Rashawn King, known professionally as Kori King, is an American drag performer who competed on the seventeenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.[1][2]

Early life and education

Rashawn King was born and raised in Boston.[3] His parents are divorced. He attended Boston Arts Academy for visual arts.[4]

Career

King's drag persona is Kori King, billed as the "Black Barbie of Boston".[5] In 2023, she performed alongside Kesha as part of the Only Love Tour.[6] That same year, she was awarded the "Boston's Best New Performer to Watch" award.[7][8] She also played Ariel in a local Little Mermaid-themed drag show.[9] Kori King acquired large followings on TikTok and YouTube early in her career.[10] Ian Helms included her in Queerty's 2024 list of Boston's top twenty drag performers.[11]

Kori King competed on the seventeenth season (2025) of RuPaul's Drag Race. She entered the Werk Room on the premiere episode wearing an outfit inspired by Dunkin' Donuts.[5][12] She was named the "trade" of the season by her castmates.[13] On the fourth episode, Kori King placed in the bottom two and defeated Joella in a lip-sync contest to remain in the competition.[14] Kori King impersonated Big Ang for the Snatch Game challenge on the seventh episode.[15][16] She placed in the bottom again on the eighth episode, defeating Acacia Forgot in the lip-sync.[17][18] She was eliminated from the competition on the ninth epsiode, after placing the bottom two of a design challenge and losing a lip-sync contest against Lydia B Kollins.[19][20] Kori King placed ninth overall.

Personal life

King remains based in Boston.[21] He used to be an animator before starting drag.[22] As of February 2025, he is dating Drag Race co-star Lydia B Kollins.[23][24][25]

Kori King is the "drag sister" of Plane Jane, who competed on the sixteenth season of Drag Race.[26][27]

Discography

Singles

  • "Shake That Ice" (2025)[28]

Filmography

Television

Web series

See also

References

  1. ^ Tinoco, Armando (2024-12-04). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 17 Cast Photos, Trailer & Premiere Date Set At MTV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  2. ^ Zhan, Jennifer (2025-03-01). "Kori King on Kissing Drag Race (and Lydia B Kollins) Good-bye". Vulture. Vox Media. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
  3. ^ "Meet the Queens Kori King | Extended Cut". YouTube. 4 December 2024. Archived from the original on 3 January 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b Whatcha Packin' S17 E09 - RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 on YouTube
  5. ^ a b "Boston contestant on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' hits runway in Dunkin'-inspired dress". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 2025-01-08. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  6. ^ Sim, Bernardo; Kiley, Rachel. "Meet the 100 drag artists featured on Kesha's 'The Only Love Tour'". Out. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  7. ^ Khan, Melina. "'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 17 contestant Kori King represents Boston with Dunkin' dress". The Patriot Ledger. Archived from the original on 9 January 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  8. ^ Nolfi, Joey. "RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 cast revealed as Rate-a-Queen returns with a major twist: 'The game is new'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  9. ^ Solis, Steph (2023-05-16). "The Barking Crab will host "The Little Mermaid" drag show this month". Axios. Archived from the original on 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  10. ^ "Exclusive 'Drag Race' season 17 interviews promise 'profane imagery' on runway: 'Going to set the bar'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  11. ^ Helms, Ian. "Boston's Drag Royalty: 25 Drag Queens and Kings to Know". Queerty. Archived from the original on 2024-09-01. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  12. ^ Khan, Melina. "'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 17 contestant Kori King represents Boston with Dunkin' dress". The Patriot Ledger. Archived from the original on 2025-01-09. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  13. ^ "New 'Drag Race' cast reveals superlatives of the season, from trade to villain: 'I am the man'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2025-02-10. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  14. ^ Frank, Jason P. (2025-01-25). "RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: Character Work". Vulture. Archived from the original on 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  15. ^ DeLellis, Trae. "RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 7: Is It Time to Retire Snatch Game?". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on 2025-02-15. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  16. ^ "Every 'Drag Race' season 17 'Snatch Game' character: See all the stars the queens played". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  17. ^ DeLellis, Trae. "RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 8: Two Flat Feet Spells Defeat". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  18. ^ Daw, Stephen (2025-02-25). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 17 Power Ranking: Episode 8 — Follow the Yellow Brick Road". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  19. ^ Huff, Matthew (2025-02-28). "A Showmance Faces Off! Who Went Home on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 17 Tonight?". Parade. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  20. ^ "'Drag Race' star Kori King spills on 'real relationship,' shocking kiss with Lydia B Kollins: 'Gut instinct'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
  21. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Announces Season 17 Cast, Updated 'Rate-a-Queen' Twist". Variety. 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  22. ^ "Meet the Queens Kori King | Extended Cut". YouTube. 4 December 2024. Archived from the original on 3 January 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  23. ^ "Kori King and Lydia B Kollins still dating after Drag Race". Out. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  24. ^ Wratten, Marcus (2025-02-25). "RuPaul's Drag Race stars Kori King and Lydia B Kollins confirm relationship". PinkNews. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  25. ^ Damshenas, Sam (2025-02-24). "Drag Race: Kori King reveals she and Lydia B. Kollins are 'officially together'". Gay Times. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  26. ^ Gregory, Drew Burnett (2025-01-04). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Episode 1701 Recap: Back to Reality". Autostraddle. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  27. ^ "'Drag Race' queen Kori King thinks sister Plane Jane 'wasn't that mean' on show". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2025-02-21. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  28. ^ "Shake That Ice". music.apple.com. Apple Inc. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  29. ^ Life's a Drag "Let the Shade Begin " (Episode 1, Season 1) on YouTube
  30. ^ FULL EPISODE- HELLO HELLO HELLO The Road to RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 - Kori King on YouTube
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