RuPaul's Drag Race season 1

The first season of RuPaul's Drag Race premiered in the United States on February 2, 2009, on Logo, and ended on March 23 of the same year. Nine contestants were selected to compete in the running of becoming "America's Next Drag Superstar." The first season was filmed during the summer of 2008. The winner of the first season won a cash prize of $20,000, $5,000 worth of MAC Cosmetics, was featured in an LA Eyeworks campaign, and joined the Logo Drag Race tour. One of the nine contestants to compete on RuPaul's Drag Race, Nina Flowers was determined by an audience vote via the show's official website to be the season's Miss Congeniality. The results were announced in early September 2008.

The theme song playing during the runway every episode was "Cover Girl" from RuPaul's album Champion. This season, and season one of All Stars, are the only seasons to not feature a "Snatch Game" challenge episode, in which the contestants must impersonate a celebrity of their choosing while improvising witty responses to nonsensical riddles, in a format similar to vintage game shows such as Hollywood Squares or Match Game.

The winner of the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Cameroonian queen BeBe Zahara Benet, with Puerto Rican queen and DJ Nina Flowers as the runner-up.

In late 2013, Logo re-aired the first season, which was titled RuPaul's Drag Race: The Lost Season, with featured commentary from RuPaul.

Contestants


Ages, names, and cities stated are at time of filming.

Notes:

Lip syncs
Legend: {{legend|lightblue|The contestant was eliminated after their first time in the bottom.}} {{legend|lightgreen|The contestant was eliminated after their second time in the bottom.}} {{legend|lightpink|The contestant was eliminated after their third time in the bottom.}} {{legend|#D4AF37|The contestant won the Lip Sync for the Crown and was declared the winner of the season.}}

Guest judges
Listed in chronological order:
 * Bob Mackie, fashion designer
 * Mike Ruiz, photographer
 * Frank Gatson, director and choreographer
 * Michelle Williams, singer and actress
 * Howard Bragman, writer and lecturer
 * Debra Wilson, actress and comedian
 * Gordon Espinet, make-up artist
 * Jenny Shimizu, model and actress
 * Lucy Lawless, actress and singer
 * Robin Antin, dancer, choreographer, and actress
 * Jeffrey Moran, Absolut Vodka marketing/branding executive
 * María Conchita Alonso, singer-songwriter and actress