Raven, also professionally known as David Petruschin,[2] is an American drag performer, makeup artist, comedian and one of the contestants of the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Raven would later return to compete on the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, alongside Jujubee, forming team Rujubee, but controversially came in second place again.[3]
Raven co-hosts Fashion Photo RuView with Raja[4] and is the host and judge of her own show Painted with Raven[5] on the WOW Presents Plus service.
Since season nine of Drag Race, Raven has also served as RuPaul's makeup artist[6]; her work has garnered 3 Primetime Emmy nominations with one win in 2020 for an episode of season twelve.[7]
Drag Name Origin[]
He used to be a gogo boy and went by the name of Phoenix because he likes winged creatures.
When he started doing drag in 2002, he was deciding whether to be Raven or Phoenix. His friends suggested Raven is more unique and androgynous. He also didn't want a female name that people would call him when he is out of drag in the public.
Track Records[]
| Statistics | USA Season 2 | USA All Stars Season 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Ranking: | 2nd Place (Runner-Up) |
2nd Place (Runner-Up) |
| Maxi Challenges Won: | 2 (Eps. 7, 8) | 0 |
| Mini Challenges Won: | 3 (Eps. 1, 4, 5) | 2 (Eps. 2, 5) |
| Times as Team Captain: | 0 | 0 |
| Times in Bottom: | 2 (Eps. 2, 3) | 3 (Eps. 3, 4, 5) |
| Episode Eliminated: | Episode 11 | Episode 6 |
Memorable Quotes[]
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 2[]
- "My name is David. In drag, when I've got on tits and tights, I go by Raven."
- "I don't carry a purse, I stick it all in my tits."
- "I like to be that mysterious, dark, ice queen. I think I have a look that people might be a little intimidated by."
- "Nicole got picked last because this is a sexy contest and she's not sexy."
- "To be in a room full of men, I can't fucking wait!"
- "Nicole's gone, praise the lord."
- "She had no country, she don't own no country, she's as big as a country." (referring to Mystique)
- "I'm not getting married. 'Cause I'm a bitter bitch."
- "I'll have it hanging out for you then." (offering to show off her butt to Terri Nunn)
- "Everyone thinks you're pretty? I do think you're pretty, I think you have a beautiful face... for radio." (reading Tatianna)
- "Her interview was shit, her look was shit, her book cover was shit, her trying to launch and sell the book to the judges was shit, she's shit." (about Tatianna)
- "I'm a man in a dress."
- "I was giving Michelle Pfeiffer bitch. When I was looking at myself in that mirror, I was like "I look fucking good"."
- "If I were to win RuPaul’s Drag Race, it will help to show people that drag’s cool. Cause it’s fucking cool. Drag is cool."
- "Nicole cannot bring sexy back."
- "I was able to spread my cooch and air it out!"
- ''Can we get someone over please? She can't breathe, literally. (talking about Tyra Sanchez after RuPaul announced that she won)
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 1[]
- "This bitch is kinda bitter!" (about Chad Michaels)
- "Mimi Mother-fucking Imfurst walks up in this bitch. Why?"
- "Jujubee is here! And she's looking hot in some red hair!"
- "At this point, I couldn't give a shit because I'm trying to win!"
- "I got a sassy attitude, wit, humor, I am an all star!"
- "Well guess what Mimi? We did."
- "You, Mimi Imfurst. Mimi Imfurst was number third in the voting? I could not believe it."
- "Of the shit that I've seen, you don't have that many." (referring to Mimi's fans)
- "Out of 50 motherfucking bitches that have been here, how did you manage that?" (referring to Mimi's casting on All Stars 1)
- "They're both killing it, gonna be a tough one to call. I am glad I am not RuPaul." (referring to Latrice Royale and Tammie Brown's lipsync)
- "I'm giving them the essence of Raven... SEX." (during her lipsync against Team Yarlexis)
- "Yara Sofia, you give us diarrhea!" (reading Yara)
- "I do not wanna have to lipsync against Juju, but I'm gonna fight for my spot to stay in this competition." (before her lipsync against Jujubee)
Extras[]
- "Yeah. Manila." (when asked by Raja during The Pit Stop if there had been any queens throughout Drag Race herstory who failed to win despite being deserving)
Trivia[]
- David is of Russian descent.[8]
- David came out as gay to his mother on Mother's Day.[11]
- David has two dogs named Blu and Binki.[12]
- David was inspired by his mom to do makeup, as he always watched his mom do her makeup.[13]
- Before gaining a full drag career, David worked for MAC cosmetics and as a freelance makeup artist.[13]
- David's favorite number is number 2. It can be speculated that Raven likes the number 2 for multiple reasons; he started drag in 2002, he was on Season 2 and ended up runner-up and was again runner-up on All Stars.
