# Drag Race (franchise)

Drag Race is a drag queen reality competition television franchise, created by American drag entertainer RuPaul with production company World of Wonder. The franchise originated with RuPaul's Drag Race, which premiered in the United States in 2009. The objective of that series is to crown "America's Next Drag Superstar" who possesses the traits of "charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent". The original series is often credited for bringing drag into the "mainstream". The popularity of the original series led to the creation of a media franchise including spin-offs and international adaptations.
As of 2025, the original series, RuPaul's Drag Race, has produced seventeen seasons and inspired the spin-off shows RuPaul's Drag U, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race, and RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars; the companion series RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked; and numerous international adaptations including British and Australian and New Zealand versions hosted by RuPaul as well as Chilean, Thai, Canadian, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, French, Filipino, Belgian, Swedish, Mexican, Brazilian, German, and South African editions and international vs. the World competitions hosted in The United Kingdom and Canada, All Stars in Spain and France & Slaysian Royale in the Philippines.
Three drag fan conventions have also been created: RuPaul's DragCon LA, RuPaul's DragCon NYC, and RuPaul's DragCon UK.

## History
### 2008–2017: Drag Race beginnings
#### Premiering on Logo TV

In mid-2008, it was revealed that RuPaul had begun producing a new reality television game show. The show was pitched to Logo and they immediately picked the show up for a season, which aired in February 2009, where it was devised as a replacement for Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World (2007–2009). In preparation for the new series, RuPaul made guest appearances on several shows in 2008, including as a guest judge on season five, episode six of Project Runway and as a guest chef on Paula's Party. RuPaul revealed that the show's intent was to find a winner possessing the traits of "charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent". RuPaul has stated that the show looks for an entertainer who can stand out from the rest. The series premiered on February 2, 2009. The winner of the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race and its franchise is BeBe Zahara Benet.

#### All Stars spin-off and VH1 movement

In March 2012, it was announced that an "all-stars" spin-off from the original show was set to premiere in late 2012 through Logo (which later moved to VH1, then onto Paramount+). It was announced as RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, and the winner for the first season was Chad Michaels.
RuPaul's Drag Race was the first international edition of the franchise to be produced and broadcast. The program proved a success for Logo and additionally moved to a higher profile channel: VH1, for their ninth season. However, the reality show remained to air on Logo. In November 2017, World of Wonder launched their subscription streaming service WOW Presents Plus. The service provides access to its exclusive library of the Drag Race franchise, and web series from WOWPresents' YouTube channel.

### 2018–present: International expansion of Drag Race

In February 2018, it was announced that a Thai adaptation of RuPaul's Drag Race was set to premiere in Thailand. The Kantana Group licensed the reality competition series. The show was named as Drag Race Thailand with its judges and co-hosts: Art Arya and Pangina Heals. The first season winner for Drag Race Thailand was Natalia Pliacam.
From 2020 to 2022, seven international adaptations of RuPaul's Drag Race were revealed and premiered. In North America, a Canadian adaptation premiered on July 2, 2020. In Europe, four adaptations premiered from the Netherlands and France. In Australia, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under premiered on May 1, 2021, with RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Rhys Nicholson judging.

#### BBC

In June 2018, the franchise producers hinted that a British adaptation of the series was in the works. It was later confirmed that creators had a meeting with the BBC and that "something is coming, be afraid – be very afraid. Nothing's impossible." A year later, the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK was set to premiere through BBC Three. RuPaul and Michelle Visage continued to be the main judges of the British adaptation, with Alan Carr and Graham Norton as recurring judges.
In December 2021, a press release by the BBC announced an upcoming "international all-stars" series involving the British adaptation. The first season of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World premiered on February 1, 2022.

#### Atresmedia Televisión

In November 2020, a collaboration was made between production companies World of Wonder and Atresmedia, in collaboration with Buendía Estudios. In February 2021, the series was confirmed to be hosted by Supremme de Luxe. The first season of Drag Race España premiered through Atresplayer, which marks the seventh international adaptation of the American reality competition series.
In September 2022, the Spanish adaptation opened a casting call for its third season and also announced that a Spanish adaption of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars was in the works.

#### Discovery Plus

In 2021, casting occurred with production starting in the summertime. The first season of Drag Race Italia premiered through Discovery+, with Priscilla as the host and head judge of the series. A second season was renewed and premiered in October 2022.
In August 2021, a casting call was made for an upcoming Philippine adaptation of the franchise. In early 2022, it announced that Paolo Ballesteros would serve as the host, alongside Jiggly Caliente and KaladKaren as permanent judges of the series. Drag Race Philippines premiered on August 17, through Discovery+. This marked the tenth international adaptation of the American reality competition series.
Both franchise adaptations no longer premiere on this streaming service.

#### MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Global

In February 2021, after three seasons of airing the "all-stars" spin-off of the United States in VH1, Paramount Global decided to move the series to Paramount+. The sixth season aired on June 24, 2021.
In August 2022, the production company behind RuPaul's Drag Race announced three casting calls on social media, taking place in Brazil, Germany, and Mexico. Many fans suspected the casting calls were for new potential Drag Race adaptations. In December, Deadline Hollywood confirmed the casting calls were for the Drag Race franchise. They also announced that World of Wonder partnered with MTV Entertainment Studios to premiere the new adaptations "on MTV/Paramount+ in their respective territories." With this partnership, they moved the American series to MTV from VH1; starting with season fifteen.
After two seasons premiering on Discovery+, the Italian adaptation was picked for a third season by Paramount Global and is set to premiere on Paramount+. Casting calls were set up in March 2023. The third season is set to premiere on October 13, with former judge Tommaso Zorzi being replaced by Paola Iezzi and Paolo Camilli.

#### O4 Media

In November 2022, Entertainment Weekly reported that production companies World of Wonder and O4 Media partnered to develop more adaptations of the Drag Race franchise. The franchise will set to expand throughout the Asian continent, such as India, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. The expansion also includes a new season of Drag Race Thailand and an Asian adaptation of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race will be picked up from the partnership. As of 2025, there have been no further updates on this partnership, with World of Wonder regaining the rights to Drag Race Thailand and producing the third season on their own in 2024.

## Other media

At RuPaul's DragCon NYC, it was announced that a Las Vegas residency was set to play on January 26, 2020, starring its Drag Race alumni. RuPaul's Drag Race Live! features a mix of original music, lip syncs, comedy, and dance numbers directed by RuPaul and choreographed by Drag Race resident choreographer Jamal Sims. On July 26, 2020, a six-part documentary series called: RuPaul's Drag Race: Vegas Revue, was announced and premiered on August 21, 2020.

