Over the years, the art of drag has evolved tremendously to become a celebrated and well-known discipline all over the world. Its origins date back to Shakespearean times, when only men were allowed to perform in theatrical productions. Thus, these actors were assigned to play the women characters in those productions as well, taking the very first steps in a discipline that would change history.
As time went by, drag became more of an individual form of entertainment, and through elements such as vaudeville and drag balls, it became increasingly popular. Eventually,figures like RuPaul Charlesemerged in the media, and thanks to shows likeThe RuPaul ShowandRuPaul’s Drag Race, drag queens have become globally recognized and celebrated icons, who are becoming widely representedin film and television.
Drag queens have played a major role in pushing the boundaries of self-expression and art in general, empowering millions of people around the world and promoting inclusivity. Many of them have even found refuge in other drag queens after being rejected by their own birth families, which creates a great sense of belonging in their community, forging houses that comprise many performers and drag mothers appointed as mentors.
Currently, and considering the difficulties that theLGBTQ+community and drag queens are facing in terms oflegislation in America, it is important to further highlight this discipline and the artists who have contributed so much to our culture and the entertainment industry. Therefore, here is a glimpse of the best drag queens in movies and TV shows.
10Crystal DeCanter — American Horror Story: Double Feature
2021 marked the premiere ofDouble Feature, the 10th season of the horror anthology showAmerican Horror Story. For the first time, the TV series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk broke its season into two storylines,Red TideandDeath Valley. The first part of the season features performances by Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, and Finn Wittrock, among other frequentAHScontributors, and follows a family who moves to a secluded town for the winter, and is suddenly assaulted by a very particular group of locals.
In “Blood Buffet,” the season’s fourth episode, beloved Eureka O’Hara stars in a guest role as Crystal DeCanter, a local drag queen who, unfortunately, ends up as one of the victims of the pale people, but not without first demonstrating why she’s a huge crowd-favorite.
Related:Best LGBTQ+ Comedy Movies, Ranked
9Alyssa Edwards — Dancing Queen
Before Alyssa Edwards rose to fame on the fifth season ofRuPaul’s Drag Race, she had been dancing and competing in drag pageantry for years. For that reason, some years after starring in the reality show, Alyssa lead her own documentary series,Dancing Queen.
Throughout the eight episodes of this Netflix production, the audience gets a first-hand look at how she manages her dance company, Beyond Belief, and takes different groups of pupils to compete all over the country. Besides witnessing what it takes to be part of the dance world, the show gives us a glimpse into Alyssa’s life and her close relationships.Dancing Queenalso features Shangela and Laganja Estranja, two of Alyssa’s drag daughters.
8Candee Disch — Dumplin’
In 2018, Netflix released the comedy filmDumplin', inspired by Julie Murphy’s novel of the same name. In it, Danielle Macdonald plays Willowdean, a young overweight teenager who lives in the shadow of her mother Rosie, one of the most popular former beauty queens in their Texas town. Tired of being unfairly judged by her looks and as a way of protesting, Will signs up for the Miss Teen Bluebonnet Pageant, in an act that completely revolutionizes her community.
In this film, which also features performances by Jennifer Aniston, Odeya Rush and Ellen Driver, drag plays a key role. At a pivotal moment in Will’s life, she discovers a bar that her late aunt used to go to, and meets some of her aunt’s friends. There, Candee Disch, a drag queen with stunning blonde hair styled like Dolly Parton, teaches her some magic tricks and other tips so that Will can shine in the beauty pageant. Candee is played by none other than Ginger Minj, another of the audience’s favoriteRuPaul’s Drag Racecontestants.
7The MC and Emerald — A Star Is Born
Drag is a very welcoming discipline, and over the years its performers have formed an empathetic community that opens doors to all kinds of people and encourages them to excel. That is precisely the role of drag queens in the 2018 filmA Star Is Born. At the beginning of this production, the audience meets Ally, a young waitress deeply unhappy with her job who writes songs and boasts an astounding voice. In her spare time, Ally performs at a drag bar near her workplace, which is where she meets Jack, the superstar who eventually becomes her husband.
From their very first encounter, Ally acknowledges that she is fortunate enough to shine at the bar because its drag queens welcome her and celebrate her talents, which is extremely important for any performer. The main drag queens in this production are Emerald and The MC and, although they don’t have much screen time, they deliver in every scene they appear in. The drag queens responsible for playing these characters were Shangela and Willam.
