Masters of Drag

In this digital series, New York's sweetest drag diva Peppermint tells the story of pioneering American drag artists. In the process, she demonstrates how drag is a performance art form that has thrived in this country for generations, entertaining LGBTQ+ and general audiences alike, and providing the former with an important outlet of self-expression.

Watch • 4:39

American Masters

William Dorsey Swann: The first "Queen of Drag"

Born into slavery, Swann was the first known person to identify as a “Queen of Drag.”

Special: 4:39

Watch • 5:38

American Masters

Crystal Labeija: The Queen Who Reinvented Ball Culture

Crystal was a proud Black trans woman, a drag mother and, a pageant girl.

Special: 5:38

Watch • 5:57

American Masters

Jean Malin: Queen of the Pansies

Jean Malin was one of the first openly gay performers in the Prohibition era.

Special: 5:57

Support for American Masters is provided by AARP, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Burton P. and Judith B. Resnick Foundation, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Jeffrey Katz and Beth Rogers, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Seton J. Melvin, Candace King Weir, Koo and Patricia Yuen, Laura Richards and Jim Naughton, Filomen M. Dagostino Foundation, André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, The Charina Endowment Fund, and public television viewers.