David Petruschin (born April 8, 1979), best known as Raven, is an American drag queen, make-up artist, and reality television personality from Riverside, California. Raven was a fixture in the Southern California nightclub scene before gaining international prominence for appearing in both the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the first season of All Stars. Raven placed as the runner-up on both seasons. Petruschin has been RuPaul's makeup artist since Drag Race's ninth season (episode 3) and has since become a creative producer of both RuPaul’s Drag Race and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. For his make-up work on the show, Petruschin received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special (Non-Prosthetic) in 2020.
Raven | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Raven at the 23rd GLAAD Media Awards, 2012 | |
| Born | David Petruschin April 8, 1979[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Drag queen Television personality Make-up artist Creative producer |
| Years active | 2002–present |
Early life
editPetruschin[2] was born to DeShawna and Viktor Petruschin in Rexburg, Idaho[3] as the first of three children. He is of Russian ancestry.[4] His mother, who separated from his father when he was seven years old, raised him as Mormon.[5] She grew up in Victorville, California.[6]
Career
editBefore becoming a drag artist, Petruschin worked as a cosmetics salesperson and a freelance make-up artist for local theater productions during the day, moonlighting in nightclubs as a go-go boy under the name "Phoenix". His drag debut as Raven was on May 10, 2002, performing with fellow future Drag Race alumnus Mayhem Miller. Petruschin did not have a drag mother. As Raven, Petruschin auditioned to compete on the first and second seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race.[7]
Early Drag Race appearances
editIn 2010, Raven was announced as a contestant on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race. In the first episode, she won the season's first mini-challenge, a photo shoot. In the second and third episode she landed in the bottom two, having to "lip-sync for her life" twice in order to stay in the competition. She won both lip-syncs. Raven won a second mini-challenge in the fourth episode by guessing the price of various objects, earning her a phone call home; and a third mini-challenge in the fifth episode by successfully decorating a box to reflect his personal style.[8] She won the seventh[9] and eighth[10] main challenges, which involved creating and promoting an autobiography, and giving an older gentleman a makeover, respectively.[11][10] At the end of the competition, she ultimately placed second behind Tyra Sanchez.
Raven appeared in the spin-off series RuPaul's Drag U,[12] which ran for three seasons. Raven served as a "drag professor" and mentor to female contestants who are given make-overs. In the series, his persona is not portrayed in a villainous fashion, but instead as a softer and nurturing mentor. Raven made a total of twelve appearances and collected the most wins during the series' run, being dubbed the "Makeover Queen". In an episode of the second season he gave his mother DeShawna a makeover, helping him win against the sisters of Jujubee and Manila Luzon.
On August 6, 2012, Raven was announced as one of twelve past Drag Race contestants selected for RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, which premiered on the Logo network on October 22, 2012.[13] He was paired with contestant and best friend Jujubee to form Team Rujubee. They won the mini-challenges in the second and fifth episode by correctly answering questions about each other in the style of The Newlywed Game and by scoring more points in a game of basketball, which won them a call to their loved ones. The duo reached the final, which aired on November 26, 2012, where Raven again landed as a runner-up, this time to winner Chad Michaels.
During the airing of the first All Stars season, Raven (along with All Stars contestants Manila Luzon, Latrice Royale, and Tammie Brown) appeared in a television commercial for travel website Orbitz's new portal for LGBT leisure travel.[14]
Post All-Stars work
editPetruschin returned to Drag Race off-camera as RuPaul's make-up artist, beginning with the ninth season. He received a nomination for the 2018 Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Award in the category "Television and New Media Series: Best Contemporary Makeup". For his work on the tenth season, he received a nomination for the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards in the category Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special. He won an Emmy for his work on the twelfth season.[15] Aside from doing RuPaul's make-up, he has served as a creative producer for All Stars since its third season and for Drag Race since its tenth.[16]
In a commercial promoting the syndication run of the cable television series Nip/Tuck on the Logo network, Raven lip synced to the theme song "A Perfect Lie" as he caressed a syringe close to his lips. The commercial was based on one of his past drag performances. He has also made a guest appearance in an episode of Logo's reality series, Pretty Hurts, which documents the life and career of celebrity medical aesthetician Rand Rusher.
Raven appeared in an episode of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 8, during a photo shoot where each of the show's contestants dressed in male drag and paired with a drag queen.
