Sam Star
American drag performer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sam Purkey (born January 24, 2000),[1][2] known professionally as Sam Star, is an American drag performer. Star competed on Love for the Arts,[3] the seventeenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the eleventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.[4]
January 24, 2000
Sam Star | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sam Purkey January 24, 2000 Leeds, Alabama, USA |
| Television | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 17) |
| Website | thesamstarstore |
Career
Sam Star is an American drag performer. She has competed in pageantry, having been crowned Miss Glamorous Newcomer 2022.[5] Her drag mother is three-time Drag Race alum Trinity the Tuck. She is additionally a retired gymnast and cheerleader.[4]
Sam Star featured on Trinity the Tuck's single "Six Six Sex" alongside fellow Drag Race competitor Jewels Sparkles and Shontelle Sparkles.[6] On the second episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17, she performed her debut single "Say Yeehaw!", produced and co-written by Drew Louis.[7] Her Instagram following grew by 865 percent as the show aired.[8]
In April 2026, Star was announced to be competing on the eleventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars in the third bracket. She and Lucky Starzzz are the only representatives of season 17 on the cast.[citation needed]
Personal life
Sam Star was born and raised in Leeds, Alabama and attended high school there.[9] She is currently based in its suburb.[10] Star attended the University of Alabama’s musical theatre program, but dropped out due to the cost of textbooks.[11]
On episode six of RuPaul's Drag Race season 17, Star revealed that her godfather is former NBA player Charles Barkley.[12] Barkley attended high school with Sam's mother and helped raise them.[13]
Filmography
Television
| Title | Year | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Love for the Arts | 2020 | Contestant | 6th place | [14] |
| RuPaul's Drag Race | 2025 | Contestant | Finalist | [15] |
| RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars | 2026 | Contestant | 7th |
Discography
All credits adapted from Apple Music and Spotify.[16][17]
Singles
As lead artist
| Year | Title | Album | Writer(s) | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | “Got It From Her” (featuring Trinity the Tuck) |
Non-album singles | Drew Louis, Sam Star | Drew Louis |
| "Say Yeehaw!" |
As featured artist
| Year | Title | Artist(s) | Album | Writer(s) | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | "Six Six Sex"
(featuring Jewels Sparkles, Sam Star, and Shontelle Sparkles) |
Trinity the Tuck | Sinematic (Deluxe) | Drew Louis, Jayelle, Coen Hutton | Drew Louis |
| 2025 | "HAUS"
(featuring Jewels Sparkles, Sam Star, and Allura The Doll) |
Non-album single | Drew Louis, Ryan Taylor, Allura The Doll | ||