Old Friends Gold: Where Are the ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Winners Now?

BeBe Zahara Benet won the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2009, paving the way for every winner to come. Hailing from Cameroon, BeBe is the first crowned queen to return to the show after winning, joining the cast of All Stars season three where she made the top four. She won two challenges on both her respective seasons, and has continued to tour around the world. She was also the subject of the 2021 Being BeBe documentary and hosts her podcast, Out of Respect For.

When you won season one of RuPaul’s Drag Racedid you ever anticipate the show would blossom into what it has become?

I always knew there was something very magical about our artistry. That’s the reason why I decided to do the art form of drag. I always knew there was magic there, and if you allow yourself to look at it as a plain canvas and see how people paint the picture, you’re immersed in this world of fantasy. I did not know to the extent what impact[[Drag Race]would have, but I knew if it was given a chance to do what it’s meant to do, it would have an impact.

Do you think you had a defining moment that won you season one?

If I’m going to be perfectly honest, I don’t. And why? When we went in there, there wasn’t an agenda. I went in knowing I was going to be the best version of myself. I wasn’t focused on what the platform would be or how many people are going to watch, I just knew I had an opportunity to show what it means to be an all-rounded artist, what it means to embrace culture, especially with America being such a melting pot of so many cultures. When you watch media, at that time, you didn’t necessarily see all of that representation. This was an opportunity for me to carry a continent in a weird way, and maybe that’s a defining moment for me, because that’s what a lot of people remember — when I came out with the animal print, there was something about me being in an animal print catsuit with big lioness hair that kind of defined something to people. People took something from it. They called it culture. I don’t think it was, because I was just being a jungle kitty meow rrr (laughs). But to some, it was a cultural definition.

You are the first winner to return to All Stars. When the offer was presented to join the cast of All Stars season three, did you hesitate?

I did. And there were a couple of reasons why. I was like Okay, I’ve already won the show. I just don’t understand why I will be needed to go again and compete, and not even with winners, but with other contestants. It just didn’t make sense to me. But later, I came to understand that many people were not aware of season one. I understood that bringing me back was going to put some eyes back into season one, which was so well deserved. Season one needed to be known, especially by the new generation of fans that love Drag Race. Second of all, there were some family things I had to take care of, and I did not feel comfortable leaving. But I was convinced by my parents that I should go do it, that there’s a reason why I’m called back.

Which experience did you prefer, season one or All Stars season three?

It may sound cheesy — but season one sets the tone. Of course, the other seasons are beautiful. Things have happened with the other seasons that have made it amazing, but I cannot go back to season one. There was something so innocent. There was something about us just being and discovering and going with the flow. As amazing as it was, it was very challenging. I keep telling people, “Many people would not have been able to do season one, especially when there is not a blueprint.”

What is something about being a RuPaul’s Drag Race winner do you think would surprise people?

Everybody who has won has deserved it. I have to give it to the winners, but I also feel like winning is added pressure, because now you’re at a certain level, so people expect a certain standard. It’s like people want you to not only evolve, but keep producing and producing.

What do you think is your biggest accomplishment post-Drag Race?

Being able to travel the world and meet amazing people. There’s something beautiful about people sharing their stories, and also sharing how you’ve had it [an] impact on them. That is very, very, very rewarding. I’ve been able to really create amazing, larger-than-life experiences for people. I have a full orchestra, a full band — I get to do live music. [Also my documentary,] Being BeBe really shows my journey, before and after Drag Race.

What career goals are you striving to hit next?

Music [has] always been a huge part of who I am. I love live music, live entertainment. I’ve been developing my live experiences where people get to see all facets of who I am. I also feel just being from the show, you don’t get to see all facets of who we are. I also would love to do more television work (laughs). I would love to do more, if that comes, in the form of reality shows. We’ll see what the year has in store for me in terms of more television projects. I just want to keep evolving and elevating as an artist. That’s what we all dream of, to be able to [go], OK, what’s the next level and what’s the next thing?

