15 Most Famous Drag Queens in History

15 Most Famous Drag Queens in History

The field of performance art has been in the spotlight because of drag queens who have taken a position in the art of performance attracting huge crowds. These artists are known for their glitzy attire, captivating stage appearances, and gender identity presentations that leave many people mesmerized. Several famous drag queens across the world have been the forces behind societal transformation while redefining the concept of beauty in the world. Some names stand out whenever one mentions drag queens.

Some of these drag queens have left a long-lasting reputation in the industry. RuPaul, for example, is a renowned performer and host of the “RuPaul Drag Race” whose name has been cemented in the books of history for some reasons. RuPaul’s outstanding demeanor and emotional performances have made her an icon in the industry for years. Drag race performances began in the nineteenth century when several drag queens put their names in history for their impact on the industry and society at large.

Marsha P. Johnson was one of the most famous drag queens in the 1960s and 1970s. She was a drag performer and advocate for transgender rights. She redefined the way people viewed the members of the LGBTQ+ community alongside other activists. There are also many other drag queens both in the past and present who have made the art industry lively.

The following are some of the fifteen most famous drag queens in history:

1. Bianca Del Rio

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Bianca Del Rio is an American drag queen based in New York who has changed the industry for her influence on the world. Bianca is possibly one of the greatest drag queens who has won several drag races. The self-proclaimed “Clown in a Gown” has been the most famous drag queen in the industry, placed on the same page with RuPaul-the greatest drag queen of all time. Bianca has performed across the world, including her performance in the United Kingdom where more than twelve thousand people attended the show. She is a star both in her personal life and on social media because she has amassed more than two million followers on Instagram. Bianca is also an author and she published her book Blame It on Bianca Del Rio in which she explains several things about her personal life including sexuality. She continues to be a key figure in the industry.

2. Latrice Royale

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Latrice Royale is a famous drag queen in the United States who has attracted people’s attention for appearing in three different drag races. Making more than two appearances is not an easy task because only three queens have made three appearances. Royale has also appeared on international tours including Werq the World. She is a strategist in the game and her experience has kept her at the top of the game. Royale explains that she focuses on long-term goals to make money for a longer period. She has been a mentor in the industry who helps the upcoming drug queens to become better at making money. Apart from performing, she is also the manager of other queens’ careers. She is admired by many.

3. Aquaria

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Aquaria made history in the drag race when she achieved what many would never have imagined at her age. Before she turned twenty-three years, the Brooklyn-based young drag queen had already been crowned season ten winner. She had also ventured into the fashion and design world where she continues to shine. Aquaria appeared in a performance alongside the legend, RuPaul and Violet Chachki. She accomplished a lot before turning twenty-three and has kept on winning many gigs in the industry.

4. Sasha Velour

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Sasha Velour is one of the legendary drag queens who have revolutionized the industry ever since she began. She is remembered for her petal-rose performance along with Whitney Houston’s song ‘So Emotional’ where she earned a lot of money. Sasha is an excellent financial manager as well. She invested her money in a monthly drag show in New York in 2015 and has since become famous for employing and taking care of other drag queens. Sasha Velour chose to break away from being managed because she felt that her manager was exploiting her in terms of payment. The drag queen has continued to expand her industry in New York and other parts of the country. Her shows include Smoke and Mirrors which has attracted a huge audience making her more popular.

5. Katya Zamolodchikova

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Katya is a Boston-based drag queen who has made a huge impact in the industry for several years. She is renowned for her famous show called Help me, I’m Dying which gained popularity in the city over a short period. Katya teamed up with another famous drag queen in the country, Trixie to start the The Trixie & Katya Show despite their differences in the past. Katya has been on global tours that have made her a globally recognized drag queen.

7. Detox

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Detox is a renowned drag queen from Los Angeles who cemented her name among the legends in the industry when she made it in the top four in two important events. She was in fourth place in season five of the drag race in the City. She has also kept on winning on different occasions and reforming on global tours such as Werq the World where she has popularized her name as a legend. Detox is also a fearless woman whose body positivity has made her famous. She also showed off her plastic surgery on a live reality show Botched.

7. RuPaul

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There is no doubt that RuPaul is one of the greatest drag queens of all time because of the achievements he has brought to the industry. The drag queen has been in the industry for several years with his career spanning decades making him one of the most experienced drag queens in history. He has gone ahead to start the “RuPaul Drag Race” which attracted millions of people across the world. He is an influential advocate of the LGBTQ+ community who has used his talent on and off the stage to fight for their rights. RuPaul’s reality show became globally recognized when it won the Emmy award. He continues to inspire the drag race across the world.

