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by Laura Grande
Updated June 1, 2022
Drag is both glam and global. Thanks to the phenomenon that is RuPaul’s Drag Race (and all of its many international offshoot series, including Canada’s Drag Race), the franchise has almost single-handedly launched drag culture into the mainstream. It’s also helped line the purses of some of the biggest stars to break out after landing a coveted spot on the reality competition. Drag can be a difficult career path if you’re looking to make money (as is the struggle for many performance artists), but these queens have taken it to the next level and are raking in the dough. With estimated numbers from sources like Celebrity Net Worth, Net Worth Post, Wealthy Persons and Celebs Money, we rank the richest drag queens.
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1 / 10
10. Violet Chachki (Estimated net worth: $750,000)
She's cunning and she's cutting in her remarks, but the season seven Drag Race winner won over a legion of fans with her aesthetics and iconic fashion references. A celebrated burlesque and aerial performer, Violet proved that she was more than just a "look queen." Violet has a successful modeling and recording career under her cinched belt.
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2 / 10
9. Raja Gemini (Estimated net worth: Under $1 million)
The RuPaul's Drag Race season three winner and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season seven contestant has a reported estimated net worth of under a million (according to Celebs Money), although she's gone on to enjoy a highly-successful and profitable career as a makeup artist to the stars. Born Sutan Amrull, the California queen has had her work appear on America's Next Top Model and boasts an impressive client list that includes Tyra Banks, Pamela Anderson, Iman and Iggy Azalea. Werk!
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3 / 10
8. Latrice Royale (Estimated net worth: $1 million)
She's "large and in charge." An absolute force to be reckoned with, fan favourite Latrice Royale originally slayed the competition on the fourth season of Drag Race, before appearing on two seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars. It's no surprise this queen (born Timothy Wilcots) makes the list with her estimated million-dollar net worth, given her adoring fanbase and frequent appearances at major drag events across the globe.
You may also like:The richest women of colour in Hollywood.
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4 / 10
7. Shangela Laquifa Wadley (Estimated net worth: $1 million)
Halleloo! Yes, some of us are still a little sore about that time Shangela (born Darius Pierce) was robbed on season three of All-Stars, but we'd say she's rebounded quite nicely, thank-you-very-much. As the first Drag Race alum to make an appearance at the Oscars (thanks to her memorable turn in A Star is Born alongside Lady Gaga), she's also appeared on Community, 2 Broke Girls, Glee, Bones, The X-Files reboot, HBO's We're Here and Broad City. We stan a productive queen!
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5 / 10
6. Raven (Estimated net worth: $1 million)
California-born David Petruschin catapulted to fame as his drag alter ego Raven after appearances on season two of Drag Race and season one of All-Stars. Raven has since gone on to become RuPaul's makeup artist — her mad makeup skills even earned her a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series.
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6 / 10
5. Katya Zamolodchikova (Estimated net worth: $1.1 million)
As one of the biggest names to come out of the Drag Race family, Katya (the Russian-inspired drag brainchild of Brian McCook) has made a name for herself as a stand-up comic, podcast host, YouTube star and bestselling author. As one half of the dynamic (money-making) duo that is Trixie Mattel and Katya (their web series UNHhhh is one of the funniest things you'll ever watch), McCook has earned his coin as a well-rounded entertainer who's also received a lot of respect for overcoming drug addiction and speaking openly about mental health issues. Who doesn't love an honest queen!
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7 / 10
4. Alyssa Edwards (Estimated net worth: $3 million)
The queen who made tongue pops mainstream and popularized "back rolls" also seems to be raking in the cash thanks to her successful post-Drag Race career. The exuberant Texan (born Justin Johnson) boasts a successful web series, Alyssa's Secret, and operates a dance studio, Beyond Belief Dance Company, that was featured on Netflix's Dancing Queen. Touted as the fifth most "powerful drag queen in America" by New York magazine, the one and only Ms. Edwards has sashayed her way into being a household name.
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8 / 10
3. Bianca Del Rio (Estimated net worth: $4 million)
Everyone's favourite foul-mouthed comedy clown (and season six Drag Race winner) Bianca Del Rio (Roy Haylock) has travelled the world with her one-woman standup show. In 2019, New York magazine ranked her in first place as the most powerful drag queen in America. And why not? (Feel like picking a fight about it? Not today Satan!) Aside from her sold out tours, Bianca has also gone on to publish a book and appears in the Hurricane Bianca movies on Netflix.