BeBe, would you participate in a potential second all winners season of Drag Race?

Ooh, girl, I get asked this all the time. They say never say never, because when I was asked to do All Stars three, I did not know the opportunity was going to present itself. I had to see what was going on in my life at that moment before I made the decision. So I would never say never, but it would really depend on what’s happening, what’s going on for me.

As a winner of RuPaul’s Drag Racehow do you hope to be remembered?

I would love people to know that I moved humanity forward through my art. I would love people to know that, you know, dressing up and doing what I do as beautiful and the fantasy, it’s deeper than just that. What we do has so much more meaning than just the physical appearance. If you study us and what we do, our stories, there’s always something that you’re going to take from there. I know from experience, because I get those messages through social media, when I do meet and greets, people share their stories, and they share stories about what impact I have had on them. Those stories mean a lot to me, and it’s the drive that gets me to keep doing what I’m doing.

What is next for BeBe?

One of the big things is my podcast, Out of Respect For. It’s me and some amazing friends of mine that come on the podcast, and we talk about things that are happening in the world. [It’s] like you’re hearing girlfriends talk (laughs). I got things cooking when it comes to the music and touring world. I have television projects that [are] cooking. It’s just being able to go out there and keep doing the thing, and hopefully people love what I do.

After winning season five, Jinkx Monsoon became the first (and only) double winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2023, earning the top prize in the first all winners season (All Stars season seven). Her performances on the show are engraved in the show’s canon, most notably her rib-tickling impersonation of Judy Garland in the Match Game spoof Snatch Game that memorably sent RuPaul Charles into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. Outside of the Drag Race multiverse, Jinkx has an established stage resume, and made her Broadway debut in Chicago in 2023. She performed at a sold-out Carnegie Hall in early 2025, went back to Broadway in Pirates! The Penzance Musical and will make an encore in Oh Mary! before heading to the West End to star as Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow.

Before you won season five, were there any fellow winners you admired?

I met Bebe Zahara Benet in person before I even watched the show. This drag bar that I worked at in Portland had Bebe Zahara Benet come as a guest star, and I could just tell that she had something different. I could tell that she had been through something that caused her to be just a little bit more than all the drag queens I knew. And that’s kind of true for the Drag Race experience. It’s not that you’re more, it’s more that you learn so much in a short amount of time. So when I met Bebe Zahara Benet, that something that I was picking up on was her experience.

What is your favorite personal challenge performance on RuPaul’s Drag Race?

It has to be the[[All Stars]season seven Snatch Game. I was really proud of my Natasha Lyonne, but I felt like there was something happening with my Judy Garland where I was so confident that I was nailing it. It’s so hard to feel that on a TV set. When you’re on a sound stage, you can make a joke and hope it’s funny, but you’re not going to know how people receive it until it’s played back. My only i indicator that things were going well was the fact that RuPaul was unable to breathe because she was laughing so hard. That was probably my favorite challenge, because I love making Ru laugh. Ru has one of the best senses of humor of anyone I’ve ever met, so to get someone like that to really crack up feels like it feels good. It’s an affirming thing as a drag performer to have the Grand High Witch cackling at your Judy Garland, right?

Do you think you had a defining moment that won you season five and All Stars seven?

In season five, my episode with Dave the veteran, who I also referenced in my Judy Garland moment, part of why it’s my favorite is because I was able to do such a deep cut callback to my first season that you really had to be in on the joke. My relationship and friendship with Dave during our episode, I mean, that is the reason I won. Whether it’s because people saw the community driven aspects of my work or if it’s because Dave told me I had to win. Dave told me while we were working together, “I know you’re trying to be realistic and keep your head on straight, but I need you to now decide to be the winner.” I never wanted to get myself too psyched up, but when Dave told me I had to do it, I was like, “Fuck all of that. Dave’s right.” I had to do it. (Laughs).

You are the only queen to have won RuPaul’s Drag Race twice. How do you look at and carry this distinction?