- David does not wear underwear.[14]
- During her Drag Race run, Raven was...
- ...the first queen in the franchise to win two consecutive Maxi Challenges.
- ...the first queen to win two consecutive Mini Challenges.
- ...the first queen to place runner-up twice, as well as the only queen to do so without sharing the position (e.g. joint 2nd/3rd).
- She was be followed by Kandy Muse years later.
- ...the first contestant to win her first challenge after placing in the Bottom Two twice. She would be followed by Coco Montrese in Season 5 and Heidi N Closet in Season 12.
- Out of the three, she is the only one to win multiple challenges and to not win her first challenge in the episode immediately after her second Bottom Two placement.
- Raven was nominated for a "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special (Non-Prosthetic)" for RuPaul's Makeup in Season 10.[15]
- Raven won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Contemporary Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program (Non-Prosthetic) for RuPaul's Makeup In Season 12.[7]
- Raven is the second RuGirl to win an Emmy, after Delta Work.[16]
- David, for Raven, owns over 32 sets of contact lenses with different colors and styles.
- Raven's inspirations include Madonna, Cher[17], Courtney Love, Debbie Herry & Terri Nunn.
- It can take up to 3 hours to transform from David to Raven.
- In Vanity Fair's 100 Years of Drag Queen Fashion article, Raven was used to represent the 2000s.[18]
- Raven shares her birthday with River Medway and Janey Jacké.
- She is best friends with Drag Race contestant Jujubee.[14] This is evidently shown through their relationship throughout All Stars 1, where they combined to become team Rujubee. They also cried for each other in such an emotional lipsync that RuPaul saved them both from elimination.
- Throughout her seasons on the show, Raven has lipsynced a total of six times.
- Raven was Mathu Andersen's first and only choice to take on his legacy.
- Raven's first-ever international tour was a U.K. tour in spring 2017, with Jujubee.
- Raven is the only Drag Race alum that RuPaul follows on Instagram.
- Raven is known for wearing more nude colours when getting in drag, specifically beige. A commenter on YouTube once pointed this out, describing Raven as a “nightmare in beige”.
- Raven is the third/fourth/fifth/sixth queen to reach the finale and be critiqued in every competitive episode of the season, alongside fellow All Stars 1 finalists Shannel, Jujubee, and Chad Michaels.
- She was preceded by Nina Flowers and Rebecca Glasscock
- She is succeeded by Année Maywong, Brooke Lynn Hytes, The Vivienne, Lawrence Chaney, Spankie Jackzon, Luquisha Lubamba, and Soa de Muse.
- Raven was positively critiqued for having consistency throughout the whole competition, including his fashion sense and was told he has "superstar" quality.
- Raven appeared on "Celebrity Family Feud" as part of a team with RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, and Latrice Royale.[19]
- Raven is the third queen, following Alyssa Edwards, and Katya, to make two appearances on What's The Tee?[20]
- Raven is the first person to appear as a guest on Snatch Game four times, on All Stars 2, Season 13, Season 14, and All Stars 9.
- Raven is the first Drag Race alum to guest judge a Season of Drag Race that was hosted by RuPaul, appearing on Episode 7 of Drag Race UK Season 4.[21]
- Raven appears in two episodes of All Stars 8; on the judge's bench during the mini challenge in episode 1 and during the design challenge walkthrough in episode 8.
- Raven was the first queen to be entered into the Season Pass of RuPaul's Drag Race Superstar, entering in November 2021. Her tag introduced was "Chic".
- In her 2024 Hey Qween! interview, Raven revealed that the Season 16's Faster Pussycat! Wig, Wig! runway theme was an idea that she suggested to RuPaul because she loves pussycat wigs.
- Raven, Shannel, Morgan McMichaels, Pandora Boxx and Jujubee made at least one appearance on each season of Drag U.
- Raven revealed in an interview with PRIDE that she would love to compete on Drag Race again.[22]
- However, she also clarified that she would not give up her job doing RuPaul’s makeup in order to do so.
