RuPaul's Drag Race Winners 2009-2024

Hey, squirrel friends! Gather 'round, 'cause we're going to take you on a trip down memory lane. We're gonna relive the most gag-worthy moments of our fierce past winners of RuPaul's Drag Race from 2009 to 2024.

But before we do that, a brief history...as told to us by our own RuPaul impersonator!

Started back in 2009, this fabulous competition has been servin' up the best of the best in the world of drag. Each season, we gather a group of the fiercest queens from all over, each with their own unique style, and we put 'em to the test in a series of challenges that'll have 'em singin', dancin', actin', and of course, lip-syncin' for their lives!

Now, lemme break it down for you, squirrel friends. Each episode features a maxi challenge, where our queens show off their skills, whether it's snatchin' celebrity impersonations on the legendary Snatch Game or creatin' high-fashion runway looks from unconventional materials.

But that's not all, darlings! Before they hit the runway, the queens have to serve us a mini-challenge, which is like a lil' amuse-bouche to get our appetites goin'. It's all about thinkin' on your stilettoed feet and showin' off that quick wit.

After all that, it's time for the main event: the runway! The queens strut their stuff, servin' up looks that'll have your jaws on the floor. Each week, the judges and I critique their performances and looks, and we decide who's the top queen of the week and who'll have to lip-sync for their lives.

Now, y'all know the lip-sync is where it gets real, hunty! The bottom two queens duke it out on the stage, performin' to a sickening song, and they better bring it, 'cause one queen will get to stay, while the other must sashay away. It's all about showin' us the fire inside and fightin' for your spot in the competition.

Throughout the season, the queens not only have to prove their talents but also show us their hearts. We get to know each queen intimately, hearin' their stories, their struggles, and their triumphs. It's not just about lookin' good and bein' fierce; it's about bein' real and showin' the world the beauty of the human spirit.

At the end of the season, we're left with the creme de la creme, the top queens, who'll compete in a grand finale like no other. We'll crown the winner, America's Next Drag Superstar, who'll walk away with a cash prize, the coveted title, and a chance to inspire queens everywhere.

So there you have it, my lovelies, the wonderful world of RuPaul's Drag Race! It's a celebration of love, life, and the art of drag. And remember, "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?" Can I get an amen up in here?

Now, sissy that walk down memory lane:

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

2009: BEBE ZAHARA BENET

Our first-ever winner, honey! Bebe's fierce feline energy left the judges gagging. She brought the Cameroon realness to the runway and showed us all how it's done. A memorable moment? Her legendary leopard print bodysuit! In an interview with Huffington Post, Bebe said, "I wanted to bring the essence of Cameroon to mainstream America." And baby, she did!

2010: TYRA SANCHEZ

In Season 2, Tyra Sanchez snatched the crown with her undeniable beauty and fierce runway looks. Remember that unforgettable bridal gown? Yaaas, queen! Tyra once said, "You can't spell 'legendary' without 'LEG'!" (Source: NewNowNext). Legs for days!

2011: RAJA

Now, let me tell y'all about Raja. She won Season 3 with her high-fashion fierceness and unique artistic style. Raja's Marie Antoinette look had us gagging! She told Interview Magazine, "I was always obsessed with fashion and drag, and I wanted to marry the two." And she did, hunty!

2012: SHARON NEEDLES

Boo! Get ready to be spooked, because our Season 4 winner, Sharon Needles, brought the perfect mix of horror and glamour to the competition. Her ghoulishly gorgeous post-apocalyptic look? Iconic! Sharon told Out Magazine, "I always say, 'When in doubt, freak 'em out!'" And she sure did, honey.

2013: JINKX MONSOON

For Season 5, we were blessed with the comedic stylings of Jinkx Monsoon! She stole our hearts with her quirky charm and undeniable talent. Her "Little Edie" impersonation? To die for! In an interview with BuzzFeed, Jinkx said, "My whole life, I've been told I have a face for comedy." Well, she ain't wrong!

2014: BIANCA DEL RIO

Honey, you better hold onto your wigs, 'cause Season 6's winner, Bianca Del Rio, is the queen of shade! Bianca's sharp wit and even sharper tongue helped her snatch the crown. Remember when she said, "Not today, Satan!" (Source: Out Magazine)? Iconic!

2015: VIOLET CHACHKI

Season 7's winner, Violet Chachki, brought the burlesque fantasy to life with her jaw-dropping runway looks. That waist? Cinched for the gods! Violet told Paper Magazine, "I've always been inspired by vintage glamour and fetish." We could tell, baby!

2016: BOB THE DRAG QUEEN

"Walk into the room purse first!" Y'all remember our Season 8 winner, Bob the Drag Queen? She brought the laughs and the lewks. Her political debate performance? Genius! In an interview with Vulture, Bob said, "My drag is a mix of high fashion and lowbrow humor." A winning combo, indeed!

2017: SASHA VELOUR

Our Season 9 winner, Sasha Velour, showed us the power of art and intellect with her avant-garde runway looks. Her rose-petal lip-sync moment? Breathtaking! Sasha told Them, "I believe that drag can change the world by making people think and feel deeply." And she's been doin' just that, honey!

2018: AQUARIA

Get ready for the Age of Aquaria! Our Season 10 winner, Aquaria, slayed the competition with her polished lewks and fierce performances. Her mermaid look? Fishy realness! In an interview with W Magazine, Aquaria said, "My drag is a mix of high fashion and pop culture references." She brought it to the runway, baby!

2019: YVIE ODDLY

Now, let's get odd with Season 11's winner, Yvie Oddly! This queen showed us that being different is a strength, not a weakness. Her jaw-dropping "jellyfish" runway look? Gagged! Yvie told Out Magazine, "I want people to embrace their weirdness." Embrace it, we did!

2020: JADA ESSENCE HALL

Our Season 12 winner, Jada Essence Hall, brought the pageant glamour to the stage with her stunning lewks and captivating performances. Her iconic purple gown? Eleganza! In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jada said, "I want to show people that you can be a diva and still be kind." Amen, sis!

2021: SYMONE

Symone, the Ebony Enchantress! Symone dazzled us with her fierce runway looks and undeniable charisma. That "Say Their Names" dress? Powerful! Symone told Vogue, "I want to show the world that Black excellence is not a monolith." And she did, baby!

2022: Willow Pill

Meet Willow Pill, the quirky queen of the unexpected who took the Drag Race crown by storm in 2022. With comedy chops sharp enough to slice a wig, she had the judges and audience in stitches week after week. And get this, there's a rumor floating around that she may or may not have been possessed by a benevolent spirit during the competition.

Whether it was otherworldly guidance or just her innate fabulousness, Willow's performances were nothing short of mesmerizing. So, buckle up, because this queen's reign is one for the herstory books, filled with laughter, surprises, and a touch of the supernatural.

2023: Sasha Colby

Sasha Colby, the legendary drag mother and pageant queen extraordinaire, claimed the crown of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 15 in 2023. Known for serving timeless glamour with enough rhinestones to blind a judge, Sasha truly embodies the phrase "did not come to play, she came to slay." Her journey to the top spot was not just a win for her but a dazzling display of elegance, resilience, and show-stopping performances that left everyone in awe.

And there you have it, squirrel friends! The fiercest queens to ever grace the Drag Race stage. May their legacies live on forever, and may we all be inspired by their talent, creativity, and nerve. Can I get an amen?

Sources:

• Huffington Post
• NewNowNext
• Interview Magazine
• Out Magazine
• BuzzFeed
• Paper Magazine
• Vulture
• Them
• W Magazine
• Entertainment Weekly
• Vogue