RuPaul's Drag Race [1] has launched the careers of nearly 200 drag queens ever since the show premiered in 2009. Throughout those years, several transgender drag performers have competed on the show (as well as its All Stars spin-off) and have shown that drag is an art form that isn't tied to any gender identity. While some came out after their time on the show, others were open about their transitioning while filming. To celebrate the contributions of these fierce queens, we're taking a look back at all the trans drag queens who have entered the Werk Room and walked down the runway of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Kylie Sonique Love (Season 2, All Stars 6)
Kylie Sonique Love made herstory on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race when she became the first queen to come out as a trans woman on the show [2]. In the years since then, Kylie has performed with the likes of Miley Cyrus [3] (and even became her drag mother [4]) and appeared in a music video with Lizzo [5]. Kylie recently returned to TV screens for the first time in over a decade in RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 6.
Carmen Carrera (Season 3)
After leaving RuPaul's Drag Race, Carmen Carrera's career has taken her to the runway, to the screen, and back again. She recently walked in several fashion shows during Miami Swim Week [6] and has appeared in television series like Jane the Virgin, Cake Boss, and What Would You Do?
Stacy Layne Matthews (Season 3)
Stacy Layne Matthews coined the word "henny" [7] on season 3 of RuPaul's Drag Race — an invaluable contribution to the LGBTQ+ lexicon. She was the first Native American queen to compete on the show, and returned as a frequent guest on All Stars season 4. In a tweet on Trans Day of Visibility in 2020, Stacy Layne Matthews came out as a trans woman [8]. "This is my journey...no one else's," she said. "Rome wasn't built in a day. There is no time limit on a person's transition."
Jiggly Caliente (Season 4, All Stars 6)
Yes, you can still call her Jiggly! Jiggly Caliente snatched viewers' hearts on season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race and has been working nonstop since then. In 2018, she became part of the Ryan Murphy's groundbreaking FX series Pose [9], which featured a history-making cast of trans women of colour [10].
Lashauwn Beyond (Season 4)
Lashauwn Beyond is often credited with one of the greatest lines in Drag Race herstory: "This is not RuPaul's Best Friend Race!" Since appearing on the fourth season, Lashauwn has made a name for herself as an accomplished designer, creating beautiful dresses for clients and fellow Drag Race alum [11].
Kenya Michaels (Season 4)
Kenya Michaels was a tiny ball of energy on RuPaul's Drag Race season four. After her run on the show, Kenya returned to Puerto Rico and continues to live her life as a proud Afro-Latina trans woman.
Honey Mahogany (Season 5)
Honey Mahogany was a joy to watch on season 5 of RuPaul's Drag Race. Since her season aired, Honey has made a name for herself as an activist in San Francisco [12]. In 2017, Honey co-founded the Compton's Transgender Cultural District [13] — the first legally recognised transgender district in the world — to commemorate the historic uprising for LGBTQ+ rights in San Francisco in 1966.
Monica Beverly Hillz (Season 5)
Monica Beverly Hillz came out as a trans woman in an emotional moment on the main stage of season 5 of RuPaul's Drag Race. At the finale, she took a moment to explain the difference between being a trans woman and a drag queen. "Drag is what I do, trans is who I am", she said simply. Since her run on the show, Monica Beverly Hillz works as a fashion model.
Laganja Estranja (Season 6)
Laganja Estranja changed werkroom entrances forever [14] on season 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race. She recently made an equally unforgettable entrance on All Stars 6, when she competed as a lip sync assassin against her season 6 sister Trinity K. Bonet [15]. The drag superstar and cannabis advocate came out as trans in 2021 [16].
Gia Gunn (Season 6, All Stars 4)
Gia Gunn has been a proud trans woman for years, and in 2019, she became the first out trans woman to return for RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. She's a trained kabuki performer with a wide variety of talents in her repertoire. She even competed on the Chilean series, The Switch Drag Race, and finished as a runner-up. After her appearance on All Stars, Gia Gunn sparked controversy when she started spreading misinformation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic [17]. She has since retracted her statements [18].
Peppermint (Season 9)
Peppermint has been an icon in the New York City drag scene for decades. Before she was on Drag Race, she impersonated the one and only Tyra Banks [19] on America's Next Top Model and spoke about trans issues on The Daily Show [20]. After her run on the show, Peppermint made history as the first out trans woman to star in a leading role on Broadway in the Go-Go's jukebox musical Head Over Heels. Just like her Drag Race sister Jiggly Caliente, she too appeared on Pose.
Gottmik (Season 13)
Gottmik made history in 2021 as the first trans man to compete on RuPaul's Drag Race. The longtime celebrity makeup artist has blossomed into a sickening fully-realised queen, collaborating with stars like Paris Hilton [21] (whom she impersonated on the Snatch Game [22]) and Cara Delevingne [23].
