When World of Wonder announced they were taking the pink tent to Paris, people were skeptical. Honestly, we’d seen so many international versions of RuPaul’s show by that point—some great, some kinda messy—that the hype for Drag Race France Season 1 felt a bit tempered. But then the first episode dropped on France.tv Slash and WOW Presents Plus in June 2022, and everything changed. It wasn't just another carbon copy of the American format; it felt like a love letter to European cabaret, high fashion, and raw, unfiltered emotion.
The show didn't just succeed. It exploded.
Nicky Doll, the only French queen to have competed on the flagship US series (Season 12), took the reigns as host. People wondered if she had the "Ru-veal" energy to carry a whole show. She did. Alongside resident judges Daphne Bürki and Kiddy Smile, she cultivated a vibe that felt less like a cold competition and more like a supportive, albeit high-stakes, masterclass in French excellence.
The Cast That Set the Standard for Drag Race France Season 1
Let’s talk about the ten queens. Usually, in a first season, you expect a few "filler" contestants who are just happy to be there. Not here. The casting for Drag Race France Season 1 was remarkably tight. You had the legendary Paloma, whose wit and cinematic knowledge made her an instant frontrunner. Then there was La Grande Dame—literally 6'6" of high-fashion editorial perfection who could actually do comedy.
The full roster included:
- Paloma (The eventual winner and ginger force of nature)
- La Grande Dame (The fashion powerhouse)
- Soa de Muse (The high-energy Afro-French punk performer)
- Lolita Banana (The Mexican-born queen who brought heart and incredible lip-sync skills)
- La Big Bertha (The burlesque icon)
- Elips (The conceptual artist)
- Kam Hugh (The makeup prodigy)
- La Briochée (The voice of the season)
- Lova Ladiva (The campy veteran)
- The Briochée (The soulful trans pioneer for the French franchise)
It was a small group. Ten queens. But they filled the room.
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The chemistry was different than the US version. In the American show, the "villain edit" is a staple. In Paris? The queens certainly fought—mostly about professional standards and "the art"—but there was a profound sense of solidarity. When Lolita Banana and La Big Bertha went head-to-head in that iconic "Corps à Corps" lip-sync, it wasn't a catfight. it was a visceral, tear-jerking display of mutual respect. They literally ended up cutting each other's hair on stage. It was chaotic. It was beautiful. It was peak television.
Why the "French Touch" Mattered
French drag isn't just about looking like a pageant queen. It’s rooted in the cabaret tradition of Pigalle and the avant-garde fashion of the Gaultier era. This came through in the runways. If you look back at the "French Excellence" or "Night of 1000 Mylène Farmers" categories, the level of construction was staggering.
Nicky Doll played a massive part in this. She wasn't just a judge; she was a bridge. Having lived through the US system, she knew how to push the queens for "charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent" while allowing them to remain quintessentially French. The show didn't shy away from politics, either. Conversations about trans identity, racism within France, and the history of the LGBTQ+ movement in Paris were front and center. It felt grounded in reality.
The viewership numbers backed it up. According to France Télévisions, the show reached over 7 million viewers across all platforms during its initial run. For a niche reality competition moved to a public broadcaster, those are massive stats. It proved that drag wasn't just a "subculture" in France anymore—it was mainstream entertainment.
The Talent Show and the Snatch Game
The first episode's Talent Show is usually a hit-or-miss affair. In Drag Race France Season 1, it was a hit. Paloma’s comedic monologue and Soa de Muse’s magnetic stage presence set a bar that never really dropped.
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Then came the Snatch Game. This is where international versions often stumble because humor doesn't always translate. However, Paloma’s portrayal of Fanny Ardant was a masterclass in impersonation. It wasn't just about landing jokes; it was about capturing the "vibe" of a French cultural icon. This win solidified her as the one to beat.
Wait, we have to talk about the finale.
Most Drag Race finales are pre-recorded in a studio with a fake audience. For Season 1, they kept it intimate but the stakes felt huge. The final three—Paloma, La Grande Dame, and Soa de Muse—represented three completely different pillars of drag. You had the actor (Paloma), the model (La Grande Dame), and the performer (Soa). When Paloma was crowned, it felt like a victory for "smart" drag. She proved that you can be funny, nerdy about cinema, and still be the most glamorous person in the room.
Misconceptions About the French Version
A lot of people think you need to speak fluent French to enjoy the show. You don't. The "energy" of the performances and the visual storytelling of the runways transcend the language barrier. Sure, you might miss a few puns during the roast, but the passion is universal.
Another misconception? That it’s "softer" than the US version. While the queens are more supportive, the critiques from Kiddy Smile were often biting. He knows fashion. He knows the ballroom scene. If a hem was off or a concept was derivative, he said it. The standards were, frankly, higher than some of the recent "All Stars" seasons in the States.
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Lessons from the First Season
The success of the inaugural season paved the way for a massive Season 2 and Season 3, but the first one remains the blueprint. It taught the producers that the French audience values authenticity over manufactured drama. It also launched these queens into global stardom. La Grande Dame went on to compete in RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. The World Season 2, becoming a massive fan favorite globally.
If you're looking to dive into the world of French drag, you can't skip this start. It’s a tight, 8-episode run that moves fast and hits hard.
How to Catch Up and What to Look For
If you haven't seen it yet, or you're planning a rewatch, keep these things in mind to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch the Lip-syncs Closely: The French queens don't just "stunt." They interpret the lyrics. Look for the storytelling in "Pookie" or "Libertine."
- Research the Cultural References: If you don't know who Catherine Deneuve or Mylène Farmer are, a quick Google search will make the runway looks ten times more impressive.
- Pay Attention to the Workroom Talks: This season has some of the most honest discussions about the reality of being a queer artist in modern Europe.
- Check out the "Aftershow": Nicky Doll’s Drama Queens segments (often available on social media or the streamer) provide a lot of context that didn't make the main edit.
The impact of Drag Race France Season 1 is still felt in the "franchise wars." It set a standard for production quality and heart that many other international versions are still trying to catch. It’s stylish, it’s loud, and it’s unapologetically Parisian. Basically, it's everything drag should be.
To truly appreciate the evolution of the series, start by following the Season 1 alumni on social media; their careers post-show—from high-fashion campaigns to sold-out theater tours—prove that the "French Exception" in drag is very much real and here to stay. Visit the official France.tv portal or WOW Presents Plus to stream the full season and witness the crowning of the first French Drag Superstar for yourself.