When I won season five, I really took it on as a responsibility. Like, [to] be this person that everyone wants you to be, because it means something to a lot of people. But in that mindset, I started trying to be what I thought everyone wanted me to be, and I started altering who I was to be more palatable and popular. That was a really hard thing for me as an artist to realize that I was succumbing to the pressure. We see it with feminine people in media all the time, where they’re so heavily scrutinized that they start to be scared to make any moves because they’re scared of what people will say next. As soon as I created the Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show with BenDeLaCreme, it was like remembering why I did drag in the first place. I was able to push all of the stuff out of my head about being popular or the most “successful” or marketable queen from the franchise — I just started worrying about who I wanted to be. I got back on my original artistic mission statement as a performer, and that’s what led to me eventually feeling ready to go on All Stars seven. Now, I really do take it as a responsibility. I am out there being very loud and visible on behalf of a large community. But I do it my way. I take the responsibility seriously, but I don’t take the scrutiny from the naysayers seriously.

What do you think is your biggest accomplishment post-Drag Race?

If you look at my career on paper, I’d be hard pressed not to mention that I sold out Carnegie Hall in 2025 with a concert that I co-created with BenDeLaCreme. We will have a recording of the concert available this year. To me, that was a huge punctuation mark on an already wonderful decade. From season five of Drag Race that All Stars seven was just about 10 years, and then shortly after that, I got to do Carnegie Hall. So that kind of felt like I won Drag Race once as a young person, I won Drag Race a second time as a slightly less young person (laughs), and I got to do something really, really big. Carnegie Hall is one of the goal posts that we all dream of hitting someday, and I got to hit it. And now, I’ve still got a hell of a lot of time to come up with new things to accomplish. Nowadays, I’m thinking about, How can I change the world? Because I’m pretty sure I have to do something about what’s happening. (Laughs.)

You’re going to be starring as Judy Garland in the stage musical revival of End of the Rainbow. How do you feel about returning to the role of Judy?

I’m really excited, because all my work with Judy so far has been comedy. I did a Zoom reading of this play for the directorial team and the producers, and we all just clicked. By the end of this play reading, we all just sat there silently because we were like, This has to happen. I was bent over sobbing reading this play with the team. I just felt like I have to do my best work telling this story right now. The tears felt like a calling to fucking step up and really do this thing, because while there’s a lot of comedy and joy in the character of Judy Garland, there’s a lot of tragedy in her story. It’s not just an erroneous tragedy, it’s a tragedy and trauma that still happens today to women and feminine people in the media. We saw what it did to Judy Garland, and did that stop anyone from letting it happen to Britney Spears and all the other women it still happens to in the public eye? We see what Cynthia [Erivo] and Ariana [Granda] are going through just doing a press tour. If they’re not being attacked, then there’s memes about them protecting each other. It’s like a woman can’t do shit without everyone having an opinion, and Judy was kind of at the forefront of the female celebrities figuring that out.

Do you have a dream Broadway show or role that you want to mark off your list?

Yes, in the long run, I want to play Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd in a future revival. I want to play her when the time’s right. But I do feel strongly about manifesting a show, a role in the coming years. I really, really feel strongly that I want to be the next Mame on Broadway, and so I’m doing all of my current manifestation empowering on trying to make that happen (laughs).

With your Broadway and your larger extension of stage work, what is the number one thing you have learned in this era of your career?

You got to do it because you believe in something. Right now, we’re witnessing what happens when blind ambition runs unchecked. When I was a kid, I wanted to be an actor because I thought that would make me rich and famous, and I’d live an easy life. I grew up poor. I wanted to find some kind of hack that meant I get to be one of the privileged people and live comfortably. That was my dream of being an actor when I was young, being raised with no resources. And that’s the whole thing I think a lot of us believe growing up in America, is find the one special thing you’re good at, become really, really good at it, and then you get to live the rest of your life happily. (Laughs.) But we’re seeing right now, that’s not true when we don’t all start out with the same circumstances, and all of these people have rigged the game against so many people. So even though I am at this moment of feeling realized and successful and on a cool path, my ability to do anything to change the circumstances of my life is still very, very limited because of the country I live in and the people in power. My purpose as an artist is to undo that and be a champion for my community and get us through this. That drives me every single day, but it also keeps me focused on something bigger than myself. Because I know who I’m doing it for, and I know that’s where the success is for me as an artist. My life got better when I started making my work in service to my community.

