# RuPaul's Drag Race (2009)

> RuPaul hosts and judges a long-running reality competition in which the top American drag queens vie for drag stardom.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/7903

## Facts

- Seasons: 18
- Episodes: 255
- Episode runtime: 45 min
- Status: Returning Series
- Genres: reality
- Created by: RuPaul, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
- Network: MTV, Logo, VH1
- Cast: RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, Santino Rice, Violet Chachki, Nicole Richie, Tasha Smith
- TMDB rating: 8.5/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1353056/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: moderate
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: none
- Tone: camp, campy, bold, affectionate, glamorous, playful, sincere

## What critics say

Viewers broadly acclaim the show as a flamboyant, warm and entertaining drag competition anchored by RuPaul's host and judging presence, with the later seasons rated highest.

## Synopsis

RuPaul's Drag Race (2009-present) is a United States reality competition created by RuPaul, Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, produced by World of Wonder and broadcast on MTV, Logo and VH1. RuPaul, the world's most famous drag queen, hosts, mentors and judges the contest, reigning over every judging panel and elimination in full glamazon drag. Judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews weigh in alongside rotating guest judges, and standout contestants such as Violet Chachki have become fan favorites. Each episode pits a field of the top drag queens in the country against weekly challenges that test runway fashion, comedic sketch performance, lip sync and improvised wit, with the eliminated queen's exit delivered in a signature send-off. The engine is a race for the crown of drag stardom, where each contestant must balance personal flair with the discipline of constant reinvention under pressure. Across eighteen seasons and more than two hundred fifty episodes, the format has grown from a cult pageant into a glossy mainstream institution. The tone is campy, bold and affectionate, with flashes of sharp judging and emotional sincerity. Fans of Project Runway, Top Chef and other personality-driven competitions will find the same appetite for craft, rivalry and showmanship, anchored by a host whose charisma defines the viewing experience.

## Shows like RuPaul's Drag Race

- [So You Think You Can Dance (2005)](https://ember.film/tv/3782)
- [We're Here (2020)](https://ember.film/tv/80862)
- [America's Best Dance Crew (2008)](https://ember.film/tv/6585)
- [Drag Race Holland (2020)](https://ember.film/tv/90963)
- [RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2012)](https://ember.film/tv/59361)
- [Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star (2019)](https://ember.film/tv/74210)
- [Project Runway (2004)](https://ember.film/tv/1584)
- [Legendary (2020)](https://ember.film/tv/83711)
- [Lip Sync Battle (2015)](https://ember.film/tv/55443)
- [Drag Race México (2023)](https://ember.film/tv/144617)

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