they give hope to others and show people that even when you think you’re at your worse it can get better.
All in all, I hope this post intrigued you to check the show out. It’s a show that showcases black and Latino queerness. A show that does not shy away from letting the contestants be who they want to be and express themselves in their most truest form. I highly recommend this show to everybody. If you don’t know anything about ballroom, this would be a great way to get introduced to it. If you have seen Pose then this show will certainly fulfill the need for longer ballroom scenes.
It not only a feel good show, but a show that touches you as well. A very well rounded show to be honest. According to The List, “Legendary has been picked up by HBO MAX for a third season, however; no release date has been set. But the cast and crew are excited for what is to come.” Hopefully we do get more season of this show as it has great production and it is very entertaining.
J’s Journal 