The first season of ''

RuPaul's Drag Race ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' is an American reality competition television series, the first in the ''Drag Race'' franchise, produced by World of Wonder for Logo TV (season 1–8), WOW Presents Plus, VH1 (season 9–14) and, beginning with the f ...

'' premiered in the United States on February 2, 2009, on Logo. Nine contestants were selected to compete in the running of becoming "America's Next Drag Superstar." The first season was filmed during the summer of 2008. The winner of the first season won a cash prize of $20,000, $5,000 worth of MAC Cosmetics, was featured in an LA Eyeworks campaign, and joined the Logo Drag Race tour. One of the nine contestants to compete on ''RuPaul's Drag Race'',

Nina Flowers Jorge Luis Flores Sánchez (born February 22, 1974), better known as Nina Flowers, is a Puerto Rican drag queen, DJ, activist, professional make-up artist, and reality television personality who has been performing since 1993. He is best known ...

was determined by an audience vote via the show's official website to be the season's Miss Congeniality. The results were announced in early September 2008. The theme song playing during the runway every episode was "

Cover Girl A cover girl is a woman whose photograph features on the front cover of a magazine. She may be a model, celebrity or entertainer. The term would generally not be used to describe a casual, once-off appearance by a person on the cover of a maga ...

" from RuPaul's album ''

Champion A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and world championships, a ...

''. This season and season one of '' All Stars'' are the only seasons to not feature the "

Snatch Game Snatch Game is a challenge on the ''Drag Race'' reality competition television franchise. Beginning with the second season of the original American series '' RuPaul's Drag Race'', the challenge has taken place on every season since. It has also ...

". The winner of the first season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' was

BeBe Zahara Benet Nea Marshall Kudi Ngwa (born March 20, 1980) better known by his stage name BeBe Zahara Benet, is a Cameroonian-American drag queen, drag performer, television personality, and musician best known for winning the RuPaul's Drag Race (season 1), fir ...

, with Nina Flowers as the runner-up. In late 2013, Logo re-aired the first season, which was titled ''RuPaul's Drag Race: The Lost Season'', and featured commentary from RuPaul. Tammie Brown, Shannel and Nina Flowers later on competed in the first season of

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars ''RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars'' is an American reality competition spin off edition of the original ''RuPaul's Drag Race'', which is produced by World of Wonder, for Logo TV and later VH1. The show premiered on October 22, 2012, on Logo TV, b ...

, placing 8th/9th, 3rd/4th, 8th/9th, respectively. BeBe Zahara Benet later on competed in the third season of

, placing 3rd/4th. Ongina later on competed in the fifth season of

, placing 9th.

Contestants

''Ages, names, and cities stated are at time of filming.''

Contestant progress

Lip syncs

Legend:

Guest judges

Listed in chronological order: *

Bob Mackie Robert Gordon "Bob" Mackie (born March 24, 1939) is an American fashion designer and costumier, best known for his dressing of entertainment icons such as Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Diahann Carroll, Carol Channing, Cher, Doris Day, Marle ...

, fashion designer * Mike Ruiz, photographer * Frank Gatson, director and choreographer * Michelle Williams, singer and actress *

Howard Bragman Howard Bragman (born February 24, 1956) is an American crisis manager, public relations practitioner, writer and lecturer. He is often seen as a "PR Guru." Bragman currently serves as Chairman of LaBrea Media, a crisis management company he founde ...

, writer and lecturer *

Debra Wilson Debra Wilson, also known as Debra Wilson Skelton or Debra Skelton, is an American actress and comedian. She is known for being the longest-serving original cast member on the sketch comedy series '' Mad TV'', having appeared on the show's fir ...

, actress and comedian *Gordon Espinet, make-up artist *

Jenny Shimizu Jenny Lynn Shimizu (born June 16, 1967) is an American model and actress. Early life Shimizu was born in San Jose, California, and raised in Santa Maria. Career While working as a mechanic, Shimizu was approached to model for the Calvin Klei ...

, model and actress *

Lucy Lawless Lucille Frances Lawless (; born 29 March 1968) is a New Zealand actress and singer. She is best known for her roles as Xena in the television series '' Xena: Warrior Princess'', as D'Anna Biers on the re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'' seri ...

, actress and singer *

Robin Antin Robin Antin is an American actress, entrepreneur, dancer, choreographer and clothing designer. In 1995, she founded the modern burlesque troupe the Pussycat Dolls. By 2005, she diversified into various media including a pop recording group with i ...

, dancer, choreographer, and actress *Jeffrey Moran,

Absolut Vodka Absolut Vodka is a brand of vodka, produced near Åhus, in southern Sweden. Absolut is a part of the French group Pernod Ricard. Pernod Ricard bought Absolut for €5.63 billion in 2008 from the Swedish state. Absolut is one of the largest brands ...

marketing/branding executive * María Conchita Alonso, singer-songwriter and actress

Episodes

References

External links

* (U.S.) * {{RuPaul's Drag Race 2009 American television seasons RuPaul's Drag Race seasons 2009 in LGBT history