## Drag Race franchises by country

Legend :
| † | Currently airing season |
| # | Franchise no longer in production |
| ‡ | Upcoming season announced |
| ⁂ | Status of season/franchise unknown |
| Country/Region | Name | Network | Premiere | Judges | Winner(s) |
| Australia New Zealand | Drag Race Down Under⁂ | Stan TVNZ 2 TVNZ+ | May 1, 2021 | Current Michelle Visage Rhys Nicholson Kita Mean (s. 4–) Spankie Jackzon (s. 4–) Isis Avis Loren (s. 4–) Former RuPaul (s. 1–3) | Season 1, 2021: Kita Mean Season 2, 2022: Spankie Jackzon Season 3, 2023: Isis Avis Loren Season 4, 2024: Lazy Susan |
| Belgium | Drag Race Belgique⁂ | Tipik | February 16, 2023 | Current Rita Baga Mustii Lio (s. 2–) Former Lufy (s. 1) | Season 1, 2023: Drag Couenne Season 2, 2024: Alvilda |
| Brazil | Drag Race Brasil‡ | MTV Paramount+ | August 30, 2023 | Grag Queen Bruna Braga Dudu Bertholini | Season 1, 2023: Organzza Season 2: TBA |
| Canada | Canada's Drag Race‡ | Crave | July 2, 2020 | Current Brooke Lynn Hytes Brad Goreski (s. 2–) Traci Melchor (s. 2–) Former Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman (s. 1) Stacey McKenzie (s. 1) Amanda Brugel (s. 2) | Season 1, 2020: Priyanka Season 2, 2021: Icesis Couture Season 3, 2022: Gisèle Lullaby Season 4, 2023–2024: Venus Season 5, 2024–2025: The Virgo Queen Season 6: TBA |
| Chile | The Switch Drag Race# | Mega | October 8, 2015 | Nicole Gaultier Íngrid Cruz Juan Pablo González (s. 1) Sebastián Errázuriz (s. 1) Oscar Mediavilla (s. 2) | Season 1, 2015–2016: Luz Violeta Season 2, 2018: Miss Leona |
| France | Drag Race France⁂ | Current France 2 (s. 1–) Former France.tv Slash (s. 1–2) | June 25, 2022 | Nicky Doll Daphné Bürki Kiddy Smile | Season 1, 2022: Paloma Season 2, 2023: Keiona Season 3, 2024: Le Filip |
| Germany Austria Switzerland | Drag Race Germany⁂ | MTV Paramount+ | September 5, 2023 | Barbie Breakout Gianni Jovanovic Dianne Brill | Season 1, 2023: Pandora Nox |
| Italy | Drag Race Italia⁂ | Current MTV (s. 3–) Paramount+ (s. 3–) Former Discovery+ (s. 1–2) Real Time (s. 1–2) | November 18, 2021 | Current Priscilla Chiara Francini Paola Iezzi (s. 3–) Paolo Camilli [it] (s. 3–) Former Tommaso Zorzi (s. 1–2) | Season 1, 2021: Elecktra Bionic Season 2, 2022: La Diamond Season 3, 2023: Lina Galore |
| Mexico | Drag Race México‡ | Current WOWPresents+ (s. 2–) Former MTV (s. 1) Paramount+ (s. 1) | June 22, 2023 | Current Lolita Banana Óscar Madrazo Taiga Brava (s. 2–) Former Valentina (s. 1) | Season 1, 2023: Cristian Peralta Season 2, 2024: Leexa Fox Season 3: TBA |
| Netherlands | Drag Race Holland⁂ | Videoland | September 18, 2020 | Fred van Leer Nikkie Plessen [nl] (s. 1) Marieke Samallo (s. 2) | Season 1, 2020: Envy Peru Season 2, 2021: Vanessa Van Cartier |
| Philippines | Drag Race Philippines⁂ | Current HBO Go (s. 1–) Former Discovery+ (s. 1) | August 17, 2022 | Paolo Ballesteros Jiggly Caliente KaladKaren BJ Pascual Jon Santos Rajo Laurel | Season 1, 2022: Precious Paula Nicole Season 2, 2023: Captivating Katkat Season 3, 2024: Maxie |
| South Africa | Drag Race South Africa‡ | TBA | TBA | TBA | Season 1: TBA |
| Spain | Drag Race España‡ | Atresplayer Premium | May 30, 2021 | Supremme de Luxe Ana Locking Javier Ambrossi Javier Calvo | Season 1, 2021: Carmen Farala Season 2, 2022: Sharonne Season 3, 2023: Pitita Season 4, 2024: Le Cocó Season 5: TBA |
| Sweden | Drag Race Sverige⁂ | SVT1 SVT Play | March 4, 2023 | Robert Fux Kayo Farao Groth [sv] | Season 1, 2023: Admira Thunderpussy |
| Thailand | Drag Race Thailand⁂ | Current WOWPresents+ (s. 3–) Former Line TV (s. 1–2) | February 15, 2018 | Pangina Heals Art Arya Gus Setthachai (s. 3–) Metinee Kingpayome (s. 3–) Niti Chaichitathorn (s. 3–) | Season 1, 2018: Natalia Pliacam Season 2, 2019: Angele Anang Season 3, 2024: Frankie Wonga |
| United Kingdom | RuPaul's Drag Race UK‡ | Current BBC Three (s. 4–) Former BBC Three (s. 1–3) BBC One (s. 1–3) | October 3, 2019 | RuPaul Michelle Visage Alan Carr Graham Norton | Series 1, 2019: The Vivienne Series 2, 2021: Lawrence Chaney Series 3, 2021: Krystal Versace Series 4, 2022: Danny Beard Series 5, 2023: Ginger Johnson Series 6, 2024: Kyran Thrax Series 7: TBA |
| United States | RuPaul's Drag Race† | Current MTV (s. 15–) Former Logo TV (s. 1–8) VH1 (s. 9–14) | February 2, 2009 | Current RuPaul Michelle Visage (s. 3–) Carson Kressley (s. 7–) Ross Mathews (s. 7–) Ts Madison (s. 15–) Former Merle Ginsberg (s. 1–2) Santino Rice (s. 1–6) Billy B (s. 3–4) | Season 1, 2009: BeBe Zahara Benet Season 2, 2010: Tyra Sanchez Season 3, 2011: Raja Season 4, 2012: Sharon Needles Season 5, 2013: Jinkx Monsoon Season 6, 2014: Bianca Del Rio Season 7, 2015: Violet Chachki Season 8, 2016: Bob the Drag Queen Season 9, 2017: Sasha Velour Season 10, 2018: Aquaria Season 11, 2019: Yvie Oddly Season 12, 2020: Jaida Essence Hall Season 13, 2021: Symone Season 14, 2022: Willow Pill Season 15, 2023: Sasha Colby Season 16, 2024: Nymphia Wind Season 17, 2025: TBA Season 18: TBA |

