RuPaul's Drag Race

File:RuPaul's_Drag_Race_Lip_Sync.png and All Stars 6 contestants Ra'Jah O'Hara (left) and Scarlet Envy (right) competing in a Lip Sync for Your Life]]

Prospective Drag Race contestants submit video auditions to the show's production company, World of Wonder.{{cite web |url=https://worldofwonder.net/calling-all-queens-casting-for-rupauls-drag-race-season-13-has-begun/ |last=St. James |first=James |author-link=James St. James |date=December 2, 2019 |title=Calling All Drag Queens: Casting for RuPaul's Drag Race Season 13 Has Begun! |work=The WOW Report |publisher=World of Wonder Productions |access-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225211141/https://worldofwonder.net/calling-all-queens-casting-for-rupauls-drag-race-season-13-has-begun/ |url-status=live}} RuPaul, the host and head judge, views each tape and selects the season's competitors.{{cite news |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/05/rupaul-still-watches-every-single-drag-race-audition-video.html |title=RuPaul Somehow Finds the Time To Watch Every Single Drag Race Audition Video |date=May 19, 2018 |last=Sherer |first=Devon |website=Vulture |publisher=Vox Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629114843/https://www.vulture.com/2018/05/rupaul-still-watches-every-single-drag-race-audition-video.html |archive-date=June 29, 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=August 21, 2020}} The chosen contestants compete against each other in various challenges in filmed episodes. Each episode typically concludes with one contestant being eliminated from the competition, but there is occasionally a double elimination,{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/rupaul-defends-the-shocking-drag-race-double-elimination |title=RuPaul Defends the Shocking 'Drag Race' Double Elimination |date=March 21, 2016 |last=Fallon |first=Kevin |website=The Daily Beast |access-date=August 22, 2020 }} no elimination, contestant disqualification,{{cite news |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-queens-eliminated-crazy-reasons/ |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 15 Queens Eliminated For Crazy Reasons |date=May 19, 2018 |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |website=Screen Rant |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211075142/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-queens-eliminated-crazy-reasons/ |archive-date=February 11, 2019 |url-status=live}} contestant voluntarily quitting, or removal of a contestant on medical grounds. Each episode features a so-called "maxi challenge" that tests competitors' skills in a variety of areas of drag performance. Some episodes also feature a "mini challenge", the prize of which is often an advantage or benefit in the upcoming maxi challenge. Contestants then present themed looks in a runway walk.{{cite news |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/05/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-12-episode-11-one-queen-show.html |title=RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: #Methmentum |date=May 8, 2020 |access-date=August 22, 2020|last=McCallion |first=Paul |website=Vulture |publisher=Vox Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602153905/https://www.vulture.com/2020/05/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-12-episode-11-one-queen-show.html |archive-date=June 2, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.out.com/television/2020/3/13/watch-drag-race-season-12-queens-find-out-episode-3s-maxi-challenge |title=Watch 'Drag Race' Season 12 Queens Find Out Episode 3's Maxi Challenge |date=March 13, 2020 |last=Street |first=Mikelle |magazine=Out |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321133542/https://www.out.com/television/2020/3/13/watch-drag-race-season-12-queens-find-out-episode-3s-maxi-challenge |archive-date=March 21, 2020 |url-status=live}} RuPaul and a panel of judges critique each contestant's performance, deliberate among themselves, and announce the week's winner and bottom two competitors. The bottom two queens compete in a "Lip Sync for Your Life";{{cite news |url=https://www.intomore.com/culture/a-definitive-ranking-of-every-rupauls-drag-race-lip-sync-for-your-life |title=A Definitive Ranking of Every 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Lip Sync for Your Life |date=October 10, 2018 |last=O'Keefe |first=Kevin |website=INTO |publisher=Grindr |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820064731/https://www.intomore.com/culture/a-definitive-ranking-of-every-rupauls-drag-race-lip-sync-for-your-life |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |url-status=live}} the winner of the lip sync remains in the competition, and the loser is eliminated.{{cite news |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8216858/rupauls-drag-race-best-lip-syncs-top-15 |title=The 15 Best Lip Syncs in 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Herstory |date=March 15, 2018 |last=Daw |first=Stephen |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618114957/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8216858/rupauls-drag-race-best-lip-syncs-top-15 |archive-date=June 18, 2019 |url-status=live}} Generally, the contestant that the judges feel has displayed the most "charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent" (C.U.N.T.) is the one who advances.{{cite news |url=https://slate.com/culture/2020/07/rupaul-drag-race-best-episode-beginners-season-six.html |title=New to RuPaul's Drag Race? This Is the Best Episode for Beginners |date=July 8, 2020 |last=Kallstrom |first=Megan |magazine=Slate |access-date=August 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823024032/https://slate.com/culture/2020/07/rupaul-drag-race-best-episode-beginners-season-six.html |archive-date=August 23, 2020 |url-status=live}} The season's winner is crowned in a special finale episode with the final contestants remaining. In early seasons, the finale was pre-recorded in the studio with no audience. More recently, it has taken the form of a lip sync tournament before a live audience. The whole season is typically filmed in four weeks.{{Cite web|date=2020-04-10|title=These 19 crazy production secrets reveal exactly how RuPaul's Drag Race is filmed|url=https://thetab.com/uk/2020/04/10/rupauls-drag-race-production-secrets-151703|access-date=2021-06-16|website=The Tab UK|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516065120/https://thetab.com/uk/2020/04/10/rupauls-drag-race-production-secrets-151703|url-status=live}} The season 12 finale was filmed remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last=Daw |first=Stephen |date=May 15, 2020 |title=The Season 12 Reunion & Finale of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Are Going Digital |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/9378747/rupauls-drag-race-reunion-finale-filmed-virtually |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820061545/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/9378747/rupauls-drag-race-reunion-finale-filmed-virtually |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |access-date=August 22, 2020 |magazine=Billboard}}

RuPaul ends episodes by saying, "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you going to love somebody else?" The phrase was inspired by RuPaul's mother.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=22 things you didn't know about 'RuPaul's Drag Race' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/rupauls-drag-race-2019-1#while-taping-the-season-the-queens-are-completely-cut-off-from-the-outside-world-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217151430/https://www.businessinsider.com/rupauls-drag-race-2019-1#while-taping-the-season-the-queens-are-completely-cut-off-from-the-outside-world-4 |archive-date=2024-12-17 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Business Insider |publisher=Axel Springer SE |language=en-US |oclc=1076392313}}

Mini challenges are quick, small assignments that RuPaul announces at the beginning of an episode. One of the most popular mini challenges, which has appeared in every season since season 2, except for season 12, is the reading challenge. In it, contestants satirically criticize one another in a process called "reading", popularized by the 1990 documentary film Paris Is Burning.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2020/02/25/paris-is-burning-lgbtq-documentary-restoration-jennie-livingston/4869392002/ |title=The legacy of LGBTQ documentary 'Paris is Burning': 'A film can change consciousness' |date=February 25, 2020 |last=Biese |first=Alex |newspaper=Asbury Park Press |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307182125/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2020/02/25/paris-is-burning-lgbtq-documentary-restoration-jennie-livingston/4869392002/ |archive-date=March 7, 2020 |url-status=live}} Maxi challenges test a variety of skills. Some are group challenges that involve singing and acting, while others feature comedy, a talent of choice, dancing, or makeovers.{{cite news |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-maxi-challenge-winners/ |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Queens With The Most Maxi Challenge Wins, Ranked |date=July 13, 2019 |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |website=Screen Rant |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714124417/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-maxi-challenge-winners/ |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |url-status=live}} The winner receives a material or monetary prize.{{cite web |url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-uk-prize-money/10/2019/ |title=Here's Why There Are No Cash Prizes on 'RuPaul's Drag Race U.K.' |last=Rudolph |first=Christopher |date=October 4, 2019 |access-date=August 22, 2020 |website=NewNowNext |publisher=Logo TV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410195120/http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-uk-prize-money/10/2019/ |archive-date=April 10, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.out.com/television/2020/5/29/how-much-cash-drag-race-has-awarded-queens-12-years |title=This Is How Much Cash 'Drag Race' Has Awarded to Queens in 12 Years |date=May 29, 2020 |last=Street |first=Mikelle |access-date=August 22, 2020 |magazine=Out |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625211927/https://www.out.com/television/2020/5/29/how-much-cash-drag-race-has-awarded-queens-12-years |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |url-status=live}} Until midway through the fifth season, the winner sometimes also received immunity against elimination the following week.{{cite news |url=https://screenrant.com/rupaul-drag-race-rule-changes/ |title=10 Rule Changes That Hurt RuPaul's Drag Race (And 10 That Saved It) |date=August 31, 2018 |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |website=Screen Rant |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914061010/https://screenrant.com/rupaul-drag-race-rule-changes/ |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=live}} Drag Race{{'}}s most popular seasonal maxi challenge is Snatch Game, a spoof on Match Game wherein contestants impersonate celebrities or famous fictional personas.{{cite news |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-snatch-game-impressions-ranked.html |title=Every Snatch Game Impersonation on RuPaul's Drag Race, Ranked |last1=Yang |first1=Bowen |last2=Rogers |first2=Matt |website=Vulture |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806061508/https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-snatch-game-impressions-ranked.html |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |url-status=live}}

Recurring main challenges include "balls" (for which contestants must showcase multiple outfits, often including an original design made in the Werk Room),{{Cite web |last=Grčar |first=Anja |date=2020-09-19 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Every Ball Challenge, Ranked |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-ball-challenges-ranked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119160839/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-ball-challenges-ranked/ |archive-date=2023-01-19 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} girl groups,{{Cite web |title=10 best girl groups in 'RuPaul's Drag Race' herstory |url=https://www.pride.com/drag-queens/rupauls-drag-race-best-girl-groups-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814184537/https://www.pride.com/drag-queens/rupauls-drag-race-best-girl-groups-list |archive-date=2024-08-14 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Pride.com |publisher=Here Media |language=en}} makeovers,{{Cite web |title=10 best makeover challenge queens in 'Drag Race' herstory |url=https://www.pride.com/drag-queens/rupauls-drag-race-best-queens-makeover-challenge-list |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Pride.com |language=en}} roasts,{{Cite web |last=Elauria |first=Jom |date=2022-09-18 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 10 Most Shocking Comedy Roast Performances |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-most-shocking-comedy-roast-performances/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124084832/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-most-shocking-comedy-roast-performances/ |archive-date=2022-11-24 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=RuPaul's Drag Race balances the sweet and the salty with the "Nice Girls Roast" |url=https://www.avclub.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-balances-the-sweet-and-the-salty-wit-1846565306 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007183306/https://www.avclub.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-balances-the-sweet-and-the-salty-wit-1846565306 |archive-date=2022-10-07 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en-US}} "Rusicals" (musical theatre),{{Cite magazine |last=Daw |first=Stephen |date=2023-08-25 |title=A History of the Rusical: How a One-Off 'Drag Race' Challenge Became a Beloved Staple |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/rupauls-drag-race-oral-history-rusical-1235388098/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902065804/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/rupauls-drag-race-oral-history-rusical-1235388098/ |archive-date=2023-09-02 |access-date=2025-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} and Snatch Game.{{Cite web |title=RuPaul's Drag Race delivers an undercooked roast of Michelle Visage |url=https://www.avclub.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-delivers-an-undercooked-roast-of-mic-1798191318 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924223419/https://www.avclub.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-delivers-an-undercooked-roast-of-mic-1798191318 |archive-date=2022-09-24 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en-US}} Over time, the ball challenge has replaced the "drag on a dime" challenge. The girl group challenge has become a "classic" and a season highlight because "it tests the contestant's ability to write a verse, choreograph a dance routine, remember that choreography, and most crucially, work with others in a team".{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Sam |date=2022-08-27 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under power rankings: Girl group glory |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/27-08-2022/rupauls-drag-race-down-under-power-rankings-long-live-the-kween |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816023606/https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/27-08-2022/rupauls-drag-race-down-under-power-rankings-long-live-the-kween |archive-date=2024-08-16 |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=The Spinoff |language=en}} Rusicals (portmanteau of "RuPaul" and "musical") began on the sixth season and have subsequently become "a highly anticipated staple" of the reality competition, allowing contestants to showcase their talents.{{Cite web |last=Krubally |first=Cordu |date=25 October 2019 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Every Rusical Performance, Ranked |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-rusical-ranked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712072612/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-rusical-ranked/ |archive-date=12 July 2020 |access-date=20 November 2020 |website=Screen Rant}} Usually occurring midway through each Drag Race season, Snatch Game is widely considered among the most important and memorable challenges of the show and, in RuPaul's words, separates "the basic bitches from the fierce-ass queens".[https://mic.com/articles/175296/ru-paul-s-drag-race-episode-6-recap-which-queen-won-snatch-game#.22avBvLcB "'RuPaul's Drag Race' episode 6 recap: Which queen won Snatch Game?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419210748/https://mic.com/articles/175296/ru-paul-s-drag-race-episode-6-recap-which-queen-won-snatch-game#.22avBvLcB|date=2019-04-19}}. Mic, April 28, 2017. Contestants are also often tasked with demonstrating their acting and sewing skills on the show.{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Hanne |date=2018-10-04 |title=10 Fakest Things About RuPaul's Drag Race (And 10 That Are Completely Real) |url=https://screenrant.com/rupaul-drag-race-fake-real/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619031137/https://screenrant.com/rupaul-drag-race-fake-real/ |archive-date=2024-06-19 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}

In 2022, Screen Rant said, "In the first few seasons of Drag Race, given the show's low budget and poor camera quality, the runway, particularly in displaying makeup and fashion looks, were not quite as prominent as it has been in more recent seasons. Instead, mini challenges at the start of the episode took up much more time and effort." Among recurring "mini-challenges", which can give contestants an advantage in the competition,{{Cite web |last=Saab |first=Hannah |date=2021-08-27 |title=The 10 Best RuPaul's Drag Race Mini Challenges |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-best-mini-challenges/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924133703/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-best-mini-challenges/ |archive-date=2022-09-24 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} is the "reading" challenge which tasks contestants with playfully insulting each other. The contest comes from the documentary film Paris Is Burning (1990). Played on most seasons of Drag Race, RuPaul introduces the challenge by reminding contestants that "reading is fundamental". Another recurring mini-challenge tasks contestants with using puppets.

