Lemon (drag queen)

Lemon is the stage name of Christopher Elliott Baptista (born September 1, 1995),^[2] a Canadian drag performer, best known for competing on the first season of Canada's Drag Race (2020) and the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (2022). Lemon later went on to win the second season of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World (2024).

Lemon
Lemon at RuPaul's DragCon LA, 2024
Born	Christopher Elliott Baptista (1995-09-01) September 1, 1995 (age 29)[1] Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Education	Ailey School (GrDip)
Occupation	Drag queen
Television	Canada's Drag Race (season 1) RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (series 1) Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World (season 2)

Education

Lemon relocated from Toronto to New York City at the age of 19 to study dance at the Ailey School.^[3]

Career

Lemon at RuPaul's DragCon LA, 2022

Lemon started doing drag in New York City.^[4] Sasha Velour invited Lemon to model in her New York Fashion Week collaboration with Opening Ceremony.^[5]

She competed as the only U.S.-based contestant on the first season of Canada's Drag Race.^[3] In the first episode of the season, she placed in the bottom two, but was saved from elimination after winning a lip sync battle against Juice Boxx to Carly Rae Jepsen's "I Really Like You".^[6] Lemon subsequently won the main challenges in episode 2 and episode 7,^[7] before being eliminated from the competition in episode 8 following a lip sync against Rita Baga to Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know", ultimately placing fifth overall.^[8] Lemon portrayed JoJo Siwa during the Snatch Game episode.^[9]

In 2021, Lemon was a featured performer in "Come Through", a single by her Canada's Drag Race castmate Priyanka.^[10]

In January 2022, she was announced as one of the nine contestants on the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World.^[11] In the premiere episode, she landed in the bottom alongside Janey Jacké from the first season of the Dutch franchise, and was sent home by Pangina Heals who hosted Drag Race Thailand, finishing the competition in ninth place.^[12]

Also in 2022, Lemon began releasing a series of singles, including "Sweet and Sour" and "5 6 7 Ate",^[13] leading up to the release of her debut EP Citrussy in 2023.^[14] In 2023, Lemon also appeared on a remix of Rêve's single "Tongue".^[15]

In June 2024, Lemon was announced as one of the queens competing on the second season of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World. She subsequently ended up winning the season, taking home the grand prize of $100,000 and the title of "Queen of the Motherpucking World".^{[citation needed]} In July, Lemon was featured on Priyanka's single "Gucciyanka".^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Originally from Toronto,^[16] Lemon has lived in New York City for several years.^[17]

Discography

Studio album

• CITRUSSY (2023)
• zestiny (vol. 1) (2024)

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2020	Canada's Drag Race (season 1)	Herself	Contestant (5th Place)
2022	RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (series 1)	Herself	Contestant (9th Place)
2024	Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World (season 2)	Herself	Contestant (Winner)

Web series

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2022	Bring Back My Girls	Herself	[18]

References

1. Stroude, Will (August 21, 2020). "'CANADA'S DRAG RACE': LEMON ON READING, REPRESENTATION AND ROOMING WITH SEASON 12'S JAN". Attitude. Archived from the original on March 30, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
2. Adelle Loiselle, "Canada’s Drag Race Queens come to Windsor" Archived 2021-07-29 at the Wayback Machine. Blackburn News, August 22, 2020.
3. "Canada's Drag Race queen Lemon on child drag, Dance Moms, and body critiques". The Georgia Straight. 2020-08-21. Archived from the original on 2021-02-27. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
4. Rudolph, Christopher (August 21, 2020). "Pucker Up: Lemon Is Just Getting Started". NewNowNext. Archived from the original on 2021-01-18. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
5. Bains, Pahull (May 14, 2020). "Meet the 12 Queens On the First Season of Canada's Drag Race". Fashion. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
6. "Canada's Drag Race Recap: Lemon and Juice Boxx in the Bottom". ScreenRant. 2020-07-03. Archived from the original on 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
7. "Canada's Drag Race: Lemon Explains Untucked Fight & Skipping US Drag Race". ScreenRant. 2020-08-21. Archived from the original on 2020-08-28. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
8. "Canada's Drag Race Season 1 Exit Interview: Lemon". IN Magazine. 2020-08-21. Archived from the original on 2021-03-06. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
9. Alter, Rebecca (2020-08-17). "Canada's Drag Race Recap: When Life Gives You Lemon, Lemon Gives You Life!". Vulture. Archived from the original on 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
10. Stoodley, Chris (June 29, 2021). "Come Get a Piece of Priyanka's Cake". Paper. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
11. Nolfi, Joey (January 17, 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Versus the World cast adds international all-stars to new competition". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
12. Harp, Justin (February 1, 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World eliminates first queen in big twist". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
13. Sam Damshenas, "Cheryl and Lemon on their Drag Race evolution and 'crazy' casting controversy". Gay Times, August 23, 2024.
14. Bernardo Sim, "10 Albums & EPs Released By Drag Queens In 2023 (So Far)". Pride, September 22, 2023.
15. "5 first-time Juno nominees that you need to check out now". CBC Music, February 13, 2023.
16. "Canada's Drag Race star Lemon is ready to 'split her titty' across the world". GAY TIMES. 2020-08-21. Archived from the original on 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
17. "Canada's Drag Race: Lemon Explains Untucked Fight & Skipping US Drag Race". ScreenRant. 2020-08-21. Archived from the original on 2020-08-28. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
18. "RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. the World".

External links

• Media related to Lemon (drag queen) at Wikimedia Commons