Who is Known as the Queen of Drag?
Table of Contents
Introduction
Early Life and Career
RuPaul's Drag Race
Awards, Nominations, and Recognition
Continued Success and Impact
The Future of Drag
Introduction
While Amber LeMay is known as the Larry King of Drag Queens, there are many other drag queens out there with titles. However, one in particular is known as the Queen of Drag! You are probably here for the answer to that burning question. It’s RuPaul, of course! Who else is known as far and wide, or has had as much of an impact on the world of drag?
Early Life and Career
RuPaul Charles was born in San Diego, California in 1960. He became interested in drag as a teenager, and moved to Atlanta in the 1980s to pursue a career as a drag queen. There, RuPaul became a staple of the local LGBTQ+ club scene, known for his glamorous look and 6'4" frame. His song "Supermodel (You Better Work)" became an international hit in 1993, helping bring drag into the mainstream. RuPaul released several dance/house albums and appeared in films like The Brady Bunch Movie and Spike Lee's Crooklyn. By the mid-1990s, RuPaul was considered one of the most famous drag queens in the United States and on his way to the title of "Queen of Drag"..
RuPaul in the Brady Bunch Movie.
RuPaul's Drag Race
In 2009, RuPaul launched the reality competition RuPaul's Drag Race, which featured RuPaul searching for "America's next drag superstar." The show became a massive hit for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, highlighting the artistry and skill involved in drag performance. The show has helped cement RuPaul as the "Queen of Drag". Now airing its 14th season in 2022, RuPaul's Drag Race has launched the careers of dozens of popular drag queens like Bianca Del Rio, Alaska Thunderfuck, and Adore Delano. RuPaul has won four Primetime Emmy Awards for hosting Drag Race, which is widely considered the Olympics of drag.
Awards, Nominations, and Recognition
RuPaul has earned four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program for RuPaul's Drag Race in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. He also received Primetime Emmy nominations for the same category in 2020 and 2021. Additionally, RuPaul won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Competition Program as an executive producer of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2016, making him the first person of color to win the award in that category.
Beyond his Emmy recognition, RuPaul has also earned several other notable awards and nominations. He won a Critics Choice Television Award for Best Reality Show Host for RuPaul's Drag Race in 2019 and 2020. RuPaul received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018 for his contributions to the entertainment industry. He has also been nominated for four MTV Video Music Awards, a Grammy Award, and a Satellite Award throughout his prolific career.
Continued Success and Impact
Aside from Drag Race, RuPaul has seen continued success as a performer, model, singer, and author. He hosted his own talk show for three seasons, released multiple albums (including holiday music), and appeared in films and TV shows. RuPaul became the first drag queen to land a major cosmetics campaign, partnering with Mally Beauty in 2014. His irreverent style and catchphrases like "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?" have impacted drag and LGBTQ+ culture. Many credit RuPaul with bringing drag into mainstream pop culture and demonstrating that drag can be used to explore gender, identity, and self-expression.
The Future of Drag
Thanks to pioneers like RuPaul, drag continues to surge in popularity. More queens are using social media and streaming platforms to build their brands beyond Drag Race. Drag events like DragCon attract huge crowds. Mainstream companies like Sephora now sponsor drag queens. While the art form faces some backlash and misconceptions, RuPaul's legacy has helped establish drag as a creative, complex, and empowering way for people of all backgrounds to challenge traditional gender roles. RuPaul's singular style and business savvy have rightfully earned him the title "Queen of Drag” after decades of entertaining audiences and pushing boundaries.
Because of all of his work, his various TV shows, and his awards, RuPaul has been dubbed the "Queen of Drag". But, Amber LeMay encourages you to look to all the other drag queens who have come before and during RuPaul’s reign, the drag queens in other countries, as well as those yet to come. It takes a village full of drag queens to make it happen!
—This article was written, restructured, or adapted by Russell with information gathered from sources around the internet. Russell is the producer of Amber Live and is greatly overworked to pull it all together. If it’s on the internet, it must be true. (We’re kidding.) BUT, if you find any errors or omissions in the article, please let us know so that we may correct the issue. Thanks for your support!
