BY Katya Zamolodchikova @EnDragOficial / Facebook.com
Rupaul’s Drag Race is a reality competition where fierce drag queens compete in a multitude of diverse challenges to prove that they have what it takes (enough “Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent”, as RuPaul affectionately calls it) to be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar. Since its inception in 2009, 140 queens have sashayed into the competition, resulting in a total of 11 stunning queens being crowned America’s next drag superstar.
The show has propelled drag culture into the mainstream, bringing all aspects of this art form to the forefront of pop culture. As the show’s incredible legacy has grown, so too have the amazing variety of talented queens that grace the workroom and mainstage every season. As we sit on the edge of our seats waiting for the 12th season, let’s take a look at the most successful drag queens to ever sashay away from the competition.
Alyssa Edwards
Season(s): 5 and All-Stars 2
Placed: 6th and 5th
Recent Project(s): Netflix Original Series Dancing Queen
Estimated Net Worth: $2.5 million*
Alyssa Edwards @QueenAlyssaEdwards / Facebook.comBorn Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson in 1980 and Part of the Drag Family “the Haus of Edwards”, Edwards rose to prominence in Drag Queen pageant competitions and circles. Her pageant wins include Winner of Miss Gay Texas in 2005, Winner of Miss Gay USA in 2006, Winner of Miss Texas FFI in 2006, Winner of Miss Texas Continental in 2007, Winner of Miss Gay America in 2010, and All American Goddess winner in 2010.
Edward’s fame was catapulted even further after appearing on Season 5 of Rupaul’s Drag Race. She is also a choreographer and dance teacher and is the owner of the famous Beyond Belief Dance Company in Mesquite, Texas. Edwards and his dance studio are the main focus of a series appearing on Netflix entitled “Dancing Queen”. She also hosts a web series called “Alyssa’s Secret”.
Peppermint
Season: 9
Placed: 1st runner-up
Recent Project(s): Head over Heels on Broadway
Estimated Net Worth: Unconfirmed
Miss Peppermint @peppermint247 / Instagram.comBorn Kevin Moore (now Agnes Moore) and going by the stage name Peppermint, Moore was the first openly trans person to enter the workroom on RuPaul’s Drag Race, meaning she openly came out as trans prior to filming. Before her appearance on the Emmy award-winning show, Peppermint was already a staple of the underground New York City drag scene, performing in various NYC nightclubs including the legendary Tunnel.
Peppermint has gone on to perform in the Broadway Musical “Head over Heels” and is the first trans woman to hold a leading role on Broadway. Peppermint has appeared in the Netflix original show POSE as well as on Saturday Night Live.
Jujubee
Season(s): 2 and All-Stars 1
Placed: 3rd place and 3/4 respectively
Recent Project(s): AJ and the Queen Cameo
Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million*
Jujubee @jujubeefans / Facebook.comTaking it all the way back to season 2 we have Airline Inthyrath who goes by the stage name Jujubee. After being a staple in the Boston, Massachueschettes gay club scene, Jujubee was chosen to compete in the second season of Rupauls Drag Race. Along with other former Drag Race Alumni, she went on to serve as a drag professor on the 3 season-long spin-off of Drag Race known as Rupaul’s Drag U.
Jujubee has appeared in many cameos including music videos from fellow drag queen Alumni. One such video was RuPauls’ (The queen herself) video for “Jealous of my Boogie”. She also appeared in a small role in the Netflix original series AJ and the Queen. Jujubee is remembered as a huge fan favorite amongst drag race fans. Her style is diverse, known for being a makeup artist, singer, and comedian. Jujubee was the first queen to compete of Thai/Laotian descent,
BenDeLaCreme
Season(s): 6 and All-Stars 3
Placed: 5th (winner of miss congeniality) and self eliminated in episode 6
Recent Project(s): “Ready to be Eliminated” touring show
Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million*
BenDeLaCreme @bendelacreme / Facebook.comNow for our “terminally delightful” Drag/Burlesque star BenDeLaCreme. Ben Putnam was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Connecticut where he says he was bullied and overcame a tough childhood. He has stated that his terminally delightful drag character, BenDeLaCreme, helped him to overcome those hardships. DeLas drag style and costuming is an homage to the famous pin-up girls of the 1950s.
