The ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on March 24, 2017, on VH1. The returning judges included RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley. Fourteen drag queens (including one returnee) competed for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar". The prizes for the winner are a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics, a cash prize of $100,000, and a crown and scepter provided by Shandar. The full list of contestants was revealed on February 2, 2017.[1] This season saw the return of season eight contestant Cynthia Lee Fontaine, who finished the competition in 10th place.
| RuPaul's Drag Race | |
|---|---|
| Season 9 | |
 Promotional poster for season nine | |
| Hosted by | RuPaul |
| Judges | |
| No. of contestants | 14 |
| Winner | Sasha Velour |
| Runner-up | Peppermint |
| Fan Favourite | Valentina |
| Companion show | RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked! |
| No. of episodes | 14 |
| Release | |
| Original network | VH1 |
| Original release | March 24 – June 23, 2017 |
| Season chronology | |
This season featured 14 new queens and the winner of the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Sasha Velour, with Peppermint being the runner-up and Valentina winning Miss Congeniality.
Production edit
Bob the Drag Queen revealed on her Sibling Watchery podcast that season 9 started filming one week after the season 8 finale.[2]
Contestants edit
Ages, names, and cities stated are at time of filming.
| Contestant | Age | Hometown | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sasha Velour | 29 | New York City, New York | Winner |
| Peppermint[a] | 37 | New York City, New York | Runner-up |
| Shea Couleé | 27 | Chicago, Illinois | 3rd place |
| Trinity Taylor[b] | 31 | Orlando, Florida | |
| Alexis Michelle | 32 | New York City, New York | 5th place |
| Nina Bo'nina Brown | 34 | Riverdale, Georgia | 6th place |
| Valentina | 25 | Los Angeles, California | 7th place[c] |
| Farrah Moan | 23 | Las Vegas, Nevada | 8th place |
| Aja[d] | 22 | New York City, New York | 9th place |
| Cynthia Lee Fontaine[e] | 35 | Austin, Texas | 10th place |
| Eureka[f] | 25 | Johnson City, Tennessee | 11th place[g] |
| Charlie Hides | 52 | Boston, Massachusetts[h] | 12th place |
| Kimora Blac | 27 | Las Vegas, Nevada | 13th place |
| Jaymes Mansfield | 26 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 14th place |
Notes:
- ^ Miss Peppermint is referred to as Peppermint on the show.
- ^ Now Trinity the Tuck, she was referred to as Trinity Taylor on the show.
- ^ Valentina was voted Miss Congeniality by the viewers.
- ^ Aja Miyake-Mugler, formerly known as Aja LaBeija, is referred to as Aja on the show.
- ^ Cynthia previously competed on season 8, placing tenth.
- ^ Eureka O'Hara is referred to as Eureka on the show.
- ^ Eureka was removed from the competition due to a knee injury she sustained in the second episode.
- ^ Charlie Hides is listed as being from both Boston, Massachusetts and London, United Kingdom on the show.
Contestant progress edit
Legend:
| Contestant | Episode | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1[4] | 2[5] | 3[6] | 4[7] | 5[8] | 6[9] | 7[10] | 8[11] | 9[12] | 10[13] | 11[14] | 12[15] | 13[16] | 14[17] | |
| Sasha Velour | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | Guest | Winner |
| Peppermint | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | Guest | Runner-up |
| Shea Couleé | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | BTM | WIN | SAFE | Guest | Eliminated |
| Trinity Taylor | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | BTM | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | Guest | Eliminated |
| Alexis Michelle | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | Guest | Guest | |
| Nina Bo'nina Brown | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | BTM | ELIM | Guest | Guest | ||
| Valentina | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | Miss C | Guest | |||
| Farrah Moan | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | Guest | Guest | ||||
