Looks like RuGirls groom RuGirls. What is likely the most notable family connection in RuPaul's Drag Race herstory is season 10's Aquaria and season four's Sharon Needles; the pair were the first linked performers to both win crowns from the franchise. And though that has yet to happen again, Ru has formed a habit of keeping things within the family: season 11 had over half its cast plucked from drag collectives familiar to the fandom.
While season 13 doesn't have quite that many, there's more than a few notable ones. But, because of the pervasiveness of the show, many of the contestants have worked closely with alums even if they aren't related — Joey Jay notably first expessed an interest in drag to Alyssa Edwards who still keeps in touch, and danced backup for Coco Montrese before getting into full geish. Others have formed families of their own as with Olivia Lux's Haus of Lux and Tina Burner with her collective.
"Being a NYC performer you kind of have to be able to do everything," she told Out in a statement. "Over the years I had the opportnity to soak up all the amazing nightlife and be a part of a huge LGBTIA+ communityto learn and grow from. Not being part of a specific drag family, I always believe you should gay it forward. That's why I formed the Burner Orphanage for Burners School for Girls as we call it. There are queens that need a family that have already started their career, and I'm there as a support system. This way I can push them out when they're ready."
But some queens did get that very traditional relationship from show alum. Here, we detail those relationships.
With what's likely the most drag family connections in Drag Race herstory, here comes the Mackie doll: Kahmora Hall. She is the mother of Soju from season 11, but that's only the beginning. The House of Hall, founded by Lady Tajma Hall, hosts Jaida Essence Hall, Dida Ritz, and Naysha Lopez, who are all sisters to Kahmora. The lineage, as Kahmora said in a brunch, promises good shoulders and a beautiful set of clavicles.
Muse was the first to step in the Werk Room and through out the premiere episode, made her connections clear: she is not in the House of Aja as that House disbanded. In its place is the Doll House. And while that may be true, season nine's Aja (who no longer considers themself a drag performer) is still her drag mother while season 12's Dahlia Sin is her sister.
The Atlanta queens are an interesting story. When we reached out, LaLa Ri said that she wasn't related to any other Drag Race contestants, going further to stipulate that she "is not currently in a drag family." But in the Meet the Queens interviews, Tamisha Iman said that she was LaLa Ri's mother. Things that make you go hmm!
The creator of the 30-year-old Iman dynasty, Tamisha has many children. And while her family on Drag Race hasn't been vast, she does have one key drag connection on the show: she is the aunt of Kennedy Davenport, the dancing diva of Texas.
This isn't necessarily a drag family connection but as a New York City girl, Rose has made her name, in part, with the live singing girl group Stephanie's Child. Among the other members is season 11's Jan.
That said, she counts Lemon, from Canada's Drag Race, as a niece.
Another case of slightly bending the rules: Symone hails from the House of Avalon. That collective of creatives, mostly from Arkansas, are based out of Los Angeles now and counts Symone as one of its newest official members. That said, season 12's Gigi Goode is a close collaborator.
"Gigi Goode is one of my best friends and is a sister to my house," Symone says.