As a winner of RuPaul’s Drag Racehow do you hope to be remembered?

I want to be remembered for working very, very hard. I love working. I love creating, and I love what I do. I’m happiest when I’m doing this stuff. There was a time where I was hoping to find a hack, where I just got to take it easy for the rest of my life — that’s now my idea of ​​purgatory. I don’t want to take it easy. I love being in the thick of it. I want to be remembered for working really, really hard my entire life at something worth working hard on.

What is next for Jinkx Monsoon?

I got Broadway, the West End. Some other things are taking shape, but they’re not allowed to be discussed yet. What I’m manifesting is more of what I’ve been doing, just continuing to turn the dial up. You know, honestly, all the goals I set for myself as a performer, I’ve met a lot of them a lot earlier in life than I thought realistically possible. So now I’m in the stage of dreaming up what’s next. But while I dream up what’s next, I’m in a really fun place. I get to act on Broadway and occasionally pop up in sci-fi shows. I’m really happy. And when the time comes for the next big thing, we’ll see what that is, but it’ll have to be authentic. (Laughs.)

A legend of the New York City drag scene who was first renowned for her Broadway costuming, Bianca Del Rio won season six in 2014. She is the oldest winner of the mainstay franchise, one that revolutionized the drag comedy scene. Bianca is the first drag queen to headline Carnegie Hall and Wembley Arena, and has embarked on six global comedy tours. She’s the author of Blame It On Bianca Del Rio (2018), and has performed on the West End and off-Broadway. There’s no denying Bianca’s success post-Drag Race positions her as one of the most successful queens from the franchise, and she’s gearing up to hit the road again and host the official Drag Race recap series The Pit Stop.

Before you won season six, were there any fellow winners that you admired?

Oh, totally. I wasn’t a Drag Race super fan initially. A lot of my friends were, and many friends were saying, “You should do it.” At that time, I just assumed I was well past my expiration date. My brain was like Eh I don’t know, it seems like it’s for the kids. I got to see, at season four, which was Sharon Needles, and season five, which was obviously Jinkx Monsoon, [they were] both very different, both out of the box, both possess different talents. I was kind of amazed. I’m like, okay, so it’s not necessarily a beauty contest — no shade to them — but it was more about personality, talent and ability. And I thought, Oh, you know what? This is worth a try.

Do you think you had a defining moment that won you season six?

It’s blurred because I have my own experiences of being in the moment and dealing with what was in front of me. Of course, there’s the actual show, the edited version that was showcased to America. I often have people say, “Well, I knew from day one you were going to win.” I laugh and go, “Well, of course, because that’s their narrative.” When you’re in it, you really have no idea. I never thought I was going to win. I never thought anything I did was good enough on that level. There was no moment where I sat back and said, “Oh, this is it.” In retrospect, I go, (laughs), Oh, well, this makes sense. But at the moment, I really couldn’t tell you. It’s wild. And I haven’t seen it since it aired either.

You’ve never gone back and watched season six?

No, I’m horrified to do it. I barely got through it when it was airing. You have to remember, we filmed it, we went away, we went back to real life. I think they announced [our cast] in December of 2013 and it aired in 2014. At the time, we would have viewings at bars. I was watching it in a crowded bar with lots of drunk, fun people cheering you on. So it would happen, and that was it. I really haven’t revisited it, like, on my couch like everybody else has. I haven’t done that. I might wait 20 years, [and] I might be able to look back at it. I think because you’re going to be your worst critic. I’m not a fan of listening or watching myself.

