“RuPaul’s Drag Race” is celebrating 15 years since its premiere on Feb. 2, 2009. The first season of the show, which aired on Logo, crowned BeBe Zahara Benet as America’s Next Drag Superstar. Since then, 23 other drag queens have received the crown, including the winners of “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars” seasons.
Some winners of the show went on to pursue careers in music and Broadway and walk the runways for famous fashion brands, such as Moschino, Coach and others. Here, WWD takes a closer look at every winner from the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” franchise in the U.S., including Bianca Del Rio, Trixie Mattel, Jinkx Monsoon, Sasha Colby, Jimbo, Nymphia Wind and others. See photos below.
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BeBe Zahara Benet: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season One
Bebe Zahara Benet at RuPaul’s DragCon NYC 2018 at Javits Center on Sept. 29, 2018, in New York City. Benet was the first winner of the franchise. She returned in 2018 to compete on “All Stars 3.”
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Tyra Sanchez: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season Two
Tyra Sanchez, also known as James Ross, at the 2017 Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival opening night gala of “God’s Own Country” at the Orpheum Theatre on July 6, 2017, in Los Angeles. The second winner of the show retired her drag persona.
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Raja Gemini: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season Three
Sutan “Raja” Amrull on the runway during the LGN Louis Gabriel Nouchi Menswear fall 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on Jan. 17, 2024, in Paris. Raja is the host of “Fashion Photo RuView.” She returned to the competition in 2022 on “All Stars 7: All Winners.”
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Sharon Needles: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season Four
Sharon Needles onstage on Oct. 11, 2019, in Milan. The fourth winner of the show made appearances on “Good Behavior” and “Watch What Happens Live” over the years.
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Jinkx Monsoon: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season Five
Jinkx Monsoon at a photo call for “Chicago” on Broadway at The Civilian Hotel on Jan. 11, 2023, in New York City. Monsoon was the first drag artist to portray Mama Morton in “Chicago” on Broadway and was cast in the upcoming season of “Doctor Who.” In 2022, she became the only double winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” after succeeding on “All Stars Seven: All Winners.”
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Bianca Del Rio: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season Six
Bianca Del Rio at The Queerties 2023 Awards celebration on Feb. 28, 2023, in Los Angeles. Del Rio has released two “Hurricane Bianca” movies on Netflix. She often tours the world with her standup comedy shows and is also a judge on Hulu’s “Drag Me to Dinner.”
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Violet Chachk: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season Seven
Violet Chachki at the Schiaparelli fall 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 03, 2023. Chachki has become a known name in the fashion industry. The drag queen has walked on the runway for Richard Quinn, Moschino and more.
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Bob the Drag Queen: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season Eight
Madonna and Bob the Drag Queen during “The Celebration Tour” at The O2 Arena on Oct. 15, 2023, in London. Bob hosted three seasons of “We’re Here” on HBO and is currently traveling the world as the MC of Madonna’s tour.
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Sasha Velour: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season Nine
Sasha Velour during “A Tectonic Cabaret” at Chelsea Factory on Oct. 03, 2022, in New York City. Velour is the creator of the show Night Gowns. She released the “Big Reveal” book in 2022 and will host the upcoming season of HBO’s “We’re Here.”
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Aquaria: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 10
Aquaria at the H&M Mugler launch on April 19, 2023, in New York City. Aquaria has modeled for H&M, Coach, The Blonds and other fashion brands.
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Yvie Oddly: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 11
Yvie Oddly at RuPaul’s DragCon UK at ExCel on Jan. 06, 2023, in London. Oddly returned to compete on “All Stars Seven: All Winners” in 2022.
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Jaida Essence Hall: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 12
Jaida Essence Hall at RuPaul’s DragCon UK at ExCel on Jan. 06, 2023, in London. Hall will host the next season of HBO’s “We’re Here.”
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Symone: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 13
Symone at Balenciaa’s spring 2022 RTW collection fashion show in Paris on Oct. 2, 2021. Symone has been invited to the Met Gala and was featured in the movie “Bros.”
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Willow Pill: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 14
Willow Pill at “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 15 finale red carpet on April 01, 2023, in Los Angeles. Since winning the show, she has worked on releasing music for her fans.
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Sasha Colby: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 15
Sasha Colby at RuPaul’s Drag Race Performs Wigloose Live at the Los Angeles LGBT Center on June 10, 2023, in Los Angeles. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris invited Colby to speak at the White House in 2023 about transgender rights.
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Nymphia Wind: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 16
Nymphia Wind at “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 16 finale event at The Edge on April 19, 2024, in New York City.
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Chad Michaels: “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars” Season One
Chad Michaels at VH1 Presents RuPaul’s DragCon Party at Belasco Theatre on April 28, 2017, in Los Angeles. Michaels is known for her work as a Cher impersonator.
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Alaska: “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars” Season Two
Alaska during the Producer Entertainment Group telethon of “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” on May 07, 2023, in Los Angeles. She has released multiple albums over the years and is currently the host of the “Race Chaser” podcast.
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Trixie Mattel: “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars” Season Three
Trixie Mattel at the world premiere of “Barbie” on July 09, 2023, in Los Angeles. She is currently the host of “UNHhhh,” Netflix’s “I Like to Watch” and “Trixie Motel.” Trixie Mattel also owns her own makeup line.
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Monét X Change: “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars” Season Four
Monét X Change at The Give Back-ular Spectacular! fundraiser in partnership with The Union Solidarity Coalition at The Orpheum Theatre on Oct. 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. Monét X Change shares the title of winner of “All Stars” Season Four with Trinity The Tuck.
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Trinity The Tuck: “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars” Season Four
Trinity The Tuck attends the Australian premiere of “The Little Mermaid” on May 22, 2023, in Sydney. Trinity The Tuck shares the title of winner of “All Stars” Season Four with Monét X Change.
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Shea Couleé: “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars” Season Five
Shea Couleé at the 2023 Streamy Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on Aug. 27, 2023, in Los Angeles. Couleé was cast on Disney+’s “Ironheart” and is also touring the country promoting her original songs.
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Kylie Sonique Love: “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars” Season Six
Kylie Sonique Love attends The Los Angeles LGBT Center Gala at Fairmont Century Plaza on April 22, 2023, in Los Angeles. She was originally cast in Season Two and became the first transgender woman to win the competition on “All Stars Six.”
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Jinkx Monsoon: “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars” Season Seven
Jinkx Monsoon at The Warfield on Aug. 10, 2023, in San Francisco, Calif. Monsoon was the first drag artist to portray Mama Morton in “Chicago” on Broadway and was cast in the upcoming season of “Doctor Who.” In 2022, she became the only double winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” after succeeding on “All Stars Seven: All Winners.”
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Jimbo: “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars” Season Eight
Jimbo at Susanne Bartsch’s crowning extravaganza dance party at 3 Dollar Bill on July 21, 2023, in New York City. Jimbo was the first Canadian to win the show in the U.S.