Since Drag Race, Dela has collaborated on various projects with other drag race alumni including Jinkx Monsoon. She is considered a burlesque performer, is a member of the burlesque troupe “The Atomic Bombshells” and also teaches Burlesque at Seattle’s Academy of Burlesque. Dela currently stars in numerous touring solo shows.
Shangela Laquifa Wadley
Season(s): 2, 3 and All-Stars 3
Placed: 12th, 6th, and 4th
Recent Project(s): A Star is Born
Estimated Net Worth: $1 million*
Shangela LaQuifa Wadley @ShangelaLaQuifaWadley / Facebook.comShangela is a multi-talented drag performer, actor, and reality star who grew up in Texas. Shangela’s drag career started in 2009 when she was working in various clubs in California. In her original appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race, she was the first queen to sashay away due to poor sewing skills and lack of experience. After re-auditioning, she was invited back for the following season and then again to compete in All Stars Season 3.
Pierce is an activist and has been involved in many campaigns to promote AIDS awareness. She has had many cameos and small roles in film and television. Her role in the Oscar-nominated film A Star is Born made her the first-ever drag queen to walk the Oscar red carpet.
Courtney Act
Season: 6
Placed: 1st runner up
Recent Project(s): Australia’s Dancing with the Stars
Estimated Net Worth: $5.5 million*
Courtney Act @CourtneyAct / Facebook.comCourtney act (pronounced as a pun on “caught in the act”) made her mark on pop culture when she competed on the first season of “Australian Idol” as her drag character in 2003. She was the first LGBT character to openly appear on the show. Born Shane Gilberto Jenek in Brisbane, Australia, she had previously auditioned for the same show as Shane and did not make the cut. In 2013 it was announced that she would be appearing on the 6th season of Rupaul’s Drag Race.
After appearing on Drag Race, Courtney has gone on to compete in various other reality tv shows including season 21 of “Celebrity Big Brother UK”, which she eventually won. She also competed on season 16 of the Australian version of “Dancing with the Stars” where she came in as runner up. Courtney Act has performed in various live singing performances, has started her own wig company with a business partner, and has even become one of the first drag queens to model for American Apparel along with Willam Belli and Alaska Thunderfuck 5000.
Willam Belli
Season: 4
Placed: Disqualified
Recent Project(s): Fashions a Drag on Quibi
Estimated Net Worth: $1 million*
Willam Belli @dreamsoftrixie / Twitter.comIn 2012, Willam, born Willam Bart Belli was the first and only drag queen to ever be disqualified from a season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Before appearing on Drag Race, Willam was mostly known as being an actor and had a recurring role on Nip/Tuck. Throughout the 2000s Willam amassed many small parts in a variety of television shows and films. He is also a member of the band Tranzkuntinental (with fellow drag race alum Detox) and was featured in the music video for Rihanna’s song “S&M”.
Willam has gone on to have a successful youtube career and stars in his own youtube series called “Willam’s Beatdown”. Willam has been featured in a music video for Lady Gaga and has joined other Drag Race Alumni in a modeling campaign for American Apparel. In 2018, Willam had a role in the Oscar-nominated film A Star is Born along with fellow Drag Race alum, Shangela. He has also launched his own makeup line, Cover Boy, as of 2019.
Adore Delano
Season: 6
Placed: Final 3
Recent Project(s): Ex on the Beach reality game show
Estimated Net Worth: $*300thousand
Adore Delano @AdoreDelanoOfficial / Facebook.comOh, Adore, the friend you always wish you had in high school! This blue-eyed, box-braid-wearing beauty “Partied” their way into the hearts of Drag Race fans everywhere. Born Daniel Anthony Noriega and raised in Azusa California, Delano was heavily criticized by some of the judges on the show for their “unpolished” style of drag. Delano finished their drag race season as the runner up to Bianca Del Rio.
With their carefree attitude, excessive use of the F-bomb and catchphrase “party” Adore definitely made their mark in Drag Herstory. Adore remains one of the most beloved queens of all time. Before Drag Race, Noriega competed as a contestant on the seventh season of American Idol in 2008. Delano has since recorded and released 3 studio albums.
Shea Couleé
Season: 9
Placed: 1st runner-up
Recent Project(s): Advocates on IGTV
Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million*
Shea is a multi-talented drag queen who identifies as both a singer and a dancer as well. She has appeared with many other drag race alumni on a variety of projects including ad campaigns, music videos, and various comedy and drag tours.
