Raven is the drag name of David Petruschin, a professional drag queen, makeup artist, performer, and comedian from Riverside, California. He competed in the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race, placing runner-up. He later went on to compete in RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race, paired with Jujubee, but controversially came in second place again.
He is a huge fan-favorite and one of the most popular contestants ever to enter on RuPaul's Drag Race.
Raven was known on the show for his wit, his fashion sense, his fierce runway walks and his performances, including his lip-syncs.
He currently is on a web show with Raja, named "Fashion Photo Ruview". It can be viewed on the WOWPresents YouTube channel.
Since Season 9, David has been Ru's makeup artist.
Vanity Fair listed Raven as drag queen of the 2000’s.
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 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 where people would call him when he is out of drag in the public.
RuPaul's Drag Race
Raven
Statistics
Season 2
All Stars 1
Placement
Runner-Up
Runner-Up
Main Challenges Won
2 (ep. 7, 8)
0
Mini Challenges Won
3 (ep. 1, 4, 5)
2 (ep. 2, 5)
Times in Bottom
2 (ep. 2, 3)
3 (ep. 3, 4, 5)
Episode Eliminated
Episode 11
Episode 6
Elimination
Raven was close to snatching the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar", but lost it to Tyra Sanchez.
The final challenge was to put together a music video for RuPaul's "Jealous of My Boogie" and to show off their final runway outfits for the season.
Raven was positively critiqued for having consistency throughout the whole competition, including his fashion sense and was told he has "superstar" quality.
During the final lip-sync, Tyra gave an over-the-top performance, outshined Raven's act and Raven lost the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar", leaving Raven to be the runner-up.
Trivia
He is of Russian descent. Contrary to popular belief, Raven is not Jewish.
He was raised Mormon, and is still an official member, but is inactive and has openly displayed disinterest in the faith.
Raven came out as gay to his mother on Mother's Day.
He has two dogs named Blu and Binki.
Before gaining a full drag career, David worked for MAC cosmetic and a freelance makeup artist.
He is best friends with drag race contestant Jujubee.
Throughout his two seasons on the show, Raven lip synced a total of six times. Other Queens to do this are Detox, Katya, and Kameron Michaels.
Raven is the second queen to make it to the finale without winning a single main challenge. Coincidentally, her teammate Jujubee was the first to do this on their original season.
He used to work as a go-go dancer named Phoenix.
Raven's inspirations include Madonna, Courtney Love, Debbie Herry & Terri Nunn.
Raven/David owns over 32 sets of contact lenses with different colors and styles.
David was inspired by his mom to do makeup, he always watched his mom do her makeup.
It can take up to 3 hours to transform from David to Raven.
He started drag in 2002.
Raven made a cameo in America’s Next Top Model, Season 8.
Raven is considered to be the Allison Harvard (from America's Next Top Model) of Drag Race due to both of them becoming a runner up on both seasons they competed in.
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 his best friend Jujubee.
Raven is one of the three queens to have the same placement on two different seasons. The other two are Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Milk.
Raven’s favorite number is the 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 a runner up on All Stars.
There have been many rumors going around that Raven has had several plastic surgery procedures not only to her face, but on her body as well.
He has confirmed that he has nothing but small facial work procedures done and that's all. David has only had injections of collagen in his lips and once below his eyes in his cheeks.
David did not get plastic surgery in his lips for drag. David felt that all his life, he never had lips and he did it just to get some more lip.
During an interview, David stated that he would not change his appearance permanently in any way to improve the look of Raven. Any past or future procedures would be for David as David.
