General
the category is
What does the category is mean?
The four words that open every walk. The emcee grabs the mic, the music drops, and they announce 'The category is...' followed by whatever theme the floor has to serve, realness, runway, body, face, whatever. It's the brief and the challenge in one breath. Get the category, then go give them exactly that, perfectly, or get chopped. The phrase escaped the ballroom long ago and now lands in everyday speech as a sly way to frame what you're about to deliver.
"The category is: Executive Realness. Walk for me."
Origin
Ballroom emcee tradition; the standard call to open a category at a ball. Spread widely via Paris Is Burning (1990) and later FX's Pose.
Frequently asked questions
What does "the category is" mean?
It's the emcee's call announcing the theme that contestants must serve before they walk.
How do you use "the category is" in a sentence?
"The category is: Executive Realness — bring your best power look to the runway."
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