| Aja | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | Guest | Guest | |||||
| Cynthia Lee Fontaine | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | ELIM | Guest | Guest | |||||||
| Eureka | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WDR | Guest | Guest | |||||||
| Charlie Hides | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | Guest | Guest | ||||||||
| Kimora Blac | SAFE | BTM | ELIM | Guest | Guest | |||||||||
| Jaymes Mansfield | SAFE | ELIM | Guest | Guest | ||||||||||
Lip syncs edit
Legend:
| Episode | Contestants | Song | Eliminated | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2[18] | Jaymes Mansfield | vs. | Kimora Blac | "Love Shack" (The B-52's) | Jaymes Mansfield |
| 3[19] | Aja | vs. | Kimora Blac | "Holding Out for a Hero" (Bonnie Tyler) | Kimora Blac |
| 4[20] | Charlie Hides | vs. | Trinity Taylor | "I Wanna Go" (Britney Spears) | Charlie Hides |
| 5[21] | Cynthia Lee Fontaine | vs. | Farrah Moan | "Woman Up" (Meghan Trainor) | None |
| 6[22] | Cynthia Lee Fontaine | vs. | Peppermint | "Music" (Madonna) | Cynthia Lee Fontaine |
| 7[23] | Aja | vs. | Nina Bo'nina Brown | "Finally" (CeCe Peniston) | Aja |
| 8[24] | Alexis Michelle | vs. | Farrah Moan | "Baby I'm Burnin'" (Dolly Parton) | Farrah Moan |
| 9[25] | Nina Bo'nina Brown | vs. | Valentina | "Greedy" (Ariana Grande) | Valentina |
| 10[26] | Nina Bo'nina Brown | vs. | Shea Couleé | "Cool for the Summer" (Demi Lovato) | Nina Bo'nina Brown |
| 11[27] | Alexis Michelle | vs. | Peppermint | "Macho Man" (Village People) | Alexis Michelle |
| 12[28] | Peppermint vs. Sasha Velour vs. Shea Couleé vs. Trinity Taylor | "U Wear It Well" (RuPaul) | None | ||
| Episode | Contestants | Song | Winner | ||
| 14[17] | Peppermint | vs. | Trinity Taylor | "Stronger" (Britney Spears) | Peppermint |
| Sasha Velour | vs. | Shea Couleé | "So Emotional" (Whitney Houston) | Sasha Velour | |
| Peppermint | vs. | Sasha Velour | "It's Not Right But It's Okay (Thunderpuss Remix)" (Whitney Houston) | Sasha Velour | |
Guest judges edit
Listed in chronological order:[29][30]
- Lady Gaga, singer, songwriter, and actress
- The B-52's, new wave band
- Todrick Hall, actor and singer
- Cheyenne Jackson, actor and singer
- Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, actor and model
- Naya Rivera, actress and singer
- Meghan Trainor, singer and songwriter
- Candis Cayne, actress
- Denis O'Hare, actor
- Jennie Garth, actress
- Tori Spelling, actress and television personality
- Fortune Feimster, writer, comedian, and actress
- Tamar Braxton, singer and television personality
- Lisa Robertson, television personality and former QVC host
- Noah Galvin, actor
- Kesha, singer and songwriter
- Zaldy, Emmy-winning fashion designer
- Andie MacDowell, actress
- Joan Smalls, fashion model
Special guests edit
Guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage.
Episode 2:
- Lisa Kudrow, actress and comedian
Episode 12:
- Todrick Hall, actor and singer
- Laverne Cox, actress and activist (via video message)
- Blac Chyna, model, actress, and socialite (via video message)
- Katy Perry, singer and songwriter (via video message)
- Bobby Moynihan, actor and comedian (via video message)
- Bob the Drag Queen, winner of season 8
Episodes edit
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | 1 | "Oh. My. Gaga!" | March 24, 2017 | |
Thirteen new queens enter the workroom. For this week's main challenge, the queens present two looks for the Miss Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent Pageant: A hometown outfit and a Lady Gaga inspired outfit. Eureka, Nina Bo'nina Brown and Sasha Velour receive positive critiques, with Nina Bo'nina Brown winning the challenge. At the end of the episode, RuPaul reveals that she will be introducing a fourteenth queen.
| ||||
| 105 | 2 | "She Done Already Done Brought It On" | March 31, 2017 | |
At the beginning of the episode, it is revealed that the fourteenth queen is Cynthia Lee Fontaine, who previously competed on Season 8. For this week's main challenge, the queens team up and compete in a cheerleading battle.