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RuPaul has been the series' head judge since its premiere. For the first two seasons, Merle Ginsberg joined him on the panel; she was replaced in season 3 by Michelle Visage, a longtime friend of RuPaul and his co-host for The RuPaul Show.{{cite news |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/michelle-visage-from-rupauls-drag-race-is-much-more-than-a-judge-46689 |title=Michelle Visage Is More Talented Than You Know |date=March 24, 2017 |last=Rosenfeld |first=Laura |magazine=Bustle |access-date=August 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823004224/https://www.bustle.com/p/michelle-visage-from-rupauls-drag-race-is-much-more-than-a-judge-46689 |archive-date=August 23, 2020 |url-status=live}} Santino Rice served as a judge for seasons 1 through 6.{{cite news |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/04/28/santino-rice-vaccine-disinfectant-injection-tweets-hack/ |title=Ex-Drag Race judge Santino Rice denies tweeting 'there's no difference between injecting disinfectant and a random vaccine' |date=April 28, 2020 |last=Smith |first=Reiss |newspaper=PinkNews |access-date=August 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503120934/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/04/28/santino-rice-vaccine-disinfectant-injection-tweets-hack/ |archive-date=May 3, 2020 |url-status=live}} From season 7 onward, Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley replaced Rice, alternating in his former seat.{{cite news |url=https://www.out.com/television/2019/3/14/are-santino-rice-and-acid-betty-actually-same-person |title=Are Santino Rice and Acid Betty Actually the Same Person? |date=March 14, 2019 |last=Rodriguez |first=Mathew |magazine=Out |access-date=August 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317010841/https://www.out.com/television/2019/3/14/are-santino-rice-and-acid-betty-actually-same-person |archive-date=March 17, 2019 |url-status=live}} New York City makeup artist Billy Brasfield (commonly known as Billy B) held a regular judging spot in the third and fourth seasons when Rice was absent. Most weeks, one or two celebrity guest judges join the panel.{{cite news |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-best-worst-judges/ |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 5 Best (And 5 Worst) Judges Of All Time |date=August 5, 2019 |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |website=Screen Rant |access-date=August 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116035550/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-best-worst-judges/ |archive-date=January 16, 2020 |url-status=live}} After appearing as a recurring guest judge in seasons 13 and 14, Ts Madison joined as an alternating judge from the fifteenth season. Law Roach appeared as a guest judge on season 16 then joined the judges panel as an alternating judge from the seventeenth season.

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{{anchor|Untucked}}

The first season of Drag Race was accompanied by a seven-episode web series titled Under the Hood of RuPaul's Drag Race, which Logo TVstreamed on its website. The series featured behind-the-scenes and deleted footage from the main show's tapes.{{cite web |url=http://worldofwonder.net/2009/02/09/Under_The_Hood_of_RuPaul_s_Drag_/ |title=Under the Hood of RuPaul's Drag Race |access-date=December 31, 2011 |last=Corfe |first=Steven |date=February 9, 2009 |work=The WOW Report |publisher=World of Wonder |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216081048/http://worldofwonder.net/2009/02/09/Under_The_Hood_of_RuPaul_s_Drag_/ |archive-date=December 16, 2011 |url-status=dead}} From season 2 onward, a companion show called RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked, which has the same premise, has aired instead. Untucked largely focuses on conversations and drama that occur between contestants backstage while the judges deliberate on each episode's results.{{cite news|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/02/16/rupauls-drag-race-season-10-premiere-date/ |title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 10 and Untucked will sashay to VH1 in March |date=February 18, 2018 |first=Joey |last=Nolfi |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=August 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807003806/https://ew.com/tv/2018/02/16/rupauls-drag-race-season-10-premiere-date/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live}} In most seasons, it has aired on TV following the main show, but it was available only online for seasons 7 through 9.{{cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-untucked-moving-onto-the-web/03/2015/|title="RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked" Moving Onto The Web|date=March 1, 2015|first=Dan|last=Avery|website=NewNowNext|access-date=August 23, 2020|archive-date=March 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312055040/http://www.newnownext.com//rupauls-drag-race-untucked-moving-onto-the-web//03//2015//|url-status=live}} A number of smaller web series also accompany each episode. Whatcha Packin', which began at the start of the sixth season, features Michelle Visage interviewing the most recently eliminated queen about their run on the show and showcasing runway outfits they had brought but did not have the opportunity to wear.{{cite news |url=https://socialitelife.com/the-week-in-drag-the-all-stars-top-3-the-queens-invade-las-vegas-the-return-of-unhhhh-and-more/ |title=The Week in Drag – The All-Stars Top 3, the Queens Invade Las Vegas, the Return of 'UNHhhh' and More |date=July 26, 2020 |last=Fitzgerald |first=Christine |access-date=August 23, 2020 |website=Socialite Life |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819181353/https://socialitelife.com/the-week-in-drag-the-all-stars-top-3-the-queens-invade-las-vegas-the-return-of-unhhhh-and-more/ |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |url-status=live}} In 2014, the web series Fashion Photo RuView aired for the first time, co-hosted by Raja Gemini and Raven who evaluate the runway looks of the main show. Since season 8, a five- to fifteen-minute (later eighteen- to thirty-minute) aftershow called The Pit Stop has also been produced. It involves a host and guest, typically past competitors of Drag Race, discussing the recently aired episode. Each season's host (or hosts) are different; to date, these have included the YouTuber Kingsley, Raja Gemini,{{cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-9-episode-1-recap-pit-stop/03/2017/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Recap: Season 9, Episode 1, 'Oh. My. Gaga.'|date=March 24, 2017|first=Christopher|last=Rudolph|website=NewNowNext|access-date=August 23, 2020|archive-date=January 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121082533/http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-9-episode-1-recap-pit-stop/03/2017/|url-status=live}} Bob the Drag Queen,{{cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/drag-race-season-10-finale-recap/06/2018/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Recap: Season 10 Grand Finale|date=June 29, 2018|first=Christopher|last=Rudolph|website=NewNowNext|access-date=August 23, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912235052/http://www.newnownext.com/drag-race-season-10-finale-recap/06/2018/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-12-premiere-recap-pit-stop/02/2020/|title=Bob and Sasha Velour Dish on the 'Drag Race' Season 12 Premiere|date=February 29, 2020|first=Brandon|last=Voss|website=NewNowNext|access-date=August 23, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731105320/http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-12-premiere-recap-pit-stop/02/2020/|url-status=live}} Alaska Thunderfuck,{{cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/drag-race-all-stars-3-recap-pit-stop/01/2018/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Recap: Season 3, Episode 1, 'All-Star Variety Show'|date=January 16, 2018|first=Christopher|last=Rudolph|website=NewNowNext|access-date=August 23, 2020|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220223523/http://www.newnownext.com/drag-race-all-stars-3-recap-pit-stop/01/2018/|url-status=live}} Trixie Mattel,{{cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-recap-season-4-episode-1-all-star-super-queen-variety-show/12/2018/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Recap: Season 4, Episode 1, 'All Star Super Queen Variety Show'|date=December 17, 2018|first=Christopher|last=Rudolph|website=NewNowNext|access-date=August 23, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221161537/http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-recap-season-4-episode-1-all-star-super-queen-variety-show/12/2018/|url-status=live}} Manila Luzon,{{cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-11-premiere/03/2019/|title=Manila Luzon and Farrah Moan Have Thoughts on the 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 11 Premiere|date=March 1, 2020|first=Christopher|last=Rudolph|website=NewNowNext|access-date=August 23, 2020|archive-date=January 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121205308/http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-11-premiere/03/2019/|url-status=live}} Monét X Change, and Bianca Del Rio.

{{notelist}}

{{Main|List of RuPaul's Drag Race episodes|l1=List of RuPaul's Drag Race episodes}}

{{Series overview

| caption = {{Screen reader-only|RuPaul's Drag Race series overview}}

| auxA = Contestants

| infoA = Winner

| infoB = Runner(s)-up

| infoC = Miss Congeniality

| color1 = #FF6256

| link1 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 1)

| auxA1 = 9

| episodes1 = 9

| start1 = {{Start date|2009|2|2}}

| end1 = {{End date|2009|3|23}}

| network1 = Logo TV

| infoA1 = {{nowrap|BeBe Zahara Benet}}

| infoB1 = Nina Flowers

| infoC1 = {{nowrap|Nina Flowers}}

| color2 = #242124

| link2 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 2)

| auxA2 = 12

| episodes2 = 12

| start2 = {{Start date|2010|2|1}}

| end2 = {{End date|2010|4|26}}

| infoA2 = Tyra Sanchez

| infoB2 = Raven

| infoC2 = Pandora Boxx

| color3 = #C0C0C0

| link3 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 3)

| auxA3 = 13

| episodes3 = 16

| start3 = {{Start date|2011|1|24}}

| end3 = {{End date|2011|5|2}}

| infoA3 = Raja

| infoB3 = Manila Luzon

| infoC3 = Yara Sofia

| color4 = #A683EE

| link4 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 4)

| auxA4 = 13

| episodes4 = 14

| start4 = {{Start date|2012|1|30}}

| end4 = {{End date|2012|4|30}}

| infoA4 = Sharon Needles

| infoB4 = {{nowrap|Chad Michaels}}
Phi Phi O'Hara

| infoC4 = Latrice Royale

| color5 = #F0E68C

| link5 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 5)

| auxA5 = 14

| episodes5 = 14

| start5 = {{Start date|2013|1|28}}

| end5 = {{End date|2013|5|6}}

| infoA5 = Jinkx Monsoon

| infoB5 = Alaska
{{nowrap|Roxxxy Andrews}}

| infoC5 = Ivy Winters

| color6 = #8B008B

| link6 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 6)

| auxA6 = 14

| episodes6 = 14

| start6 = {{Start date|2014|2|24}}

| end6 = {{End date|2014|5|19}}

| infoA6 = Bianca Del Rio

| infoB6 = Adore Delano
Courtney Act

| infoC6 = BenDeLaCreme

| color7 = #DCDCDC

| link7 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 7)

| auxA7 = 14

| episodes7 = 14

| start7 = {{Start date|2015|3|2}}

| end7 = {{End date|2015|6|1}}

| infoA7 = Violet Chachki

| infoB7 = Ginger Minj
Pearl

| infoC7 = Katya

| color8 = #7FFFD4

| link8 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 8)

| auxA8 = 12

| episodes8 = 10

| start8 = {{Start date|2016|3|7}}

| end8 = {{End date|2016|5|16}}

| infoA8 = {{nowrap|Bob the Drag Queen}}

| infoB8 = Kim Chi
Naomi Smalls

| infoC8 = Cynthia Lee Fontaine

| color9 = #DA70D6

| link9 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 9)

| auxA9 = 14

| episodes9 = 14

| start9 = {{Start date|2017|3|24}}

| end9 = {{End date|2017|6|23}}

| network9 = VH1

| infoA9 = Sasha Velour

| infoB9 = Peppermint

| infoC9 = Valentina

| color10 = #7C3F8C

| link10 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 10)

| auxA10 = 14

| episodes10 = 14

| start10 = {{Start date|2018|3|22}}

| end10 = {{End date|2018|6|28}}

| infoA10 = Aquaria

| infoB10 = Eureka
{{nowrap|Kameron Michaels}}

| infoC10 = Monét X Change

| color11 = #FF68CA

| link11 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 11)

| auxA11 = 15

| episodes11 = 14

| start11 = {{Start date|2019|2|28}}

| end11 = {{End date|2019|5|30}}

| infoA11 = Yvie Oddly

| infoB11 = {{nowrap|Brooke Lynn Hytes}}

| infoC11 = Nina West

| color12 = #274EC3

| link12 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 12)

| auxA12 = 13

| episodes12 = 14

| start12 = {{Start date|2020|2|28}}

| end12 = {{End date|2020|5|29}}

| infoA12 = Jaida Essence Hall

| infoB12 = Crystal Methyd
Gigi Goode

| infoC12 = Heidi N Closet

| color13 = #93D1D1

| link13 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 13)

| auxA13 = 13

| episodes13 = 16

| start13 = {{Start date|2021|1|1}}

| end13 = {{End date|2021|4|23}}

| infoA13 = Symone

| infoB13 = Kandy Muse

| infoC13 = LaLa Ri

| color14 = #DD845E

| link14 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 14)

| auxA14 = 14

| episodes14 = 16

| start14 = {{Start date|2022|1|7}}

| end14 = {{End date|2022|4|22}}

| infoA14 = Willow Pill

| infoB14 = Lady Camden

| infoC14 = {{nowrap|Kornbread "The Snack" Jeté}}

| color15 = #FF0097

| link15 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 15)

| auxA15 = 16

| episodes15 = 16

| start15 = {{Start date|2023|1|6}}

| end15 = {{Start date|2023|4|14}}

| network15 = MTV

| infoA15 = Sasha Colby

| infoB15 = Anetra

| infoC15 = Malaysia Babydoll Foxx

| color16 = #F6EF15

| link16 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 16)

| auxA16 = 14

| episodes16 = 16

| start16 = {{start date|2024|01|05}}

| end16 = {{start date|2024|04|19}}

| infoA16 = Nymphia Wind

| infoB16 = Sapphira Cristál

| infoC16 = Sapphira Cristál
Xunami Muse

| color17 = #0040FF

| link17 = RuPaul's Drag Race season 17

| auxA17 = 14

| episodes17 = 16

| start17 = {{start date|2025|01|03}}

| end17 = {{start date|2025|04|18}}

| infoA17 = Onya Nurve

| infoB17 = Jewels Sparkles

| infoC17 = Crystal Envy

}}

{{multiple image

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| caption_align =

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| header =

| image1 = Bebe Zahara Benet at NUBIA 2020 (cropped).jpg

| alt1 =

| link1 = File:Bebe Zahara Benet at NUBIA 2020 (cropped).jpg

| thumbtime1 =

| caption1 =

| image2 = Tyra Sanchez (cropped) 2.jpg

| alt2 =

| link2 = File:Tyra Sanchez (cropped).jpg

| thumbtime2 =

| caption2 =

| image3 = Raja (Sutan Amrull) at RuPaul's DragCon LA 2019 (cropped).jpg

| alt3 =

| link3 = File:Raja (Sutan Amrull) at RuPaul's DragCon LA 2019 (cropped).jpg

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| footer_background =

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| footer = BeBe Zahara Benet (top left), Tyra Sanchez (top right), Raja (bottom left), and Sharon Needles (bottom right), the winners of seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively

}}

Season 1 premiered in the U.S. on February 2, 2009, on Logo TV. Nine contestants competed to become "America's Next Drag Superstar". In late 2013,{{cite press release|url=http://press.logotv.com/press-releases/2014/05/27/gentlemen-re-start-your-engines-and-may-the-best-woman-win-again|title=Gentlemen, Re-Start Your Engines...and May the Best Woman Win...Again!|last=Shumaker|first=Jason|date=August 18, 2013|publisher=Logo|access-date=August 17, 2015|author2=Jake Slane|work=Logo Press Room|archive-date=August 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801040744/http://press.logotv.com/press-releases/2014/05/27/gentlemen-re-start-your-engines-and-may-the-best-woman-win-again|url-status=live}} Logo re-aired the season as RuPaul's Drag Race: The Lost Season Ru-Vealed, featuring commentary from RuPaul.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151663349732828&set=a.156472877827.118955.31772462827&type=1&comment_id=9992661&reply_comment_id=9992723&total_comments=15|title=Callie, dear...|publisher=RuPaul's Drag Race Facebook page|date=September 23, 2013|access-date=August 17, 2015|quote=Callie, dear...|archive-date=June 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626201632/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D10151663349732828%26set%3Da.156472877827.118955.31772462827%26type%3D1%26comment_id%3D9992661%26reply_comment_id%3D9992723%26total_comments%3D15|url-status=live}}

For season 2 (2010), 12 contestants competed on the show. A new tradition of writing a farewell message in lipstick on the workstation mirror was started by the first eliminated queen, Shangela. Each week's episode is followed by a behind-the-scenes show, RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked.

