In more ways than one, season two of RuPaul’s Drag Race is responsible for really setting the blueprint of what this series would become over the years.
Season two introduced viewers to the “sugar-walled” werkroom that has become a staple for all the subsequent Drag Race seasons in the U.S., as well as the international editions. This was also the first time the Snatch Game was played on the show – which has become a staple maxi challenge for the entire franchise. Generally speaking, Shangela’s very premature elimination in episode one was also a radical idea for the show given the fact that she provided great reality TV. This was also a season that introduced fans to the idea of a “comedy queen” (Pandora Boxx) and featured a queen coming out as trans (Kylie Sonique Love) for the first time in the series.
The OG queens of Drag Race season one were mostly not too confrontational, so season two also completely changed the pace when it comes to that reality TV trope. Namely, the second season featured an epic confrontation between Mystique Summers Madison and Morgan McMichaels, as well as a season-long tension between James Ross (F.K.A. Tyra Sanchez) and most of the other cast members.
Scroll through to find out what the contestants from RuPaul’s Drag Race season two are up to now.
From San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jessica Wild struggled with language barriers throughout her entire time on Drag Race. And yet, this queen constantly persevered and got very far in the competition – placing sixth overall.
Wild was recently featured as a Lip Sync Assassin on All Stars 6 and won that lip sync against Jan. Outside of the Drag Race universe, Wild has performed on stage with popstars such as Jennifer Lopez and Gloria Trevi in recent years. She is still actively working as a drag performer and certainly deserves a spot in a future season of All Stars.
Jujubee’s first time as a Drag Race finalist took place in season two. In subsequent years, Juju would once again get to the finale on All Stars 1, All Stars 5, and UK Versus the World. All things considered, Jujubee is the only four-time Drag Race finalist in the entire franchise.
Besides being a cast member on TLC’s Dragnificent, competing on Queen of the Universe, and appearing on AJ and the Queen, Jujubee is one of the Queen Surpremes appearing on RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race season two and has been hosting a dating podcast called Queen of Hearts.
Outside of Drag Race, Morgan McMichaels is known as one of the hardest-working drag queens in the business. After her appearance in season two, McMichaels came back for All Stars 3, but was unfortunately eliminated immediately right away on the show.
In recent years, McMichaels is still a staple in the West Hollywood drag scene. She made another appearance on All Stars 5 as a Lip Sync Assassin and has kept being very active on social media as well.
Mystique Summers Madison (a.k.a. the originator of “B*tch, I’m from Chicago!”) made Drag Race herstory with that iconic line that has been repeated over and over throughout the series. Though her time in the competition was cut short, Madison has kept working as a drag performer over time. On social media, Madison regularly promotes her drag shows in Texas.
Nicole “send them all home” Paige Brooks was a standout contestant on Drag Race season two, and she’s still doing drag as of 2022. In fact, Brooks attended the latest RuPaul’s DragCon event held in Los Angeles. To this day, Brooks is still a proud queen from Atlanta, Georgia who performs on a regular basis.
The OG comedy queen of RuPaul’s Drag Race broke the mold of how to play the Snatch Game (despite not actually winning the challenge in season two). In subsequent years, Boxx returned for All Stars 1 and then again for All Stars 6.
Outside of Drag Race, Boxx was featured on Netflix’s AJ and the Queen and on VH1’s The B*tch Who Stole Christmas. Otherwise, she has appeared in numerous music videos and has released original songs as well, such as 2021’s “Ridiculous.”
Raven taught a lot of queens how to enhance their nose contouring back when she appeared in season two. For many years, Raven’s style of makeup was basically the standard for any queen competing on Drag Race.
Starting in season nine, Raven was hired to do the makeup of RuPaul herself for all in-drag appearances made by the legendary queen. Raven has been Ru’s makeup artist ever since for all subsequent seasons of Drag Race, international editions, All Stars, AJ and the Queen, magazine covers, Saturday Night Live hosting gig, and everything else in between. Raven is now also hosting her very own WOW Presents Plus reality competition series, Painted With Raven.
Unfortunately, Sahara Davenport has passed away since appearing on Drag Race. Season two was filmed in 2009 and aired in 2010 on Logo TV. Two years later, in 2012, it was announced that Davenport died of heart failure at just 27 years of age.
Shangela is one of the most popular and successful contestants in the herstory of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Since competing in season two, Shangela returned for season three and then was a finalist on All Stars 3.
As of 2022, Shangie is one of the three hosts of HBO’s We’re Here alongside Bob The Drag Queen and Eureka. She also made waves for starring in A Star Is Born alongside Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Shangela even attended the Oscars, becoming the first-ever drag performer to attend the ceremony in drag.
After publicly coming out as a trans woman in the season two reunion special, Kylie Sonique Love came back for All Stars 6 and was completely reintroduced to younger fans who might have not seen her competing the first time.
During her returning season, Love was universally beloved by the fandom and ultimately snatched the All Stars 6 crown in the end – entering the Drag Race Hall of Fame forever. Since then, Love’s career has done a complete 180. She is currently one of the most booked and busy Drag Race alumni and keeps being in high demand.
Tatianna completely rebuilt her image on All Stars 2 after coming off as a young and confrontational queen back in season two. After her second run on Drag Race, Tatianna became a drag A-lister who released various original songs and remained a very busy queen over the years.
As of 2022, Tatianna is still actively working as a drag performer, performing at gigs, hosting viewing parties, and displaying her talents on social media. She is also still well-beloved by the fandom who got to know her much better on All Stars 2.
The winner of season two, formerly known as Tyra Sanchez, is no longer an active drag performer and has asked several times to be removed from any association with RuPaul’s Drag Race.
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