In January, Courtney Act became the first drag queen to ever compete in and win Celebrity Big Brother. RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10 premieres this March and RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars Season 3 is currently airing. Drag is bigger now than ever before, 113 queens have competed on Drag Race since the show’s premiere in 2009 so naturally, the variety of looks and styles in each season have challenged traditional perceptions of drag.
There are so many exceptional queens (Can I get an Amen for Alyssa Edwards?) and I’m a huge fan of the show so I have compiled a list of queens that have redefined drag through their individual styles.
Raven
Raven was a runner up on both Season 2 of Drag Race and All Stars 1 and has made a monumental impact on drag. She is credited as being one of the most influential makeup artists in the drag community, creating several contour techniques such as heavily defined cheekbones and a dramatically pinched nose with a highlighted tip. Raven’s appearance on such an early season of Drag Race has allowed her style to influence many young queens following in her footsteps.
“If I were to win RuPaul’s Drag Race, it will help to show people that drag’s cool. Cause it’s f*cking cool. Drag is cool.”
Sharon Needles
Sharon Needles was the winner of Season 4 and the first Caucasian to win Drag Race. She impressed judges and fans each week with her horror aesthetic, notoriously bending the “rules” of drag. Sharon Needles paved the way for creativity and experimentation in the drag community.
‘When in doubt, freak ‘em out’.
Milk
Milk competed on Season 6 and All Stars 3. Her approach to drag is significantly distinct from any other queen and she was extremely controversial on her season. Milk was the first queen to wear a beard on the runway and turned heads when she presented a “boy RuPaul” look in a challenge. Although opinions on Milk differ, no one can doubt that she changed the drag game with her gender-bending drag style.
“It’s milkin’ time!”
Violet Chachki
Violet Chachki won Season 7 of Drag Race and, like many other queens, has left her mark on drag. Violet is known for her high fashion looks and “fishy” (resembling a biological woman) style of drag. On her season, Violet shocked everyone by cinching her waist to just 18 inches, encouraging other queens to attain hourglass figures. Her tiny waist, slender body, and 1950s hairstyles are essential characteristics of Violet Chachki’s appearance.
“Pain is beauty and I’m the prettiest.”
Trixie Mattel
Despite placing only 6th in her season, Trixie Mattel is a fan favourite and is currently competing in this season of All Stars. Trixie’s drag pays homage to Barbie, as does her name “Mattel”, taking visual inspiration from the iconic doll. She identifies as a comedy queen and portrays this through both her personality and style, destroying stereotypes in the drag community.
“Oh, honey!”
Sasha Velour
The final queen in this list is the current reigning winner of RPDR. Sasha Velour wowed the judges with her quirky runway looks and avant-garde makeup. She is a bald queen, paying tribute to her late mother, a look not attributed to other queens. Sasha Velour represents the future of drag by mixing brains with beauty.
“Wear a crown, f*ck with gender, bend the rules, don’t surrender.”
Photo by Steven Peice on Unsplash