Old footage of RuPaul getting into a catfight with Joy Behar on The View has resurfaced yet again and it’s been making the rounds on social media for the last week.
The clip, which seems to get recycled every five years or so, was recorded back in 1997. What started out as friendly banter between two comedians quickly turned mean when the drag queen described Joy’s style as “butch.”
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“Excuse me, you call me butch?” Joy said. “But, honey, you’re a bitch.”
To which, RuPaul replied, “Meow!”
(For the record: There’s nothing wrong with a woman being butch. But, alas, it was the ’90s.)
Later, Ru mocked Joy’s raspy voice, saying, “That was not a mean thing. I’m just stating facts. She came on my show, talking about, ‘You look like a… Why is that that you look so great in a dress and I can’t–‘”
That’s when Joy jumped in again to say, “You know what, I take it back. The butch comment was a compliment, but the voice is not.”
RuPaul then offered a backhanded compliment, saying Joy looked good “femmed up.”
Related: The View’s Sherri Shepherd on her antigay past, pay discrimination, and mean girl Barbara Walters
“I love the haircut,” she said. “The hair looks great. And you’re wearing nice colors and stuff. But the slacks…”
“Do you think I’m gonna take fashion advice from a drag queen?” Joy spat back.
We’re happy to report the two have since made up.
Re-live the catty exchange below.
RuPaul vs Joy Behar on The View (1997) pic.twitter.com/8AP5iDz2Q9
— Meh (@Spilling_The_T) January 9, 2022
cuteguy
Wow, the 90s really sucked
whateverokok
Yeah, they sure did. And Donald Trump was the only good president we had. You know, if it weren’t for the ’90’s there would be no Rupaul. And drag queens would still be regulated to crappy gay bars playing to crappy drunk gay dudes.
Jim
Fashion advise from a drag queen!!!
Poor Joy only if she had.
Joshooeerr
Yeah, because every woman secretly wants to look like a drag queen. LOL
QJ201
Ru has learned better since then. Now she’s all koombayah.
Wheelerman
I’m team Joy. I never got the appeal of RuPaul.
Sorry/not sorry.
Caddy4J
I love Ru, definitely not always negative Joy. Ru’s right, Negative Joy should take some fashion advise from someone. She’s been wearing the same style since the show started, except her hair is lighter and her face is saggier. I guess that goes with her mean girl disposition.
Cam
Sweetie, you, under all of your screenames constantly use any excuse to attack Behar. We get it, she kept making your hero Republicans on The View look stupid.
Quick now, bring in 3 of your other screenames to back up this comment. LOL
Ronbo
Must be a Sloooow news day to rehash what was slow news 20 years ago.
In the meantime, we have more and more evidence indicating that tRump and some Republicans were coordinating insurrection and a presidential coup. Queerty’s woke editors passed on this story to distract us with an old, OLD bitchfight between two people on the left.
We need better editors.
Ronbo
@Cam This is the 29th person that you’ve accused of using someone else’s “screenname”. I KNOW that you’ve lied about me, as do 28 other people. Why continue lying? It’s it plausible (likely) that you secretly use multiple screen names? Who cares.
Perhaps it’s time to have a discussion with the people, rather than attempting to dismiss everyone who has a different opinion. Don’t succumb to Republican tactics of deception, lies and name-calling.
Use your words baby. It’s why God gave you a brain and a voice.
bachy
In Joy’s defense, not all women are interested in looking like Glamazons on steroids.
winemaker
No wonder joyless behar’s husband divorced her. Really who can stand this old hag who seems perpetually on the ‘rag and keeps bitching about just everything. And who in their right mind watches the view other than those who don’t have anything better to do with an hour of valuable time that can’t be gotten back or don’t have lives, it’s gone and wasted.. On the other hand, the ‘view’ is an example of what you don’t want to do or become. Ru Paul is a drag queen and has done quit well for himself/herself over the years and has done a lot of charity work for the gay community. For folks who think Ru Paul’s a real woman are the same ones who think Liberace was an old straight guy with a penchant for being flamboyant.
whateverokok
You know the same thing can be said about D-R-A-G Race. Want to lose time you’ll never get back? And several thousand brain cells? Then watch a bunch of bitter and tired old queens fight each other to see who’s no. 1. Wow! The View should sue Rupaul for copying their show verbatim.
sandyl
She’s been with her husband for a very long time. However, she was rude and that was unecessary. I don’t watch the View for the same reason I don’t watch the news channels. I hate all the arguing. It’s a waste of time.
IanHunter
Joy. You should have taken the advise.
IvanPH
You didn’t include Ru’s epic clapback to Joy Behar…
Joy: Do you think I’m gonna take fashion advice from a drag queen?
RuPaul: You better take it from somebody.
LumpyPillows
The show had a drag queen on in 1997…that’s actually very progressive. Two queen bees sparing: delightful.
lykeitiz
Yes and Yes!