Raven made a cameo in the 2011 music video for "Diamond Crowned Queen" by RuPaul's Drag Race season three winner Raja. His cameo was praised by critics, who named him the "magnificent Raven". In 2012, along with other RuPaul's Drag Race contestants, he appeared in another music video, "Queen" by Mimi Imfurst's band Xelle.[17] He also starred in the music video "Feed Me Diamonds" by MNDR.[18]
In 2014, Raven and Raja started a weekly YouTube fashion critique show on World of Wonder's channel called "Fashion Photo RuView", where they discuss fashion from mostly Drag Race alumni. He has appeared on multiple other WOW shows as well.
Focusing his efforts on film projects, Petruschin currently rarely performs in live drag shows.[19]
Legacy
editIn 2016, Raven was included as an inspiration in Vanity Fair's "100 Years of Drag Fashion" video, alongside iconic drag performers Divine, David Bowie, and RuPaul. The video presented his style as the epitome of 2000s-era drag. Raven is widely cited as creating the “face of drag”, even inspiring RuPaul's original make-up artist, Mathu Andersen.[20] RuPaul's Drag Race season six winner Bianca Del Rio has also stated that many young drag queens use Raven's style.[21]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | The Bitch Who Stole Christmas | Shopping Lady |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | America's Next Top Model | Raven | Cameo |
| 2010 | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 2) | Contestant | Runner-Up |
| 2010, 2012 | RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked | Raven | |
| 2010–2012 | RuPaul's Drag U | Himself/Professor | |
| 2011 | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 3) | Raven | Special guest |
| 2012 | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 4) | Cameo | |
| RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 1) | Contestant | Runner-up | |
| The Soup | Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham | Episode: "Episode 9.7" | |
| 2016 | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 2) | Raven | Snatch Game Contestant |
| 2019 | RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 1) | Special guest | |
| 2020 | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 12)[22] | 3 episodes | |
| Celebrity Family Feud[23] | Guest contestant | ||
| 2021 | RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 2) | Special guest | |
| RuPaul's Drag Race (season 13) | Snatch Game Contestant | ||
| RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under (season 1) | Special guest | ||
| RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 3) | |||
| 2021–present | Painted with Raven | Host/Judge | |
| 2022 | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 14) | Raven | Snatch Game Contestant |
| RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 7) | Special guest | ||
| RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under (season 2) | Snatch Game Contestant | ||
| RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 4) | Guest judge | ||
| 2023 | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 8) | Special guest | |
| RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under (season 3) | |||
| RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 5) | |||
| 2024 | RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (series 2) | ||
| RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 6) |
Web
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | World of Wonder Game Show | Himself | Winner | [24] |
| Ring My Bell | Guest | [25] | ||
| 2013–2015 | James St. James' Transformations | [26] | ||
| 2014–2017 | Be$tie$/Couple$ for Ca$h | Himself/Raven | [27] | |
| 2014–present | Fashion Photo RuView | Raven | Co-host with Raja | [28] |
| 2016 | Hot T | S2 Episode 7–8 | [29] | |
| 2018 | M.U.G. | Guest Co-Host | [30] | |
| 2019 | Wet n Wild | World of Wonder mini-series | [31] | |
| 2020 | Fashion Photo RuView: STFH Edition | Co-host | [32] |
Music videos
edit| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Diamond Crowned Queen[33] | Raja |
| 2012 | Responsitrannity | RuPaul[34] |
| Queen | Xelle | |
| Feed Me Diamonds[35] | MNDR | |
| 2014 | Animal[36] | Berlin |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards | Best Contemporary Makeup in Television and New Media Series | RuPaul's Drag Race | Nominated | [37] |
| 2018 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 10) | Nominated | [15] |
| 2020 | Outstanding Contemporary Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 12) | Won | ||
| 2021 | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 13) | Nominated | [38] | ||
| 2022 | Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards | Best Contemporary Makeup in Television and New Media Series | RuPaul's Drag Race | Nominated | [39] |
References
edit- ^ @RuPaulsDragRace (April 8, 2016). "Happiest of birthdays to the legendary, lovable @RavenHUNTY!! Make it a good one squirrel friend!! ❌⭕️❌⭕️" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ LOGO On-line. "RuPaul's Drag Race 2: Cast Bios". LOGO On-line. Retrieved December 6, 2009.
- ^ "15 Richest Drag Queens 2024". May 17, 2024.
