Who is the Most Famous Drag Queen of all time?

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• RuPaul

• Julian Eltinge

• Divine

• Lady Bunny

• Bianca Del Rio

• Shangela

• Sasha Velour

• Bob The Drag Queen

• Is Trixie Mattel the most famous drag queen?

• Many more

• Impact and Legacy

Introduction

The history of drag performance dates back many centuries, with origins in theater and other entertainment. Drag has been around for centuries, with roots going back to ancient cultures like Greece and China. However, the drag scene as we know it today really began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During the 1920s and 30s, drag balls became popular parts of LGBTQ+ culture and history, especially in places like New York City. These balls allowed drag queens and kings to dress up, perform, dance, and compete with one another.

In the 1950s and 60s, drag became more visible in underground gay bars and clubs. Famous queens from this era include José Sarria who founded the Imperial Court System, a philanthropic organization that held drag pageants and balls. Mainstream awareness of drag increased in the 1960s, often associated with the hippie movement and sexual revolution. Films like Some Like It Hot featured men dressing in drag, showing it to wider audiences.

Drag exploded into pop culture in the 1990s with the rise of RuPaul's hit show RuPaul's Drag Race. This competitive reality series launched the careers of famous drag queens like Bianca Del Rio, Shangela, and Violet Chachki. It brought drag into households across America and inspired a new generation. Other shows like Pose and Dragula further popularized queens. These days drag is more mainstream, though it still maintains its subversive and political power. Queens are able break gender stereotypes and embrace the freedom of self-expression.

Today drag is a celebrated part of LGBTQ culture and popular entertainment, but has also been the cause of controversy, especially in southern United States. The “culture wars” in the US are history in the making, and drag queens and transgender individuals have been thrown into the center of it. SO, lets take a look at who is the most famous drag queens of all time.

Who is the most famous drag queen of all time? This is a tough question to answer, but it may just be RuPaul. Below are some of the more famous drag queens in recent history including RuPaul.

RuPaul

Arguably the current most famous drag queen in the world is RuPaul. Born in 1960, RuPaul rose to fame with the song "Supermodel" in 1993. Since 2009, RuPaul has hosted the reality competition RuPaul's Drag Race, which helped expose drag to wider audiences. With multiple albums, TV shows, and films, RuPaul is considered a true pioneer in the world of drag. But is RuPaul the most famous drag queen of all time? What do you think?

Julian Eltinge

Julian Eltinge may well be the most famous drag queen of all time. He was an American stage and film actor who gained great fame as a female impersonator in the early 20th century. He was born William Julian Dalton in Massachusetts in 1881. From a young age, Eltinge showed a talent for impersonating women through his singing, dancing, and comedic skills.

In 1904, Julian Eltinge made his Broadway debut playing the role of Mrs. Walker in Mr. Wix of Wickham. His realistic portrayal of a society matron in the play made him an overnight sensation. For the next two decades, Eltinge starred in a series of musical comedies and vaudeville acts dressed in elaborate gowns, wigs, and makeup as his female alter ego. He headlined the Ziegfeld Follies in 1910-1911 as one of his most popular acts.

Off stage, Eltinge lived a quiet life and was said to be very masculine presenting. His skill at transforming himself into a convincing woman while performing was masterful for the time. He helped make female impersonation more mainstream and popular on the American stage. Though today some consider his act to be demeaning to women, Eltinge was an accomplished performer and pioneer as one of the first major female impersonators in entertainment history.

Divine

One of the earliest drag superstars was Divine, the drag persona of Harris Glenn Milstead. In her time, she was definitely one of the most famous drag queens of all time, and her fame lives on and on. A favorite of director John Waters, Divine appeared in cult classic films like Pink Flamingos and Hairspray in the 1960s-1980s. With an outrageous sense of style, Divine pushed boundaries and challenged gender norms. Even though Divine is no longer with us, she still attracts a large and loyal fan base like Scott Elkins with his John Waters Divine Trash page and Mister B Nation.

Lady Bunny

The self-proclaimed "Queen of the Nightlife Scene," Lady Bunny has been a leading figure in drag since the 1980s. Known for glamorous looks and raunchy comedy, Lady Bunny helped found the legendary Wigstock drag festival and continues to perform. With her larger-than-life wigs and make-up, bawdy humor, and biting political satire, Lady Bunny has become an iconic figure in New York City's drag scene and LGBTQ+ community since the 1980s. Known for hosting shows at clubs like Pyramid and Resort World Casino New York City, Bunny is revered as a trailblazing queen who pushed boundaries with her raunchy acts and skillful DJ mixes. Though sometimes controversial for her unfiltered humor, Bunny's annual Wigstock festival brought together drag performers, musicians, and others for an outdoor celebration of drag and diversity for over 20 years. Now in her 60s, Lady Bunny continues to perform and speak out on LGBTQ+ rights and issues, cementing her status as a groundbreaking drag legend.

