RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul's Drag Race
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RuPaul's Drag Race

"In shady times, let there be light."

7.5
Yr 2009
Status Returning Series
Reality
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

Join RuPaul, the world's most famous drag queen, as the host, mentor and judge for the ultimate in drag queen competitions. The top drag queens in the U.S. will vie for drag stardom as RuPaul, in full glamazon drag, will reign supreme in all judging and eliminations while helping guide the contestants as they prepare for each challenge.

Status

Latest

  • RuPaul's Drag Race renewed at MTV — August 16, 2026
Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 85 /100

Critics celebrate RuPaul's Drag Race as a high-energy, campy celebration of drag performance art that successfully blends the competitive elements of reality mainstays like Project Runway and America's Next Top Model. Early and ongoing commentary highlights its signature over-the-top tone, blending creative runway design with backstage drama.

While early assessments noted the familiar reality TV tropes of manufactured rivalries and heated contests, retrospective coverage underscores how the series transformed from a low-budget niche competition into a bona fide cultural phenomenon. Ongoing episodic coverage continues to treat the contestants' competitive arcs and star power with high-stakes enthusiasm.

“provides an entertaining and voyeuristic glimpse into the performance art world of drag queens”

“pump up backstage rivalries and campy hissing matches”

“Give Bob the crown and let the other queens duke it out for second place.”

Why fans love it

Since 2009, this reality competition has transformed the craft of drag into a high-stakes arena of fashion and performance. The show translates the traditions of ballroom culture and lip-syncing into a televised contest, forcing contestants to balance elaborate runway design with sharp impersonation skills. It functions as both a rigorous boot camp for performers and a rotating fashion show that demands constant innovation from its cast.

RuPaul oversees the process as judge and mentor, navigating a format that rests on the tension between artistic endurance and the cruelty of the elimination room. Unlike typical reality showcases, the series emphasizes the meticulous labor behind the finished product. From garment construction to the polish of a lip-sync, the work remains rooted in the specific subculture of drag even as it commands a mainstream audience.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 2
Longest run 255 eps
RuPaul
RuPaul
as Self - Host
255 episodes
Michelle Visage
Michelle Visage
as Self - Judge
234 episodes
Carson Kressley
Carson Kressley
as Self - Judge
87 episodes
Ross Mathews
Ross Mathews
as Self - Judge
95 episodes
Santino Rice
Santino Rice
as Self - Guest Judge
66 episodes
Violet Chachki
Violet Chachki
as Self - Contestant
15 episodes
Merle Ginsberg
Merle Ginsberg
as Self - Guest Judge
22 episodes
Latrice Royale
Latrice Royale
as Self
22 episodes
Show 67 more
Vanessa Vanjie as Self - Contestant 20 episodes Chad Michaels as Self - Audition Reel 19 episodes Gottmik as Self - Contestant 15 episodes Rosé as Self - Contestant 15 episodes Jinkx Monsoon as Self - Contestant 23 episodes Peppermint as Self - Special Guest 15 episodes Daya Betty as Self - Contestant 15 episodes Bosco as Self - Contestant 15 episodes Adore Delano as Self - Contestant 15 episodes Bruno Carvalho Alcantara as Self - Pit Crew 42 episodes Bryce Eilenberg as Self - Pit Crew 60 episodes Delta Work as Zombie (uncredited) 15 episodes Sharon Needles as Self - Special Guest 19 episodes Yvie Oddly as Self - Special Guest 15 episodes Jaida Essence Hall as Self - Special Guest 16 episodes Tyra Sanchez as Self - Special Guest 17 episodes Ginger Minj as Self - Special Guest 15 episodes Sasha Velour as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Raven as Self - Audience Member 25 episodes Shawn Morales as Self - Pit Crew 44 episodes Nina West as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Raja Gemini as Self - Special Guest 26 episodes Alexis Mateo as Self - Special Guest 18 episodes Jason J. Carter as Self - Pit Crew 77 episodes Pandora Boxx as Self - Audience Member 16 episodes Manila Luzon as Self - Special Guest 21 episodes Eureka O'Hara as Self 25 episodes Kameron Michaels as Self - Contestant 15 episodes Jujubee as Self - Special Guest 15 episodes Bianca Del Rio as Self - Contestant 21 episodes Bob the Drag Queen as Self - Special Guest 15 episodes Derrick Barry as Self - Video Message 16 episodes Aquaria as Self - Video Message 16 episodes Alaska Thunderfuck as Self - Sharon's Boyfriend 23 episodes Shangela as Self - Special Guest 21 episodes Symone as Self - Special Guest 17 episodes DeJa Skye as Self - Video Message 15 episodes Alyssa Edwards as Self - Contestant 17 episodes Willow Pill as Self - Special Guest 16 episodes A'Keria C. Davenport as Self - Audience Member 15 episodes Morgan McMichaels as Self - Contestant 15 episodes Ts Madison as Self - Judge 24 episodes Kennedy Davenport as Self - Contestant 15 episodes Miles Davis Moody as Self - Underwear Model #17 23 episodes Yara Sofia as Self - Audience Member 16 episodes Trinity the Tuck as Self - Special Guest 15 episodes Lady Camden as Self - Audience Member 16 episodes Loosey LaDuca as Self - Contestant 15 episodes Kandy Muse as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Jamal Sims as Self - Judge 18 episodes Angeria Paris VanMicheals as Self - Special Guest 17 episodes Luxx Noir London as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Anetra as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Sasha Colby as Self - Contestant 17 episodes Mistress Isabelle Brooks as Self - Contestant 17 episodes Sapphira Cristál as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Plane Jane as Self - Special Guest 16 episodes Nymphia Wind as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Jewels Sparkles as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Lexi as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Sam Star as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Suzie Toot as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Onya Nurve as Self - Contestant 17 episodes Darlene Mitchell as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Juicy Love Dion as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Myki Meeks as Self - Contestant 16 episodes Nini Coco as Self - Contestant 16 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Assistant Art Director
Allison Spain
Costume Design
Zaldy
Art Direction
Tyler Stone
Art Department Assistant
Gerald Martindill
Hair Department Head
Suzette Boozer
Set Production Assistant
Joel Barragan Tori Himes
In Memory Of
Jacqueline Wilson
Art Department Coordinator
Aaron Rand
Assistant Costume Designer
Ashton Michael
Camera Operator
Gregory Montes Jay Mack Arnette II Mario Panagiotopoulos David McCoul
Production Design
Gianna Costa James McGowan Jen Chu
Creator
Randy Barbato RuPaul
Makeup Artist
Jazzmun Jen Fregozo
Key Hair Stylist
Curtis Foreman
Choreographer
Michael Silas
Director of Photography
Michael Jacob Kerber
Makeup Department Head
Raven
Hairstylist
Ryan Randall
Aerial Camera
Ray Pierce
Jimmy Jib Operator
Justin Umphenour
Set Photographer
Jordin Althaus
Scenic Artist
Ashleigh Scott
Signal Match

Similarity

Where RuPaul's Drag Race overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

competition drag queen clothing cross dressing fashion lgbt impersonation burlesque fashion show drag reality competition ballroom culture drag queen competition lip syncing amused
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
February 02, 2009
Status
Returning Series
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
297