RuPaul's Drag Race (RPDR)

RuPaul's Drag Race, often abbreviated RPDR, is a reality competition television series that premiered in 2009 and is hosted and co-produced by RuPaul. Drag queens compete across performance, design, comedy, and runway challenges to be crowned "America's Next Drag Superstar." The show helped move drag from underground clubs into mainstream culture, introducing wide audiences to drag artistry and queer vernacular. It has won multiple Emmy Awards and spawned spin-offs like All Stars and Untucked, plus international versions including Drag Race UK and Canada's Drag Race. Research on viewers suggests the series can increase knowledge, compassion, and allyship toward LGBTQ+ people, contributing to greater visibility and acceptance.