17 queens who quit or retired from drag after ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

They’ve retired from drag!

While most LGBTQ+ artists who appear on RuPaul’s Drag Race have their drag careers catapulted to new heights, not all of these contestants are interested in doing drag forever.

Over the years, many former contestants (and even winners!) have retired from their drag careers as a result of their performance on Drag Race and/or due to the response they received from fans. In other cases, they simply chose to pursue new endeavors and focus on different career paths, hobbies, and art expressions.

Whatever the case may be, certain queens did give up on doing drag after appearing on Drag Race, which is something that most fans aren’t entirely aware of. While people like Jaremi Carey (formerly known as Phi Phi O’Hara) have briefly retired their drag personas but occasionally went back to exploring the art form, other Drag Race contestants have fully left drag behind them and haven’t looked back ever since.

Rebecca Glasscock (‘Drag Race’ Season 1)

Despite being the ultimate underdog of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 1, the judges clearly saw something in Rebecca Glasscock given that she made it all the way to the top 3. Over time, however, Glasscock did quit drag indefinitely.

The one and only time Rebecca came out of retirement was for a special appearance at the finale of Drag Race season 10, which featured the season 1 queens to commemorate 10 seasons of the show. Nonetheless, Rebecca has moved on to other endeavors after retiring from the art form.

ames Ross F.K.A. Tyra Sanchez (‘Drag Race’ Season 2)

Despite winning the season 2 of Drag Race under the Tyra Sanchez persona, James Ross hasn’t used that name for many years. The artist also wants to no longer be associated with the show in any way.

In September 2022, Ross teased a return to drag with an OnlyFans account under a new name: King Tyra.

Carmen Carrera (‘Drag Race’ Season 3)

Longtime fans know that Carmen Carrera was very outspoken against certain elements of Drag Race. Since publicly coming out as a trans woman, Carmen has mostly left drag behind and focused on different professional opportunities.

In 2023, Carmen returned to the drag world by appearing as a main judge and host on season 2 of Revry’s Drag Latina, describing the experience as a “full-circle moment” in an interview with Out.

Stacy Layne Matthews (‘Drag Race’ Season 3)

“My last show was my last show. I’ve disappointed too many people. I let my mind and body get the best of me. I let fear and anxiety take over my life. I have given myself a reputation that I never had planned.”

“I’ll be stepping away from social media. Focusing on my mental health, my physical health, and my well-being,” she continued. “Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives when there was still joy and passion in my life. Thank you for allowing me to hopefully put a smile on your face. I’ve never been the one to be OK with disappointing anyone… And before I do any more damage, it’s time I step away. If one day I decide to return, I hope there will be at least someone there to return to who still has some faith in me as an entertainer and as a human being. Until then.”

Venus D-Lite (‘Drag Race’ Season 3)

Venus wrote in an Instagram story shared in August 2024:

“Dear drag, is it time to say goodbye? Did you ever appreciate me or my hard earned, endorsed impersonation? Your actions speak for themselves. I must do what is best for me and my passion that you once opened the door to. I hope you find peace like I have. Goodbye [wave emoji]. P.S. You reap what you sew.”

Alisa Summers (‘Drag Race’ Season 4)

Kenya Michaels (‘Drag Race’ Season 4)

Vivienne Pinay (‘Drag Race’ Season 5)

The season 5 queen known as Vivienne was sent home during a double sashay alongside Honey Mahogany. After Drag Race, Vivienne kept a low profile and eventually abandoned the drag persona.

Honey Mahogany (‘Drag Race’ Season 5)

Ever since her reality TV journey ended, Honey focused on her gender journey as a trans woman. She then became an activist and politician in San Francisco.

Ivy Winters (‘Drag Race’ Season 5)

Magnolia Crawford (‘Drag Race’ Season 6)

In a way, it wasn’t too surprising that a very negative Drag Race experience led this artist to retire their drag persona.

Robbie Turner (‘Drag Race’ Season 8)

It was reported a few days later that Robbie’s car accident story never actually took place, with Uber itself chiming in that none of the company’s drivers had died from a recent trip as it was described by the former Drag Race star. As a result, Robbie issued an apology on Instagram and talked about regretting the things she had previously tweeted out. Since then, the season 8 alum retired from drag and never re-appeared in a public manner.

