RuPaul's Drag Race, an American reality competition television program, premiered in 2009 and documents host RuPaul's search for "America's Next Drag Superstar". Its success has led to the creation of a franchise including RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars; international spin-off series including British and Australian and New Zealand versions hosted by RuPaul; Chilean, Thai, Canadian, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, French, Philippine, Belgian, Swedish, Mexican, Brazilian, German and South African localizations; international "vs. the World" competitions hosted in the UK, Canada, the Philippines and Australia and New Zealand; and All Stars adaptations in Spain and France. 238 contestants have appeared on the original American series over seventeen seasons; 111 past contestants have returned to compete on All Stars; and another 520 contestants have appeared across the international editions of the show. 85 of these contestants have returned to compete on an international All Stars or vs. the World season.
The original series has crowned eighteen winners. In addition, in eleven seasons of All Stars, eleven queens have won entry into the "Drag Race Hall of Fame": Chad Michaels, Alaska, Trixie Mattel, Monét X Change, Trinity the Tuck, Shea Couleé, Kylie Sonique Love, Jimbo, Angeria Paris VanMicheals, Ginger Minj, Crystal Methyd — and one, Jinkx Monsoon, has been crowned the "Queen of All Queens", becoming the first contestant to win two different seasons in the franchise.
, Alexis Mateo has appeared more than any other contestant on Drag Race, competing on five different seasons. Jujubee, Eureka!, Ginger Minj, Kennedy Davenport, and Silky Nutmeg Ganache have all competed on four different seasons each. Several other queens have competed on three seasons, including Shangela (the first to do so), Gia Gunn, Latrice Royale, Manila Luzon, Pandora Boxx, Yara Sofia, Mo Heart, Monét X Change, Shea Couleé, Trinity the Tuck, Ra'Jah O'Hara, Jimbo, Mayhem Miller, Scarlet Envy, Pakita, Roxxxy Andrews, Shannel, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Cheryl, Lemon, Alyssa Edwards, Aja, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Jorgeous, Soa de Muse, Mariah Paris Balenciaga, A'keria C. Davenport, Morgan McMichaels, Pythia, LaLa Ri, and Nicole Paige Brooks.
Background Most competitors have been cisgender gay men, although several contestants came out as trans women on the show, while others entered the competition already out and at various stages in their transitions. Monica Beverly Hillz, who came out as a trans woman during season 5, said in a 2013 interview that the show does not require contestants to identify as male and that transgender women can participate if they consider themselves drag artists. However, in 2018, RuPaul told The Guardian that he would "probably not" allow a transgender contestant who had "really transitioned" to compete and later compared transgender drag performers to doping athletes. RuPaul has since apologized for those comments.
Kylie Sonique Love, who made history as the first contestant to come out as trans on the show, during the season 2 reunion episode, became the first out trans woman to win a U.S. version of the show when she was inducted into the "Hall of Fame" in All Stars 6. However, Angele Anang was the first openly trans woman to win a season in the entire franchise, after she emerged victorious on Thailand season 2. The two have been followed by Vanessa Van Cartier (Holland season 2), Sasha Colby (season 15), and Captivating Katkat (Philippines season 2). On season 13, Gottmik became the first openly trans man to compete on the show. She has been followed by Denim (Canada season 4). On UK series 3, Victoria Scone became the first cis woman to compete on the show. She has been followed by Clover Bish (España season 3), Pandora Nox (Germany season 1), Velma Jones (Canada season 6), and Malawitte (France season 4). In 2023, Pandora became the first cis woman to win a season of Drag Race. On season 14, Maddy Morphosis became the first cisgender heterosexual man to compete.
, eight previous contestants across the franchise have died. Season 2 contestant Sahara Davenport died of heart failure in 2012, at age 27. She was in a long-term relationship with season 3 contestant Manila Luzon at the time. Season 8 and All Stars 3 contestant Chi Chi DeVayne died of complications from scleroderma and pneumonia in 2020, at age 34. UK series 2 contestant Cherry Valentine died by suicide in 2022, at age 28. Thailand season 2 contestant Bandit died in 2023, at age 38. UK series 1 winner and All Stars 7 contestant The Vivienne died of complications from a ketamine overdose in 2025, at age 32. Season 4 and All Stars 6 contestant Jiggly Caliente died from sepsis in 2025, at age 44. She also co-hosted Drag Race Philippines. Down Under season 1 contestant Maxi Shield died from throat cancer in 2026, at age 51. Philippines season 4 contestant Misua died in their sleep in 2026, at age 27, prior to the season being aired.
