List of Drag Race contestants
This is a list of contestants who have appeared on the American television show RuPaul's Drag Race. Contestants compete against each other to become the next drag superstar. They are judged by drag queen RuPaul and her panel of judges, to win a lifetime supply of Nyx Cosmetics (Kryolan Cosmetics as of season 3) and be the face of nyxcosmetics.com, an exclusive one year public relations contract with LGBT firm Project Publicity, be featured an LA Eyeworks campaign, join the Logo Drag Race tour, and a cash prize of $25,000 ($75,000 as of season 3). The series first aired in 2009 and as of 2011, there have been three seasons that have aired. A total of 33 different participants have been selected as finalists in the show in its two years running, with two drag queens being crowned "America's Next Drag Superstar", and a third to be determined.
Contestants usually apply to be on the show, or attend casting calls, but the series has been known to recruit contestants via online casting. Season 1 contestant Nina Flowers and Season 2 contestant Jessica Wild were both determined to be contestants by an audience vote via the show's official website. RuPaul and Santino Rice personally chose season 3 contestants Venus D-Lite and Delta Work at an open casting call in Hollywood. All contestants selected must be 21 years of age or older at the time of taping. All contestants must be biological men. While sexual orientation is not important, to date, all contestants have been gay men. Transitioned women, faux queens, and drag kings are ineligible. Season 2 contestant Sonique is the series' only transsexual contestant. Sonique had entered the contest as a biological male and begun a transitioning into a female after her elimination.
Contestants
- The contestant was chosen to be a contestant on the show via online voting.
- The contestant was chosen to be a participant in RuPaul's Drag U.[1]
- The contestant was voted "Miss Congeniality".
- The contestant was chosen to be a participant in another season.
- The contestant was previously eliminated but was asked to return to the competition.
| Drag Name | Real Name | Age1 | Hometown | Season | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria "Porkchop" Parker | Victor Bowling | 39 | Raleigh, NC | Season 1 | 9th |
| Tammie Brown4 6 | Keith Glenshuber | 26 | Los Angeles, CA | Season 1 | 8th |
| Akashia6 | Eric Flint | 24 | Cleveland, OH | Season 1 | 7th |
| Jade | David Sotomayor | 25 | Chicago, IL | Season 1 | 6th |
| Ongina4 | Ryan Ong Palao6 | 26 | Los Angeles, CA | Season 1 | 5th |
| Shannel4 | Bryan Watkins6 | 26 | Las Vegas, NV | Season 1 | 4th |
| Rebecca Glasscock7 | Javier Rivera | 26 | Ft. Lauderdale, FL2 | Season 1 | 3rd |
| Nina Flowers4 5 12 | Jorge Luis Flores Sánchez | 34 | Bayamón, PR | Season 1 | Runner-Up |
| BeBe Zahara Benet4 7 | Nea Marshall Kudi | 28 | Minneapolis, MN1 | Season 1 | Winner |
| Shangela Laquifa Wadley6 | D.J. Pierce | 28 | Paris, TX | Season 2[2] & 3 | 12th, 5th |
| Nicole Paige Brooks | Bryan Christopher | 36 | Atlanta, GA | Season 2 | 11th |
| Mystique Summers Madison8 | Donté Sims | 25 | Chicago, IL | Season 2 | 10th |
| Sonique6 | Jaycen Edwards2 | 26 | Atlanta, GA | Season 2 | 9th |
| Morgan McMichaels4 | Thomas Hawkins6 | 28 | Mira Loma, CA3 | Season 2 | 8th |
| Sahara Davenport | Antoine Ashley | 25 | New York, NY | Season 2 | 7th |
| Jessica Wild9 | José David Sierra | 29 | San Juan, PR | Season 2 | 6th |
| Pandora Boxx4 6 | Michael Steck | 37 | Rochester, NY | Season 2 | 5th |
| Tatianna 10 | Joey Santolini | 21 | Falls Church, VA | Season 2 | 4th |
| Jujubee4 | Airline Inthyrath | 25 | Boston, MA | Season 2 | 3rd |
| Raven4 6 | David Petruschin | 30 | Riverside, CA | Season 2 | Runner-Up |
| Tyra Sanchez4 11 | James Ross | 21 | Orlando, FL | Season 2 | Winner |
| Venus D-Lite6 | Adam Guerra | 26 | Los Angeles, CA | Season 3[2] | 13th |
| Phoenix | Brian Trapp | 29 | Atlanta, GA | Season 3 | 12th |
| Mimi Imfurst | Braden Chapman | 27 | New York, NY | Season 3 | 11th |
| India Ferrah | Shane Richardson | 23 | Dayton, OH | Season 3 | 10th |
| Mariah4 | Elijah Kelly | 29 | Atlanta, GA | Season 3 | 9th |
| Stacy Layne Matthews | Ron Jones | 25 | Back Swamp, NC | Season 3 | 8th |
| Delta Work6 | Gabriel Villarreal | 34 | Norwalk, CA | Season 3 | 7th |
| Carmen Carrera4 7 | Christopher Roman | 25 | Elmwood Park, NJ | Season 3 | 6th, 5th3 |
| Yara Sofia6 | Gabriel Burgos Ortiz | 26 | Manatí, PR | Season 3 | 4th |
| Alexis Mateo | Alexis Mateo Pacheco | 30 | Saint Petersburg, FL2 | Season 3 | 3rd |
| Manila Luzon4 | Karl Westerberg | 25 | New York, NY | Season 3 | Runner-Up |
| Raja6 | Sutan Amrull | 36 | Los Angeles, CA | Season 3 | Winner |
1 Originally from Cameroon
2 Originally from Puerto Rico
3 Originally from Scotland, United Kingdom
4 Also appeared on RuPaul's Drag U
5 Chosen to be a participant via online voting
6 Based in Los Angeles, CA
7 Based in New York City, NY
8 Based in Cincinnati, OH
9 Based in Boston, MA
10 Based in Washington, DC
11 Based in Atlanta, GA
12 Based in Denver, CO
Notes
^1 Contestants' ages are at the time of their respective season's filming.
^2 Sonique entered the competition as a biological man named Jaycen Edwards. After being eliminated, he began a transition to a female. She maintains Sonique as a stage name, but has legally changed her name to Kylie Sonique Love.
^3 Carmen was originally eliminated in 6th place, before Shangela (who went home in 5th place). Since she was brought back after Shangela's elimination, she also holds the spot for 5th place.
References
- ^ "Logo Greenlights Four New Series for 2010 Including 'The Robert Verdi Show Starring Robert Verdi,' 'RuPaul's Drag U,' 'The Arrangement' and the Already Notorious Project 'Kept'". PRNewswire. 12 Jan 2010. Retrieved 18 Match 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b LOGO On-line. "RuPaul's Drag Race 2: Cast Bios". LOGO On-line. Retrieved 2009-12-06. Cite error: The named reference "castbios" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
