Drag queens are like snowflakes, no two of them are alike. Each one has something that I like to call their own "dragnality", the attractive, and in some cases, unattractive qualities that make a drag queen unique or interesting. Even though no drag queen is exactly like another, they can be grouped into different types of queens. Now, no type of queen is better than another, nor is one wrong or right. This is not meant to be an all inclusive list; just my personal observations and examples of queens that I feel represent the different types.
 |  |  |  |
1. The Diva – in most cases the term "diva" refers to someone who is difficult or very demanding. When it comes to a drag queen, I feel it means a queen that when she walks into a bar or venue, she owns it. All eyes are on her and everyone is drawn to her. RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5 top 3 finalist, Roxxxy Andrews, is the perfect example of a Diva.
2. The Show Stopper – a queen that has the “it” factor, or more accurately, the “d” factor. They are a queen who influences the art form and all queens that come after them. I feel the epitome of this is Chelsea Pearl from Lexington, Kentucky.
2. The Show Stopper – a queen that has the “it” factor, or more accurately, the “d” factor. They are a queen who influences the art form and all queens that come after them. I feel the epitome of this is Chelsea Pearl from Lexington, Kentucky.
| |
3. The Professional – the queen who, no matter her popularity, always behaves professionally and treats others with respect. RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5 contestant, Penny Tration, is the perfect example of the Professional.
4. Under the Radar –a queen who is not noticed by other drag queens. The other queens don’t take her serious at first glance, but in the end she becomes a force to be reckoned with. Jinkx Monsoon, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5 winner flew under the radar at first, and then took the season by storm.
5. The Original One – the queen who is always breaking new ground and is constantly raising the bar by doing something completely original. Columbus, Ohio Queen Nina West shows every time she takes the stage why she is the former National Entertainer of the Year and why she is the queen who is often duplicated or copied.
6. The Dancer –a queen who's performances are dance-centric, killing any dance routine. They are the queen who is always introducing the audience to the newest dance sensation. For me, it’s Dena Cass, an Iowa queen that shows what it means to be the dancer. When Dena is on stage, audiences are amazed by what she can do, unable to take their eyes off of her.
7. The Fashionista – a drag queen with a wardrobe that can gain her as much attention as the number itself. The performance or appearance, whichever the case may be, is just as important as the costume. Detox comes to mind when I think of Fashionista, as cemented with her black and white look at RuPaul’s Drag Races Season 5 finale.
8. The Career Queen – a drag queen who makes a living at performing drag. Their job is drag. Obviously, the queen who represents this is the mother of all drag queens everywhere, RuPaul.
9. The Headliner – the headliner can sometimes be a diva, sometimes a career queen, or even a professional but the headliner is the one that other queens want to be. The headliner is the queen everyone wants to see whether they are the headliner or not. Latrice Royale from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 4 is a true Headliner.
10. The Rule Breaker – the queen who does not follow any of the “unwritten” rules of the drag community. She does drag her way and is following her own path. Sharon Needles, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 4 winner showed that you can break the ‘established’ rules of what a drag queen should look like and still succeed.
4. Under the Radar –a queen who is not noticed by other drag queens. The other queens don’t take her serious at first glance, but in the end she becomes a force to be reckoned with. Jinkx Monsoon, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5 winner flew under the radar at first, and then took the season by storm.
5. The Original One – the queen who is always breaking new ground and is constantly raising the bar by doing something completely original. Columbus, Ohio Queen Nina West shows every time she takes the stage why she is the former National Entertainer of the Year and why she is the queen who is often duplicated or copied.
6. The Dancer –a queen who's performances are dance-centric, killing any dance routine. They are the queen who is always introducing the audience to the newest dance sensation. For me, it’s Dena Cass, an Iowa queen that shows what it means to be the dancer. When Dena is on stage, audiences are amazed by what she can do, unable to take their eyes off of her.
7. The Fashionista – a drag queen with a wardrobe that can gain her as much attention as the number itself. The performance or appearance, whichever the case may be, is just as important as the costume. Detox comes to mind when I think of Fashionista, as cemented with her black and white look at RuPaul’s Drag Races Season 5 finale.
8. The Career Queen – a drag queen who makes a living at performing drag. Their job is drag. Obviously, the queen who represents this is the mother of all drag queens everywhere, RuPaul.
9. The Headliner – the headliner can sometimes be a diva, sometimes a career queen, or even a professional but the headliner is the one that other queens want to be. The headliner is the queen everyone wants to see whether they are the headliner or not. Latrice Royale from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 4 is a true Headliner.
10. The Rule Breaker – the queen who does not follow any of the “unwritten” rules of the drag community. She does drag her way and is following her own path. Sharon Needles, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 4 winner showed that you can break the ‘established’ rules of what a drag queen should look like and still succeed.
| |
11. The Orphan – a drag queen that has no drag mother or drag family. She is alone in the drag community and normally has to learn the craft by trial and error, depending on the kindness of others for advice, if they are willing to share. Vivian Von Brokenhymen from Columbus Ohio is a Drag Orphan.
12. The Beauty Queen – a drag queen, who is very glamorous, very “fishy”, and a queen that the majority of people would never even know was really a man. Shangela from RuPaul’s Drag Race seasons 2 & 3 is the perfect example of a Beauty Queen.
12. The Beauty Queen – a drag queen, who is very glamorous, very “fishy”, and a queen that the majority of people would never even know was really a man. Shangela from RuPaul’s Drag Race seasons 2 & 3 is the perfect example of a Beauty Queen.