Princess Poppy (‘Drag Race’ Season 15)

The queen explained:

“I want to fall off the face of the planet. I don’t want to be famous. I want to fade into obscurity. That’s not a bad thing. I think people put so much emphasis on success and fame, and it’s okay to not want to be famous. It’s totally valid to not want to be known by a bunch of people. That’s just not what I want. I don’t want that for my life.”

A year after competing in season 15 of Drag Race, Poppy had a final (and gag-worthy) stint in drag while attending the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards dressed as a green goblin. News outlets like the Los Angeles Times, People, Entertainment Weekly, CNN, Harper’s Bazaar, Paper, Entertainment Tonight, Vulture,The Today Show, and WWD reported on the sighting of this goblin at the Emmys, turning Poppy into an even bigger viral sensation.

Despite that headline-making moment, Poppy reaffirmed her commitment to quitting drag in an interview with Out’s sibling publication,PRIDE.

“I really want to get into writing. That’s my passion and my dream,” Poppy told PRIDE. “I would love to be a screenwriter, or be in a team of comedy writers for a show. Like, a variety show. I don’t know, something like that. But again, that’s so farfetched and so out there. I would love to just write anything — Hallmark cards, post-it notes, a tweet.”

Copper Topp (‘Drag Race UK’ Season 4)

On October 4, 2023, Topp shared an X post explaining that she was taking an indefinite break from drag. The Drag Race UK star wrote:

“It is with a heavy heart that I have decided that I need to take a break from drag. The last two years have been some of the hardest I’ve ever experienced and the truth is that I am not ok. In light of this, this account may be quiet for a while as I allow myself the time, space, and energy I need to work on my mental health. This decision will not affect my appearance in the Wizard of Oz, which I’m very excited for, or at DragCon 2024. I look forward to seeing some of you there, when I hope to have found my smile again.”

Eve 6000 (‘Canada’s Drag Race’ Season 2)

“I’m just going to say at this point that I’ve officially quit drag. At least as it relates to Drag Race. Drag will always be a part of my life that led me to who I am, but Drag Race isn’t something I would ever wish to personally be a part of again.”

She continued in a follow-up post, “Not like it’s big news to anyone but yeah. I’m over it for many, many, many reasons… I’m flourishing in life more than I ever have since I finally let it go a year ago.”

Ongina (‘Drag Race’ Season 1 & ‘All Stars 5’)

Ongina, one of the OG queens who competed in the first season of Drag Race, has unfortunately announced that she’s “taking a breather” from working as a drag artist.

“”A new chapter, but I’ve been here before. Something I left behind, but always wanted more,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “This time, I return to it with new goals. Hoping it will bring me the happiness I yearn for. A new challenge, dare I say. But the freedom to create something new everyday.”

The beloved queen added:

“I’m nervous, I’m excited but most of all I feel lifted. Excited to use the talents I was gifted. While I let Ongina take a breather, I know this new creative chapter will be better. As I look into my future I’m certain, for now, this is the right move. But I hope you’ll stick around as I dance to this new beat and find my groove!”

LaLa Ri (‘Drag Race’ Season 13 & ‘All Stars 8’)

LaLa Ri, winner of Miss Congeniality on Drag Race season 13, and crowned Queen of the Fame Games on All Stars 8, has also announced her departure from the art form of drag.

On October 19, LaLa wrote in an Instagram post:

“This moment. ‘Bad B*tch Tip’ is hands-down my favorite song to perform! Stepping into this new chapter has been such a wild and thrilling ride. I may be leaving the drag behind, but trust me, The LaLa Ri Experience is still very much alive and serving! Can’t wait to keep evolving and giving y’all even more.”

In an interview with Ricky Cornish for Out, LaLa had an even more in-depth discussion about this decision to quit drag. “This moment is a feel-good moment! I am loving all of the love that I am receiving for this,” LaLa explained. “I was a little nervous because I was introduced to the world on RuPaul’s Drag Race. If I remove the drag, would people still like me? I was nervous, but people are very supportive, so I am loving it.”