4) Who is the most famous drag king?
RuPaul’s outstanding show has been essential in making the world celebrate and appreciate drag. Although it includes various characters, it lacks kings’ presence – women doing themselves up as men. If we think about it, there is a general lack of drag king representation in society.
There’s more than a handful of famous ones, and hopefully, we’ll all know their names someday, but for now, let’s just look at three.
Long-time comedian, middle-aged businessman Murray Hill from Connecticut has been draggin’ it since 1995 and is recognised for his full act performances dressed in waistcoats adorned with vintage bow-ties. He is known for his self-deprecating humour and influence on the transgender performance scene.
Next on the list is Landon Cider, a Los Angeles-based king that takes drag to another degree. The looks he embraces are striking every time, varying from ominous to robot-like, to erotic and terrifying. Not only does Cider perform worldwide, but he is also the first, amongst all kings, to have won a broadcasted performance, triumphing the golden prize on the Boulet Brother’s Season 3 show Dragula, in 2019.
Finally, we have another California-based king, Ivory Onyx, also known as Bruno Mars’ frequent impersonator. Ivory Onyx performs sex-driven performances and portrays himself as a ladies’ man in a suit, covered in accessories, especially rhinestones. Performing in clubs and bars around the world, he maintains his mark, which is class. Onyx holds himself to a very high standard, which his two victories of Mister USofA in 2013 and 2017 reflect.