Also see: 10 Most Famous People From San Diego

8. Divine

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Divine was born Harris Glen Milstead to become one of the greatest drag queens in history. She has had an immense impact both in the drag performances and film industry where she played an important role in John Waters’ career in the film industry. Divine was known for her courage and fearless approach to life while disregarding traditions. She became an influential figure in the 1970s, rallying many people to live life on their terms and not conform to usual norms. She revolutionized the beauty industry through her drag race performances and appearance on the screen in Waters’ films. She is remembered for her appearance in the films such as “Pink Flamingos’ where she was one of the main characters. She inspired several drag queens in the industry to become fearless.

9. Lady Bunny

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Lady Bunny is a key figure in the drag performance whose personality changed the industry for good reasons. She is remembered for her oversized attire including towering wigs and amazing sense of humor. Bunny was an entertainer whenever she was on stage, becoming one of the fan’s favorites of her time. She also extended her talent beyond stage performance when she cofounded the Wigstock Festival which is held annually to celebrate drag culture. The show became popular in New York City and across the country.

10. Lily Savage

Lily Savage made a breakthrough in drag performance in the United Kingdom in the 1990s. She is a pioneer in the industry who contributed to several changes including appearing on reality shows. She was known to have a bigger personality and a fearless approach to life. She was also a businesswoman who hosted her reality talk show in the country. She also appeared on numerous talk shows where she popularized her name in the industry, becoming a beloved figure in the country.

11. Shangela Laquifa Wadley

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Shangela is one of the most successful drag queens in history because of her business mind. She has excelled on the stage during performances and her outside life is an example not only to the drag queens but to the general population. She is one of the drag queens who have appeared three times in different seasons of the competition finishing at least third in all appearances. Shangela is also a singer as she collaborated with Ariana Grande on the song ‘NASA’ among other achievements. Shangela has a podcast show that has been part of the ideas that kept her in the business. She also owns an entertainment company that specializes in looking after drag performers. She is a respected figure in the industry.

12. Courtney Act

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Courtney Act is a famous drag queen in America and the United Kingdom for her versatility and ability to connect with people around the world. Despite her recent shows being outside America, she is still a historical figure in the industry for her performance during the sixth season where she came second. Courtney has appeared on talk shows in the United Kingdom including the Celebrity Big Brother U.K. She is also an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, fighting for the rights of bisexuals. Apart from drag race performances, she is also an actress as she appeared in the soap opera Neighbors alongside some renowned Hollywood stars such as Liam Hemsworth.

13. Trixie Mattel

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Trixie Mattel made a living both in drag race performances and in several other ventures in the country. Despite finishing sixth in season seven of the competition, her career took a turn as she looked for fans on social media. Trixie collaborated with Katya, another famous drag queen, to start a Trixie & Katya show which has attracted several people across the world. She used the funds she earned from her win in the third season of the all-stars series to make a career online. Trixie says that she did not make a lot of money from the drag race performances. She is respected in the industry.

14. Adore Delano

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Adore Delano is one of the youngest successful drag queens in the industry who made appearances at a young age attracting people of her age. She started her career in the digital world and has used social media to popularize her shows. Delano was the first drag queen in history to reach a million followers on Instagram, a feat that changed her career. She has been overseas most of her life touring Europe and Australia where she has performed several drag race shows. Adore is also remembered for her courage to fight and sue the Producer Entertainment Group. She will forever be remembered for her contribution to the industry.

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15. Alaska Thunderfuck

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Alaska is possibly the most successful drag queen in America because of her achievement in the industry. She was runners-up in the fifth season of the drag race and won the second season of all-stars. She is known for her music albums between 2015 and 2019 such as Poundcake among others. Alaska is also a famous actress and a reality show host. She is a legend in the industry whose contribution changed the drag race shows.

The world has seen several brave men and women who embraced their identities and changed the way people viewed social norms. These people made the field of entertainment more exciting with their performances and fashion. These drag queens changed fashion and beauty by redefining the way people dress. The pioneers such as Marsha P. Johnson and modern drag queens and legends such as RuPaul became global influences. They bravely faced the culture and changed the way people approach the preexisting norms. Recognizing the greatest drag queens in history and those in the industry today helps people respect human rights. These people not only brought entertainment but also enlightened the rest of the population and helped people embrace authenticity and promote equality in society.