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 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. This season saw the return of season eight contestant Cynthia Lee Fontaine, who finished the competition in 10th place.
Cameron Clayton, better known by the stage name Farrah Moan, is an American drag queen, model, actress, make-up artist and internet personality best known for participating in the 9th season of the reality TV show RuPaul's Drag Race, placing eighth, as well as participating in the 4th season of All Stars, where she placed ninth. Her stage name is a pun on the term "pheromone", whilst also being a reference to American actress Farrah Fawcett. In some interviews, she jokingly states that her drag surname is a reference to "being a whore".
Alexander J. Michaels, stage name Alexis Michelle, is an American drag queen and singer who came to international attention on the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. As of 2019, she stars in the TLC transformational makeover television series Dragnificent as the makeup and body image expert. She released her debut album, Lovefool, in 2018.
Alexander "Sasha" Hedges Steinberg, known professionally as Sasha Velour, is an American drag queen, artist, actor, and stage and television producer, based in Brooklyn, New York. Velour is known for winning the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, her drag revue NightGowns, and her one-queen theatrical work, Smoke & Mirrors.
James Andrew Leyva, better known by the stage name Valentina, is an American drag performer, actor, television personality and singer who came to international fame as a contestant on the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. In 2023, she was announced as the co-host of season one of Drag Race México alongside Lolita Banana.
Pierre Leverne Dease, better known by the stage name Nina Bo'nina Brown, is an American drag queen and television personality best known for starring on the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, where she placed sixth.
Jaren Kyei Merrell, known professionally as Shea Couleé, is an American drag queen, musician, actor, podcaster, and fixture of the Chicago nightlife scene. Born in Warsaw, Indiana, they began their drag career in 2012. In 2017, Couleé achieved international fame after competing on season nine of RuPaul's Drag Race, placing in the top four. In 2020, Couleé won the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. Couleé later returned to compete on the all-winners seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars in 2022, once again placing in the top four.
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, sometimes known as Vanessa Vanjie, Miss Vanjie, or simply Vanjie, is the stage name of José Luis Cancel, an American drag performer known for competing on the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and placing fifth on the eleventh season of the show. In addition to competing on Drag Race, she has also appeared in many of its spin-offs, including RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race, RuPaul's Drag Race: Vegas Revue, Canada's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, the latter of which she appeared as a contestant for its ninth season, where she placed runner-up along with season five and All Stars 2 contestant Roxxxy Andrews.
"Oh. My. Gaga!" is the first episode of the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Lady Gaga is a guest judge. The episode was recognized by the Primetime Emmy Awards.
"She Done Already Done Brought It On" is the second episode of the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Lisa Kudrow makes a guest appearance. Jaymes Mansfield is eliminated from the competition after placing in the bottom two and losing a lip-sync against Kimora Blac to "Love Shack" by The B-52s.
"Good Morning Bitches" is the fourth episode of the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and Naya Rivera are guest judges.
"Reality Stars: The Musical" is the fifth episode of the ninth season of the American reality competition television series RuPaul's Drag Race, which aired on VH1 on April 21, 2017. The episode has contestants take selfies with the Pit Crew for the mini-challenge, and perform a Hamilton-inspired musical about the Kardashian family and other celebrities for the main challenge. Todrick Hall and Meghan Trainor serve as guest judges, alongside regular panelists RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley.
"9021-HO" is the seventh episode of the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on May 5, 2017. Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling are guest judges.
"RuPaul Roast " is the eighth episode of the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on May 12, 2017. Tamar Braxton and Fortune Feimster are guest judge.
"Makeovers: Crew Better Work" is the tenth episode of the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on May 26, 2017. Kesha and Zaldy are guest judges.
"Gayest Ball Ever" is the eleventh episode of the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on June 2, 2017. Andie MacDowell and Joan Smalls are guest judges.
"Category Is" is the eleventh episode of the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on June 9, 2017.
Digital Drag Fest was a digital drag concert series hosted by Producer Entertainment Group. Beginning on March 27, 2020, it was originally supposed to be a limited engagement until April 12 but, due to overwhelming demand, the series was extended to May 30. The aim of the series is to allow drag and LGBTQ performers who have had shows cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic a chance to perform for their fans. 50 percent of the proceeds from the event's merchandise would be donated to GLAAD, and several performers from the event also pledged a portion of their ticket sales to the organization.
"Nice Girls Roast" is the twelfth episode of the thirteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on March 26, 2021. Loni Love is a guest judge.
"Whatcha Unpackin?" is the first episode of the eleventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on February 28, 2019. Miley Cyrus is a guest judge. Silky Nutmeg Ganache wins the episode's mini-challenge, and Brooke Lynn Hytes wins the main challenge. Soju is eliminated from the competition after placing in the bottom two and losing a lip-sync against Kahanna Montrese to Cyrus' "The Best of Both Worlds".