Season 3 (2011) had Michelle Visage replacing Merle Ginsberg on the judging panel as well as Billy Brasfield{{cite web|last=Brasfield|first=Billy|url=http://www.billybbeauty.com/site/bio_all.html|title=Billy Brasfield Official Biography|access-date=August 19, 2015|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306082751/http://billybbeauty.com/site/bio_all.html|url-status=dead}} (commonly known as Billy B), Mike Ruiz, and Jeffrey Moran filling in for Santino Rice's absence during several episodes. Due to Billy B's continued appearances, he and Rice are considered to have been alternate judges for the same seat on judges panel.{{cite web|url=http://www.logotv.com/video/episode-16-season-3-reunited/1662947/playlist.jhtml#vid=647523|title=Ep. 16, Episode 16, Season 3: Reunited!|publisher=Logo TV|access-date=August 17, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107020503/http://www.logotv.com/video/episode-16-season-3-reunited/1662947/playlist.jhtml#vid=647523|archive-date=November 7, 2014}} Other changes included the introduction of a wildcard contestant from the past season, Shangela; an episode with no elimination; and a contestant, Carmen Carrera, being brought back into the competition after having been eliminated a few episodes prior. A new pit crew was also introduced consisting of Jason Carter and Shawn Morales.

Season 4 began airing on January 30, 2012,{{cite web | url = http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-4-judges-glee-modern-family-amber-riley-jesse-tyler-ferguson/10/2011/ | title = RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4 Judges: Think Glee, Modern Family! | access-date = October 12, 2011 | last = Polly | first = John | date = October 10, 2011 | work = NewNowNext | publisher = Logo | archive-date = October 13, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111013140631/http://www.newnownext.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-4-judges-glee-modern-family-amber-riley-jesse-tyler-ferguson/10/2011 | url-status = live }} with cast members announced November 13, 2011.{{cite web | url = http://www.logotv.com/shows/rupauls_drag_race/season_4/series.jhtml | title = Rupaul's Drag Race Season 4 | access-date = November 15, 2011 | publisher = Logo | archive-date = November 15, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111115023051/http://www.logotv.com/shows/rupauls_drag_race/season_4/series.jhtml | url-status = live }} Like the previous season, Rice and Billy B alternated the same seat at the judges table, with Brasfield filling in for Rice when needed.{{multiple image|perrow=2|

| align = left

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| header =

| image1 = Jinkx Monsoon 08 (cropped).jpg

| alt1 =

| link1 = File:Jinkx Monsoon 08.jpg

| thumbtime1 =

| caption1 =

| image2 = Bianca Del Rio, Rolodex of Hate Tour, Theater Amsterdam 2015 (cropped).jpg

| alt2 =

| link2 = File:Bianca Del Rio, Rolodex of Hate Tour, Theater Amsterdam 2015.jpg

| thumbtime2 =

| caption2 =

| image3 = Violet Chachki at DragCon, April 2017 (cropped).png

| alt3 =

| link3 = File:Violet Chachki at DragCon, April 2017.png

| thumbtime3 =

| caption3 =

| image4 = Bob The Drag Queen at Rupaul's Dragcon 2017 by dvsross (cropped) 2.jpg

| alt4 =

| link4 = File:Bob The Drag Queen at Rupaul's Dragcon 2017 by dvsross.jpg

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| footer_background =

| footer_align =

| footer = Jinkx Monsoon (top left), Bianca Del Rio (top right), Violet Chachki (bottom left), and Bob The Drag Queen (bottom right), the winners of seasons 5, 6, 7, and 8, respectively

}}

Season 5 began airing on January 28, 2013, with a 90-minute premiere episode and fourteen contestants Rice and Visage were back as judges on the panel.{{cite press release|url=http://www.logopressroom.com/press-release/rpdr5premiere/|title="THE QUEENS OF "RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE" SEASON FIVE BEGIN THEIR BATTLE FOR THE CROWN ON MONDAY, JANUARY 28 ON LOGO|access-date=August 17, 2015|last=Shumaker|first=Jason|author2=Jake Slane|date=December 10, 2012|work=Logo Press Room|publisher=Logo|archive-date=December 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215225527/http://www.logopressroom.com/press-release/rpdr5premiere/|url-status=live}}

Season 6 began airing February 24, 2014. For the first time, the season premiere was split into two episodes; the 14 queens are split into two groups and the seven queens in each group compete against one another before being united as one group in the third episode. Rice and Visage returned as judges at the panel. Two new pit crew members, Miles Moody and Simon Sherry-Wood, joined Carter and Morales.{{cite web | url = http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2014/02/19/meet-rupauls-drag-races-new-bulgier-pit-crew | title = Meet RuPaul's Drag Race's New, Bulgier Pit Crew | access-date = February 22, 2014 | last = Lambe | first = Stacy | date = February 19, 2014 | work = out.com, Popnography | archive-date = April 28, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190428045703/https://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2014/02/19/meet-rupauls-drag-races-new-bulgier-pit-crew | url-status = live }}

Season 7 began airing on March 2, 2015. Returning judges included RuPaul and Visage, while the Rice's space was filled by new additions Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley,{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/28/drag-race-season-seven-premiere_n_6555636.html|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Adds New Judges, Will Premiere March 2|access-date=August 17, 2015|date=January 28, 2015|work=Huffington Post|archive-date=August 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814040006/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/28/drag-race-season-seven-premiere_n_6555636.html|url-status=live}} who were both present for the season premiere and then took turns sharing judging responsibilities. Morales and Simon Sherry-Wood did not appear this season and were replaced by Bryce Eilenberg. The season premiere debuted with a live and same-day viewership of 348,000, a 20 percent increase from the previous season. On March 20, 2015, Logo announced it had given the series an early renewal for an eighth season.{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/rupauls-drag-race-season-8-renewal-1201456543/ |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Renewed for Season 8 at Logo |access-date=August 17, 2015 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=March 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321031221/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/rupauls-drag-race-season-8-renewal-1201456543/ |url-status=live }}

Season 8 on began airing on March 7, 2016, with cast members announced during the NewNowNext Honors on February 1, 2016. Visage returned as a main judge, while Kressley and Mathews returned as rotating main judges.{{cite web|last1=Avery|first1=Dan|title=The Cast Of RuPaul{{'}}s Drag Race Season 8 Will Be Announced At New Now Next Honors|url=http://www.newnownext.com/the-cast-of-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-will-be-announced-at-new-now-next-honors/01/2016/|website=New Now Next|publisher=Viacom International Inc.|access-date=January 14, 2016|location=United States|date=January 14, 2016|archive-date=January 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116173125/http://www.newnownext.com/the-cast-of-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-will-be-announced-at-new-now-next-honors/01/2016/|url-status=live}} The first episode celebrated the 100th taping of the show and the 100th drag queen to compete.

{{multiple image|perrow=2|

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| image1 = Sasha Velour (cropped) 2.jpg

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| link1 = File:Sasha Velour 2.jpg

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| image2 = Aquaria at Dragcon by dvsross (cropped).jpg

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| link2 = File:Aquaria at Dragcon by dvsross.jpg

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| image3 = Dragcon-25 (47937194866) (cropped).jpg

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| image4 = Luck Be a Lady-Treasure Island Casino Welsh, MN-Flip Phone Events - 52145300733 (cropped).jpg

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| footer = Sasha Velour (top left), Aquaria (top right), Yvie Oddly (bottom left), and Jaida Essence Hall (bottom right), the winners of seasons 9, 10, 11, and 12, respectively

}}

Season 9 began airing on March 24, 2017, on VH1, with cast members announced on February 2, 2017. Visage returned as a main judge, and Kressley and Mathews returned as rotating main judges. Encore presentations continued to air on Logo.{{cite web|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|title=RuPaul's Drag Race Moves From Logo To VH1, More Viacom Show Shifts To Come?|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/rupauls-drag-race-moves-logo-vh1-viacom-series-shift-1202032976/|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|access-date=March 1, 2017|location=United States|date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=March 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302113949/http://deadline.com/2017/03/rupauls-drag-race-moves-logo-vh1-viacom-series-shift-1202032976/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Gennis|first1=Sadie|title=RuPaul's Drag Race Gets Season 9 Premiere Date – and a New Network!|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/rupauls-drag-race-gets-season-9-premiere-vh1/|website=TVGuide|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=March 1, 2017|location=United States|date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=March 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301211126/http://www.tvguide.com/news/rupauls-drag-race-gets-season-9-premiere-vh1/|url-status=live}} This season featured the return of Cynthia Lee Fontaine, who previously participated in the season 8. Season 9 featured a top four in the finale episode, as opposed to the top three, which was previously established in season 4.

Season 10 began airing on March 22, 2018. Visage returned as a main judge, and Kressley and Mathews returned as rotating main judges. Eureka O'Hara, who was removed from the ninth season due to an injury, returned to the show.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2017/04/21/rupauls-drag-race-eureka-returning-season-10-exit-interview/|title=Drag Race's Surprise Eliminee: 'I'm Definitely Going Back' for Season 10|last1=Swift|first1=Andy|date=2017-04-22|website=TVLine|access-date=2017-05-11|archive-date=May 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513090717/http://tvline.com/2017/04/21/rupauls-drag-race-eureka-returning-season-10-exit-interview/|url-status=live}} Season 10 premiered alongside the televised return of Untucked.{{cite magazine|last=Nolfi|first=Joey|title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 10 and Untucked will sashay to VH1 in March|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/02/16/rupauls-drag-race-season-10-premiere-date/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 16, 2018|archive-date=February 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216182532/http://ew.com/tv/2018/02/16/rupauls-drag-race-season-10-premiere-date/|url-status=live}} The tenth season featured a top four following the previous season's finale format.

Season 11 began airing February 28, 2019. This season had fifteen contestants. Visage returned as a main judge, and Kressley and Mathews returned as rotating main judges. This season saw the return of Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, who was the first contestant eliminated in season 10. Season 11 again featured a top four in the finale. As with season 10, each week's episode was followed by an episode of the televised return of RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked.

On January 22, 2019, casting for Season 12 (2020) was announced via YouTube and Twitter and was closed on March 1, 2019. On August 19, 2019, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a twelfth season.{{cite web |last=Swift |first=Andy |title=RuPaul's Drag Race Renewed for Season 12; All Stars 5 Also Ordered |url=https://tvline.com/2019/08/19/rupauls-drag-race-season-12-renewed-all-stars-5-watch-video/ |website=TVLine |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://www.freezepage.com/1566232511XKZAGGGMPV?url=https://tvline.com/2019/08/19/rupauls-drag-race-season-12-renewed-all-stars-5-watch-video/ |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |location=United States |date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live}} The season began airing on February 28, 2020. This is the only season to have the reunion and finale recorded virtually from the contestants' homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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On December 2, 2019, casting for Season 13 (2021) was announced via YouTube and Twitter. The casting call closed on January 24, 2020.{{Cite web|title=Everything You Need to Know About 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 13|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a32377550/rupauls-drag-race-season-13-cast-judges-premiere-date/|last=Bonner|first=Mehera|date=2020-05-05|website=Cosmopolitan|access-date=2020-05-19|archive-date=May 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518215149/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a32377550/rupauls-drag-race-season-13-cast-judges-premiere-date/|url-status=live}} On August 20, 2020, it was announced the thirteenth season had been ordered by VH1.{{cite web |last=Swift |first=Andy |title=RuPaul{{'}}s Drag Race Renewed for Season 13; All Stars 6 Also Ordered |url=https://tvline.com/2020/08/20/drag-race-season-13-renewed-all-stars-6-vh1/ |website=TVLine |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=August 20, 2020 |location=United States |date=August 20, 2020 |archive-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821175206/https://tvline.com/2020/08/20/drag-race-season-13-renewed-all-stars-6-vh1/ |url-status=live }} It began airing on January 1, 2021.

Casting for Season 14 began on November 23, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a34764445/rupaul-drag-race-season-14-casting-revealed/|title=RuPaul's Drag Race reveals big update on season 14|date=November 24, 2020|last=Edwards|first=Chris|website=Digital Spy |access-date=November 24, 2020|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124002459/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a34764445/rupaul-drag-race-season-14-casting-revealed/|url-status=live}} In August 2021, it was announced the fourteenth season had been ordered by VH1.{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-season-14-returning-vh1/|title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 14 returning to VH1 with Celebrity Drag Race season 2|last=Nolfi|first=Joey|date=August 23, 2021|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=August 31, 2021|archive-date=August 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830102741/https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-season-14-returning-vh1/|url-status=live}} The cast for the fourteenth season was revealed through VH1 on December 2, 2021. The season started airing on January 7, 2022.{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-season-14-cast-interviews/|title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 14 cast speaks on 'absolutely chaotic' twists for their family of 'f---ing weirdos'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=December 2, 2021|last=Nolfi|first=Joey|access-date=December 18, 2021|archive-date=December 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203011523/https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-season-14-cast-interviews/|url-status=live}} The season welcomed Maddy Morphosis, the show's first heterosexual, cisgender male contestant.{{cite web |last=Bambino |first=Samantha |date=December 3, 2021 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Maddy Morphosis Cast As 1st Straight Cisgender Man |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-maddy-morphosis-cisgender-straight-man/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204205433/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-maddy-morphosis-cisgender-straight-man/ |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |access-date=December 4, 2021 |work=Screen Rant}} The season notably also featured five transgender contestants: Kerri Colby and Kornbread "The Snack" Jeté (both of whom entered the competition openly trans), Jasmine Kennedie (who came out as a trans woman during filming of the show),{{Cite web |last=Garner |first=Glenn |date=2022-02-19 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race Contestant Jasmine Kennedie Comes Out as Transgender: 'Living My Truth' |url=https://people.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-contestant-jasmine-kennedie-comes-out-transgender/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219223702/https://people.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-contestant-jasmine-kennedie-comes-out-transgender/ |archive-date=2022-02-19 |access-date=2022-02-20 |website=PEOPLE.com |language=en}} Bosco (who also came out as a trans woman as the season aired),{{Cite web |last=Nolfi |first=Joey |date=2022-02-10 |title='Drag Race' queen Bosco comes out as trans |url=https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-queen-bosco-comes-out-trans/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213083808/https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-queen-bosco-comes-out-trans/ |archive-date=2022-02-13 |access-date=2022-02-13 |website=EW.com |language=en}} and Willow Pill (who came out as trans femme as the season aired).{{Cite web |last=Nolfi |first=Joey |date=2022-03-03 |title='Drag Race' star Willow Pill comes out as trans |url=https://ew.com/tv/willow-pill-comes-out-trans-rupauls-drag-race-season-14/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304133036/https://ew.com/tv/willow-pill-comes-out-trans-rupauls-drag-race-season-14/ |archive-date=2022-03-04 |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=EW.com |language=en}} The winning queen received $150,000, the highest amount awarded to date in a regular season. The runner-up received a $50,000 cash prize for the first time.{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=2022-04-07 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 14 Increases Prize Money and Announces Cash Prize for Runner-Up |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/rupauls-drag-race-season-14-cash-prize-money-1235227416/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409142123/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/rupauls-drag-race-season-14-cash-prize-money-1235227416/ |archive-date=2022-04-09 |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

Casting for Season 15 began on November 4, 2021, and closed on January 7, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RuPaul/status/1456323411982962690|title=CASTING for #DragRace 15 has begun|website=Twitter|date=November 4, 2021|access-date=November 4, 2021|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104195221/https://twitter.com/RuPaul/status/1456323411982962690|url-status=live}}

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Season 15 premiered on January 6, 2023, on MTV.{{cite magazine|last=Nolfi|first=Joey|title=RuPaul's Drag Race moves to MTV for season 15 premiere date|url=https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-moves-mtv-season-15-premiere-date//|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=December 12, 2022}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} This season features the largest cast in the show's history, with sixteen queens competing, and the largest cash prize, with the winner earning $200,000. It is also the first season to feature biological relatives, twins Sugar and Spice.

