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Most Iconic Plus-Sized Divas On “RuPaul’s Drag Race”

By Waddie G. April 23, 2025 9 Min Read
Most Iconic Plus-Sized Divas On “RuPaul’s Drag Race”
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If you’ve watched more than a few episodes of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” you know the franchise doesn’t play favorites when it comes to size. Big queens, thick queens, plush divas—whatever you want to call them—have been serving up talent, style, personality, and jaw-dropping performances since the early seasons. While some folks still confuse “plus-size” with “fat” or “obese,” let’s get something straight: these are entertainers who show up on that main stage with full confidence and zero apologies. Plus-size queens don’t shrink to fit in—they expand the stage to fit their presence.

These queens inspire fans across the gender and sexuality spectrum to own their bodies and strut their stuff. Whether you’re new to the franchise or you’ve been tuning in since the OG Vaseline-lens days, the impact of plus-sized queens is undeniable. They bring humor, heart, power vocals, slick moves, and often a whole new level of authenticity. They’re not just taking up space; they’re redefining what it means to own a spotlight.

This post gives flowers to the most iconic plus-sized drag queens from across the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” universe. Some made their mark in one episode; others built legacies across multiple seasons. Either way, they changed the game, and fans like me are here for all of it.

Let’s kick it off with the diva who literally flipped the script: Mystique Summers Madison. Her now-iconic Season 2 line, “I’m from Chicago, bitch!” is etched into Drag Race history. Mystique was the first queen on the show to represent for the bigger girls with unshakable confidence and raw emotion. She gave fans a glimpse of what it meant to be unapologetically thick and proud. She may not have made it far, but the impact? Still echoing.

Ginger Minj, a proud Virgo like myself, is quick with a read and quicker with a laugh. From Season 7 to “All Stars,” Ginger showed the world she could sing, act, and deliver comedy like a seasoned pro. She represented for the plus-size girls who weren’t afraid to mix pageant polish with pure camp. She’s one of the sharpest minds to hit the Drag Race stage and made every challenge look like second nature.

Roxxxy Andrews? Baby, the term is thick and juicy. She’s not just a lip sync assassin; she’s the blueprint. Her Season 5 showdown with Alyssa Edwards lives rent-free in the heads of fans everywhere. Roxxxy’s curves, wigs, and fashion sense brought plus-size glam to the main stage in a whole new way. Whether you stan or not, you can’t talk about Drag Race without giving Roxxxy her flowers.

Then there’s Eureka O’Hara, who didn’t just compete in one season—she came back stronger in Season 10 and finished as a finalist. Eureka’s larger-than-life energy is magnetic. She’s vocal about body positivity and has used her platform to challenge stereotypes about beauty, gender, and fatphobia in drag. She’s a big girl with even bigger charisma.

Darienne Lake gave elegance and sass in Season 6. She’s the kind of queen who can crack a joke and make you cry in the same breath. She represented for the Gen X crowd—mature, polished, and quick-witted. Plus, that lip sync against BenDeLaCreme? A moment.

Delta Work, often slept on, brought some of the best hair in the game—and she knew it. A member of the Dreamgirls Revue and a proud pageant girl, Delta combined old-school glam with a sharp tongue. Her sense of timing—both in comedy and performance—set her apart.

Stacy Layne Matthews, a.k.a. Henny, is the unsung hero of Season 3. Her Southern charm and soft-spoken realness made her a fan favorite. Stacy had a gentle presence, but when she turned it on? She could command the room. RuPaul even brought her back for cameos because the fans kept asking for more.

Silky Nutmeg Ganache is the definition of too much in all the right ways. Her Season 11 antics may have rubbed some folks the wrong way, but Silky showed she came to entertain—and she did. From flipping tables to flipping hair, Silky is a loud, proud diva who backs it up with talent.

Mistress Isabelle Brooks brought that classic Houston drag to Season 15. She’s bold, brassy, and walked in like she owned the place. Her size wasn’t just acknowledged—it was celebrated. Mistress’s ability to combine comedy, pageantry, and attitude made her one of the most memorable queens of her season.

Kim Chi might surprise some folks on this list, but she absolutely counts. Kim is a thick queen who brought high art to the runway. Her fashion was always next-level, and her commitment to visual storytelling expanded what drag could be. Kim owned her body with grace and brought a quiet power to her performances.

Nina West is another queen who shows that you can be big and still move with ease and intention. Known for her heart and activism, Nina blended family-friendly drag with true wit. Her presence on Season 11 reminded fans that big girls can be wholesome and hilarious.

Widow Von’Du, hailing from Kansas City, brought raw intensity to every performance. She could dance, rap, and pour her soul out on the runway. Widow had one of the most emotional arcs of Season 12, and her ability to be vulnerable while still being fierce was unforgettable.

Salina EsTitties had the kind of energy that kept things spicy. A proud Latina queen with curves and charisma, Salina represented for thick girls of color who didn’t come to play. Her cultural references, streetwear-meets-glam style, and attitude made her stand out.

Sapphira Cristal? A legend in the making. As one of the most well-rounded queens to hit the franchise, she brought vocals, fashion, grace, and strength. Watching her was like witnessing a full concert, play, and runway show rolled into one. Thick-bodied and powerhouse-talented, Sapphira was built for this.

Brita Filter is one of those queens I watched for years in NYC long before she hit Season 12. A true entertainer, Brita brings the kind of energy that fills a room. Her performances are clean, professional, and always fun. She showed that thick girls don’t need to shrink their presence—they need a bigger stage.

Mimi Imfurst might be best known for that infamous lift-gate moment, but let’s not forget she had real chops as a performer. Mimi leaned into theater, parody, and big characters. Her size was part of the spectacle, and she played it up with full camp.

Mhi’ya Iman Le’Paige has made a name for herself with death drops and high-energy moves that most folks her size wouldn’t dare attempt. She’s proving that being thick doesn’t mean being slow or limited—it means you know how to control your instrument.

Onya Nurve, my personal favorite and one of the best winners in Drag Race herstory, has it all: looks, humor, dance, vocals, and confidence for days. She’s the kind of queen who makes you lean in and pay attention. A true all-around entertainer who represents plus-size drag with class, edge, and excellence.

Latrice Royale is drag royalty, plain and simple. She’s one of my personal favorites and one of the most respected queens by fellow contestants past and present. With her rich bass vocals, dramatic lip syncs, and calm command of the stage, Latrice leads by example. She brings a seasoned professionalism and presence that can’t be taught. From “Large and in charge, chunky yet funky” to the pearls of wisdom she dropped throughout her seasons, Latrice continues to set the gold standard for plus-size excellence in drag.

This list could go on, and maybe it should. There are more queens breaking molds, slaying runways, and changing minds every season. But these queens? They’re the icons. They held it down for the thick divas, proving that drag isn’t about fitting in—it’s about standing out.

So next time someone reduces plus-sized queens to their measurements, remind them: it’s not about size, it’s about presence. These queens didn’t just show up—they made the room theirs.

Let me know what you think about this post. What additional gems would you drop on this topic? Drop it in the comments and tag a friend who enjoys topics like this!