Comedian Druski, known to millions for his razor-sharp parodies of Black culture and internet trends, has once again ignited the internet—this time, by stepping boldly into the world of white Southern Americana. In a skit that has gone megaviral since its release earlier this month, Druski (real name Drew Desbordes) transformed himself so convincingly into a white NASCAR fan that even those sharing the stands with him at the North Carolina racetrack seemed oblivious to the ruse.
With 10.6 million Instagram followers, Druski is no stranger to viral fame. His comedic sketches often dissect the quirks of different communities, from U.K. drill rappers to “oldheads” trying to keep up with the times. But this latest video—where he appears in full “whiteface,” complete with a farmer’s sunburn, mullet, overalls, and a swath of patriotic tattoos—has triggered laughter, debate, and a fresh round of cultural analysis about race, comedy, and the blurry boundaries of satire.
The skit’s premise is simple but daring: Druski, disguised as the quintessential “proud American,” belts out Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.,” clinks beers with strangers, and even shares a cigarette with a woman he affectionately calls “Nana”—all while sporting a shockingly realistic transformation. According to Slate, the makeup was so convincing that “the vast majority of people who come across this video with no knowledge of who Druski is would likely assume that he is your friendly neighborhood white NASCAR fanatic.”
The mastermind behind this transformation is Atlanta-based makeup artist Kaylee Kehne-Swisher, whose film credits include work on The Suicide Squad. Kehne-Swisher explained that creating Druski’s new persona was no small feat. “For the first skit, the makeup took seven hours, so this time around I was able to ask for a person, Rachel Bongard Ross, to come on and help,” she told Slate. “We got the makeup down to about four hours, and then about a half hour to change locations.” The cleanup process, which previously took three hours, was reduced to just 45 minutes with an extra set of hands.
The process involved a meticulous layering of pigmented acrylic-based paints to change Druski’s skin tone, topped with realistic sunburn and temporary tattoos supplied by HookUp Tattoos in Atlanta. Kehne-Swisher described the importance of color theory in achieving the look: “Basically, we paint-roll his body, just because it’s the fastest thing to get it all on and get it on thick. I used a mixture of different paints that were really pigmented with an acrylic base. And it was the pink tones that helped neutralize his current tone and give that blood, flesh tone underneath.”
Druski’s costume was completed with a mullet wig, a mustache, and his own beard, which was straightened and color-neutralized to blend with the lighter hair. No prosthetics were used, though Kehne-Swisher had prepared options for nose and cheek padding that ultimately weren’t needed. “He ended up not wanting to do that because he wanted to have a cigarette and do all that kind of stuff,” she said.
The video’s realism extended beyond makeup. Druski’s performance was so immersive that, according to Kehne-Swisher, “some people didn’t realize that it was a joke until one of the younger kids with them was like, ‘No, that’s a comedian.’ The older generation didn’t quite know who he was, so that was kind of funny.” One particularly memorable moment came when NASCAR driver Ty Gibbs was caught on camera trying to suppress laughter as Druski sang along during the national anthem—a scene that quickly made the rounds on social media.
The skit has drawn comparisons to the Wayans brothers’ 2004 film White Chicks, where comedy and parody were used to lampoon exaggerated aspects of whiteness. Druski’s take, however, is distinctly modern, targeting “red-blooded” Americana and the cultural rituals of NASCAR fandom. As The Source noted, “The skit not only entertains but also underscores how whiteness can often be performed and accepted without suspicion, even when the behavior is extreme.”
Druski’s willingness to “flip the lens” on race and identity isn’t new. Earlier this year, his “Preston” character—a white boy “accepted by the hood”—sparked its own round of conversations about parody, authenticity, and the boundaries of comedic commentary. But the NASCAR skit has struck a deeper nerve by showing, in real time, how racial stereotypes can be inverted and how people respond when the script is flipped.
Online reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with fans praising both the satire and the fearlessness of Druski’s performance. Still, the skit hasn’t escaped controversy. Some critics have tried to twist the conversation, suggesting that Druski’s “whiteface” gives them license to perform blackface. Kehne-Swisher, for her part, addressed the inevitable debate: “In makeup, when we change someone’s tone, it’s a thing. Especially with stunt doubles, changing someone to a lighter tone ruffles feathers in that sense, too, because it starts the whole debate about, Well, you should hire someone that’s that color. It’s a whole thing in the industry, so it’s something I’m very familiar with.”
She continued, “And I have seen makeups that are very disrespectful and are very crude. Like, if you look at some of those ’80s movies where you see obvious Blackface, where it’s white actors, and it’s just too much. With Druski, I feel like it’s just being able to make fun of those kinds of things, and make light of it. It’s a huge part of the history, and at least he can break that barrier, hopefully.”
Druski’s skit has also sparked a broader conversation about cultural appropriation, satire, and the long history of race-based comedy in America. As Slate pointed out, “The ‘whiteface,’ as the look is being referred to, has even instigated a whole debate about ‘whiteface’ versus ‘Blackface’ within the culture wars.” The fact that Druski was able to move through the crowd largely undetected, even while exaggerating every stereotype in the book, says as much about American perceptions of race as it does about his comedic talent.
For Kehne-Swisher, the experience was both nerve-wracking and rewarding. “I was a little worried about being there out in North Carolina with that. So I was ready with the removal kit just in case, just because you never know what’s going to happen,” she admitted. But the overwhelmingly positive response, both online and in person, suggests that audiences are ready to engage with comedy that challenges assumptions—even if it makes them a little uncomfortable in the process.
In the end, Druski’s NASCAR skit isn’t just a viral moment; it’s a bold experiment in satire, identity, and the power of disguise. By holding up a mirror to American culture—warts, sunburns, and all—he’s sparked a conversation that goes far beyond laughs, reminding us just how much comedy can reveal about the world we live in.