Season 16 premiered on January 5, 2024, on MTV. This season introduced a LaLaPaRuZa Lip-Sync Smackdown competition for the eliminated queens that took place before the finale. Morphine Love Dion, who placed fifth in the main competition, won the smackdown and the title of Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses alongside a $50,000 prize. Also for the first time, the finalists who did not win received a cash tip of $25,000 each.

Season 17 premiered on January 3, 2025. The season was won by Onya Nurve on 19th April 2025. She won a $250,000 grand prize. Suzie Toot won the Lip Sync LaLaPaRuza and earned the title of ‘Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses’ and a prize of $50,000.

The winner of each season is crowned with the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar". The winner also receives a cash prize of $20,000 in season 1, $25,000 in season 2, $75,000 in season 3, $100,000 in seasons 4–13, $150,000 in season 14, and $200,000 in seasons 15–17. Cosmetics sponsors provide a make-up prize: a lifetime supply of MAC Cosmetics in season 1, a lifetime supply of NYX Cosmetics in seasons 2 and 4, a lifetime supply from Kryolan in season 3, a collection from ColorEvolution in seasons 5–6, and a one-year supply from Anastasia Beverly Hills since season 7.

Additional prizes included headlining the Drag Race tour featuring Absolut Vodka in seasons 1–5, appearance in an L.A. Eyeworks campaign in seasons 1 and 2, an exclusive one-year public relations contract with LGBTQ firm Project Publicity in season 2, a trip courtesy of AlandChuck.travel in seasons 4 and 5

{{Main|List of RuPaul's Drag Race contestants|l1=List of RuPaul's Drag Race contestants}}

More than 200 contestants have competed on the American version of the show.

File:Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato at MIFF (cropped).jpg]]

Vulture said in 2017, "The road to Drag Race was paved 32 years ago at a music seminar in Manhattan, when 24-year-old RuPaul met Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey, the founders of World of Wonder Productions, who would become his managers and best friends... Barbato started conversations with RuPaul about a reality show in 2004, around the time he and his frequent collaborator, Michelle Visage, began co-hosting a morning radio show in New York... When Tom Campbell, a development executive who had worked at MTV, Warner Bros. Television, New Line Television, and ABC, joined World of Wonder two years later as head of development, he broached the subject with the drag star again."{{Cite web |last=Fernandez |first=Maria Elena |date=2017-08-22 |title=Behind the Rise of RuPaul's Drag Race, the Realest Show on TV |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/08/behind-the-rise-of-rupauls-drag-race.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115142553/https://www.vulture.com/2017/08/behind-the-rise-of-rupauls-drag-race.html |archive-date=2022-11-15 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Vulture |publisher=Vox Media |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Hinton |first=Rachel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7PuiDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Rupaul's+drag+race%22+%22Tom+Campbell%22&pg=PT120 |title=RuPaul: In His Own Words |date=2020-02-11 |publisher=Agate Publishing |isbn=978-1-57284-837-5 |language=en}}

According to Vulture, Campbell (who became World of Wonder's chief creative officer), "came up with the show's format and its titular pun, while the producers and RuPaul came up with challenges, based on obstacles the drag star faced early in his career". Drag Race borrowed from other reality television show formats, including those of America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, and the World of Wonder series ¡Viva Hollywood! According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, "The show's format draws inspiration from 1980s Harlem drag balls and the performances of subversive drag collectives of the 1960s. In Ru's TV version, queens duke it out each week in various acting, fashion and improvisation challenges, and strut their themed looks down the runway before a lip sync showdown to decide who should 'shantay' or 'sashay away'."{{Cite news |date=2022-07-28 |title=RuPaul said drag would never go mainstream. 24 Emmys later, his show is a global phenomenon |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-29/how-rupauls-drag-race-became-a-global-media-empire/101270732 |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}

The show has had several executive producers, including Bailey, Barbato, Tom Campbell,{{Cite web |title=The inside scoop on Kamala Harris' herstoric Drag Race cameo |url=https://www.out.com/gay-tv-shows/rupauls-drag-race-producers-kamala-harris-cameo-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909120241/https://www.out.com/gay-tv-shows/rupauls-drag-race-producers-kamala-harris-cameo-interview |archive-date=2024-09-09 |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Out |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2017-03-21 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Producer World Of Wonder Bolsters Exec Team |url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/rupauls-drag-race-producer-world-of-wonder-bolsters-exec-promotions-hire-1202047866/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929053407/https://deadline.com/2017/03/rupauls-drag-race-producer-world-of-wonder-bolsters-exec-promotions-hire-1202047866/ |archive-date=2022-09-29 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |language=en-US}} Steven Corfe, Tim Palazzola, Jen Passovoy, John Polly, Pamela Post, RuPaul, Mandy Salangsang (also co-showrunner),{{Cite magazine |title=RuPaul, 'Drag Race' producers spill secrets of casting queens who conquer the world |url=https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-5-casting-interview/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}} and Michael Seligman have also been producers.{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=2023-06-08 |title='Drag Race' Team on 'Wigloose: The Rusical's' Importance: 'Our Existence Could Be Put Out Like That' |url=https://variety.com/2023/artisans/awards/rupaul-drag-race-anti-drag-trans-bill-timeliness-1235636111/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614215551/https://variety.com/2023/artisans/awards/rupaul-drag-race-anti-drag-trans-bill-timeliness-1235636111/ |archive-date=2023-06-14 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Ryan |date=2024-08-10 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Team On Critiquing Queens & Lifting Up The Queer Community: "There's No Other Show That Belongs To Us" – Contenders TV: The Nominees |url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/rupauls-drag-race-team-interview-1236035737/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2019-09-23 |title=RuPaul Gets Political As 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Sashays Into Second Straight Reality Emmy Win |url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/rupauls-drag-race-wins-outstanding-competition-program-second-year-1202740907/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} Jacqueline Wilson was also a producer, prior to her death.{{Cite web |title=RuPaul Was Asked About 'Drag Race's Mostly White Production Team |url=https://www.out.com/television/2019/9/23/rupaul-was-asked-about-drag-races-mostly-white-production-team |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912001950/https://www.out.com/television/2019/9/23/rupaul-was-asked-about-drag-races-mostly-white-production-team |archive-date=2024-09-12 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Out |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-09-15 |title=RuPaul Dedicates Fourth Reality Host Emmy To Late 'Drag Race' Producer Jacqueline Wilson |url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/rupaul-dedicates-fourth-reality-host-emmy-to-late-drag-race-producer-jacqueline-wilson-1202734796/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}

Nick Murray is a director; his work on the series has earned him seven consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Reality Program, winning twice; in 2018 and 2023, for the episodes "10s Across the Board" from the tenth season and "Gettin' Lucky" from the thirteenth season, respectively.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-17 |title=The Traitors Season 2 & Host Alan Cumming Nominated for 4 Emmy Awards |url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/the-traitors-season-2-emmy-award-nominations |access-date=2025-03-10 |website= |publisher=NBC |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Nick Murray |url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/nick-murray |access-date=2025-03-10 |website= |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |language=en}}

Thousands of applications to compete on the series are submitted each season.{{Cite web |last=Malkin |first=Marc |date=2018-08-23 |title=Emmys: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Casting Directors Talk 'Top Secret' Audition Tapes, Trans Contestants |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/emmys-2018-rupauls-drag-race-casting-directors-talk-audition-tapes-transgender-contestants-1202913587/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} In most cases, hopeful candidates submit audition tapes, though there have been exceptions. Penny Tration, who competed on the fifth season (2013), was cast after being selected "Fan Pick" on social media.{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Sarah Anne |date=2012-11-08 |title=Dragged In: "RuPaul's Drag Race's" Penny Tration discusses the "big and sparkly" evolution of drag culture |url=https://www.redandblack.com/variety/dragged-in-rupauls-drag-races-penny-tration-discusses-the-big-and-sparkly-evolution-of-drag/article_3138cbf8-29c9-11e2-9b68-0019bb30f31a.html |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=The Red & Black |language=en}} Hormona Lisa, who was cast for the seventeenth season (2025), notably gave her audition tape to RuPaul in front of a live audience at a book tour stop.{{Cite web |last=Morey |first=Alice |date=2024-03-11 |title=Did RuPaul just cast the first queen for season 17 of Drag Race? |url=https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/did-rupaul-just-cast-the-first-queen-for-season-17-of-drag-race/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=GAY TIMES |language=en-US}} Screen Rant said, "Unfortunately, many drag performers make the mistake of sending audition tapes showing only what they think Drag Race producers are looking for."{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |date=2020-04-08 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 10 Facts About The Show According To RuPaul |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-trivia-show/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} RuPaul has said of the audition process, "Everyone does the exact same thing. They behave in a way that they think I want them to behave. But the people who stick out are the ones who are authentic and are really just being themselves."

According to Screen Rant, "Casting decisions are not only hidden from the public. When the contestants arrive, producers separate them until filming begins. Even in the comfort of their own hotel room they have to be careful not to catch a glimpse of their fellow competitors. It is not until they step into the werk room that they discover who they will be competing against. Their surprised reactions to their cast mates are therefore some of the realest moments on RuPaul's Drag Race."{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Hanne |date=2018-10-04 |title=10 Fakest Things About RuPaul's Drag Race (And 10 That Are Completely Real) |url=https://screenrant.com/rupaul-drag-race-fake-real/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619031137/https://screenrant.com/rupaul-drag-race-fake-real/ |archive-date=2024-06-19 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}

Casting is directed by Casting Firm, which was founded by Goloka Bolte and Ethan Peterson.{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=2020-07-08 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Casting Director on Looking to Capture 'Diversity' in Drag Community |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/features/rupauls-drag-race-season-12-casting-interview-sherry-pie-jackie-cox-1234693674/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Turchiano |first=Danielle |date=2018-03-16 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' at 10: Launching the Next Wave of Drag Superstars |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/rupaul-drag-race-most-successful-queens-1202715507/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130190623/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/rupaul-drag-race-most-successful-queens-1202715507/ |url-status=live }}

File:RuPaul_and_his_Pit_Crew_at_Dragcon_by_dvsross.jpg members with RuPaul (second from left), including Shawn Morales (second from right), at RuPaul's DragCon LA in 2019]]Contestants are secluded and stay in a hotel during production.{{Cite web |last=Pierce-Bohen |first=Kayleena |date=2022-01-29 |title=10 Things You Never Knew About Life On The RuPaul's Drag Race Set |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-behind-scenes-facts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506233617/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-behind-scenes-facts/ |archive-date=2023-05-06 |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} According to Screen Rant, "The show tries to keep each season's cast strictly confidential. Contestants cannot tell anyone that they will be participating, and they must make up lies to their loved ones about their whereabouts." Contestants are asked to bring dozens of outfits and cannot use phones, radios, tablets, or televisions while filming.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-18 |title=Rules You Didn't Know 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestants Have to Follow |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/g44222486/rupauls-drag-race-rules/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209201942/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/g44222486/rupauls-drag-race-rules/ |archive-date=2025-02-09 |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Cosmopolitan |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |date=2018-04-29 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 16 Crazy Secrets Only Untucked Fans Know |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-untucked-secrets/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} An exception is the ability to use an iPod with songs planned to be used for lip-sync contests. Willam was disqualified for violating production rules while taping the fourth season.{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |date=2020-08-15 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 10 Wildest Things Former Cast Members Have Revealed About The Show |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-wildest-things-former-cast-members-revealed-about-show/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221205819/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-wildest-things-former-cast-members-revealed-about-show/ |archive-date=2024-02-21 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Hanne |date=2019-01-24 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 12 Rules Queens Have To Follow (And 8 They Love To Break) |url=https://screenrant.com/rupaul-drag-race-queens-rules-follow-break/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} When filming fashion shows, contestants have two chances to walk the runway on the main stage. Since Mimi Imfurst picked up India Ferrah during a lip-sync on the third season (2011), RuPaul has declared that "drag is not a contact sport", meaning contestants should not be physically aggressive towards each other.{{Cite magazine |title=Shannel becomes first queen to fall off the 'Drag Race' Main Stage |url=https://ew.com/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-9-shannel-falls-off-main-stage-8650106 |access-date=2025-03-16 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |title=India Ferrah reveals post-'Drag Race' trauma over Mimi Imfurst pickup |url=https://ew.com/tv/india-ferrah-mimi-imfurst-pick-up/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}} Since news leaked about Raja's win ahead of the third season's finale, multiple endings are filmed for each season. Contestants learn who won the season when the finale airs.

The show's first season (2009), sometimes called "The Lost Season", is said to have a "Vaseline filter" because "it was virtually impossible to make out the queens through its cloudy haze", according to Screen Rant. The website has said, "The season 1 filter is probably the first thing that comes to mind when fans think back to the very first season of Drag Race. The competition show has since found its aesthetic in crisp and clear high-definition quality imaging and vibrant colors, but the original filter used for the series' opening season was a far cry from what viewers are used to now."{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Amaya |date=2022-09-11 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 10 Things About Season 1 That Are Unrecognizable To Viewers Now |url=https://screenrant.com/rupaul-drag-race-things-season-one-unrecognizable-viewers/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Moon |date=2021-09-04 |title=10 Best Ways RuPaul's Drag Race Has Changed Over Time |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-changes-since-season-1/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=McCreery |first=Sara |date=2021-11-19 |title=10 Things RuPaul's Drag Race Used To Do That It Should Bring Back |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-things-should-bring-back/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} During filming of the third season, there was a weeks-long production pause after a confrontation between contestants Mimi Imfurst and Shangela.