On the runway, category is White Party Realness. Shea Couleé, Trinity Taylor and Valentina receive positive critiques, with Valentina winning the challenge. Charlie Hides, Jaymes Mansfield and Kimora Blac receive negative critiques, with Charlie Hides being safe. Jaymes Mansfield and Kimora Blac lip-sync to "Love Shack" by The B-52's. Kimora Blac wins the lip-sync and Jaymes Mansfield is the first queen to sashay away.
| ||||
| 106 | 3 | "Draggily Ever After" | April 7, 2017 | |
For this week's main challenge, the queens create an original fairytale princess with a sassy sidekick. On the runway, category is Fairytale Princess Eleganza. Peppermint, Trinity Taylor and Valentina receive positive critiques, with Trinity Taylor winning the challenge. Aja, Farrah Moan and Kimora Blac receive negative critiques, with Farrah Moan being safe. Aja and Kimora Blac lip-sync to "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler. Aja wins the lip-sync and Kimora Blac sashays away.
| ||||
| 107 | 4 | "Good Morning Bitches" | April 14, 2017 | |
For this week's main challenge, the queens team up and produce a live morning talk show.
On the runway, category is Naughty Nighties. Team Good Morning Bitches is the winning team, with Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé both winning the challenge. Team Not on Today is the losing team. Charlie Hides, Peppermint and Trinity Taylor receive negative critiques, with Peppermint being safe. Charlie Hides and Trinity Taylor lip-sync to "I Wanna Go" by Britney Spears. Trinity Taylor wins the lip-sync and Charlie Hides sashays away.
| ||||
| 108 | 5 | "Reality Stars: The Musical" | April 21, 2017 | |
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens shoot a sexy selfie with the pit crew. Alexis Michelle wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens perform in Kardashian: The Musical.
On the runway, category is Faux Fur Fabulous. Alexis Michelle, Peppermint and Shea Couleé receive positive critiques, with Shea Couleé winning the challenge. Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Farrah Moan and Nina Bo'nina Brown receive negative critiques, with Nina Bo'nina Brown being safe. Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Farrah Moan lip-sync to "Woman Up" by Meghan Trainor. After the lip-sync, RuPaul reveals that Eureka will be leaving the competition due to her knee injury. She was given an open invitation to return next season. Because of this removal, Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Farrah Moan both win the lip-sync.
| ||||
| 109 | 6 | "Snatch Game" | April 28, 2017 | |
For this week's main challenge, the queens play the Snatch Game. Candice Cayne and Denis O'Hare star as the celebrity contestants. The cast consisted of:
On the runway, category is Night of a Thousand Madonna's. Alexis Michelle, Nina Bo'nina Brown and Sasha Velour receive positive critiques, with Alexis Michelle winning the challenge. Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Farrah Moan and Peppermint receive negative critiques, with Farrah Moan being safe. Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Peppermint lip-sync to "Music" by Madonna. Peppermint wins the lip-sync and Cynthia Lee Fontaine sashays away.
| ||||
| 110 | 7 | "9021-HO" | May 5, 2017 | |
For this week's main challenge, the queens act in a 90210 parody spin-off, titled 9021-HO
On the runway, category is Big Hair Everywhere. Shea Couleé, Trinity Taylor and Valentina receive positive critiques, with Trinity Taylor winning the challenge. Aja, Nina Bo'nina Brown and Sasha Velour receive negative critiques, with Sasha Velour being safe. Aja and Nina Bo'nina Brown lip-sync to "Finally" by Cece Peniston. Nina Bo'nina Brown wins the lip-sync and Aja sashays away.
| ||||
| 111 | 8 | "RuPaul Roast" | May 12, 2017 | |
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens read each other to filth. Valentina wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens perform a roast of Michelle Visage in front of the judges and a live audience. On the runway, Peppermint, Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé receive positive critiques, with Peppermint winning the challenge. Alexis Michelle, Farrah Moan and Trinity Taylor receive negative critiques, with Trinity Taylor being safe. Alexis Michelle and Farrah Moan lip-sync to "Baby I'm Burning" by Dolly Parton. Alexis Michelle wins the lip-sync and Farrah Moan sashays away.
| ||||
| 112 | 9 | "Your Pilot's on Fire" | May 19, 2017 | |
For this week's main challenge, the queens pair up to create, write, and star in their own TV pilots.