What do you think is your biggest accomplishment post-Drag Racing, and what is your personal favorite opportunity you’ve taken part in?

I have to say longevity has been an amazing thing. The extreme highs and amazing opportunities that happen because of this little television show, I have to give the utmost credit for. I’ll be going on my seventh world tour this year. Getting to perform all over the world, getting to meet so many people who were my cheerleaders for the show globally is one of the things that’s insane. [To] be a working artist and be accepted and continue to do that, that’s been the amazing thing over the years.

There’s a few things that really stick out on a personal level. One is always the work. Getting to work on any level, no matter what it is, whether it’s [performing for] 10 people or 15,000 people, it’s just amazing to get to do the work. I have to say, getting to do an interview with Joan Rivers before she passed, that was an amazing thing for me. Because I, of course, worship the altar of Miss Rivers, and thought of her as a brilliant performer, hard worker and an extremely nice lady. That was definitely one of those moments when I said, “Yes, this is it.” I guess I’m supposed to say meeting RuPaul, I should say that too, just in case she’s listening (laughs). There’s so many things that come to mind, but that’s just the very tip of the iceberg.

You’re the first drag queen to headline Carnegie Hall and the Wembley Arena solo, and you’ve paved the way with your comedy tours for so many queens. How do you think that your legacy after Drag Racespecifically with your comedy career, has the drag landscape changed?

I go where the work is. For me, it’s never been one of those moments where I sit back and think, Yeah, that’s what I want to do. I never think anything is possible. But somehow things just happen. And when it does happen, you just have to treat it — whether at Carnegie Hall or a bar with 50 people — the same way. You can’t get into your head, you can’t lose your mind. It’s not easy. I hope that’s the legacy that’s left, that anything is really possible even later in life for me. Never doubt. You never know what’s around the corner.

Do you have any other career goals you haven’t hit yet?

Waking up tomorrow. (Laughs.) That would be it. Listen, success is only measured by the work you have, and as long as there’s an audience, I’m excited. I don’t know what’s around the corner. I love film, I love television and all of those opportunities that have come my way. But truly, honestly, working with a live audience is the one thing that I hope I can continue to do, because that’s really the ticket. Connecting with people and making people laugh is the ultimate for me. You know what? Considering the current political climate, maybe run for office, maybe run for president. How about that? If they already have one washed up reality star in the White House, why not me? Let’s do it.

Bianca, would you participate in a second all winners season?

I was asked to do the first [all winners season] and it didn’t work out timewise for me. This was the new idea they were doing, and they reached out to me and said, “Hey, this is what we’re doing.” And I said, “Oh, that’s great,” but I don’t know if I wanted to do that, and mainly for the reason that the show has changed tremendously. I come from a place of, you know, you don’t rob the same bank twice. And when I was asked, I didn’t want to do it. Currently, it would really depend on a lot of factors. I like to work, so that would mean taking off work, or scheduling timing. I’d usually say no, but hypothetically, I’m like, Ehh. But I would say you never know. You just never really know. If it made sense at the time, sure. But the one [time] I was asked, it didn’t (laughs). It didn’t make sense at the time. And that’s no shade on any level, it was just one of those moments where I was like, Ehh, I’m good. But you never know. I don’t know. I mean, it’s not that anyone’s asked. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not hiding any information (laughs). It would really depend on the timing. I do know a lot of the queens that have won. So one part of me, it’s like, it would be fun. The other part of me [thinks] that it would be a nightmare (laughs). I’m kind of in the middle. I don’t know if I could really go through it. I was barely fun at 37, I don’t know if I’d be fun at 50. We’ll see.

What is next for Bianca Del Rio?

I will be touring this year with another solo tour. This [past] fall [I began] Tartuffe in New York City off-Broadway with Matthew Broderick, David Cross and a lot of fabulous performers. I’ve got some casino dates here and there. I’ve got some cruise ships here and there, in between my off time. I’m like, “I need a break.” And then I’m like, “Oh God, I’m bored.”