The thirteenth season (2021) was delayed and filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drag Race "made history as one of the first shows to go into production during this period".{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Brad |date=2021-02-25 |title=What To Know About The RuPaul's Drag Race COVID-19 Shutdown Documentary |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-covid19-shutdown-documentary-vh1-explained/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} According to Screen Rant, the production team "quite literally pioneered safe sets for COVID" and "managed to film an entire television season under the new protocols and kept everyone safe...What's more, they managed to do so while having a ton of fun. Season 13 is kinetic, drama-filled, and a blast for any fan of the show." Special guests like Anne Hathaway and Scarlett Johansson appeared on the show remotely.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-18 |title=VH1 Gives Us A Peek At How 'RuPaul's Drag Race' S13 Filmed This Year |url=https://instinctmagazine.com/vh1-gives-us-a-peek-at-how-rupauls-drag-race-s13-filmed-this-year/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Instinct |language=en-US |issn=1096-0058}} The special Corona Can't Keep a Good Queen Down showed the challenges faced by contestants and the production team while filming during the pandemic.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-01 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race: Corona Can't Keep a Good Queen Down' recap |url=https://xtramagazine.com/culture/tv-film/rupauls-drag-race-corona-cant-keep-a-good-queen-down-recap-195941 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Xtra Magazine |language=en-CA}}{{Cite web |last=Guzzo |first=Bianca |date=2021-02-27 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race Special: Corona Can't Keep A Good Queen Down |url=https://inmagazine.ca/2021/02/rupauls-drag-race-special-corona-cant-keep-a-good-queen-down/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241102211219/https://inmagazine.ca/2021/02/rupauls-drag-race-special-corona-cant-keep-a-good-queen-down/ |archive-date=2024-11-02 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=IN Magazine |language=en-CA}}

The Pit Crew is a group of male models who assist with challenges and other segments on the show. Members wear "modesty cups" in their underwear to hide the silhouettes of genitalia.{{Cite magazine |last=Crowley |first=Patrick |date=2018-05-18 |title=5 Things We Learned On the Set of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/rupauls-drag-race-behind-the-scenes-8456690/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302235641/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/rupauls-drag-race-behind-the-scenes-8456690/ |archive-date=2024-03-02 |access-date=2025-03-10 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |language=en-US |issn=0006-2510 |oclc=732913734}} Notable members have included Laith Ashley, Shawn Morales, and Simon Sherry-Wood.

File:HollywoodCenterStudios01 (cropped).jpg in Hollywood, Los Angeles]]RuPaul's Drag Race is mostly filmed at the Sunset Las Palmas Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Brad |date=2021-03-25 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Location & Details About Where The Show Is Filmed |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-location-details-where-show-filmed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115010753/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-location-details-where-show-filmed/ |archive-date=2025-01-15 |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} Some episodes, particularly season finales, have been filmed off-site. The finale of seasons 7 and 11 were filmed at Los Angeles's Orpheum Theatre.{{Cite web |last=Libby |first=Katie |title="RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 7, Episode 14: Grand Finale |url=https://www.roccitymag.com/EntertainmentBlog/archives/2015/06/04/rupauls-drag-race-season-7-episode-14-grand-finale |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=CITY Magazine |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |title=See the sickening looks from the 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 11 finale |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/05/14/rupauls-drag-race-season-11-finale-taping-looks/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}} The finale of the tenth season (2018) was filmed at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Stroude |first=Will |date=2018-06-29 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race season 10 crowns winner in shock-filled finale |url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/film-tv/rupauls-drag-race-season-10-crowns-winner-in-shock-filled-finale-296313/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910215127/https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/film-tv/rupauls-drag-race-season-10-crowns-winner-in-shock-filled-finale-296313/ |archive-date=2024-09-10 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Attitude |language=en-GB |issn=1353-1875}} The finale of the twelfth season (2020) was filmed virtually because of the pandemic.{{Cite magazine |last=Daw |first=Stephen |date=2020-05-15 |title=The Season 12 Reunion & Finale of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Are Going Digital |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/rupauls-drag-race-reunion-finale-filmed-virtually-9378747/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422025811/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/rupauls-drag-race-reunion-finale-filmed-virtually-9378747/ |archive-date=2024-04-22 |access-date=2025-03-09 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} The finale of seasons 13 and 15 were filmed at the Ace Hotel and the finale of the fourteenth season (2022) was filmed at the Flamingo Las Vegas, which hosts the residency RuPaul's Drag Race Live!{{Cite web |last=Gregory |first=Drew Burnett |date=2021-04-17 |title="Drag Race" 1315 Recap: It's Time to Lip Sync for Your Brand |url=https://www.autostraddle.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-13-episode-15-recap/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Autostraddle |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=2022-04-25 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 14 Finale: Three Things You Didn't See on TV |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/rupauls-drag-race-season-14-finale-winner-1235239972/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329214230/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/rupauls-drag-race-season-14-finale-winner-1235239972/ |archive-date=2023-03-29 |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Robledo |first=Jordan |date=2023-04-15 |title=Drag Race: Here's how fans reacted to the sickening winner of season 15 |url=https://www.gaytimes.com/drag/drag-race-heres-how-fans-reacted-to-the-sickening-winner-of-season-15/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Gay Times |language=en-US}} There have also been instances in which challenges have been filmed outside the studio. On the second season (2010), contestants went to Hollywood to perform burlesque for a crowd. On the fourth season, contestants went to Hollywood to collect materials from waste containers. Screen Rant said these off-site challenges "forced the contestants operate in a public environment, which challenged them in unique ways that are lacking from the show nowadays".

The workroom used by contestants is referred to as the "Werk Room".{{Cite magazine |date= |title=Everything we saw on set as 'Drag Race' filmed its 200th episode |url=https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-200-episode-behind-the-scenes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211090636/https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-200-episode-behind-the-scenes/ |archive-date=2025-02-11 |access-date=2025-03-09 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}} Lip-syncs are performed on a main stage,{{Cite web |title=5 Surprising Things We Learned from the 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Set |url=https://people.com/rupauls-drag-race-behind-the-scenes-set-visit-8698999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911071637/https://people.com/rupauls-drag-race-behind-the-scenes-set-visit-8698999 |archive-date=2024-09-11 |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=People |language=en |issn=0093-7673 |oclc=794712888}} which has also been upgraded over time. There is also a separate room with a green screen, which is used by individual contestants during confessionals. The set has non-functioning clocks, but contestants are given time checks from production staff. The set also has an Untucked Lounge for tapings of RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked. Previously, the set had an Absolut Vodka-sponsored{{Cite news |last=Julig |first=Carina |date=2018-05-24 |title=Why Stoli Vodka and Harvey Milk Day Make a Nasty Cocktail |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/05/stoli-vodkas-harvey-milk-day-bottle-is-not-a-good-mix.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339}} Interior Illusions Lounge.{{Cite web |title=RPDR's Untucked Is Good Now - PAPER Magazine |url=https://www.papermag.com/untucked-is-good-now-rpdr |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=www.papermag.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Lowder |first=J. Bryan |date=2015-03-10 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race Proves the Brilliance of the Drag "Mix Number" |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/03/rupauls-drag-race-season-seven-features-amazing-mix-number-about-flight-attendants.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339}}

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According to Screen Rant, "The Werk Room is where queens, often nervously, prepare for their maxi challenges and converse with their fellow queens. It is also where surviving queens return after the maxi challenge on the runway, where there is typically a winning queen and an eliminated queen."{{Cite web |last=Gemmell |first=Bethany |date=2022-12-05 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 9 Memes That Perfectly Sum Up Life In The Werk Room |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-best-memes-werk-room/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} The website said in 2021, "At first, the Werk Room was more of a workroom, a drab, mostly gray space that didn't stand out. For a while during the middle chunk of seasons, the Werk Room was covered in brick wallpaper and had pops of pink throughout. These days, the Werk Room is full of much more glitz and glamour. The colors are brighter and bolder, and the room is more pink than ever before."

The room has mirrors allowing contestants to prepare for main challenges{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Ryan |date=2024-08-20 |title=On-Set With 'RuPaul's Drag Race': Emmy-Nominated Crew & Season 16 Winner Nymphia Wind On Elevating The Game Year After Year |url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/rupauls-drag-race-nymphia-wind-jamal-sims-tom-campbell-mtv-reality-emmy-1236044904/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241117172459/https://deadline.com/2024/08/rupauls-drag-race-nymphia-wind-jamal-sims-tom-campbell-mtv-reality-emmy-1236044904/ |archive-date=2024-11-17 |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} and get into drag. Behind the mirrors is a hallway used by production staff, in order to capture more angles of the contestants. The Werk Room was upgraded ahead of the tenth season.{{Cite magazine |title=Exclusive: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 10 photos show Xtina, X Change, and booty eleganza! |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/03/07/rupauls-drag-race-season-10-first-look-photos/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}} It has been recreated at RuPaul's DragCon LA.{{Cite magazine |title=RuPaul's DragCon to feature interactive Werk Room fit for sashaying fantasies |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/02/01/rupauls-dragcon-2018-werk-room/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}

The Untucked Lounge has props from the show's past, including a Lil' Poundcake doll created by Alaska Thunderfuck and Lineysha Sparx, the Ornacia head worn by Vivacious, and a large "shade" button. Two large cockroaches appear on the lounge's walls, a nod to a pink dress worn by Alaska on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars which also inspired an outfit worn by Silky Nutmeg Ganache at finale event for the eleventh season.{{Cite magazine |title='Drag Race' remixes 'Untucked' lounge with fun show references |url=https://ew.com/rupauls-drag-race-untucked-lounge-returns-show-references-8423055 |access-date=2025-03-10 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}} The lounge also has couches and a mannequin wearing a T-shirt with the words "charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent", which is a phrase used by RuPaul on the show. The lounge also has a large trophy at one of the cosmetics stations as a reference to a trophy presented to Anetra during a mini-challenge on the fifteenth season and a stack of RuPaul's hip pad boxes.

File:Candis Cayne 2009.jpg]]

Screen Rant said in 2020, "Whether it is a on lip sync, a Rusical, or a straight-up choreography challenge, contestants are always asked to put their rhythm to test on the show. Thankfully, Drag Race has prominently featured various drag performers who also happen to be fantastic dancers."{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |date=2020-04-16 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 10 Best Dancing Queens, Ranked |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-best-dancing-queens/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}

Notable choreographers have included Candis Cayne and Jamal Sims. Miguel Zarate has also been a choreographer on the show.{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=2023-06-08 |title='Drag Race' Team on 'Wigloose: The Rusical's' Importance: 'Our Existence Could Be Put Out Like That' |url=https://variety.com/2023/artisans/awards/rupaul-drag-race-anti-drag-trans-bill-timeliness-1235636111/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614215551/https://variety.com/2023/artisans/awards/rupaul-drag-race-anti-drag-trans-bill-timeliness-1235636111/ |archive-date=2023-06-14 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} According to Deadline Hollywood, "For the dance numbers, Zarate is given a script before each Queen has a role, so he has to create a base for the choreography before they step on stage. As they start to learn the basic movements, Zarate can then tailor the individual performance a bit to make each Queen stand out."{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Ryan |date=2022-06-15 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Choreographer Miguel Zarate On Tailoring Moves To Each Queen So They "Truly Start Shining" |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/miguel-zarate-rupauls-drag-race-choreographer-magazine-1235046172/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}

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Australian artist Mathu Andersen was RuPaul's make-up artist until the ninth season.{{Cite web |title=Delta Work Reveals 'Drag Race' Behind-the-Scenes Drama With RuPaul |url=https://www.out.com/gay-tv-shows/delta-work-rupaul-fired-hair#rebelltitem1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224085457/https://www.out.com/gay-tv-shows/delta-work-rupaul-fired-hair#rebelltitem1 |archive-date=2024-02-24 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Out |language=en}} He was nominated for an Emmy Award in the same category for his work on the seventh season episode "ShakesQueer." Former contestant Raven became RuPaul's make-up artist in the ninth season.{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=2021-01-01 |title=RuPaul's Makeup Artist Raven on Filming 'Drag Race' Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/features/raven-rupaul-makeup-1234876855/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

Former contestant Delta Work styled RuPaul's wigs for seasons nine, ten, and eleven.

File:DragCon NYC 2017 - 37167618525 (cropped).jpg on the show, displayed at RuPaul's DragCon NYC]]

Fashion-related expectations by judges and viewers have increased over time; according to Paper magazine, "The shift occurred around season seven, when Drag Race viewership surged and social media took hold: prior to then, appearing on Drag Race did not have the career jolt that it packs today."{{Cite web |title=The High Fashion-ification of "Drag Race" - PAPER Magazine |url=https://www.papermag.com/drag-race-fashion-design#rebelltitem3 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Paper |language=en |issn=1073-9122}} Screen Rant said in 2022, "Fashion is one of the key pillars when it comes to winning RuPaul's Drag Race. Through the years, the show has had queens who not only know how to turn a look but eat, sleep and breathe fashion."{{Cite web |last=Szelinski |first=Cailyn |date=2022-06-20 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 10 Best Fashion Queens |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-best-fashion-queens/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315064937/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-best-fashion-queens/ |archive-date=2023-03-15 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} Vogue said in 2023, "Over the years, the various runway challenges have made the competing queens have to exercise creativity and style in the most unlikely of scenarios."{{Cite web |last=Allaire |first=Christian |date=2023-02-24 |title=The Top 15 Fashion Moments From All 200 Episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race |url=https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/rupauls-drag-race-best-fashion-moments |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}} RuPaul's outfits are often inspired by the episode's main challenge or popular culture.

American fashion designer Zaldy works with RuPaul on the show. According to Variety, Zaldy's "trust with RuPaul runs so deep, they don't even discuss finale looks prior to fittings".{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=2023-06-24 |title='Drag Race' Costume Designer Zaldy on RuPaul's 'Floating Spring Goddess' Finale Look |url=https://variety.com/2023/artisans/awards/rupauls-drag-race-costume-designer-zaldy-finale-look-1235653522/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} The two have worked together for decades.{{Cite magazine |title=How Zaldy's iconic costumes made RuPaul the best-dressed woman on TV |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/08/22/rupauls-drag-race-costume-designer-zaldy-emmys/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}} Zaldy is responsible for creating approximately 80 looks for RuPaul annually.{{Cite web |last=Eakin |first=Marah |date=2022-06-24 |title=7 Essential Rules for Dressing RuPaul |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/zaldy-rupaul-designer-runway-looks.html |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Vulture |language=en}}

File:LucianPiane-wiki.jpg]]

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In 2018, Billboard said the show has "spent plenty of time ... highlighting musical talent, be it from the queens, the panel of celebrity guest judges or RuPaul himself. Especially in its most recent seasons, the show has made constant references to world-famous musicians, while also affording the queens on the show their own opportunities to let their music shine."{{Cite magazine |last=Daw |first=Stephen |date=2018-08-14 |title=Decade Of 'Drag Race': The Show's 50 Best Musical Moments |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/50-best-music-moments-rupauls-drag-race-8470169/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324140735/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/50-best-music-moments-rupauls-drag-race-8470169/ |url-status=live }} Original songs have been created for Rusicals, finale episodes, and other formats on the show.