## Spin-off series
### Competitive

"All Stars" spin-off competitions feature former contestants: RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars premiered in 2012, and Drag Race España All Stars premiered in 2024.
International spin-off competitions include RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World and Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World, which debuted in February and November 2022, respectively.
RuPaul's Drag U premiered in 2010 and saw drag "professors" give makeovers to "student" members of the public. RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race debuted in 2020 and features celebrities.
Legend :
| † | Currently airing season |
| # | Season no longer in production |
| ‡ | Upcoming season announced |
| ⁂ | Status of season/franchise unknown |
| Country/Region | Name | Network | Premiere | Judges | Winner(s) |
| Global | RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars⁂ | Paramount+ | August 16, 2024 | RuPaul Michelle Visage Jamal Sims | Season 1, 2024: Alyssa Edwards |
| Canada | Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World⁂ | Crave | November 18, 2022 | Brooke Lynn Hytes Brad Goreski Traci Melchor | Season 1, 2022: Ra'Jah O'Hara Season 2, 2024: Lemon |
| France | Drag Race France All Stars‡ | TBA | TBA | Nicky Doll Daphné Bürki Loïc Prigent [fr] Shy'm | Season 1, 2025: TBA |
| Philippines | Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale‡ | TBA | TBA | TBA | Season 1, 2025: TBA |
| Spain | Drag Race España All Stars⁂ | Atresplayer | February 4, 2024 | Supremme de Luxe Ana Locking Javier Ambrossi Javier Calvo | Season 1, 2024: Drag Sethlas |
| United Kingdom | RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World⁂ | BBC Three | February 1, 2022 | RuPaul Michelle Visage Alan Carr Graham Norton | Series 1, 2022: Blu Hydrangea Series 2, 2024: Tia Kofi |
| United States | RuPaul's Drag U# | Logo TV | July 19, 2010 | Lady Bunny Frank Gatson Jr. (s. 1) | Season 1, 2010: Various Season 2, 2011: Various Season 3, 2012: Various |
| United States | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars‡ | Current Paramount+ (s. 6–) Former Logo TV (s. 1–2) VH1 (s. 3–5) | October 22, 2012 | Current RuPaul Michelle Visage Carson Kressley (s. 2–) Ross Mathews (s. 3–) Ts Madison (s. 8–) Former Santino Rice (s. 1) Todrick Hall (s. 2) | Season 1, 2012: Chad Michaels Season 2, 2016: Alaska Season 3, 2018: Trixie Mattel Season 4, 2018–2019: Monét X Change & Trinity the Tuck Season 5, 2020: Shea Couleé Season 6, 2021: Kylie Sonique Love Season 7, 2022: Jinkx Monsoon Season 8, 2023: Jimbo Season 9, 2024: Angeria Paris VanMicheals Season 10: TBA |
| United States | RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race‡ | VH1 | April 24, 2020 | RuPaul Michelle Visage Carson Kressley Ross Mathews | Season 1, 2020: Jordan Connor, Vanessa Williams, Matt Iseman, Alex Newell, Dustin Milligan, Hayley Kiyoko Season 2, 2022: AJ McLean Season 3: TBA |

### Non-competitive

| Country/Region | Name | Network | Premiere | Format |
| Canada | Slaycation‡ | Crave | December 31, 2024 | Reality television |
| Philippines | Drag Race Philippines: Untucked!⁂ | Current HBO Go (s. 1–) Former Discovery+ (s. 1) | August 19, 2022 | Behind the scenes / companion show |
| Sweden | Drag Race Sverige: Untucked!⁂ | SVT | March 4, 2023 | Behind the scenes / companion show |
| United Kingdom | God Shave the Queens# | BBC Three | September 10, 2020 | Behind the scenes on tour show |
| United States | RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked!† | Current MTV (s. 14–) Former Logo TV (s. 1–5) YouTube (s. 6–8) VH1 (s. 9–13) | February 1, 2010 | Behind the scenes / companion show |
| United States | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Untucked!‡ | Current Paramount+ (s. 3–) Former Logo TV (s. 1) VH1 (s. 2) | October 22, 2012 | Behind the scenes / companion show |
| United States | Werq the World# | WOWPresents+ | June 7, 2019 | Behind the scenes on tour show |
| United States | RuPaul's Drag Race: Vegas Revue# | VH1 | August 21, 2020 | Behind the scenes show |
| United States | Bring Back My Girls⁂ | WOWPresents+ | October 18, 2022 | Reunion show |
| United States | RuPaul's Drag Race Live Untucked‡ | WOWPresents+ | April 17, 2024 | Behind the scenes / companion show |

## One-off specials

| Country/Region | Name | Network | Premiere | Judges | Winner(s) |
| Canada | Canada's Drag Race Anniversary Extravaganza | Crave | September 6, 2021 | — | Non-competitive |
| United States | RuPaul's Drag Race: Green Screen Christmas | Logo TV | December 13, 2015 | — | Non-competitive |
| United States | RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular | VH1 | December 7, 2018 | RuPaul Michelle Visage Ross Mathews Todrick Hall | All participants |
| United States | Bring Back My Ghouls | WOWPresents+ YouTube | October 30, 2020 | — | Non-competitive |
| United States | RuPaul's Drag Race: Corona Can't Keep a Good Queen Down | VH1 | February 26, 2021 | — | Non-competitive |