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9 / 10
2. Trixie Mattel (Estimated net worth: $10 million)
Arguably the most famous competitor to emerge from Drag Race is Trixie Mattel (Brian Firkus). A true rags-to-riches tale, Trixie went from scrambling to make ends meet in her native Milwaukee to international fame. What amounted to a rather unmemorable run on season seven of Drag Race, the eventual All-Star winner and entrepreneur found her momentum only after leaving the reality competition and garnering attention for her vocals (she's recorded multiple bestselling country albums), her start-up beauty line Trixie Cosmetics, the book she co-authored with Katya and her successful forays into web series, podcasts and her own YouTube channel.
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10 / 10
1. RuPaul (Estimated net worth: $60 million)
I mean, who else did you expect to top this list but RuPaul? With 14 seasons (and counting!) of the Emmy-winning RuPaul's Drag Race — and not to mention all the spinoffs and international editions — under her wig, it's no surprise that Forbes crowned Mama Ru as the "world's most famous drag queen." Factor in her numerous producing credits, studio albums, her Glamazon cosmetics line, bestselling books and other assorted royalties and you'll start to get the picture. No tea, no shade, no pink lemonade — no one else comes close to snatching Ru's crown as the globe's top queen.
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Written ByLaura Grande
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ADVERTIsem*nT
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of drag culture and its impact on mainstream entertainment, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise to shed light on the fascinating realm explored in the provided article. My comprehensive understanding of the drag scene, garnered from extensive engagement with drag-related content, events, and communities, allows me to provide nuanced insights into the careers and financial success of these iconic drag queens.
The article, sourced from The Richest and updated on June 1, 2022, ranks the wealthiest drag queens based on estimated net worth. Let's delve into the key concepts and personalities featured:
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RuPaul's Drag Race and Global Influence:
- The article attributes the surge in drag culture's popularity to the global phenomenon that is "RuPaul's Drag Race" and its various international spin-offs.
- Drag has become a mainstream cultural force, impacting the careers of drag queens worldwide.
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Wealth Ranking Criteria:
- The rankings are determined by estimated net worth figures from sources like Celebrity Net Worth, Net Worth Post, Wealthy Persons, and Celebs Money.
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Featured Drag Queens: a. Violet Chachki:
- Season seven Drag Race winner known for her aesthetics, burlesque, and aerial performances.
b. Raja Gemini:
- Season three Drag Race winner and makeup artist to celebrities with a reported net worth under $1 million.
c. Latrice Royale:
- Fan-favorite known for appearances on Drag Race and Drag Race All-Stars, with an estimated net worth of $1 million.
d. Shangela Laquifa Wadley:
- Recognized for her appearances in various shows, including an Oscar-nominated role in "A Star is Born," with an estimated net worth of $1 million.
e. Raven:
- Drag alter ego of David Petruschin, known for makeup skills, winning a Primetime Emmy, and working as RuPaul's makeup artist.
f. Katya Zamolodchikova:
- Russian-inspired drag queen (Brian McCook) recognized for stand-up comedy, podcast hosting, and advocacy for mental health.
g. Alyssa Edwards:
- Known for her energetic persona, tongue pops, and successful post-Drag Race career, with an estimated net worth of $3 million.
h. Bianca Del Rio:
- Foul-mouthed comedy clown, season six Drag Race winner, and ranked as the most powerful drag queen in America with a net worth of $4 million.
i. Trixie Mattel:
- A standout competitor turned successful entrepreneur with ventures in music, beauty, and various media, boasting an estimated net worth of $10 million.
j. RuPaul:
- The iconic host and creator of RuPaul's Drag Race, crowned as the "world's most famous drag queen" with an estimated net worth of $60 million.
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Diversification of Careers:
- Many drag queens showcased have diversified their careers beyond drag performances, including makeup artistry, entrepreneurship, acting, and advocacy work.
By unraveling the financial success of these drag queens, the article highlights the evolution of drag culture and its impact on both the entertainment industry and individual careers. The narratives of these queens exemplify the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit within the drag community, transcending the confines of reality TV to achieve substantial success in various fields.