RuPaul's music is featured prominently in the series. According to The Guardian, "RuPaul saw a way around mainstream radio by integrating his music catalogue – and his own personal history – into the show. RuPaul's original music and longevity in the public eye is a cornerstone of Drag Race. If you watch regularly, you hear RuPaul's songs, challenge by challenge, for the duration of the season. In a savvy twist on the sneak preview concept, a special album was made available on iTunes of the sixth season contestants covering RuPaul's songs."{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Katie |date=2014-02-24 |title=RuPaul: Drag Race 'has exactly the effect we thought it might have' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/feb/24/rupaul-drag-race-lgbt-impact-pop-culture-tv |access-date=2025-03-11 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Contestants also regularly record original verses and perform to remixes of RuPaul songs.{{Cite web |last=Duncan |first=Charlie |date=2023-04-15 |title=Every Drag Race cast remix, from 'Kitty Girl' to 'Blame It on the Edit', ranked |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/04/15/rupauls-drag-race-finale-track-blame-it-on-the-edit-ranked/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=PinkNews |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Amanda |date=2021-02-25 |title=Every Drag Race RuMix, Ranked |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-rumix-ranked.html |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Vulture |language=en |archive-date=2021-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306115728/https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-rumix-ranked.html |url-status=live }}

Leland has written some of the show's Rusicals and has been described as the "resident composer" and songwriter.{{Cite web |last=Betancourt |first=Manuel |date=2020-08-12 |title=How Drag Race's Resident Composer Is Bringing a Queer Sensibility to TV Music |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/leland-drag-race-tv-music-the-other-two-love-victor.html |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Vulture |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Joe |date=2023-02-13 |title=Drag Race icon Leland spills the tea on what RuPaul is really like |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/13/leland-drag-race/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=PinkNews |language=en-US}} Freddy Scott has also been one of the songwriters. Previously, Lucian Piane was a composer for the show.{{Cite magazine |last=Daw |first=Stephen |date=2021-06-16 |title=How the Songwriters of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Turn TV Challenges Into 'A Voltron of Pop Excellence' |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/drag-race-songwriters-lucky-uk-hun-interview-9588137/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=10 Qs: Music Producer Lucian Piane on Pushing RuPaul And Working with Idol Contestants |url=https://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2014/03/17/10-qs-music-producer-lucian-piane-pushing-rupaul-and-working |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=www.out.com |language=en}} Todrick Hall, MNEK, and AB Soto have made musical contributions.{{Cite web |title=10 Best Original Songs From 'RuPaul's Drag Race' |url=https://www.pride.com/drag-queens/rupauls-drag-race-best-original-songs#rebelltitem1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816040422/https://www.pride.com/drag-queens/rupauls-drag-race-best-original-songs#rebelltitem1 |archive-date=2024-08-16 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Pride.com |language=en}}

The music magazine Pitchfork has said, "One aspect at stake is the show's iconic lip sync battles, which decide who goes home and in the process have helped to establish a queer musical canon."{{Cite web |last=Pitre |first=Jake |date=2018-06-29 |title="RuPaul's Drag Race" Has Lost Its Free Queer Spirit in Its Lip Sync Songs |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/rupauls-drag-race-has-lost-its-free-queer-spirit-in-its-lip-sync-songs/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}

Contestants are given an iPod at the start of filming with songs slated to be used for lip-sync contests. RuPaul is involved in selecting which songs are used for lip-syncs.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-08-24 |title=A Drag Race Producer Explains How They Pick The Songs That The Queens Will Lip Sync To |url=https://inmagazine.ca/2022/08/a-drag-race-producer-explains-how-they-pick-the-songs-that-the-queens-will-lip-sync-to/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112160623/https://inmagazine.ca/2022/08/a-drag-race-producer-explains-how-they-pick-the-songs-that-the-queens-will-lip-sync-to/ |archive-date=2024-11-12 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=IN Magazine |language=en-CA}} According to Screen Rant: {{Quote|When Drag Race first began to air in 2009, it was hard for producers to obtain the rights to the songs that they wanted to use. [The show] was just getting its start, so nobody really knew much about the series at that time. Now that the VH1 show has become popular, that process has become a lot easier. The series now has artists approaching producers, hoping to get their songs on the show.{{Cite web |last=Naut |first=Jared |date=2022-09-11 |title=How RuPaul's Drag Race Lip-Sync Songs Are Chosen |url=https://screenrant.com/how-rupauls-drag-race-lip-sync-songs-chosen/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}}}

Songs used for lip-syncs see increased traffic on music streaming services as episodes air.{{Cite magazine |last=Daw |first=Stephen |date=2022-08-18 |title=Lip Sync For Your Streams: How the 'Drag Race' Format Brings Classic Songs to a New Generation |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/rupauls-drag-race-lip-sync-streams-interview-1235127337/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

Entertainment Weekly described the show's sound effects as "legendarily shady".{{Cite magazine |title='Drag Race' editor explains choosing iconic sound effects for 'Untucked' |url=https://ew.com/awards/rupauls-drag-race-sound-effects-untucked-editor-interview/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}

{{Television critical response

| hide_metacritic = y

| link1 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 1)

| rotten_tomatoes1 = 78% (9 reviews){{cite web|title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 1|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s01|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=December 28, 2020|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127141045/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s01|url-status=live}}

| link2 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 2)

| link3 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 3)

| link4 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 4)

| rotten_tomatoes4 = 67% (6 reviews){{cite web|title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 4|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s04|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=October 26, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127141045/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s04|url-status=live}}

| link5 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 5)

| rotten_tomatoes5 = 80% (5 reviews){{cite web|title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 5|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s05|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=October 26, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127141045/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s05|url-status=live}}

| link6 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 6)

| link7 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 7)

| rotten_tomatoes7 = 60% (5 reviews){{cite web|title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 7|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s07|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=October 26, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127141045/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s07|url-status=live}}

| link8 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 8)

| rotten_tomatoes8 = 100% (6 reviews){{cite web|title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 8|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s08|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=October 26, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127141045/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s08|url-status=live}}

| link9 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 9)

| rotten_tomatoes9 = 100% (11 reviews){{cite web|title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 9|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s09|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=October 26, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127141045/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s09|url-status=live}}

| link10 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 10)

| rotten_tomatoes10 = 82% (11 reviews){{cite web|title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 10|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s10|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=October 26, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127141045/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s10|url-status=live}}

| link11 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 11)

| rotten_tomatoes11 = 89% (9 reviews){{cite web|title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 11|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s11|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=October 26, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127141045/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s11|url-status=live}}

| link12 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 12)

| rotten_tomatoes12 = 100% (8 reviews){{cite web|title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 12|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s12|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=October 26, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127141045/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rupauls_drag_race/s12|url-status=live}}

| link13 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 13)

| link14 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 14)

| link15 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 15)

| link16 = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 16)

}}

Thrillist called Drag Race "the closest gay culture gets to a sports league".{{cite news |last1=Moylan |first1=Brian |title=Every Single 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestant, Ranked |url=https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/rupaul-drag-race-contestants-season-all-stars-ranked |newspaper=Thrillist |access-date=19 December 2018 |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711151118/https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/rupaul-drag-race-contestants-season-all-stars-ranked |url-status=live }} In 2019, The Guardian ranked it 93rd on its list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century.{{cite web |title=The 100 best TV shows of the 21st century |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/16/100-best-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century |website=The Guardian |date=September 16, 2019 |access-date=23 September 2019 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101054025/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/16/100-best-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century |url-status=live }}

Shannon Keating for BuzzFeed News wrote about the show's "subversive, irreverent beginnings" briefly turning "comfortably mainstream... humdrum and derivative" prior to season 13's release. She recalls that a flurry of political disputes, as well as "overexposure", threatened to ruin Drag Race's legacy before the refreshed 2021 season.{{Cite web |last=Keating |first=Shannon |title="Drag Race" Was A Drag For A While. Now It's Better Than Ever. |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/shannonkeating/rupauls-drag-race-season-13-review |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=BuzzFeed News |date=April 15, 2021 |language=en}}

Coleman Splide for The Daily Beast wrote in 2021 that "RuPaul has continually allowed the legacy of his subversive landmark reality show to be slowly chipped away at". Though Splide states that the show is "a critical part of bringing empowering inclusivity to the forefront of mainstream culture", he maintains that it also invites indignation from an ever-expanding and oftentimes toxic fanbase, as well as contributing to the increasingly capitalised nature of pride celebrations around the globe.{{Cite news |last=Spilde |first=Coleman |date=2022-05-12 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Is Losing What Used to Make It Special |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/rupauls-drag-race-has-finally-taken-its-commodification-of-queer-art-too-far |access-date=2023-01-05}}

{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by RuPaul's Drag Race|l1 = List of awards and nominations received by RuPaul's Drag Race}}

RuPaul's Drag Race has been nominated for thirty-nine Emmy Awards, and won twenty-four.{{Cite web |title=RuPaul's Drag Race |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=Television Academy |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race-untucked |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=Television Academy |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=RuPaul's Drag Race Whatcha Packin' With Michelle Visage |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race-whatcha-packin-michelle-visage |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=Television Academy |language=en}} It has also been nominated for nine Reality Television Awards, winning three,{{Cite web |date=2022-10-11 |title=9th Annual Nominees - AWARDS SHOW |url=https://www.realitytelevisionawards.com/nominees/,%20https://www.realitytelevisionawards.com/nominees/ |access-date=2023-01-05 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Awards |first=American Reality Television |title=6th Annual Reality Television Awards – Winners |url=https://www.prlog.org/12773768-6th-annual-reality-television-awards-winners.html |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=PRLog}}{{Cite web |date=2022-10-16 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race (VH1) - AWARDS SHOW |url=https://www.realitytelevisionawards.com/nominees-archive/rupauls-drag-race-vh1/,%20https://www.realitytelevisionawards.com/nominees/rupauls-drag-race-vh1/ |access-date=2023-01-05 |language=en-US}} and nominated for six NewNowNext Awards, winning three.{{Cite web |title=Logo - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuiK2XdDcyAd7TS9ioMqx6A |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=www.youtube.com}}{{Cite press release |last=Logo |title=Logo's "NewNowNext Awards" 2011 Hosted by James Van Der Beek Announces This Year's Winners |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/logos-newnownext-awards-2011-hosted-by-james-van-der-beek-announces-this-years-winners-119463434.html |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}

Series host RuPaul has won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program, including in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023; RuPaul was nominated in the same category in 2024. His eight consecutive wins in the category make him the host with the most wins since the inception of the award in 2008, as well as the first and only African-American host to receive the award to date.

Numerous members of the production crew have won or been nominated for Creative Arts Emmy Awards and other awards.

In March 2014, Drag Race sparked controversy over the use of the term "shemale" (a play on "Tyra-Mail" on America's Next Top Model) in the season 6 mini challenge "Female or She-male?". Logo has since removed the segment from all platforms and addressed the allegations of transphobia by removing the "You've got she-mail" intro from new episodes of the series.{{Cite magazine |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' to drop controversial segment |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/04/14/rupauls-drag-race-drop-controversial-shemale-segment/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Nick |date=2015-03-02 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race axes 'You've Got She-Mail' catchphrase |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2015/03/02/rupauls-drag-race-axes-youve-got-she-mail-catchphrase/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=PinkNews |language=en-US}} RuPaul did not prefer to discontinue use of the catch phrase.{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Nick |date=2015-06-03 |title=RuPaul: I wouldn't have dropped 'she-mail' joke |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2015/06/03/rupaul-i-wouldnt-have-dropped-she-mail-joke/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=PinkNews |language=en-US}} This was replaced with "She done already done had herses!"{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/14/rupauls-drag-race-transphobic-slur_n_5142855.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000050|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' To Refrain From Using 'Transphobic Slur' In Wake Of Controversy|author=James Nichols|website=HuffPost |date=April 14, 2014|access-date=April 14, 2014|archive-date=April 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415055836/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/14/rupauls-drag-race-transphobic-slur_n_5142855.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000050|url-status=live}} RuPaul also came under fire for comments made in an interview with The Guardian, in which he stated he would "probably not" allow a transgender contestant to compete.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/mar/03/rupaul-drag-race-big-f-you-to-male-dominated-culture|title=RuPaul: 'Drag is a big f-you to male-dominated culture'|last=Aitkenhead|first=Decca|date=2018-03-03|website=The Guardian|access-date=2018-08-01|archive-date=January 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127040806/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/mar/03/rupaul-drag-race-big-f-you-to-male-dominated-culture|url-status=live}} He compared transgender drag performers to doping athletes on his Twitter,{{cite news |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Mathew |title=RuPaul Just Tweeted About 'Performance Enhancing Drugs' After Trans Remarks Controversy |url=https://www.intomore.com/culture/rupaul-just-tweeted-about-performance-enhancing-drugs-after-trans-remarks-controversy/46045dd8ceae4b4f |work=INTO |date=5 March 2018 |access-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802011201/https://www.intomore.com/culture/rupaul-just-tweeted-about-performance-enhancing-drugs-after-trans-remarks-controversy/46045dd8ceae4b4f |url-status=live }} and has since apologized.{{cite magazine |last1=Nolfi |first1=Joel |title=RuPaul tweets 'regret' over controversial transgender comments |url=https://ew.com/news/2018/03/05/rupaul-apology-transgender-comments/ |access-date=1 August 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=March 5, 2018 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807004349/https://ew.com/news/2018/03/05/rupaul-apology-transgender-comments/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=http://www.vox.com/culture/2018/3/6/17085244/rupaul-trans-women-drag-queens-interview-controversy.|title=How RuPaul's comments on trans women led to a Drag Race revolt – and a rare apology|work=Vox|access-date=2018-08-01|archive-date=June 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626201629/https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/3/6/17085244/rupaul-trans-women-drag-queens-interview-controversy|url-status=live}} Sasha Velour (season 9) disagreed, tweeting "My drag was born in a community full of trans women, trans men, and gender non-conforming folks doing drag. That's the real world of drag, like it or not. I thinks it's fabulous and I will fight my entire life to protect and uplift it".{{cite news |last1=Leighton-Dore |first1=Samuel |title=Sasha Velour has more to say on RuPaul's trans comments |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sexuality/fast-lane/article/2018/03/16/sasha-velour-has-more-say-rupauls-trans-comments |work=SBS |date=16 March 2018 |access-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801224216/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sexuality/fast-lane/article/2018/03/16/sasha-velour-has-more-say-rupauls-trans-comments |url-status=live }}

For the first twelve seasons, RuPaul would say, "Gentlemen, start your engines, and may the best woman win," before the contestants' runway looks for the episode were shown. In the thirteenth season, it was changed to: "Racers, start your engines, and may the best drag queen win."{{cite web |last1=Duffy |first1=Nick |title=RuPaul finally changes iconic Drag Race catchphrase to be more inclusive of trans and non-binary queens |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/29/rupaul-iconic-drag-race-catchphrase-include-non-binary-queens-season-13/ |website=Pink News UK |date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111080715/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/29/rupaul-iconic-drag-race-catchphrase-include-non-binary-queens-season-13/ |url-status=live }} In season 6 of All Stars, an altered version of the show's opening theme was introduced with the new tag line.

