A true queen can’t be dragged down.
These New York drag queens are proving that their charisma and talent never sleep—and it’s taking them to crazy heights of success.
With out-of-this-world artistic looks and comedic chops unlike any other, they’re the true royals changing the drag game and snatching our wigs.
Keep scrolling to see who they are!
1. Chase Runaway | @chaserunaway
Chase Runaway started her drag journey back in 2014 and strategically incorporates her expertise in visual arts, comedy, and theatre into every performance. Chase’s makeup looks will blow you away—you wouldn’t think for a second that it’s all self-taught!
2. Gina Tonic | @ginatonicnyc
Where drag meets Pokemon, you’ll find Gina Tonic.
Her refreshing take on drag works just like a tonic. From headlining shows like #GottaDragEmAll to impersonating Lady Gaga, Barbra Streisand, Amy Winehouse, and Carol Channing, it’s no surprise that she’s a two-time Glam Award nominee!
3. Jasmine Kennedie | @jasminekennedie
Any drag fan is bound to know Jasmine Kennedie from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14! Having proudly earned the title “Mouth Almighty,” fans can’t get enough of her babbling charms, fierce lipsyncs, and iconic runway moments. She kickstarted her drag career at the age of 16 and has already become one of the most popular New York drag queens—and Jasmine Kennedie has only just begun.
4. Bob the Drag Queen | @bobthedragqueen
With 2.8 million TikTok followers, Bob reigns as one of the most recognizable New York drag queens!
Being hilarious, beautiful, talented, and the perfect amount of sassy, there’s no denying that the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season eight has got it all. On top of that, she’s also appeared on various HBO, Netflix, MTV, and VH1 shows!
5. Sasha Velour | @sashavelour
This gender-fluid drag queen, visual artist, speaker, illustrator, and author is the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season nine.
As a global sensation, her first one-queen drag show, “Smoke & Mirrors,” toured from 2019 to 2022 in over 80 cities across the globe!
In 2023, she released the novel The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag.
6. Candis Cayne | @candiscayne
Candis Cayne has been a drag icon in the New York nightclub scene since the 1990s. Today, she’s also one of the most in-demand transgender actresses who’s appeared in shows such as Dirty Sexy Money, I Am Cait, and The Magicians.
7. Miz Cracker | @miz_cracker
Aside from being among the top New York drag queens, Miz Cracker is also an activist, writer, foodie, and comedienne who appeared in RuPaul’s Drag Race season ten and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season five
When she’s not touring the world with her one-woman shows and writing for publications like Slate, ArtForum, Vice and GQ, you’ll find her sharing her stories and wits through her podcast, She’s a Woman.
8. Jan Sport | @jansportnyc12
Next on our list of must-follow New York drag queens, we have Jan Sport—the beautiful “girl next door” who isn’t afraid to get ugly if it means she can make someone laugh.
Who wouldn’t stan a funny queen?
You might know her from RuPaul’s Drag Race, America’s Got Talent, NBC’s The Voice, and Broad City.
9. Miss Fame | @missfamenyc
This is not a drill, drag fans—prepare to be blown away by Miss Fame’s impeccable style choices.
Aside from being a successful drag personality from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 7, Miss Fame is also a musician who has released tracks such as “Rubber Doll,” “InstaFame,” and “I Run the Runway.”
10. Scarlet Envy | @scarletenvy
After appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 11, Scarlet Envy went on to play the lead in the theatre production of The Legend of Yma Sumac.
Her popularity also lead to appearances on Saturday Night Live, Hey,Queen, and iCarly (something to envy indeed!)
In October 2022, she kicked off Witch Perfect The Tour alongside Tina Burner and Alexis Michelle for 13 shows of incredible performances!
11. Chelsea Piers | @thechelseapiers
Chelsea Piers is one of the New York drag queens to watch out for! Not only does she now know how to slay the game with stunning looks, but she also puts on shows at Baraccuda Lounge in NYC that audiences can’t get enough of.
12. Lemon | @lemongivesyoulife
Lemon is one of the OG queens who competed on Canada’s Drag Race season one as a U.S.-based contestant.
Soon after, she even graced New York Fashion Week as a model for Opening Ceremony.
In 2022, she finished in 9th place on RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World.
13. Ariel Versace | @arielversace
She’s a proud life-sized Bratz doll who appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2019.
Soon after, this New York drag queen showed her skills as a singer with the release of the track Venom.
Proving to be a skilled businesswoman as well, Ariel Versace partnered with Chastity St. Cartier to launch the wig business Drag By Chariel. Better snatch these wigs, friends!
14. Jiggly Caliente | @jigglycalienteofficial
Say “hello” to the resident judge of Drag Race Philippines, Jiggly Caliente!
This position couldn’t be more well-deserved as she made a name for herself on RuPaul’s Drag Race season four and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season six.
You might also know her as “Veronica Ferocity” on the FX series Pose.
15. Pepper Mint | @peppermint247
They don’t call her @peppermint247 for nothing—this New York drag queen’s likeable personality is like a breath of fresh peppermint air all the time!
Also a RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni, she continued to make waves (and history!) when she starred as “Pythio” in the Head Over Heels musical in 2018. She proudly became Broadway’s first out trans woman to originate a principal role!
16. Brita Filter | @thebritafilter
As the national co-chair of Drag Out The Vote—a non profit organization that works with drag performers to promote participation in democracy—Brita Filter is truly making her mark in this world as both an activist and a New York drag queen.
17. Pattaya Hart | @pattayahart
Ladies and gentlemen, make way for this beauty queen!
Pattaya Hart is your Miss Gay America 2020/2021 and Miss Chicago Continental 2022.
And you guessed it—she’s a talented dancer and New York drag queen too.
18. Monet X Change | @themonetxchange
The winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season four steals the spotlight every time with her personality and talent.
Aside from releasing an EP called Unapologetically, Monet X Change is also an incredible host of the Sibling Rivalry and Ebony and Ivory podcasts.
19. Sugar & Spice | @sugarandspice
If dolls ever came to life, you can bet on it that they’d be just like twin siblings Sugar and Spice. With over 7.8 million followers, these New York drag queens are TikTok royalty.
In 2023, they made history as the first sibling contestants ever on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15. What can we say—being a fearless queen must run in the family.
20. Kandy Muse | @thekandymuse
There’s never a shortage of laughs when you follow RuPaul Drag Race season 13 alumni Kandy Muse! With a personality that demands attention, she’s captured the hearts of TikTok audiences through her POV and lipsync videos.
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