Born Jaren Kyei Merrell in Chicago, Illinois, Coulee is a fixture in the Chicago drag and nightlife scene and stars in her own one-woman show entitled “Coulee with a C”. Coulee released her first debut album Coulee-D and 3 music videos to promote it. She performed along with other black Drag Star alumni in The Vixens drag show entitled “Black Girl Magic.”
Kim Chi
Season: 8
Placed: 1st runner up
Recent Project(s): Kim Chi Chic Beauty makeup line
Estimated Net Worth: $5 million*
Kim Chi @KimChi_Chic / Twitter.comBorn Sang-young Sin in 1987, Kim Chi was the first-ever Korean American Drag Queen to participate in RuPaul’s drag race and also to grace us with her presence on American Television in general. With the help of Drag Race alum Trixie Mattel, Kim Chi began performing in the drag scene in Chicago in 2012.
Kim Chi, known for her amazing conceptual aesthetics, including her incredible use of makeup and costuming, is an artist and is developing her own cosmetics line. Kim has made many appearances at college campuses across America to discuss her artform, participated in the “Werq the World Tour” in 2017 and has partnered with various cosmetics companies to create new products.
Naomi Smalls
Season(s): 8 and All-Stars 4
Placed: Runner up in both seasons
Recent Project(s): RuPaul Drag Race, Live! Vegas residency
Estimated Net Worth: $550,000*
Naomi Smalls @NaomiSmallsDragQueen / Facebook.comStanding at an impressive 6’5 (sans heels!) Naomi Smalls, born Davis Heppenstall has certainly made her mark in the drag world. Her style and name is partly an homage to the supermodels of the 1990s. Originally criticized for her repetitive silhouettes, Naomi has proved that she, in fact, has the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to become a highly memorable and influential queen.
After Drag Race, she has appeared in numerous publications, has co-hosted various internet series and has started her own Youtube series known as “Smalls World”. She is part of the rotating cast of the Las Vegas residency drag show “RuPaul Drag Race, Live!” where she performs along with 11 other Drag Race Alumni.
Miz Cracker
Season: 10
Placed: 5th
Recent Project(s): American Woman Tour
Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million*
Miz Cracker @MizCrackerOfficial / Facebook.comOriginally going by the name Brianna Cracker (later shortened to Miz Cracker), she has been doing drag since 2011. Cracker’s drag mother is season 8 winner Bob the Drag queen. A versatile queen, known for her comedic ability, charm, quick wit, and highly polished makeup, Cracker has definitely made her mark amongst fans of Drag Race.
Following Drag Race, She now has her own show on WowPresents called “Jewtorials” and a series on her own channel known as “Review with a Jew” where she uses her comedic talent to review episodes of Drag Race. Heller is Jewish, holds a black belt in Karate and speaks the Senegalese language of Wolof.
Ginger Minj
Season: 3
Placed: 7th
Recent Project(s): Taylor Swift’s “You Need to Calm Down” video
Estimated Net Worth: $1 million – $5 million*
Ginger Minj @SAcurrent / Twitter.comThe multitalented Delta made her television debut when she appeared on season 3 of Rupaul’s Drag Race. She was well known on the show for her attitude and sass and made up one-quarter of the “Heathers” clique along with Manilla Luzon, Raja, and Carmen Carrera. Delta was Born Gabriel Villarreal in California,
After Drag Race, Delta went on to become Rupaul’s personal hairdresser. She is known in the drag circle of doing celebrity impersonations of Adele and has appeared in a Taylor Swift video (as Adele) and was invited on stage at one of Adele’s concerts. She is the first Drag Race alum to be the recipient of an Emmy award. She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Hairstyling for a Multi-Camera Series, for her work on season 10 of Rupaul’s Drag Race.
Detox
Season(s): 5 and All-Stars 2
Placed: 4th place and 1st runner up
Recent Project(s): Lizzo’s music video for “Juice”
Estimated Net Worth: Unconfirmed
Detox @TheOnlyDetox / Facebook.comDetox Icunt, better known as simply Detox, was born Mathew Sanderson in Orlando, Florida. Prior to competing on season 5 of “Rupaul’s Drag Race”, Detox was a fixture in the California drag scene and already had quite a fan base. Detox has been featured on several musical singles, has dabbled in modeling, and has appeared in music videos for Ke$ha, Rihanna, and Lizzo.
