𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘: “Five iconic Drag Queens who sashayed through time” by Reniza Manalaysay

Layout by Josh Ezekiel

Published by: Louise Tupaz 

Date Published: April 15, 2024

Time Published: 3:45 PM

“Mother has arrived!” and indeed she did.

The rays from the sun were not the only thing that brought heat because the newest and trendiest drag show that took the world by storm has also been gracing our timelines and FYPs for as long as we can remember. As the newest season of Drag Race: UK vs The World comes to an end, let us look back on some of the iconic queens that drag, not dragged, their way into the scene.

15 years ago, the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race premiered on February 2, 2009. It was produced by the iconic drag entertainer, RuPaul under the production of World of Wander [1]. Bebe Zahara Bennet was hailed as the first American Drag Queen, paving the way for more queens all over the world.

Since then, the show has had franchises and spin-offs, featuring the creativity and uniqueness of multiple queens from different countries. Currently, there are over 23 individual shows and specials, including Drag Race Thailand, Drag Race Italia, Drag Race Philippines, and more.

𝐊𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐞

One of the most iconic, yet hardest achievements is probably earning the title as the youngest holder, yet Krystal Versace did just that!

Back in 2021, Krystal Versace was crowned as the winner of the 3rd Season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Although there have been multiple well-known queens before her, Krystal Versace made a name after ending the season as the winner at just 20 years old [2]. She is the youngest participant to join the franchise and also the youngest to be crowned even today. She reigned for 365 days, before Danny Beard succeeded her.

Currently, she is on tour and hosting shows in the UK, together with her drag family. All the preparation and behind the scenes are revealed in her newest TV show ‘Keeping Up with Krystal Versace’, which was released in 2023 on BBC.

𝐁𝐨𝐛 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧

If the late Queen Elizabeth was the longest reigning monarch ever recorded in history, Bob The Drag Queen is certainly not lacking in the same area.

After winning the 8th Season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bob The Drag Queen reigned for a total of 403 days, just 4 days more than the reigning time of Bebe Zahara Bent [3]. According to her, "I am both honored and thrilled to hold the title as the longest-reigning queen of RuPaul's Drag Race.”

After the next winner was crowned, Bob has been busy releasing singles and appearing in multiple shows ranging from music videos to different series. Some of her notable appearances include ‘Cherry Pop’ as Kitten Withawhip and as part of Madonna’s tour ‘The Celebration Tour’.

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐱𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐥

Probably one of the crowd’s favorite queens that has ever graced the stage is Trixie Mattel. She won the 3rd Season of the Drag Race All Star after failing to snatch the crown during the 7th season of the main franchise.

She became known for her distinct style described as “half-barbie, half-birthday clown”, paired with her dark sense of humor [4]. This combination helped her rise into the eyes of the fans as she showcased her personality on her YouTube show ‘UNHhhh’ with fellow drag queen, Katya.  Because of her versatile talent and passion for entertaining, Trixie Mattel went on to explore different ways to express herself in drag. Together with Katya, they formed the iconic “The Trixie and Katya Show” on Netflix. The two discuss topics from general tips about life to the most personal ones like funerals and hook-ups. She also released multiple singles, four albums, and a book with Katya.

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐜𝐤

To win the crown, the queens have to prove themselves through a series of challenges. Just like how princesses undergo training to get the throne, these drag queens faced unique, fun, and unconventional fashion challenges. However not everyone is fortunate to have wins under their belt. This does not apply for Trinity The Tuck, the queen with the most Maxi wins across the entire franchise.

She performed for three Drag Race franchises including Season 9 of RuPaul's Drag Race,  All Stars 4, and  All Stars 7. She won 3, 4, and 4 Maxi Challenges respectively [5]. This earned her the title of being the queen with the most wins.

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬

The newest pride and joy of Philippine Drag has to be Marina Summers, the Filipino queen who raised the flag in the international drag scene. She has become one of the favorites for both local and international enthusiasts after her initial appearance with the line “It's time to give these colonizers the chop.” Throughout her journey, she has bagged 3 major wins from the show, and ended as one of the top finalists. Although she failed to get the crown, she has certainly created enough buzz to spark new TikTok trends.

Just recently, her performance of ‘Release me’ in the Drag Race: UK vs The World garnered millions of views and admirations from the fans. From being ‘The most famous loser of the Philippines’ to being “The always and your forever Filipino winner”, Marina Summers has certainly chopped and slayed her journey.

RuPaul's Drag Race serves as a way for the talents and skills of LGBTQ+ to be recognized, not only as queens but also as artists that aim to pave the way for the younger members of the community. These iconic queens will create the path needed by the youth to express themselves freely. The drag would quite literally race through the barriers and create the much needed buzz to stir up the scene with extravagant feathers, frills, excitement and thrills.

REFERENCES:

[1] Drag Race Wiki. RuPaul's Drag Race (Season 1). https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/RuPaul%27s_Drag_Race_(Season_1)

[2] Drag Race Wiki. Krystal Versace. https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Krystal_Versace

[3] Sim, B. (2020, December 15). Here's the 'Drag Race' winners with the longest (and shortest) reigns. 𝘖𝘶𝘵. https://www.out.com/television/2020/12/15/heres-drag-race-winners-longest-and-shortest-reigns

[4] Rodini, L. (2024, January 17). Trixie Mattel’s net worth: How the 'RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars' winner built a $10 million fortune. T𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵. https://www.thestreet.com/personalities/trixie-mattels-net-worth

[5] Drag Race Wiki. Trinity The Tuck. https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Trinity_The_Tuck