Drag Queens have found themselves in the headlines quite a bit lately…and not for the right reasons.

Men have been dressing up as females from the first time an actor stepped on the stage.  The name DRAG comes from the notation – Doing Role As a Girl – because women were not allowed to be performers – it was not respectable.

But in the end a Drag Queen is nothing more than an entertainer.

While actors have dressed as women for many years, it was drag Queen diva RuPaul who brought the artform into the forefront.  And for the past 15 years she has spotlighted the performers with her reality TV show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” series and All Star series.

The show has shown that some of those “Queens” are much more than men dressed as women prancing around and lip syncing to hit songs.  There have been some contestants on RuPaul’s series that have multiple talents including genuine singing voices.

Currently “Drag Race” winner Jinx Monsoon is starring on Broadway in the musical “Chicago”.  But she is not alone…

Other “Drag Race” alum with musical talent include:

RuPaul herself has had a successful music career beginning with her 1993 hit “Supermodel”.  Since those days she has racked up 15 albums, six compilation albums, 68 singles, and 42 music videos.  Among the final episodes of her reality series, she debuts a new single that includes the finalists.

Season five “All Star” winner Shea Coulee revealed her musical ability on the series and has since parlayed it into albums and a tour with some of her fellow “Queens”.

Season eight “Drag Race” winner Bob The Drag Queen is much more than a drag queen; he is a multi talented individual with a podcast, is a comedian, actor, and a musician.

Season three “All Stars” winner Thixie Mattel has her manicured fingers into many different pies including a cosmetic line and a musical career.  She has released albums, music videos, and tours where she can be seen not only singing; but also playing the guitar and the auto harp.

Though not seen as frequently as some of the “Queens” on “Drag Race”, Adore Delano is a fan favourite and has auditioned on a competition music show.  She has released a number of dance music hits that have kept fans dancing and selling out venues.

“Drag Race” alum and winner Alaska not only keeps herself busy recording music; she brings along some of her fellow “Queens” to help out on the songs whenever she can.  And she appears in “Drag: The Musical” – which played to sold out audiences its entire 2022 run.

Willam may have had a short stay on “Drag Race” due to being dismissed after “breaking the rules” – her husband was making visits to the hotel – but she has not let the incident slow her down any.  She continued her Hollywood career, even appearing in the “A Star is Born” remake.  And has continued a musical career that includes singing groups with Detox and Vicky Vox in DWV and Alaska and Courtney Act with the AAA Girls.

Australian born Courtney Act made it to the finals of season six “Drag Race”.  The former “Australian Idol” singer has continued her musical career; as well as, appearing in the Australian version of “Dancing with the Stars” and the UK version of “Celebrity Big Brother”.

In a world of “Drag Queens” Katya stands out in a crowd with her “out there” look and off-beat humour.  Her musical venture includes performing in multiple languages and has earned her thousands of view on social media.

Canadian “Drag Race” winner Priyanka has been sharing her talents with music fans around the world with singles, an EP, and music videos that form to tell a story.  She has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on social media.

Transgender artist Peppermint has also made a few appearances on the Broadway stage since appearing on “Drag Race”.