These 'Drag Race' queens have gone from contestants to judges!
It used to be unthinkable that a former RuPaul's Drag Race contestant would ever return to the series to appear as a judge, but that train of thought has been slowly changing over the years as the franchise created by Mama Ru expands into different spin-offs and international editions.
As of 2023, there are already numerous Drag Race alumni who are sitting in judging panels on different iterations of the show around the world. Some of them are even hosting the series itself, quite literally serving as the RuPaul archetype of their respective countries. In turn, there are also Drag Race shows that have been cast alumni to appear as recurring judges for a whole season or extra special judges for a particular episode.
More often than not, the fans are always ecstatic to see Drag Race queens appearing on the judging panel after they've been through this process and have established themselves way more in their careers. With that said, there are also a few circumstances where diehard fans wanted to see someone else in a particular position or might not have agreed with a certain queen being picked to judge (or host) a new international edition.
In any case, these queens are booked, busy, and thriving - and being chosen to appear as a judge on Drag Race is a gig that every alum wants to land!
Scroll through to find out which RuPaul's Drag Race queens have also appeared as judges in the overall franchise.
Brooke Lynn Hytes (Canada’s Drag Race)
After finishing as the runner-up on season 11 of RuPaul's Drag Race, Brooke Lynn Hytes was hand-picked to be a judge on Canada's Drag Race. Since season two, Hytes has assumed more of a hosting position as well. In 2022, she is set to host and judge season three of Canada's Drag Race and its upcoming spinoff Canada Versus the World.
Nicky Doll (Drag Race France)
Nicky Doll's journey on RuPaul's Drag Race season 12 came to an end rather quickly, but she was still the perfect choice to appear as the host and main judge on Drag Race France. Since the show premiered, fans have been praising her hosting skills.
Rita Baga (Drag Race Belgique)
Rita Baga didn't go on to win Canada's Drag Race season one, but she was recently cast as the host of the upcoming series Drag Race Belgique.
Envy Peru (Drag Race Holland season two)
Fans gagged over Envy Peru's eleganza extravanga on Drag Race Holland season one - and she ultimately won the show. As the OG winner of the Holland series, Peru was invited back to appear as a guest judge in one of the final episodes of season two.
Choriza May (Drag Race España season two)
RuPaul's Drag Race UK season two fan-favorite Choriza May came into the UK competition as a queen from Spain. As such, it was very fitting for season two of Drag Race Espana to feature May as a guest judge.
Alexis Mateo (Drag Race España season two)
Alexis Mateo competed on RuPaul's Drag Race season three, All Stars 1, and All Stars 5. As a Latina queen who's a long-standing veteran in the US series, Mateo was also brought on as a guest judge on Drag Race Espana season two.
Jimbo (Canada’s Drag Race season three)
The always unpredictable Jimbo was introduced to the franchise during the inaugural season of Canada's Drag Race. She then became even more famous after competing on RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. the World. Now, Jimbo will appear as an extra special guest judge on season three of Canada's Drag Race.
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo (Canada’s Drag Race season three)
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo always makes for great television. That, along with her showmance with Brooke Lynn Hytes on Drag Race season 11, are enough reasons why Miss Vanjie was invited to appear as a special judge on Canada's Drag Race season three. The fans are very excited to see her comments in the judging panel.
Jiggly Caliente (Drag Race Philippines)
After standing out on Drag Race season four and All Stars 6, Jiggly Caliente was cast as a recurring judge on Drag Race Philippines. The new series will be hosted by Filipino drag star Paolo Ballesteros, but Caliente will have her own seat in the judging panel as well.
Raven (RuPaul's Drag Race UK season three)
RuPaul was mysteriously absent from episode seven of RuPaul's Drag Race UK season three, which prompted Michelle Visage to take the reins of Mama Ru's hosting duties. As a result, Drag Race season two and All Stars 1 runner-up Raven took over Visage's coveted spot on the judging panel sitting at the righthand side of the central host.
This was the first time in herstory for a former Drag Race contestant to sit on the judging panel of a RuPaul-hosted series within the franchise.
Priyanka (Canada vs the World)
Priyanka won the very first season of Canada's Drag Race and returned to the series in 2022 as a guest judge for Canada vs the World. She was featured in the Snatch Game episode. Ironically, both Priyanka and Brooke Lynn Hytes bombed their own Snatch Game performances - but they had fun with that coincidence while critiquing the contestants.
Monét X Change (Canada vs the World)
Miss Congeniality of Drag Race season 10, All Stars 4 winner, and All Stars 7 runner-up Monet X Change appeared as a guest judge at the grand finale of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs the World. As a previous All Stars winner, X Change was the perfect choice to be featured in this episode.
Trixie Mattel (Queen of the Universe)
Queen of the Universe is technically not a direct spinoff within this franchise, but many fans consider it a part of the greater Drag Race universe. As such, Trixie Mattel as a judge on Queen of the Universe is an honorable mention for this list. Trixie first appeared on season seven of RuPaul's Drag Race and then went on to win All Stars 3.
Valentina (Drag Race México)
Valentina first competed on Drag Race season nine, where she won the Miss Congeniality (rebranded to “fan-favorite” this year) award. She then returned to compete on All Stars 4. As of 2023, Valentina was announced as one of the new judges on the first-ever season of Drag Race México.
Lolita Banana (Drag Race México)
After making waves as a contestant on Drag Race France, Lolita Banana was also picked to host the first season of Drag Race México alongside Valentina.