Performers of any sexual orientation and gender identity are eligible to audition, although most contestants to date have been gay, cisgender men. Transgender competitors have become more common as seasons have progressed; Sonique, a season 2 contestant, became the first openly trans contestant when she came out as a woman during the reunion special.{{Cite news|url=http://www.albanyherald.com/news/kylie-sonique-love-transitioning-into-woman-she-was-born-to/article_5b79d763-3a14-5956-b04c-a470984313ac.html|title=Kylie 'Sonique' Love transitioning into woman she was born to be|last=Fletcher|first=Carlton|work=Albany Herald|access-date=2017-09-24|archive-date=April 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406132250/https://www.albanyherald.com/news/kylie-sonique-love-transitioning-into-woman-she-was-born-to/article_5b79d763-3a14-5956-b04c-a470984313ac.html|url-status=live}} Sonique later won All Stars 6, becoming the first trans woman to win an English-language version of the show and the second overall. Monica Beverly Hillz (season 5) became the first contestant to come out as a trans woman during the competition.{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/01/drag-race-transphobia_n_5072399.html|title=Carmen Carrera And Monica Beverly Hillz Address 'Drag Race' Transphobia Allegations|last=Nichols|first=JamesMichael|date=2014-04-01|work=Huffington Post|access-date=2017-09-24|archive-date=September 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930105459/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/01/drag-race-transphobia_n_5072399.html|url-status=live}} Peppermint (season 9) is the first contestant who was out as a trans woman prior to the airing of her season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/peppertmint-rupauls-drag-race_us_59039e57e4b02655f83d622d|title=Peppermint Opens Up About Coming Out As Trans On 'RuPaul's Drag Race'|last=Nichols|first=James Michael|date=2017-04-29|work=Huffington Post|access-date=2018-07-30|archive-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821002535/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/peppertmint-rupauls-drag-race_us_59039e57e4b02655f83d622d|url-status=live}} Other trans contestants came out as women after their elimination, including Carmen Carrera,{{cite web|url=http://www.queerty.com/drag-races-carmen-carrera-comes-out-as-trans-on-abcs-what-would-you-do-20120508/|title=Drag Race's Carmen Carrera Comes Out As Trans on ABC's What Would You Do|last=Avery|first=Dan|date=May 8, 2012|work=Queerty|access-date=July 21, 2012|archive-date=July 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717150340/http://www.queerty.com/drag-races-carmen-carrera-comes-out-as-trans-on-abcs-what-would-you-do-20120508/|url-status=live}} Kenya Michaels,{{cite web|url=http://www.wbez.org/blogs/nico-lang/2013-02/breaking-ground-interview-precious-jewel-rupauls-drag-race-105658|title=Breaking ground: An interview with Precious Jewel on RuPaul's Drag Race|last=Lang|first=Nico|date=February 22, 2013|work=WBEZ91.5|publisher=Chicago Public Media|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=July 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731053448/http://www.wbez.org/blogs/nico-lang/2013-02/breaking-ground-interview-precious-jewel-rupauls-drag-race-105658|url-status=dead}} Stacy Layne Matthews, Jiggly Caliente, Gia Gunn, Laganja Estranja,{{Cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/gia-gunn-trans-rupauls-drag-race/03/2017/|title=Former "Drag Race" Contestant Gia Gunn Comes Out As Trans|work=LOGO News|access-date=2017-09-24|archive-date=September 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924140517/http://www.newnownext.com/gia-gunn-trans-rupauls-drag-race/03/2017/|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/04/28/rupauls-drag-race-peppermint-coming-out/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Trans Queen Peppermint: I Feel 'Loved and Accepted' After Coming Out|date=2017-04-29|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=2017-09-24|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806201945/https://ew.com/tv/2017/04/28/rupauls-drag-race-peppermint-coming-out/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://hornetapp.com/stories/trans-women-of-rupauls-drag-race-gia-gunn/|title=Gia Gunn Is One of 7 Trans Women of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'|date=2017-04-01|work=Hornet Stories|access-date=2017-09-24|archive-date=September 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924140652/https://hornetapp.com/stories/trans-women-of-rupauls-drag-race-gia-gunn/|url-status=live}} Gigi Goode, and Adore Delano.{{Cite web |last=Lavietes |first=Matt |date=2023-07-27 |title='Drag Race' star Adore Delano comes out as transgender |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-pop-culture/drag-race-star-adore-delano-comes-transgender-rcna96646 |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=www.nbcnews.com |language=en}} Additionally, Gottmik (season 13) was the first AFAB and openly transgender male contestant in the franchise's history.{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/rupauls-drag-race-season-13-cast-1234849543/|title= 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Announces Season 13 Cast, Including First Trans Man Contestant|last= Vary|first= Adam B.|date= December 9, 2020|website= Variety|access-date= December 9, 2020|archive-date= December 9, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201209173022/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/rupauls-drag-race-season-13-cast-1234849543/|url-status= live}} Various contestants have come out as non-binary as well, such as Jinkx Monsoon.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Reiss |date=2020-03-04 |title=Jinkx Monsoon on coming out as non-binary and their theory on why Drag Race is excluding trans queens |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/03/04/jinkx-monsoon-drag-race-trans-non-binary-rupaul-interview-major-scales/ |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=PinkNews }}

Season 14 is the first regular season to feature five transgender women in the cast—Kerri Colby, Kornbread "The Snack" Jeté, Bosco, Jasmine Kennedie, and Willow Pill. While Kerri Colby and Kornbread entered the show openly trans, Bosco and Willow came out after the show's taping, and Jasmine Kennedie came out in episode 7 of Untucked.{{Cite web |last1=March 08 |first1=Joey Nolfi |last2=EST |first2=2022 at 01:00 PM |title='Drag Race' star Willow Pill is freeing their body and soul on powerful trans journey |url=https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-willow-pill-trans-interview/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=EW.com |language=en |archive-date=March 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325183016/https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-willow-pill-trans-interview/ |url-status=live }}

• Australia: In Australia, lifestyle channel LifeStyle YOU{{Cite web|url=https://www.lifestyle.com.au/tv/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100403030756/http://www.lifestyleyou.com.au/tv/ru-pauls-drag-race/|url-status=dead|title=TV Shows in Australia – Lifestyle|archive-date=April 3, 2010|website=www.lifestyle.com.au}} regularly showed and re-screened seasons 1–7, including Untucked. In addition, free-to-air channel SBS2 began screening the first season on August 31, 2013. On March 13, 2017, it was announced that on-demand service Stan would fast-track season 9 (including Untucked). As of 2020, Stan streams all seasons since season 1,{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sexuality/fast-lane/article/2017/03/13/rupauls-drag-race-season-9-being-fast-tracked-australia|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' season 9 is being fast tracked to Australia|date=March 13, 2017 |access-date=May 6, 2017|archive-date=April 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406132250/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sexuality/fast-lane/article/2017/03/13/rupauls-drag-race-season-9-being-fast-tracked-australia|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/08/airdate-rupauls-drag-race.html|title=Airdate: RuPaul's Drag Race|work=TV Tonight|date=August 20, 2013 |access-date=October 20, 2013|archive-date=April 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406132247/https://tvtonight.com.au/2013/08/airdate-rupauls-drag-race.html|url-status=live}} as well as Untucked, All Stars, All Stars Untucked, Canada's Drag Race, Secret Celebrity, Drag Race UK and season 2 of Drag Race Thailand.
• Canada: The series airs on OutTV in Canada at the same time as the US airing. Unlike Logo, OutTV continues to broadcast Untucked immediately after each Drag Race episode.[http://tbivision.com/news/2017/01/new-owners-ceo-canadian-lgbt/698081/ "New owners, CEO for Canadian LGBT net"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911025203/http://tbivision.com/news/2017/01/new-owners-ceo-canadian-lgbt/698081/ |date=September 11, 2017 }}. TBI Vision, January 12, 2017. Beginning with season 12, OutTV has shared its first-run rights to the main series (but not Untucked) with the more widely subscribed Crave streaming service, with episodes available on Crave shortly after they premiere on OutTV, in connection with Crave and OutTV's co-production of Canada's Drag Race.{{Cite web|url=https://nowtoronto.com/movies/features/rupauls-drag-race-canada-crave/|title=A Canadian version of RuPaul's Drag Race is happening|newspaper=Now|first=Kevin|last=Ritchie|date=June 27, 2019|access-date=April 11, 2020|archive-date=July 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702052502/https://nowtoronto.com/movies/features/rupauls-drag-race-canada-crave/|url-status=live}} Past seasons are also available on Netflix in Canada, with each season released there shortly before the next season begins.
• Ireland: In Ireland, seasons 2-8 of the program were available on Netflix; as of the release of season 10, only seasons 8-9 are available. Netflix has started airing season 10 episodes one day after they air in the US. All seasons of the show have been made available on Netflix since October 2018.
• Indonesia: In Indonesia, seasons 1-13 of the program were available on Netflix, alongside the Christmas spectacular. As of the release of All Stars, only seasons 4-5 are available. Netflix also aired Untucked season 10 episodes one day after they aired in the US.
• UK: E4 aired season 1 in 2009, followed by season 2 in 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/214917-start-your-engines-rupauls-drag-race-returns-to-the-uk-on-trutv.html|title=Start your engines! RuPaul's Drag Race returns to the UK on truTV|work=Channel 4|access-date=August 21, 2015|archive-date=April 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406132251/https://tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/214917-start-your-engines-rupauls-drag-race-returns-to-the-uk-on-trutv.html|url-status=live}} Since its success on Netflix in the UK,{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/11639133/Which-RuPaul-Drag-Queen-are-you-Find-out-with-our-quiz.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/11639133/Which-RuPaul-Drag-Queen-are-you-Find-out-with-our-quiz.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Which RuPaul Drag Queen are you? Find out with our quiz|date=29 May 2015|work=Telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}} TruTV acquired the broadcast rights for all eight seasons of the show including Untucked episodes.{{cite web|url=http://m.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a635037/rupauls-drag-race-coming-to-trutv-uk-in-june.html#~p9Y2NBI5d2xMM9|title=RuPaul's Drag Race coming to truTV UK in June|work=digitalspy.co.uk|access-date=2015-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706040128/http://m.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a635037/rupauls-drag-race-coming-to-trutv-uk-in-june.html#~p9Y2NBI5d2xMM9|archive-date=2015-07-06|url-status=dead}} In June 2015, TruTV started airing two episodes of the show a week, starting with season 4, followed by All Stars, then season 5. As of May 2018, the series airs on VH1 UK Monday–Thursday at 11 p.m., beginning with All Stars season 3.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/vh1|title=VH1 UK Schedule|date=1 May 2018|work=mtv.co.uk|access-date=May 1, 2018|archive-date=July 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727141521/http://www.mtv.co.uk/vh1|url-status=dead}}
• Israel: Yes has broadcast all seasons and Untucked episodes. Seasons 1–12,{{Cite web|title=תכני שירותי הסטרימינג בישראל - י עד מ [כתבה מתעדכנת] - ג'ירפה|trans-title=Contents of Streaming Services in Israel - י to מ [Up to date] - Girafa|url=https://g-rafa.co.il/israel-streaming-3/#:~:text=%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A5%20%D7%94%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%92%20%D7%A9%D7%9C%20%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%9C|access-date=2020-12-28|website=Girafa|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020060934/https://g-rafa.co.il/israel-streaming-3/#:~:text=%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A5%20%D7%94%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%92%20%D7%A9%D7%9C%20%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%9C|url-status=live}} All Stars seasons 4–5{{Cite web|title=תכני שירותי הסטרימינג בישראל - ד עד ט [כתבה מתעדכנת] - ג'ירפה|trans-title=Contents of Streaming Services in Israel - ד to ט [Up to date] - Girafa|url=https://g-rafa.co.il/streaming-israel-2/#:~:text=%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A5%20%D7%9C%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%92%20%D7%A9%D7%9C%20%D7%A8%D7%95%20%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%9C%20%D7%90%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%A1%D7%98%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%A1|access-date=2020-12-28|website=Girafa|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020063404/https://g-rafa.co.il/streaming-israel-2/#:~:text=%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A5%20%D7%9C%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%92%20%D7%A9%D7%9C%20%D7%A8%D7%95%20%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%9C%20%D7%90%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%A1%D7%98%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%A1|url-status=live}} and Untucked seasons 11–12{{Cite web|title=תכני שירותי הסטרימינג בישראל - ד עד ט [כתבה מתעדכנת] - ג'ירפה|trans-title=Contents of Streaming Services in Israel - ד to ט [Up to date] - Girafa|url=https://g-rafa.co.il/israel-streaming-3/#:~:text=%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A5%20%D7%94%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%92%20%D7%A9%D7%9C%20%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%9C:%20%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%9C%20%D7%91%D7%97%D7%95%D7%A5|access-date=2020-12-28|website=Girafa|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020060934/https://g-rafa.co.il/israel-streaming-3/#:~:text=%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A5%20%D7%94%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%92%20%D7%A9%D7%9C%20%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%9C:%20%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%9C%20%D7%91%D7%97%D7%95%D7%A5|url-status=live}} are also available on Netflix.

