If you haven’t heard about RuPaul’s Drag Race, then don’t be alarmed – a lot of people haven’t. For those of you who are unaware of what this show is, it has drag queens (men dressing up as women for a performance) in a competition to become America’s Next Drag Superstar. The groundbreaking show, which is now in its 10th season and includes a spin-off series titled RuPaul’s Drag Race: All-Stars, has many fantastic queens who have graced television.
For this article, I included five of my favorite drag queens that have graced the screen during the show’s herstory. (And yes, it’s meant to be herstory, not history – it’s a drag queen thing). It’s important to note that I have more favorites than just this, but I love these ones a lot.
1. Shangela
Shangela first graced RuPaul’s Drag Race screens in Season 2, after just six months of doing drag. She was an extremely young queen and was the first one eliminated. However, that was not the end of Shangela’s journey. Shangela returned at the beginning of Season 3 to compete again. To date, she is only one of three other queens in the show’s herstory to compete in two different seasons (excluding All-Stars). Her style of drag relies upon humor and lip-syncing skills. She has grown incredibly since Season 2 and has appeared as a guest star in many TV shows (including Dance Moms, Bones, and Community). It has been so rewarding to watch her blossom into the fully realized drag queen she is today.
Follow her on Twitter and Instagram
2. Trixie Mattel
Trixie first appeared in Season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Unlike Shangela, she had been doing drag considerably longer and was fully into her character. However, her journey on the show was an interesting one, as she was eliminated in episode 4 and then brought back in episode 8, and then eliminated again two episodes later. Like Shangela, Trixie was given a second chance by RuPaul to become America’s Next Drag Superstar. While she was unable to become the winner of her season, she, too, has blossomed since the show. She had a wildly popular YouTube talk show with fellow drag star contestant and best friend Katya, which the TV Network VICE picked up to become its own show. The show, which you can watch on VICE, is appropriately titled, The Trixie and Katya Show. Trixie is a hilarious drag queen, all with exaggerated features and makeup. In order to achieve her iconic look, she uses five different foundations. As of this year’s season of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All-Stars, she has been officially placed in the Drag Race Hall of Fame, as she won that season.
Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
3. Adore Delano
Adore appeared in RuPaul’s Drag Race during Season 6. When she came in, she was young, loud, proud and the grunge princess every girl has wanted to be at some point. She was instantly charming and despite being quite young, she did exceedingly well in the competition, finishing in the top 3 of her season. While Adore did not win her season of RuPaul’s Drag Race or her short stint on All-Stars, she has won in the world. Adore currently has three studio albums, and all have had both commercial and critical success. Her charm and humor is something everyone deserves to strive for and if there is one thing to remember about this queen is that she’s an “effing Libra.”
Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
4. Bianca Del Rio
Bianca is one of the few queens that people who haven’t seen RuPaul’s Drag Race seem to know. If you’ve ever seen the meme (or heard the phrase), “Not today, Satan. Not today,” that came from this queen. Bianca is a seasoned queen from Season 6, who was the clear frontrunner of her season. Not only is Bianca hilarious, but she is also an excellent seamstress, as she sews most of her outfits by herself. She is a self-described “Insult Comic,” and makes fun of everyone who crosses her path. Additionally, she has been very successful since winning her season. She has one movie on Netflix (Hurricane Bianca), and the sequel is being released this year. She also currently has a tour, a makeup remover, and a book being released this year.
Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
5. Chi Chi Devayne
Chi Chi Devayne came to RuPaul’s Drag Race in Season 8, also doing very successfully during her season and making it to the top 4. Audiences fell in love with this queen through her sweet southern charm and hard upbringing. Before appearing on RuPaul’s, Chi Chi was working three jobs in order to pay for the supplies she needed to her do drag. During her season, Chi Chi grew as a performer and as a person. Since Drag Race, she has done Drag Race tours and does drag shows at bars across the country. She is funny, charming and all around the sweetest thing you’ll ever meet.
Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
As I stated at the beginning of the article, these are only five of my favorites. RuPaul’s Drag Race has nine completed seasons (excluding All-Stars, which has three), and is currently on its tenth. The show does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Did your favorite make the list? Comment down below!