Controversies[]
In 2020 and 2021, Raven faced controversy over her makeup, with many fans noticing its darkening over the years. Many fans accused Raven of Blackface and Blackfishing in order to appear darker than she really is. During the this time, people took notice to Raven's skin tone appearing similar to RuPaul's, with one person saying "Raven's in this episode it's so nice to another black queen in the werkroom" on X.[23] Alexis P. Bevels said on IMHO: The Show of UK Season 2, Episode 7 "She brought out Raven who entered in dark mode,"[24] which quickly went viral. One Reddit user commented, "Are we gonna talk about how this is just modern day blackface or..? Raven is Russian by the way"[25]
Gallery[]
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 2[]
Gone With The Wind Photoshoot
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 2 Looks[]
Promo Look (Drag Race)
Promo Look (Best Drag)
Promo Look (Best Drag)
Confessional Look
Entrance Look
Curtain Couture Look
High Class Drag Look
Country Realness Look
Snatch Game Look – Paris Hilton
Personal Style Look
Wedding Eleganza Look
Gothic Rock Band Look
Novel Couture Look
Makeover Look - Raven and Golda Lamé
Teen Diva Awards Look
Diva DC Press Awards Look
Diva Hollywood Extravaganza Awards Look
Grand Finale Look
Reunion Look
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 1[]
Mini Promo
Mini Trailer
Half Baked Photoshoot - with Jujubee
Opposites Attract Photoshoot - with Jujubee
Butch Selfies Photoshoot
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 1 Looks[]
Promo Look
Confessional Look
Entrance Look
Opposites Attract Look
60's Glam Look
Bad Girls Chic Look
Girl Groups Challenge Look
Secret Identity Look
Superhero Vs. Supervillain Look
Best Drag Look
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10[]
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10 Looks[]
Past Alumni RuTurn Look
RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 1[]
RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 1 Looks[]
Make-Up Coach Look
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race 1[]
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race 1 Looks[]
Drag Royalty Look
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 13 Looks[]
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 13 Looks[]
Snatch Game Look
RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 2[]
RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 2 Looks[]
Make-Up Coach Look
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season 1[]
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season 1 Looks[]
Make-Up Coach Look
RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 3[]
RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 3 Looks[]
Make-Up Coach Look
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 14[]
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 14 Looks[]
Snatch Game Look
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 7[]
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 7 Looks[]
Entrance Look
Entrance Look (Reveal)
Confessional Look
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season 2[]
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season 2 Looks[]
Snatch Game Coach Look
RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 4[]
RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 4 Looks[]
Makeover Coach Look
Guest Judge Look
Videos[]
RuPaul's Drag Race Lip Sync Mystique Summers Madison VS Raven-0
Lipsync for your life - raven vs alexis
Jujube vs Raven
Raven vs chad lip sync
Filmography[]
TV[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | America's Next Top Model | Themself | Cameo | [26] |
| 2010 | RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 2 | Themself | Contestant, Placed 2nd | [27] |
| Drag Race: Untucked! | Themself | |||
| 2010-2012 | RuPaul's Drag U | Themself | 12 episodes | [28] |
| 2012 | RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 4 | Themself | Episode: "RuPocalypse Now!" (Zombie) | [29] |
| RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Season 1 | Themself | Placed 2nd | [3] | |
| RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Untucked! | Themself | |||
| The Soup | Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham | |||
| 2013 | Drag My Dinner Party | Special | [30] | |
| RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 5 | Themself | Episode: "Lip Synch Extravaganza Eleganza" (Archive footage), Episode: "Reunited!" (Audience) | ||
| 2014 | RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 6 | Themself | Episode: "Countdown to the Crown" | [31] |
| 2015 | RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 7 | Themself | Episode: "Countdown to the Crown" | [32] |
| 2016 | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Season 2 | Themself | Episode: "All Stars Snatch Game" | [33] |
| RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 8 | Themself | Episode: "Keeping It 100" (Special guest) | [34] | |
| 2018 | RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 10 | Themself | Episode: "10s Across the Board" | [35] |
| 2019 | RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 11 | Themself | Episode: "Whatcha Unpackin?" (Special guest) | [36] |
| RuPaul's Drag Race UK: Season 1 | Themself | Episode: "Posh On A Penny" (Special guest) | [37] | |
| 2020 | RuPaul's Drag Race Season 12 | Themself | Episode: "You Don't Know Me" and "Choices 2020" (Special guest) | [38] |
| Celebrity Family Feud | Themself | Guest contestant | [19] | |
| 2021 | RuPaul's Drag Race UK: Season 2 | Themself | Episode: "Lockdown Supersheroes" (Special guest) | [39] |
| RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 13 | Themself | Episode: "Snatch Game" (Special guest) | [40] | |
| RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under: Season 1 | Themself | Episode: "Talent Show Extravaganza" (Special guest) | [41] | |
| RuPaul's Drag Race UK: Season 3 | Themself | Episode: "Great Outdoors" (Special guest) | [42] | |
| 2021-present | Painted with Raven | Themself | Host/Judge | [5] |
| 2022 | RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 14 | Themself | Episode: "Snatch Game" (Special guest) | [43] |
| RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Season 7 | Themself | Episode: "Legends" (Special guest) | [44] | |
| RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under: Season 2 | Themself | Episode: "Snatch Game" (Special guest) | [45] | |
| RuPaul's Drag Race UK: Season 4 | Themself | Guest Judge | [21] |
Web Series[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | World of Wonder Game Show | Themself | Winner | [46] |
| Ring My Bell | Themself | Guest | [47] | |
| 2013-2015 | Transformations | Themself | Episode: "Raven", Episode: "Raven - 100th Episode!!" | [48][49] |
| 2014-2017 | Be$tie$/Couple$ for Ca$h | Themself | Guest | [50][14] |
| 2014-present | RuPaul's Drag Race Fashion Photo RuView | Themself | Co-host with Raja | [4] |
| 2016 | Hey Qween! | Themself | Guest, Episode: "Raven" LOOK AT HUH! | [51] |
| Hot T | Themself | Season 2, Episode 7-8 | [52] | |
| 2018 | M.U.G. | Themself | Guest, Co-host | [53] |
| 2019 | Wet n Wild | Themself | Mini-series | [54] |
| 2020 | Fashion Photo Ruview: STFH Edition | Themself | Co-host | [55] |
Music Videos[]
| Year | Title | Artist | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Jealous of My Boogie" | RuPaul ft. Tyra Sanchez & Jujubee | [56] |
| 2011 | "Diamond Crowned Queen" | Raja | [57] |
| 2012 | "Responsitrannity" | RuPaul | [58] |
| "Queen" | Xelle | [59] | |
| 2012 | "Feed Me Diamonds" | MNDR | [60] |
| 2014 | "Animal" | Berlin | [61] |
Others[]
| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | RuPaul's Drag Race: Dragopolis 2.0 | Mobile game (Voice) | [62] |
| 2017-present | RuPaul's Drag Race | Creative producer, makeup department | [6] |
| 2018-present | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars | Creative producer, makeup department | [6] |
Awards and Nominations[]
| Year | Award | Category | Results | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | WOWie Awards | Best Lips AKA The Pucker Up Award | Winner | [63] |
| 2018 | Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards | Best Contemporary Makeup - Television and New Media Series | Nominated | [64] |
| 2018 | 70th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Make-up for a Multi-Camera Series or Special (Non-Prosthetic) | Nominated | [15] |
| 2020 | 72nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program | Winner | [7] |
| 2021 | 73rd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Contemporary Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program | Nominated | [65] |
| 2022 | Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards | Best Contemporary Makeup - Television and New Media Series | Nominated | [66] |
External Links[]
References[]
[]
| Winner | Tyra Sanchez |
|---|---|
| Runners-Up | 2nd: Raven • 3rd: Jujubee |
| Other Contestants | 4th: Tatianna • 5th: Pandora Boxx (Miss Congeniality) • 6th: Jessica Wild • 7th: Sahara Davenport • 8th: Morgan McMichaels • 9th: Sonique • 10th: Mystique • 11th: Nicole Paige Brooks • 12th: Shangela |
| Judges | RuPaul • Santino Rice • Merle Ginsberg |
| Pit Crew | Emanuel Palmer • Max "The Body" Philisaire |
| Winner | Chad Michaels |
|---|---|
| Runners-Up | 2nd: Raven • 3rd & 4th: Jujubee & Shannel |
| Teams | Team Shad: Chad Michaels & Shannel • Team Rujubee: Raven & Jujubee • Team Yarlexis (5th): Alexis Mateo & Yara Sofia • Team Latrila (6th): Manila Luzon & Latrice Royale • Team Brown Flowers (7th): Nina Flowers & Tammie Brown • Team Mandora (8th): Pandora Boxx & Mimi Imfurst |
| Judges | RuPaul • Santino Rice • Michelle Visage |
| Pit Crew | Jason Carter • Shawn Morales |