6Bianca Del Rio — Hurricane Bianca
In 2014, Bianca Del Rio was crowned as thewinner ofRuPaul’s Drag Raceseason 6, and she quickly emerged as one of the most successful and beloved queens in the history of drag. Her career took a huge leap after the show, with worldwide tours and appearances in several productions. One of the most notable ones isHurricane Bianca, a 2016 film she stars in directed by Matt Kugelman.
This production follows Roy, a teacher who, after getting fired for being gay, returns to school transformed into Bianca, ready to wreak havoc among everyone who gave him a hard time. Two years later, Bianca reprised the role in the sequel,Hurricane Bianca: From Russia with Hate.
5Mitzi Del Bra — The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desertis a 1994 film that allowed a mainstream audience to absorb the art of drag. This film, written and directed by Stephan Elliott features Mitzi Del Bra, a drag queen who accepts a job offer that forces her to hit the road. Facing this opportunity, Mitzi convinces two of her colleagues, a drag queen and a transgender woman, to join her in the adventure, and the three of them set off on a bus they christen “Priscilla”, on a journey full of surprises and problems.
Hugo Weaving stars as Mitzi with Guy Pearce and Terence Stamp as co-stars.The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desertbecame a highly acclaimed production that won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design and subsequently spurred the development of a theatrical production.
Related:The Little Mermaid: The Legendary Drag Queen Who Inspired Ursula, Explained
4Lola — Kinky Boots
When it comes toKinky Boots, most people are likely to think of the stage musical that toured worldwide. However, this production was actually inspired by the 2005 British film by Julian Jarrold starring Joel Edgerton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sarah-Jane Potts and Jemima Rooper.
Kinky Bootsfeatures Charlie Price, a man who must take over his family’s shoe factory after his father’s death, a business that is practically in bankruptcy. Seeking to turn the company’s future around, Charlie starts producing high-heeled shoes for drag performers, a project that may not be easy, but in which he will be helped by drag queen Lola. For his performance as Lola in this production, Ejiofor was nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Globes.
3The Boulet Brothers — The Boulet Brothers' Dragula
Dracmorda and Swanthula Boulet, better known as The Boulet Brothers, are two highly respected drag queens in the LGBTQ+ community and in the horror genre in general, and have made major contributions to the entertainment industry. Among them is the reality competition TV seriesThe Boulet Brothers' Dragula, a competition that puts a special focus on alternative drag performers.
This show, launched on YouTube and later aired on Netflix andShudder, features different drag queens competing in a variety of challenges to win the title of “Dragula” and a cash prize. Currently, the show boasts four seasons and two spin-offs in which contestants from previous emissions come back to compete.
2Divine — Pink Flamingos
The controversial 1972 filmPink Flamingoswas the one that launched drag queen Divine to fame. This production, written, directed and produced by John Waters, is part of a trilogy that is rounded out byFemale TroubleandDesperate Living, released in 1974 and 1977, respectively.
Pink Flamingosfeatures Divine, a criminal who lives with her family of misfits in a trailer near Phoenix, Maryland hiding under the pseudonym Babs Johnson. After Divine is named “the filthiest person alive” by the local newspaper, a neighbor couple sets out to snatch the title from her, which gets everyone into a nasty, no-holds-barred brawl. Joining Divine in this cult classic are David Lochary, Mink Stole, Mary Vivian Pearce, Danny Mills, and Edith Massey.
1RuPaul Charles — RuPaul’s Drag Race
Heading this ranking is an artist who pushed the world of drag into the mainstream, boosting the careers of dozens of drag queens to stardom: RuPaul Charles. Undoubtedly, one of his greatest contributions to the industry is his reality competition TV seriesRuPaul’s Drag Race, which has currently been airing for 15 seasons since its debut in 2009.
In each season, RuPaul casts several drag queens who compete in weekly challenges until one is crowned “America’s Next Drag Superstar”. Throughout the show, this renowned drag queen serves as head judge and mentor to the contestants, coaching them along the way. With his amusing personality and bombastic outfits, RuPaul proves once again exactly why he is on top of the industry, while also spotlighting all kinds of artists.
For his work onRuPaul’s Drag Race, RuPaul has garnered a slew of awards and nominations. Among them, seven Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Host. The show’s popularity gave rise to theDrag Racefranchise, which currently boasts several spin-offs, the most notable of which isRuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, where old contestants come back to prove themselves and win a place in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
