Pop
realness
What does realness mean?
In ballroom, a competition category scored on how authentically and undetectably you pass as a given type — businessman, schoolgirl, military, etc.
"She won the executive realness category."
Origin
Core ballroom terminology documented in Paris Is Burning (1990); rooted in the survival skill of 'passing' undetected in a hostile world. From Black and Latino LGBTQ ballroom culture.
Frequently asked questions
What does realness mean in ballroom?
It's a category judged on how convincingly you pass as a specific real-world role or look. It ties back to the survival skill of passing unnoticed.
What does realness mean in slang?
Outside ballroom it means looking completely authentic and effortless. 'Giving realness' is a compliment.
Where does realness come from?
From Black and Latino ballroom culture, famously documented in the 1990 film Paris Is Burning.
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