Oscars 2011 style: Drag queen Raja rates Halle Berry, Michelle Williams and more - Los Angeles Times
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Oscars 2011 style: Drag queen Raja rates Halle Berry, Michelle Williams and more

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The Ministry has noted all kinds of high-brow critiques of Academy Awards fashion and felt the need to respond in kind — by asking one of our favorite drag queens, Raja, to help us size up the women of Oscars 2011.

As a contestant on the third season of the addictive ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ the West Hollywood-dwelling queen has an arty concept and professional execution to her look.

Here’s how she ranks the good, the bad and the ‘Gurl, you wore what?’ from Hollywood’s biggest night.

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Thank you, James Franco: Like cohost Anne Hathaway, Franco came across ‘adorable and young,’ and Raja praised the actor’s own drag moment when he appeared in a Marilyn Monroe-inspired dress and wig. ‘Normally I don’t even care about men’s fashion but ... that was so fun and perfect.’

Michelle Williams, the quiet storm: ‘She’s so magical, so feminine, so soft and beautiful. That dark brow against her [light] hair,’ Raja said.

Where are the risk takers? ‘I miss the days of Celine Dion wearing the backwards suit [by] Galliano and Cher in the Bob Mackie crazy headpieces,’ she said. The blame can be pinned on excessive playing it safe, says Raja — like Halle Berry in a lovely but predictable nude frock. ‘A lot of the time it’s the same thing,’ she says of Berry, ‘avant-garde it a little! She’s beautiful, but it’s a little stale.’

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Helena Bonham Carter: ‘What a kook,’ Raja said, lovingly.

Lumberjack realness: Praise to Christian Bale for going edgy ‘with a black-on-black suit’ and an unshaven look. ‘I love his rants, by the way,’ she said.

And we love your red carpet evaluation, Raj.

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— Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Right photo: James Franco channels Marilyn Monroe on the Oscar telecast. Credit: Getty Images.

Left photo: Raja in her ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ glory. Credit: Mathu Andersen / Logo.

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