- ^ Backlot, The (August 16, 2011). "Watch! "Drag U" Episode 208: "A Family That Drags Together!" - thebacklot.com". Afterelton.com. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- ^ "RuPaul's Drag U Ep. 8, Therapy Sessions - Meet Raven's Amazing Mom. Plus, Jujubee & Manila's Sassy Sisters!". LOGO News. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ "INTERVIEW: Emmy-Winning Makeup Artist Raven Discusses Her Journey Through Drag". December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Extra Special Edition". RuPaul's Drag Race. Season 1. Episode 7. March 16, 2009. Logo TV.
- ^ O'Wisdom, Pearl (March 15, 2010). "RuPaul's Drag Race: Here Comes the Bride". Poptimal. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
- ^ Stranksy, Tanner (March 23, 2010). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' recap: The queens throw shade and shill books". Popwatch. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 1, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
- ^ a b Stransky, Tanner (March 30, 2010). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' recap: Drag mamas, Cloris Leachman, and the season's most controversial elimination!". Popwatch. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 30, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
- ^ D, Jacob (March 30, 2010). "RuPaul's Drag Race: Mom's And Babies". Reality TV Calendar. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
- ^ Polly, John. "Drag Race Daily: Start Studying! RuPaul's Drag U Will be in Session this Summer. Watch a Preview". NewNowNext on Logo. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
- ^ RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars cast includes Jujubee, Latrice Royale, Manila Luzon Archived 2013-07-18 at the Wayback Machine from chicago.gopride.com; August 6, 2012
- ^ The Queens Take Vacation Back: Orbitz Behind The Scenes from www.newnownext.com November 12, 2012
- ^ a b "David Petruschin". Emmys.com. Television Academy. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
- ^ "David Petruschin – Production credits". IMDb. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ Spargo, Chris (October 25, 2012). "XELLE's 'Queen' Music Video Features Every 'Drag Race' Queen: Watch October 25, 2012 ● by Chris Spargo". New Now Next. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
- ^ James, Diego (December 13, 2012). "WATCH: Raven in New MNDR Video for 'Feed Me Diamonds'". Out. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
- ^ "Emmy-Nominated 'Drag Race' Star Raven Brings Her Dramatic Act to San Antonio". Out in SA. February 5, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ 100 Years of Drag Queen Fashion. Vanity Fair. October 12, 2016. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021.
- ^ FASHION PHOTO RUVIEW: Season 9 RuPaul's Drag Race Promo Looks with Raja & Raven & BIANCA DEL RIO!. Fashion Photo Ruview. World of Wonder. February 8, 2017. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Christine (February 29, 2020). "Let's Kiki About The Top 10 Moments Of The RuPaul's Drag Race Season 12 Premiere". Socialite Life. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
- ^ Rudolph, Christopher (May 28, 2020). "Team "RuPaul's Drag Race" Keeps It Fierce on "Celebrity Family Feud"". NewNowNext.com. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^ World of Wonder Game Show - RuPaul's Drag Race Edition. YouTube. October 18, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ^ Raven - Ring My Bell. YouTube. March 20, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ James St. James and Raven: Transformations. YouTube. August 13, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ^ Raja & Raven - Be$tie$ for Ca$h. YouTube. July 4, 2014. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ^ RuPaul's Drag Race Fashion Photo RuView with Raja and Raven - Episode 1. YouTube. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ^ Raven on Hot T: Celebrity Gossip & Hollywood Shade S2 Episode 7 | Hey Qween. YouTube. July 28, 2016. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ^ M.U.G. with Naomi Smalls and Raven - Raven's MUG. YouTube. February 26, 2018. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ^ Wet n Wild Presents: You Glow Girl. YouTube. October 7, 2019. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ^ "Fashion Photo RuView: STFH Edition". World of Wonder. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ Patrick (June 20, 2011). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3 Winner Raja Premiere's Debut Music Video". Homorazzi.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2017.
- ^ RuTube (October 25, 2012), RuPaul Responsitrannity music video, archived from the original on December 15, 2021, retrieved May 29, 2020
- ^ Bendix, Trish (March 11, 2017). "20 Music Videos With Drag Queen Cameos". Billboard.com. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ Munzenrieder, Kyle (May 3, 2019). "How RuPaul's Drag Race Queens Became the Hottest Music Video Accessory". WMagazine.com. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ "Guild Awards Nominations Announced!". Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild. January 5, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ^ "David "Raven" Petruschin". Emmys.com. Television Academy. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ Pefersen, Erik (January 11, 2022). "Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards Nominations: 'House Of Gucci', 'The Suicide Squad' & 'Legendary' Among Leaders". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 15, 2022.