Where money is concerned, RuPaul’s Drag Race has gone from a budget production some 15 years ago, filmed through a Vaseline filter in RuPaul’s garage, to a global phenomenon in more than 15 countries, along with a number of spin-offs.
But while season one was the genesis of the million-dollar behemoth we now know as the Drag Race Ru-niverse, the queens weren’t exactly rolling in it after every mini challenge in the same way they are now.
So, just how much money has each season of Drag Race‘s flagship franchise given away? Ladies and gentlemen, start your data engines, and may the richest drag queen – probably Trixie Mattel – win.
RuPaul’s Drag Race season one: $21,500
The budget for that first Drag Race season was tight. The not-so-grand prize was the same as what just four maxi-challenges are now worth, sitting at a measley $20,000 (about £11,800 at the time). Obviously, we still wouldn’t turn that down but to put it into context, Ginger Minj won $30,000 (£21,900 ) for a single lip-sync on All Stars 6.
Maxi-challenge prizes ranged from chocolate baskets to custom dresses and challenge immunity – and there no monetary wins for mini-challenges. Nina Flowers got $1,500 (£885) for being Miss Congeniality, though.
Season two: $25,000
Money was still tight in 2010, but those logo purse strings were loosened ever so slightly for season two, with its cash-money prize sitting at $25,000 (£15,800).
Again, there were no monetary bonuses for maxi or mini-challenge wins, but there were a few gift cards and shopping sprees thrown in.
Season three: $75,000
The third season was where the queens began to hit the big leagues (not in comparison to today’s money, of course).
Raja took home $75,000 (a bit more than £48,000 at the time) for her troubles, but mini-challenge prizes remained as slight competition advantages, and maxi-challenges resulted in a few more gift certificates being handed out.
Season four: $100,000
Finally, the big bucks. From season four and for 10 years after that, the grand prize money reached $100,000 until Willow Pill’s victory run, but we’ll get to that.
The winner of the season received the jackpot, but no one else made off with anything but gift certificates.
Season five: $100,000
Not much changed between seasons four and five and no cash grabs for the maxi or mini-challenges.
Season six: $100,000
It was the same story for the season six queens, with Bianca Del Rio hitting the jackpot.
Season seven: $105,000
Katya was the second Miss Congeniality to receive a cash prize with her title: a $5,000 (£3,350) tip, finally starting to edge the cash total up again.
Season eight: $108,000
Season eight had the customary $100k dollar prize for the winner, Bob the Drag Queen, but a single challenge win also came with a company-sponsored tip.
Kim Chi nabbed $3,000 (£2,100) from selfieonastick.com for her win, and Cynthia Lee Fontaine got $5,000 (£3,500) as Miss Congeniality. The prize fund was slowly creeping up.
Season nine: $108,000
Not much changed in season nine: $100,000 prize for Sasha Velour, and Miss Congeniality – rebranded to Fan Favourite after being bestowed upon Valentina – pocketed $5,000 (£3,850).
Having said that, a few more challenge wins came with a $1,000 (£770) cash tip: Shea, Sasha and Alexis Michelle were the lucky queens.
Season 10: $100,000
You know the drill: Aquaria got the $100,000 (£78,000). What changed for season 10, though, was that the prize pot actually went down. Mini-challenge and maxi-challenge wins were only rewarded with gift certificates.
Poor Monét X Change was also the only Miss Congeniality for a while not to get a cash tip. Damn that exchange rate.