RuPaul’s Drag Race has been a launching pad for drag performers to showcase their talent and gain a massive following on social media. Season after season, contestants become overnight sensations, gaining international fame and recognition. While not everyone who participates in the show manages to grow their platform significantly, many queens have managed to build a large following on social media.
With season 15 coming to a close, it’s time to look back and analyze which queens gained the most followers on Instagram. The initial numbers were collected on December 13, 2022, just before the Meet The Queens of season 15 announcement, while the final statistics were gathered on April 15, 2023, one day after the grand finale of Drag Race season 15.
The results are in, and some of the queens experienced staggering growth on Instagram. Among the top performers were Mistress Isabelle Brooks, who gained over 2,000% growth with 193,000 followers, and Anetra, who gained a whopping 5,983% growth with 511,000 followers. Sugar and Spice, who both had large followings prior to the show, still managed to grow significantly with 97% and 108% growth, respectively.
Other notable queens include Robin Fierce, who grew 488% with 60,000 followers, and Aura Mayari, who grew 652% with 112,000 followers. Despite being the first-eliminated queen of season 15, Irene Dubois still managed to grow her Instagram following by 521%.
While Drag Race has undoubtedly provided a massive platform for queens to showcase their talent and gain recognition, it’s important to remember that it’s not the only path to success in the drag community. Some queens retire from drag altogether after the show, while others continue to build their careers in different ways. Nonetheless, the show continues to be a significant force in the entertainment industry and a vital part of the LGBTQ+ community.