Nearly 25 years before RuPaul’s Drag Race became a global phenomenon, RuPaul herself competed in “Drag Race” and emerged victorious. Drag icon Chi Chi LaRue revisited this tale during an interview on the Shut Up, Chanel podcast hosted by casting director and producer Chanel Perrillo, shedding light on RuPaul’s early triumph in the drag world. LaRue reminisced about a spontaneous opportunity she had in 1986 to host a show at the Four Star Saloon, now known as Micky’s West Hollywood. LaRue recalls that RuPaul sang ‘Star Booty’ and won the contest. LaRue reminisced about this anecdote directly with RuPaul himself during an October 2014 episode of the What’s the Tee podcast. Reflecting on their friendship, LaRue mentioned that RuPaul’s “Drag Race” victory in question likely occurred in the mid 1980s. Today’s winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race can win as much as $200,000. During an August 2021 interview on Squirrel Talk, LaRue mentioned that RuPaul’s triumph in the 1980s “Drag Race” competition earned him a $100 grand prize. Oh how the times have changed.