Detox has been featured on the cover of New York Magazine along with other prominent drag queens in the industry. She also appeared in the 2017 film “Cherry Pop” along with other “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Alumni.
Raven
Season(s): 2 and All-Stars 1
Placed: 1st runner up in both seasons
Recent Project(s): Makeup artist/cameo on Rupauls Drag Race UK
Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million*
Both a professional drag queen, comedian, performer, and makeup artist, Raven (born David Petruschin) is truly a multitalented queen and a favorite amongst many fans. Before appearing on “Drag Race” and establishing a career in drag, he was a freelance makeup artist and worked for MAC cosmetics. David is, in fact, Rupaul’s personal makeup artist since season 9.
After Drag Race, Raven has participated in International drag tours and was even nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special (non-prosthetic) for his work as Rupaul’s makeup artist in season 9. Since 2010, Raven has appeared on television in some minor acting roles as well as various music videos.
Latrice Royale
Season(s): 4, All-Stars 1 & 4
Placed: 4th place (winner of miss congeniality)
Recent Project(s): AJ and the Queen
Estimated Net Worth: $500,000
Timothy Wilcots known by his stage name Latrice Royale is an influential drag queen with a career spanning almost 3 decades. In the mid-1990s, he appeared in his first-ever drag show and soon after began booking drag clubs, and later in his career (post Drag Race), cross country tours. In 2011 he auditioned and was accepted to appear on the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race where he won Miss Congeniality and became a favorite amongst fans. In All Stars Season 1, Latrice was paired with fellow alum Manilla Luzon and the pair were eliminated in the 3rd episode.
Latrice was a judge on the spin-off show RuPaul’s Drag U in its final season. She later appeared in “All Stars Season 4” and placed 5th in the competition. Latrice has made cameos and guest appearances in various tv shows and specials including the Netflix original show AJ and the Queen. She has been featured in films and various documentaries appearing as herself.
Katya Zamolodchikova
Season(s): 7 and All-Stars 2
Placed: 5th place (and winner of miss congeniality), 1st runner up
Recent Project(s): AJ and the Queen and UNHhhh
Estimated Net Worth: $3 million*
Born Brian Joseph Cook in Boston Massachusetts, Cook took on the name Yekaterina Petrovna Zamolodchikova “but you can call me Katya for short” in 2006. Cook is a drag queen, actor and comedian extraordinaire and his Kayta character has been featured on various singing albums and appears in numerous shows as a co-host with drag race contestant Trixie Mattel, including The Trixie and Katya Show and UNHhhh on WowPresents.
Katya has had many small cameos on television including a small part on an episode of HBO’S Room 104 and Netflix’s AJ and the Queen. Katya also stars in her own comedy tour “Help me, I’m Dying”
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo
Season(s): 10 and 11
Placed: 14 and 5th respectively
Recent Project(s): Iggy Azalea’s “Started” music video
Estimated Net Worth: $100,000-1 million*
Vanjie’s infamous elimination in season 10 catapulted her to unforeseen fame as she instantly became an internet meme. As she walked backward off the stage repeating her name “Miss Vanjie, Miss Vanjie, Miss Vanjie” she sashayed straight into everyone’s hearts. Vanjie had a chance for redemption the following season where she competed again and placed 5th. She and fellow castmate Brooke Lynn Heights had the very first on-air romance in Drag Race Herstory.
Following Drag Race, Vanjie has appeared in music videos, various social media campaigns, internet series, and even an episode of Germany’s Next Top Model. Vanjies’ fierce looks and loud and outgoing personality has cemented her place as a favorite queen amongst Drag Race fans.
Valentina
Season(s): 9 and All-Stars 4
Placed: 7th Place (twice)
Recent Project(s): RENT: LIVE
Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million*
Valentina’s shocking elimination in season 9 certainly gave her a place in Drag Race Herstory! Valentina came into the competition as a strong and polished competitor despite announcing that she had only been doing drag for 10 months prior to the shows filming. Valentina was very popular amongst fans during her season and many were shocked and disappointed during her elimination where she refused to remove her face covering during a lip sync for your life. After not knowing the words to the song, she was asked to sashay away.