On the runway, category is Club Kid Couture. Peppermint, Sasha Velour, Shea Couleé and Trinity Taylor receive positive critiques, with Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé both winning the challenge. Alexis Michelle, Nina Bo'nina Brown and Valentina receive negative critiques, with Alexis Michelle being safe. Nina Bo'nina Brown and Valentina lip-sync to "Greedy" by Ariana Grande. Nina Bo'nina Brown wins the lip-sync and Valentina sashays away.
| ||||
| 113 | 10 | "Makeovers: Crew Better Work" | May 26, 2017 | |
For this week's main challenge, the queens makeover members of the RuPaul's Drag Race crew. On the runway, Sasha Velour and Trinity Taylor receive positive critiques, with Trinity Taylor winning the challenge. Alexis Michelle, Nina Bo'nina Brown and Shea Couleé receive negative critiques, with Alexis Michelle being safe. Nina Bo'nina Brown and Shea Couleé lip-sync to "Cool for the Summer" by Demi Lovato. Shea Couleé wins the lip-sync and Nina Bo'nina Brown sashays away.
| ||||
| 114 | 11 | "Gayest Ball Ever" | June 2, 2017 | |
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens have a bitchfest with puppets. Sasha Velour wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens create three looks for The Gayest Ball Ever: Rainbow-She-Better-Do, Sexy Unicorn and Village People Eleganza Extravaganza. On the runway, Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé receive positive critiques, with Shea Couleé winning the challenge. Alexis Michelle, Peppermint and Trinity Taylor receive negative critiques, with Trinity Taylor being safe. Alexis Michelle and Peppermint lip-sync to "Macho Man" by Village People. Peppermint wins the lip-sync and Alexis Michelle sashays away.
| ||||
| 115 | 12 | "Category Is" | June 9, 2017 | |
For the final challenge of the season, the queens write, record and perform their own verses to RuPaul's song "Category Is". On the runway, category is Best Drag. The remaining queens then lip-sync to "U Wear It Well" by RuPaul. After the lip-sync, RuPaul does not eliminate anyone, and Peppermint, Sasha Velour, Shea Couleé and Trinity Taylor are the finalists.
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| 116 | 13 | "Reunited" | June 16, 2017 | |
The queens all return for the reunion. Discussions include, Charlie Hides' lip-sync, Valentina's elimination and Aja and Valentina's Untucked fight. It is then announced that Valentina is this season's Miss Congeniality.
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| 117 | 14 | "Grand Finale" | June 23, 2017 | |
The queens all return for the live grand finale. RuPaul then tells the final four queens that they will be performing in a lip-sync smackdown for the crown. The first lip-sync is between Peppermint and Trinity Taylor. They lip-sync to "Stronger" by Britney Spears. Peppermint wins the lip-sync and Trinity Taylor is eliminated. The second lip-sync is between Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé. They lip-sync to "So Emotional" by Whitney Houston. Sasha Velour wins the lip-sync and Shea Couleé is eliminated. The final lip-sync is between Peppermint and Sasha Velour. They lip-sync to "It's Not Right But It's Okay" (Thunderpuss Remix) by Whitney Houston. It is announced that Sasha Velour is the winner, leaving Peppermint as the runner-up.
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Ratings edit
| No. | Title | Air date | Rating (18–49) | Viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Oh. My. Gaga!" | March 24, 2017 | 0.5[33] | 0.987[33] |
| 2 | "She Done Already Done Brought It On" | March 31, 2017 | 0.4[34] | 0.754[34] |
| 3 | "Draggily Ever After" | April 7, 2017 | 0.3[35] | 0.673[35] |
| 4 | "Good Morning Bitches" | April 14, 2017 | 0.3[36] | 0.588[36] |
| 5 | "Reality Stars: The Musical" | April 21, 2017 | 0.3[37] | 0.693[37] |
| 6 | "Snatch Game" | April 28, 2017 | 0.4[38] | 0.702[38] |
| 7 | "9021-HO" | May 5, 2017 | 0.3[39] | 0.694[39] |
| 8 | "RuPaul Roast" | May 12, 2017 | 0.4[40] | 0.738[40] |
| 9 | "Your Pilot's On Fire" | May 19, 2017 | 0.3[41] | 0.636[41] |
| 10 | "Makeovers: Crew Better Work" | May 26, 2017 | 0.4[42] | 0.720[42] |
| 11 | "Gayest Ball Ever" | June 2, 2017 | 0.3[43] | 0.619[43] |
| 12 | "Category Is" | June 9, 2017 | 0.3[44] | 0.637[44] |
| 13 | "Reunited" | June 16, 2017 | 0.3[45] | 0.685[45] |
| 14 | "Grand Finale" | June 23, 2017 | 0.4[46] | 0.859[46] |