Full seasons of shows in the Drag Race franchise are available to stream on WOW Presents Plus in over 200 territories.{{cite web |title=RuPaul's Drag Race - Check Availability |url=https://dragrace.wowpresentsplus.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803120857/https://dragrace.wowpresentsplus.com/ |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=August 1, 2020 |website=wowpresentsplus.com}} The show is also currently available on the following streaming platforms:

• United States — Hulu (seasons 2–9; All Stars 1–4); Paramount Plus (seasons 1–14, All Stars 1–8, Untucked seasons 9–13, All Stars Untucked seasons 2–5), WOW Presents Plus (Untucked seasons 7–9, Thailand season 2, and all other international series){{cite web |last=White |first=Brett |date=July 12, 2019 |title=Not a Drill: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Is Now Streaming on Prime Video |url=https://decider.com/2019/07/12/rupauls-drag-race-stream-on-amazon-prime-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929183553/https://decider.com/2019/07/12/rupauls-drag-race-stream-on-amazon-prime-video/ |archive-date=September 29, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019 |website=Decider}}{{cite web |title=RuPaul's Drag Race |url=https://www.hulu.com/series/rupauls-drag-race-7b8783f8-f9f9-451d-ad41-a6159fb900f2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929183815/https://www.hulu.com/series/rupauls-drag-race-7b8783f8-f9f9-451d-ad41-a6159fb900f2 |archive-date=September 29, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019 |website=Hulu.com}}{{cite web |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked |url=https://www.hulu.com/series/rupauls-drag-race-untucked-e0339886-e83b-447a-adca-aa2716978735 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929183554/https://www.hulu.com/series/rupauls-drag-race-untucked-e0339886-e83b-447a-adca-aa2716978735 |archive-date=September 29, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019 |website=Hulu.com}}{{cite web |title=RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars |url=https://www.hulu.com/series/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-05f8f8f0-1285-4d32-8749-69d3e935e731 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929183554/https://www.hulu.com/series/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-05f8f8f0-1285-4d32-8749-69d3e935e731 |archive-date=September 29, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019 |website=Hulu.com}}{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2009 |title=Rupaul's Drag Race |url=https://www.cbs.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802031516/https://www.cbs.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race/ |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |access-date=July 31, 2020 |website=CBS All Access}}{{Cite web |title=Rupaul's Drag Race All Stars |url=https://www.cbs.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730110228/https://www.cbs.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars/ |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |access-date=July 31, 2020 |website=CBS All Access}}
• Canada — Netflix (seasons 1–12, All Stars 4, Untucked seasons 11 and 12), Crave (all seasons, All Stars 1–6, UK series 1–3, Canada season 1 and 2, Down Under season 1), WOW Presents Plus (seasons 1–10, Untucked seasons 1–10, All Stars 1–4){{cite web |title=How to Watch RuPaul's Drag Race Online |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/how-to-watch-rupauls-drag-race-online-stream-the-us-uk-and-bonus-seasons-from-anywhere-in-the-world/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529214945/https://www.gamesradar.com/how-to-watch-rupauls-drag-race-online-stream-the-us-uk-and-bonus-seasons-from-anywhere-in-the-world/ |archive-date=May 29, 2020 |access-date=August 1, 2020 |website=gamesradar.com}}
• UK & Ireland — Netflix (seasons 11–13, Untucked seasons 11–13, All Stars 4–6, Celebrity season 1), BBC iPlayer (UK series 1, 2 and 3, Canada season 1 and 2, Down Under season 1), WOW Presents Plus (seasons 1–10, Untucked seasons 1–10, all episodes of All Stars and Holland)
• Australia — Stan (all seasons of original, All Stars, Untucked, UK, Canada, Down Under and Thailand season 2), WOW Presents Plus (UK series 1, Canada season 1){{cite web |date=July 27, 2020 |title=How to Watch Canada's Drag Race |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/how-to-watch-canadas-drag-race-stream-every-new-episode-online-from-anywhere |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314071735/https://www.techradar.com/news/how-to-watch-canadas-drag-race-stream-every-new-episode-online-from-anywhere |archive-date=March 14, 2021 |access-date=August 1, 2020 |website=Techradar.com}}{{cite web |last=Martins |first=Isabel |date=November 29, 2019 |title=How to watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK Online: Stream from the UK or Abroad |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/how-to-watch-ru-pauls-drag-race-uk-online-stream-from-the-uk-or-abroad |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626201627/https://www.techradar.com/news/how-to-watch-ru-pauls-drag-race-uk-online-stream-from-the-uk-or-abroad |archive-date=June 26, 2022 |access-date=July 24, 2021 |website=Techradar}}

• RuPaul's Drag Race: Green Screen Christmas (2015): On December 13, 2015, Logo aired a seasonal themed episode. The non-competitive special was released in conjunction with RuPaul's holiday album Slay Belles and featured music videos for songs from the album. The cast included RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Siedah Garrett, and Todrick Hall, and former contestants Alyssa Edwards, Laganja Estranja, Latrice Royale, Raja, and Shangela.{{cite web |date=December 1, 2015 |title=Ru-Cap "RuPaul's Green Screen Christmas" Extravaganza With A TON of GIFs! |url=https://worldofwonder.net/ru-live-rupauls-green-screen-christmas-with-a-ton-of-gifs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127152006/https://worldofwonder.net/ru-live-rupauls-green-screen-christmas-with-a-ton-of-gifs/ |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |access-date=November 1, 2018 |work=WOW}}{{cite web |date=December 2, 2015 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race: Green Screen Christmas' Holiday Special to Air Dec. 13 |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/heres-how-you-can-ring-in-the-holidays-with-rupaul_us_565f1394e4b072e9d1c437f2?guccounter=1 |access-date=November 1, 2018 |work=Huffington Post}}{{cite web |date=December 1, 2015 |title=This Sneak Peek of RuPaul's Drag Race Christmas Special Will Jingle Your Bells |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/rupauls-drag-race-christmas-special-happy-holigays/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127152024/https://www.tvguide.com/news/rupauls-drag-race-christmas-special-happy-holigays/ |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |access-date=November 1, 2018 |work=TV Guide}}
• RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular (2018): On November 1, 2018, VH1 announced a seasonal themed special episode scheduled to air on December 7, 2018. Eight former contestants competed for the title of "America's first Drag Race Christmas Queen".{{cite magazine |last=Nolfi |first=Joel |date=November 1, 2018 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race to reunite eight queens for holiday competition episode |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/11/01/rupaul-drag-race-holiday-special-premiere-date/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101214824/https://ew.com/tv/2018/11/01/rupaul-drag-race-holiday-special-premiere-date/ |archive-date=November 1, 2018 |access-date=November 1, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} Competitors included Eureka O'Hara, Jasmine Masters, Kim Chi, Latrice Royale, Mayhem Miller, Shangela, Sonique, and Trixie Mattel.{{cite web |last=McHenry |first=Jackson |date=November 1, 2018 |title=It's the Most Ru-nderful Time of the Year! Drag Race Is Making a Holi-Slay Spectacular |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/11/rupauls-drag-race-holiday-spectacular.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104083410/http://www.vulture.com/2018/11/rupauls-drag-race-holiday-spectacular.html |archive-date=November 4, 2018 |access-date=November 1, 2018 |work=Vulture}}{{cite web |last=Colburn |first=Randall |date=November 1, 2018 |title=RuPaul to crown America's first Drag Race Xmas Queen on new holiday special |url=https://www.avclub.com/rupaul-to-crown-americas-first-drag-race-xmas-queen-on-1830156705 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101200710/https://news.avclub.com/rupaul-to-crown-americas-first-drag-race-xmas-queen-on-1830156705 |archive-date=November 1, 2018 |access-date=November 1, 2018 |work=The A.V. Club}}
• RuPaul's Drag Race: Corona Can't Keep a Good Queen Down (2021): On February 26, 2021, the one hour special aired on VH1 in between episodes 8 and 9 of Season 13 and detailed the contestants' journeys with filming the season amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Alter |first=Rebecca |date=2021-02-17 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race Is Serving Face (Masks) in COVID-19 Documentary Special |url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/02/rupauls-drag-race-covid-19-documentary-trailer-watch.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227071531/https://www.vulture.com/2021/02/rupauls-drag-race-covid-19-documentary-trailer-watch.html |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |access-date=2021-02-27 |website=Vulture}}

• RuPaul's Drag U (2010–2012): In each episode, three women are paired with former Drag Race contestants ("Drag Professors"), who give them drag makeovers and help them to access their "inner divas".{{cite web |date=April 12, 2010 |title=Facebook Rupaul's Drag U |url=https://www.facebook.com/RuPaulsDragU?v=info |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430153904/https://www.facebook.com/RuPaulsDragU?v=info |archive-date=April 30, 2022 |access-date=April 12, 2010 |website=Facebook}}
• RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2012–present): Past contestants return and compete for a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. The show's format is similar to that of RuPaul's Drag Race, with challenges and a panel of judges.
• Dancing Queen (2018): In April 2013, RuPaul confirmed that he planned to executive-produce a spin-off of Drag Race that stars season 5 and All Stars season 2 contestant Alyssa Edwards,{{cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Sarah Anne |title=Whoa Rupaul Took Alyssa Edwards to the MTV Movie Awards |url=http://www.wetpaint.com/network/articles/whoa-rupaul-took-alyssa-edwards-to-the-mtv-movie-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503083028/http://www.wetpaint.com/network/articles/whoa-rupaul-took-alyssa-edwards-to-the-mtv-movie-awards |archive-date=May 3, 2013 |access-date=April 24, 2013 |publisher=Wetpaint}} who shared its original title is Beyond Belief{{cite web |title=Update on Alyssa Edwards' New Spin-Off 'Beyond Belief' |url=http://www.dragofficial.com/1/post/2013/06/update-on-alyssa-edwards-new-spin-off.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715011638/http://www.dragofficial.com/1/post/2013/06/update-on-alyssa-edwards-new-spin-off.html |archive-date=July 15, 2013 |access-date=July 12, 2013 |work=Drag Official}} and that his dance company in Mesquite, Texas is the setting.{{cite magazine |last=Renzi |first=Dan |title=No T No Shade Alyssa Edwards Takes Her Next Step |url=http://www.queerty.com/no-t-no-shade-alyssa-edwards-takes-her-next-step-20130615/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618145802/http://www.queerty.com/no-t-no-shade-alyssa-edwards-takes-her-next-step-20130615/ |archive-date=June 18, 2013 |access-date=July 12, 2013 |magazine=Queerty}} The series aired on Netflix on October 5, 2018.{{Cite magazine |title='Drag Race's Alyssa Edwards to Star in Netflix Docu-Series: Watch the Trailer |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8471649/drag-race-alyssa-edwards-netflix-docu-series-trailer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825092803/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8471649/drag-race-alyssa-edwards-netflix-docu-series-trailer |archive-date=August 25, 2018 |access-date=2018-08-25 |magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite news |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2018-08-22 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Alum Alyssa Edwards To Star In 'Dancing Queen' Docuseries On Netflix |url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/rupauls-drag-race-alyssa-edwards-star-dancing-queen-docuseries-netflix-1202450180/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822214422/https://deadline.com/2018/08/rupauls-drag-race-alyssa-edwards-star-dancing-queen-docuseries-netflix-1202450180/ |archive-date=August 22, 2018 |access-date=2018-08-25 |work=Deadline}}{{Cite magazine |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' star Alyssa Edwards battles angry dance moms in 'Dancing Queen' series trailer |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/08/22/alyssa-edwards-dancing-queen-trailer-netflix/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825074308/https://ew.com/tv/2018/08/22/alyssa-edwards-dancing-queen-trailer-netflix/ |archive-date=August 25, 2018 |access-date=2018-08-25 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}
• RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race (2020–present): On April 10, 2020, VH1 announced a celebrity edition of Drag Race scheduled to air for four weeks beginning on April 24, 2020. The series featured a trio of celebrities receiving makeovers from former contestants. After receiving help from "Queen Supremes" Alyssa Edwards, Asia O'Hara, Bob the Drag Queen, Kim Chi, Monét X Change, Monique Heart, Nina West, Trinity the Tuck, Trixie Mattel and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, the celebrities competed in fan-favorite challenges and on the runway to be named "America's Next Celebrity Drag Race Superstar" and prize money for choice charities.{{cite web |last=Turchiano |first=Danielle |date=10 April 2020 |title=VH1 Announces 'RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race' |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/rupauls-secret-celebrity-drag-race-vh1-april-premiere-1234576364/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410163107/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/rupauls-secret-celebrity-drag-race-vh1-april-premiere-1234576364/ |archive-date=April 10, 2020 |access-date=10 April 2020 |work=Variety}}
• RuPaul's Drag Race: Vegas Revue (2020): On July 22, 2020, it was announced that a docu-series would premiere on August 21, 2020.{{cite web |date=July 22, 2020 |title=VH1 Expands Its Emmy(R) Award-Winning Franchise with "RuPaul's Drag Race: Vegas Revue" Premiering Friday, August 21st at 8PM ET/PT |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/07/22/vh1-expands-its-emmy-award-winning-franchise-with-rupauls-drag-race-vegas-revue-premiering-friday-august-21st-at-8pm-et-pt-724112/20200722vh101/ |access-date=July 22, 2020 |work=The Futon Critic}}

{{Main|Drag Race (franchise)|l1 = Drag Race (franchise)}}

Drag Race has been franchised into numerous international adaptations including British and Australian and New Zealand versions hosted by RuPaul, Chilean, Thai, Canadian, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, French, Filipino, Belgian, Swedish, Mexican, Brazilian, German, and South African editions, international vs. the World competitions hosted in The United Kingdom and Canada, All Stars in Spain and France, and Slaysian Royale in the Philippines.

• Feature film: In August 2015, RuPaul revealed that a movie featuring all of the contestants was in the works. "We've got a director for it, we've got a light script, but it just needs a little more retooling and scheduling."{{cite web |author=Carl Greenwood |date=21 August 2015 |title=RuPaul reveals RuPaul's Drag Race MOVIE in a new magazine dedicated to all things drag |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/rupaul-reveals-rupauls-drag-race-6294306 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012152348/http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/rupaul-reveals-rupauls-drag-race-6294306 |archive-date=October 12, 2017 |access-date=April 5, 2018 |work=mirror}}
• RuPaul's Drag Race Superstar is a mobile app by World of Wonder and Leaf Mobile's subsidiary East Side Games, which was released on October 25, 2021.{{cite web |title=Leaf Mobile and World of Wonder Productions Launch Rupaul's Drag Race Superstar Mobile Game |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/leaf-mobile-and-world-of-wonder-productions-launch-rupaul-s-drag-race-superstar-mobile-game-804472562.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103204548/https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/leaf-mobile-and-world-of-wonder-productions-launch-rupaul-s-drag-race-superstar-mobile-game-804472562.html |archive-date=November 3, 2021}}

DVD releases of the seasons include bonus scenes and other special features

{{notelist-ua}}

{{Portal|LGBTQ|Television}}

• List of reality television programs with LGBT cast members
• List of Rusicals
• LGBT culture in New York City
• Paris Is Burning (film)

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|RuPaul's Drag Race}}

• {{Official website|1=https://www.mtv.com/fan-hub/drag-race?xrs=PPM-18-10caf1c}}
• {{IMDb title|1353056}}
• {{Facebook|rupaulsdragrace}}
• Edgar, E. (2011). "Xtravaganza!": Drag Representation and Articulation in "RuPaul's Drag Race". Studies in Popular Culture,34(1), 133–146. Retrieved from [https://www.jstor.org/stable/23416354 "Xtravaganza!": Drag Representation and Articulation in "RuPaul's Drag Race"]

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