U.S. seasons
RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars
The original series RuPaul's Drag Race has crowned eighteen winners: BeBe Zahara Benet, Tyra Sanchez, Raja, Sharon Needles, Jinkx Monsoon, Bianca Del Rio, Violet Chachki, Bob the Drag Queen, Sasha Velour, Aquaria, Yvie Oddly, Jaida Essence Hall, Symone, Willow Pill, Sasha Colby, Nymphia Wind, Onya Nurve and Myki Meeks.
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, a spin-off series in which past contestants return to compete for a spot in the Drag Race "Hall of Fame", premiered in 2012. There have been eleven seasons and twelve winners, the result of a tie in the fourth season. The winners, in chronological order, are: Chad Michaels, Alaska, Trixie Mattel, Monét X Change and Trinity the Tuck, Shea Couleé, Kylie Sonique Love, Jinkx Monsoon, Jimbo, Angeria Paris VanMicheals, Ginger Minj and Crystal Methyd.
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race Ages, names, and cities stated are at time of filming.
Legend
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race is a spin-off show which premiered April 24, 2020 on VH1. It featured a total of 12 celebrities over four episodes and were mentored by returning RuPaul's Drag Race contestants with their drag transformation. The winner of each episode gets to donate the prize to a charity of their choice which raised $210,000 across 11 various charities. The second season consisted of nine celebrities competing weekly in "Lip Sync Extravanganza" for the chance to win $100,000 for their charity of choice.
+ Contestants of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race and their backgrounds Season Episode Contestant Celebrity Outcome Queen Supreme 1 1 Babykins La Roux Jordan Connor Trixie Mattel Miss Mimi Teapot Jermaine Fowler Runners-up Bob the Drag Queen Olivette Isyou Nico Tortorella Monét X Change 2 Vanqueisha De House Vanessa Williams Asia O'Hara Mary J. Ross Loni Love Trinity the Tuck Miss Shenita Cocktail Tami Roman Alyssa Edwards 3 Bette Bordeaux Matt Iseman Kim Chi Madam That Bitch Alex Newell Bob the Drag Queen Rachel McAdamsapple Dustin Milligan Nina West 4 Queen Eleza Beth Hayley Kiyoko Vanessa Vanjie Mateo Cocotini Phoebe Robinson Alyssa Edwards Coral Fixation Madison Beer Monique Heart 2 rowspan="13" Poppy Love AJ McLean Jujubee Chakra 7 Tatyana Ali Brooke Lynn Hytes Thirsty von Trap Mark Indelicato Monét X Change Chic-Li-Fay Kevin McHale 4th Brooke Lynn Hytes Donna BellissimaDaniel Franzese 5th Monét X Change Milli von Sunshine Jenna Ushkowitz 6th Jujubee Jackie Would Thom Filicia 7th Jujubee Electra Owl Taylor Dayne 8th Brooke Lynn Hytes Fabulosity Loretta Devine 9th Monét X Change
RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular is a holiday television special, which aired on VH1 on December 7, 2018.
+ Contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular and their backgrounds Contestant Original season(s) Original placement(s) Outcome Eureka Season 9 11th Season 10 Jasmine Masters Season 7 12th Kim Chi Season 8 Latrice Royale Season 4 4th All Stars 1 7th Mayhem Miller Season 10 10th Shangela Season 2 12th Season 3 6th All Stars 3 3rd Sonique Season 2 9th Trixie Mattel Season 7 6thAll Stars 3
RuPaul's Drag U From 2010 to 2012, Logo aired a spin-off to Drag Race entitled RuPaul's Drag U. The series saw members of the public receive drag-inspired makeovers from selected memorable contestants from Drag Race.
+ Contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race U and their appearances on the show Professors Original season Season 1 2 3 BeBe Zahara Benet Season 1 Nina Flowers colspan="2" Ongina colspan="2" Shannel colspan="3" Tammie Brown colspan="2" Jujubee Season 2 colspan="3" Raven colspan="3" Morgan McMichaels colspan="3" Pandora Boxx colspan="2" Tyra Sanchez Alexis Mateo Season 3 colspan="2" Carmen Carrera Delta Work colspan="2" Manila Luzon colspan="1" colspan="2" Mariah colspan="2" Raja colspan="2" Chad Michaels Season 4 colspan="2" Latrice Royale colspan="2" Sharon Needles colspan="2" Willam colspan="2"
RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars premiered on August 16, 2024. It features previous competitors from the American, Belgian, Brazilian, British, Canadian, Down Under, French, German, Italian, Mexican, Philippine, and Swedish editions of the franchise. It has crowned one winner: Alyssa Edwards.
+ Season Contestant Age Hometown Original season(s) Original placement(s) Outcome 1 Alyssa Edwards 43 Dallas, United States US 5 6th US All Stars 2 5th Kitty Scott-Claus31 Birmingham, United Kingdom UK 3 Kween Kong31 Adelaide, Australia Down Under 2 Nehellenia33 Rome, Italy Italia 2 Tessa Testicle25 Basel, Switzerland Germany 1 8th 5th Vanity Vain31 Linköping, Sweden Sverige 1 3rd 6th Pythia28 Montreal, Canada Canada 2 7th Gala Varo34 Morelia, Mexico México 1 8th Soa de Muse31 Saint-Denis, France France 1 9th Eva Le Queen35 Marikina, Philippines Philippines 1 3rd 10th Miranda Lebrão34 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Brasil 1 11th Athena Likis27 City of Brussels, Belgium Belgique 1 12th
International seasons Ages, names, and cities stated are at time of filming.
Legend:
† indicates that the contestant is deceased.
Canada's Drag Race
Canada's Drag Race premiered in 2020. It has crowned six winners: Priyanka, Icesis Couture, Gisèle Lullaby, Venus, The Virgo Queen, and Van Goth.
Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World premiered in November 2022. It is the second season, following UK vs. the World, to feature returning contestants from across the international installments of the franchise. The first season is the fourth, following The Switch 2, All Stars 3 and All Stars 7, to feature a previous Drag Race winner competing again.
Along with contestants from the Canadian edition, it also features competitors from the American, British, Down Under, and French franchises. It has crowned two winners: Ra'Jah O'Hara and Lemon.
+ Season Contestant Age Hometown Original season(s) Original placement(s) Outcome 1 Ra'Jah O'Hara 37 Dallas, United States US 11 9th US All Stars 6 Silky Nutmeg Ganache 31 Chicago, United States US 11 3rd US All Stars 6 11th Rita Baga 34 Montreal, Canada Canada 1 3rd Victoria Scone 29 Cardiff, United Kingdom UK 3 10th Vanity Milan 30 South London, United Kingdom UK 3 4th 5th Icesis Couture 35 Ottawa, Canada Canada 2 6th Anita Wigl'it 32 Leigh, New Zealand Down Under 1 8th 7th Stephanie Prince 24 Calgary, Canada Canada 2 10th 8th Kendall Gender 31 Vancouver, Canada Canada 2 9th 2 Lemon 28 Toronto, Canada Canada 1 5th UK vs. the World 1 9th Alexis Mateo 44 Las Vegas, United States US 3 3rd US All Stars 1 5th US All Stars 5 5th Cheryl 30 Chelmsford, United Kingdom UK 1 4th 3rd UK vs. the World 1 8th Kennedy Davenport 43 Dallas, United States US 7 4th US All Stars 3 Miss Fiercalicious 27 Toronto, Canada Canada 3 3rd 5th Eureka! 33 Los Angeles, United States US 9 11th 6th US 10 US All Stars 6 Tynomi Banks 42 Toronto, Canada Canada 1 9th 7th 38 Brighouse, United Kingdom UK 4 7th 8th 31 Paris, France France 1 10th 9th