Valentina has been featured in a makeup tutorial for Vogues youtube channel, has been featured in Vogue Mexico, and portrayed the lovable Angel, In Fox’s production of the Broadway musical RENT titled RENT: LIVE.
Manila Luzon
Season(s): 3, All-Stars 1 and 4
Placed: 1st runner up, eliminated in episode 3 and episode 8 respectively
Recent Project(s): Guest appearance in General Hospital
Estimated Net Worth: $600,000*
A small town in Minnesota brought us Karl Phillip Michael Westerberg AKA Manila Luzon, whose name is a nod to his Philipino ancestry, rose to prominence after appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Manillas quirky style, unique costuming, and over the top performances have landed her a spot as one of the shows more memorable queens.
Since appearing on the show, Manila has used her success to become a very prominent activist within the LGBT community. She has been a large presence in terms of AIDS support and research and has released 8 chart-topping best selling musical singles. Many of these singles feature fellow drag race alumni including Latrice Royale and Jinkx Monsoon. In 2019 she officially reached 1 million followers on Instagram, the 18th queen in herstory to do this.
Nina West
Season: 11
Placed: 6th (winning Miss Congeniality)
Recent Project(s): RuPaul’s Celebrity Drag Race
Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million*
All the way from Ohio, Andrew Levitt, better know. By his drag name, Nina West quickly rose to fame after her appearance on season 11 of Rupaul’s Drag Race. West is known as both a drag queen, singer, actor, and activist. She was given the moniker “the pride of season 11’ while on her season. West is an active fundraiser for the LGBTQIA community.
In 2020 it was announced that West will be part of the cast of the upcoming spin-off “Rupaul’s Celebrity Drag Race”, where alumni drag queens will drag up celebrities. West has released 3 studio albums, including “Drag is Magic”, a children’s music EP. She has appeared in various web series and music videos following her success on Drag Race.
Brooke Lynn Hytes
Season: 11
Placed: 1st runner up
Recent Project(s): Canada’s Drag Race
Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million*
Hailing from Toronto. Canada, Brooke Lynn Hytes is a drag queen and classically trained ballet dancer. Prior to Drag Race, Brooke Lynn danced in various Ballet troupes around the world. Brooke Lynn was part of the first-ever on-air romance on the show with fellow castmate Vanessa Vanjie Mateo.
Brooke Lynn’s on-air legacy includes arguably one of the most-watched lip syncs in Drag Race history against castmate and season 11 winner Yvie Oddly which ended in a double win (Shantay you both stay!) Post Drag Race, Brooke Lynn has been named as part of the Judges panel on Canada’s Drag Race, a spin-off of the American version of the show.
Asia O’Hara
Season: 10
Placed: 4th
Recent Project(s): RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! Las Vegas Residency
Estimated Net Worth: $100,00-1 million*
Asia O’ Hara has been doing drag and do in since 2003. Her background in Drag pageants has led her to 11’wins in various pageants before ever appearing on the show. Asia was eliminated from the finale of season 10 after a stunt involving live butterflies failed. The stunt garnered some negative attention from animal rights activists.
After Drag Race, Asia along with other drag race alumni signed up to be part of the Vixens Black Girl Magic tour, a drag show specifically aimed at highlighting and showcasing the talent of black drag queens. In 2019 Asia joined the “Werq the World” tour. She was named a rotating member of the Las Vegas Residency show “Rupaul’s Drag Race, Live!” She is set to be featured on the upcoming spinoff Rupaul’s Celebrity Drag Race. She has appeared in various music videos and web series some of which she has co-hosted.
Derrick Barry
Season: 8
Placed: 5th
Recent Project(s): RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!
Estimated Net Worth: $3 million*
Derrick Barry is a Drag performer, Britney Spears impersonator, and reality television personality hailing from California. Barry has been professionally impersonating Britney Spears since 2003. Before Drag Race he appeared on America’s Got Talent as his Britney impersonation. He later appeared in various music videos as his Britney character. He was the 100th queen of all time to enter the workroom in Season 8 of Rupaul’s Drag Race.
Post Drag race, Derrick Barry has made cameos on various tv shows and has been announced as part of the rotating cast of Rupaul’s Drag Race, Live! A Las Vegas residency show starring numerous former contestants from RuPaul’s Drag race.
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