The Season 9 Queens: Where Are RuPaul’s Drag Race Icons Now? (Updated December 2025)

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9, which first aired in 2017, remains one of the most pivotal and game-changing installments in the franchise's history, forever altering the format of the finale and introducing a legendary cast of queens. As of December 2025, these iconic performers continue to shape the world of drag, theater, music, and mainstream media, with several queens achieving career-defining milestones that transcend the reality TV stage.

This season marked the show's move to VH1 and featured the unforgettable introduction of the Lip Sync for the Crown tournament, culminating in one of the most shocking and celebrated finale moments ever. From a groundbreaking Broadway debut to a major role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Season 9 sisterhood has proven that talent, creativity, and a sharp business mind are the true keys to longevity in the spotlight.

The Legendary Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9: A Profile

Season 9 introduced 14 fierce competitors who have since become global superstars. Here is a look at the key queens who defined the season and their essential biographical details.

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• Sasha Velour (Winner):
  • Real Name: Alexander Hedges Steinberg
  • Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
  • Current Projects: Creator and star of the international drag revue *NightGowns*. Announced a brand-new theatrical work, *TRAVESTY*, with a world tour scheduled to debut in March 2026.
  • Signature Moment: The iconic "So Emotional" lip-sync against Shea Couleé, featuring the famous rose petal reveal.
• Peppermint (Runner-Up):
  • Real Name: Agnes Moore
  • Hometown: New York City, New York
  • Current Projects: Star of the documentary *A Deeper Love*, focused on her journey as a Black trans icon. Continues her career as a singer, actress, and activist, notably being the first openly trans woman to create a principal role on Broadway in *Head Over Heels*.
  • Signature Moment: Her powerful, high-energy lip-syncs and her groundbreaking visibility as the season's first openly trans contestant.
• Shea Couleé (Top 4):
  • Real Name: Jaren Kyei King
  • Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
  • Current Projects: Winner of *All Stars 5* and competitor on *All Stars 7* ("All Winners" season). Most recently, she was cast in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe series *Ironheart*, marking a massive crossover into mainstream acting.
  • Signature Moment: Dominating the competition with four main challenge wins, and her stunning looks in the "Good Morning Bitches" challenge.
• Trinity Taylor / Trinity The Tuck (Top 4):
  • Real Name: Ryan Taylor
  • Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
  • Current Projects: Co-winner of *All Stars 4* and competitor on *All Stars 7*. Continues to tour extensively and has been open with fans about her evolving gender identity, now identifying as gender fluid.
  • Signature Moment: The transformation from a pageant queen stereotype to a versatile comedy and performance powerhouse.
• Valentina (Miss Congeniality):
  • Real Name: James Leyva
  • Hometown: Los Angeles, California
  • Current Projects: Starred as Angel Dumott Schunard in Fox's live musical event *Rent: Live*. Competed on *All Stars 4*. Continues to pursue acting and music, leveraging her massive international fan base.
  • Signature Moment: The infamous "I'd like to keep it on, please" moment during her elimination lip-sync.

The Season of Firsts: Lady Gaga, The Crown, and Cultural Impact

Season 9 holds a unique place in the *Drag Race* canon, primarily because of its revolutionary approach to the finale and its high-profile guest judge. The season kicked off with a seismic event: the appearance of pop icon Lady Gaga, who stunned the queens by walking into the werkroom disguised as a contestant. Her presence immediately elevated the show’s celebrity status and set the tone for a season focused on high-fashion, high-concept drag.

The biggest structural change, however, was the introduction of the "Lip Sync for the Crown" format. Prior to Season 9, the winner was chosen after a final main stage performance and judges' deliberation. Season 9, however, pitted the Top 4—Sasha Velour, Peppermint, Shea Couleé, and Trinity Taylor—against each other in a bracket-style lip-sync tournament. This change was designed to inject more drama and unpredictability into the finale, a move that paid off spectacularly.

The cultural impact of the finale remains unparalleled. In the final round, Sasha Velour faced Shea Couleé, who was widely considered the frontrunner with four challenge wins. Sasha’s performance of Whitney Houston’s "So Emotional," which culminated in the dramatic reveal of rose petals hidden under her wig, is now considered one of the most legendary moments in television history. This single, innovative moment secured Sasha the crown and cemented the finale format for future seasons, proving that theatricality and surprise can triumph over a strong track record.

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Where Are They Now: The Top Queens' Latest Triumphs and Projects

The true measure of a *Drag Race* season is the success of its queens after the final episode, and the Season 9 cast has collectively achieved monumental success, pushing the boundaries of drag into new creative and commercial territories.

Shea Couleé's Marvelous Crossover and All Stars Dominance

Shea Couleé, the Chicago queen known for her impeccable runways and fierce performance skills, has had one of the most impressive post-show careers. After her Season 9 run, she returned to the franchise to win *All Stars 5*, solidifying her legacy. However, her most newsworthy venture is her casting in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe series, *Ironheart*. This role is a massive step for a drag performer, showcasing the growing acceptance of drag artists in high-profile, mainstream media. Beyond acting, Shea continues to release music and co-host the popular podcast "It's Ok to Ask Questions," further expanding her brand as a multi-hyphenate entertainer.

Sasha Velour's Theatrical Empire: NightGowns and TRAVESTY

Sasha Velour, the artistic and intellectual queen, has focused her post-Drag Race career on high-concept, theatrical drag. Her drag revue, *NightGowns*, which originated in Brooklyn, has grown into a globally touring, critically-acclaimed stage show, and was even adapted into a docu-series. The latest update on Sasha's career is the announcement of her new one-queen theatrical work, *TRAVESTY*, a project that is already generating buzz with its scheduled world tour debut in March 2026. This commitment to narrative, high-art performance distinguishes Sasha's contribution to the drag world.

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Peppermint's Broadway and Advocacy Legacy

As the trailblazing runner-up, Peppermint’s career has been marked by significant firsts in the trans community. Her role as the first openly trans woman to create a principal role on Broadway in the Go-Go’s musical *Head Over Heels* is a historical achievement that opened doors for other trans performers. More recently, her journey is chronicled in the powerful documentary *A Deeper Love*, which focuses on her life as a Black trans icon and activist. Peppermint’s work consistently blends entertainment with advocacy, making her a crucial voice in the LGBTQ+ community.

The Continued Reign of Trinity and Valentina

The other members of the Top 5 have also maintained immense relevance. Trinity The Tuck, originally Trinity Taylor, returned to win *All Stars 4* (co-winner with Monét X Change) and competed again on the *All Winners* season, *All Stars 7*. Her journey of self-discovery, including her recent update on identifying as gender fluid, keeps her at the forefront of the conversation. Meanwhile, Miss Congeniality Valentina, whose career skyrocketed after her season, leveraged her unique aesthetic and acting talent to land the role of Angel in *Rent: Live*, proving her versatility in mainstream television.

The enduring success of the Season 9 cast—including the musical pivot of Aja Miyake-Mugler and the continued touring of queens like Alexis Michelle and Farrah Moan—is a testament to the transformative power of *RuPaul's Drag Race*. This season didn't just crown a winner; it launched a generation of cultural entities who continue to challenge norms and dominate the global entertainment landscape.