Trans* Success

Raven is the stage name of David Petruschin, an American drag queen and reality television personality from Riverside, California. He previously worked as a cosmetics salesperson and as a freelance makeup artist before pursuing a full-time drag career. He is best known as a contestant on the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. He was first runner-up of season 2, and followed that up with regular appearances on RuPaul’s Drag U in summer 2010 and 2011. In addition to his participation in RuPaul’s Drag Race, David was featured on an episode of America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 8, in which he participated in a photo shoot with each of the show’s contestants in male drag and paired with a drag queen.

He was one of many Drag Race alumni who were invited to be as a drag professor in spin-off series RuPaul’s Drag U. Raven served as a “drag professor” and mentor to female contestants who are given make-overs. In the series, David’s persona is portrayed as a softer and nurturing mentor. Raven made a total of four appearances and during the series’ first season. The series was renewed for a second season in 2011, with Raven returning once again as a drag professor. David, as Raven, was also featured in a commercial promoting the syndication run of the cable television series “Nip/Tuck” on the Logo network, Raven lip synchs to the theme song “A Perfect Lie”, as he caresses a syringe close to his lips. The commercial is based on one of his past drag performances. He also has 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.

In Drag Race Episode 210, he reveals that he is Jewish (via his father). In Drag U! Episode 208: “A Family That Drags Together!”, David reveals that he was raised a Mormon (via his mother). He currently hosts several drag-related events at Oasis nightclub in Upland, California as well as The Menagerie nightclub in Riverside. David resides in California with his dog Blu.