<Ul> <Li> Season 1 </Li> <Li> ▶ </Li> </Ul> <P> The first season of RuPaul's Drag Race, later referred to as The Lost Season, premiered in the United States on February 2, 2009, on VH - 1 . Nine contestants were selected to compete in the running of becoming "America's Next Drag Superstar ." The first season was filmed during the summer of 2008 . The winner of the first season won $5,000 worth of MAC Cosmetics, was featured in an LA Eyeworks campaign, joined the Logo Drag Race tour, and won a cash prize of $20,000 . One of the nine contestants to compete on RuPaul's Drag Race was determined by an audience vote via the show's official website . The results were announced in early September 2008 . The theme song playing during the runway every episode was "Cover Girl" from RuPaul's album Champion . This season and season one of All - Stars are the only seasons to not feature the "Snatch Game ." </P> <P> The winner of the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race was BeBe Zahara Benet, with Nina Flowers being the runner - up . </P> <P> In late 2013, Logo re-aired the first season, which was titled RuPaul's Drag Race: The Lost Season Ru - Vealed, and featured commentary from RuPaul . </P>

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