Bianca Del Rio

Insult comedy is Bianca Del Rio's claim to fame. With a sharp tongue and killer fashion sense, Bianca won season 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race. With her insult comic style and lavish costumes, Bianca established herself as the "Queen of Mean" on Drag Race, readying contestants with her quick, caustic wit. Since her win in 2014, Bianca has become one of the show's most popular and successful alums, headlining massive theater tours with her stand-up acts and performances. Her 1999-inspired aesthetic, marked by clownish wigs and painted-on brows, provides the backdrop as she mocks pop culture and chronicles her misadventures as an aging drag queen. Offstage, Bianca is Roy Haylock, a seasoned performer with decades of experience who crafted the Bianca Del Rio character. Both on and off the show, Bianca demonstrates a dedication to her craft along with a singular comedic voice that resonates with modern audiences.

Shangela

A self-made queen, Shangela first appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race with minimal experience but loads of charisma. She returned for two more seasons, displaying growing talents. Shangela continues to act, host, and perform drag worldwide. Shangela is the drag persona of D.J. Pierce, an American drag performer, reality TV personality, and actor. Shangela first gained attention competing on RuPaul's Drag Race season 2 before returning for seasons 3 and All Stars 3, becoming known for her charisma, death drops, and cunning strategy. With her vivacious personality and ever-evolving look, Shangela earned the reputation as one of Drag Race's most memorable and well-rounded contestants. Outside the show, Shangela has starred in several films and TV shows, including A Star Is Born, where she played a drag mentor to Lady Gaga's character. She continues to tour worldwide with her stand-up comedy and pop music shows, bringing high-energy performances. Her popularity led to collaborations with brands like McDonald's and Totino's. Whether competing in drag or entertaining audiences, Shangela exhibits professional drive and an ability to connect with viewers that has made her an influential figure both in and beyond the drag world.

Sasha Velour

Sasha Velour gained fame after winning RuPaul's Drag Race season 9 in 2017. Known for her high-concept, artistic drag, Sasha has a passion for visual theater and pushing creative boundaries. She utilizes bold makeup looks, avant-garde fashion, and innovative performances. Since her time on Drag Race, Sasha has toured extensively and published the drag magazine Velour. She continues to use her drag as a powerful platform for visual art and self-expression. In 2023, Velour put pen to paper in a culmination of her knowledge and talents to release her debut book, “The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag,” published by Harper Collins.

Bob The Drag Queen

Christopher Caldwell, better known by his stage name Bob the Drag Queen, is a talented American drag performer, comedian, actor and activist. After getting his start in drag performing at local venues, Bob gained national attention winning Season 8 of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2016. His quick wit, charisma and message of confidence and self-acceptance made him a fan favorite. Since his win, Bob has gone on to a successful career in entertainment appearing in shows like HBO's High Maintenance and Tales of the City. He also co-hosts the popular podcast Sibling Rivalry and the HBO series We're Here, where he travels across America spreading a positive message of inclusivity.

Throughout his career, Bob has used his platform to advocate for important causes. He has been outspoken in support of LGBTQ rights and racial justice. In 2020, he participated in a fundraiser for the Black Lives Matter movement and has spoken about the importance of voting and political activism. Bob also works with LGBTQ youth organizations to provide mentorship and promote self-acceptance. He exemplifies how drag can be used to spread joy while also promoting social change. With his versatile talents and uplifting spirit, Bob the Drag Queen continues to inspire and entertain audiences worldwide.

Is Trixie Mattel the Most Famous Drag Queen of all time?

Trixie Mattel first became known from RuPaul's Drag Race season 7 in 2015, where she was a fan favorite for her hilarious comedy and country girl aesthetic. With her big blonde hair and pink cowboy style, Trixie developed a unique drag persona. Though she didn't win her original season, Trixie later won All Stars season 3. This launched her hugely successful careers in music, comedy, television, and more.

Is Trixie Mattel the most famous drag queen? Trixie is one of the most popular drag queens active today, boasting over 3 million Instagram followers. Along with fellow queen Katya, Trixie co-hosts the YouTube show UNHhhh as well as Netflix's I Like to Watch. She performs her folk and comedy music worldwide and has released albums including Two Birds and Barbara. Trixie's iconic comedic timing and abilities to connect with fans have made her an influential figure in the drag world.

Many More

These are just a few of the famous drag queens both in history and working today. These include so many of our favorites like Charles Busch, Miss Richfield 1981, Jackie Beat, Miss Conception, Ginger Minj, Yolanda, Dixie Longate, Madge and Bisket, Angela Mansberry, The Church Muva, Varla Jean Merman! For more information on even more drag queens, be sure to look through our pages on Drag Queens and the Trans Community. Also check out our list of famous drag queens who have not been on RuPaul’s Drag Race!

Impact and Legacy

Modern drag queens owe a debt to pioneers like RuPaul, Divine, and Lady Bunny who paved the way. Drag has gone from underground subculture to mainstream entertainment. Series like RuPaul's Drag Race have made drag more visible and celebrated than ever before. Young LGBTQ people look to famous queens as inspirational icons and artists. While drag still faces some opposition, it has undeniably left its mark on culture and society.

For their talents, style, and barrier-breaking success, RuPaul, Divine, and Lady Bunny stand out among the most famous drag queens in history. New performers continue to build on their legacy today. Drag remains a vibrant form of LGBTQ expression and a uniquely spectacular entertainment genre. The influence and popularity of drag queens seems only to grow stronger with each passing year.

—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!