Latrice Royale

RuPaul's Drag Race season 4

In May 2011, RuPaul's Drag Race, a drag competition produced as reality television, opened auditions for the show's fourth season;^[10] acting on a dare, Wilcots submitted an audition video. His audition was accepted, and he was cast for the show; production began later that year. The fourth season premiered on January 30, 2012. He ultimately placed fourth in the competition and was eliminated in the 11th episode, which aired on April 9, 2012. Viewers voted him Miss Congeniality, and he was crowned in the season finale.^[11] Royale competed as a "plus-size" queen.^[12] He competed against twelve other queens, including Sharon Needles, Phi Phi O'Hara, Willam Belli, and Cher impersonator Chad Michaels.^[13]

Royale made it into the top four—along with Needles, Michaels, and O'Hara—and won two challenges along the way, including when she acted in a mock sitcom in "Queens Behind Bars". When Royale was cut from the competition, Entertainment Weekly called the elimination "shocking".^[14] When he was eliminated, Royale said to show host RuPaul, "You have changed my life forever. You have changed the world of drag forever. I love you and respect you so much, and thank you for seeing something special in me. Thank you." Guest judges in attendance were Wynonna Judd and Rose McGowan; Royale's words brought tears to McGowan's eyes.^[15][16]

Sharon Needles won the crown for season 4. In the season finale, it was announced that Royale would appear on RuPaul's Drag U, which aired later that year.^[17] After winning a public fan vote, Royale was crowned as Miss Congeniality of season 4.^[18]

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 1

After RuPaul's Drag Race, Royale went on tour across the United States, performing at a number of different venues. When he had the opportunity to appear on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, Royale had to cancel tour dates to appear in the show.^[12]

For All Stars, Royale competed against Chad Michaels, Raven, Jujubee, Shannel, Alexis Mateo, Yara Sofia, Manila Luzon, Nina Flowers, Tammie Brown, Pandora Boxx, and Mimi Imfurst.^[19] For the competition, the queens were paired together, which was a departure from the rest of the RuPaul competitions where everyone competed alone. Royale and Luzon both chose to be together, and as a team they won the first challenge of the season.

On the third episode of the season, after not performing well with the street-punking challenge, Luzon and Jujubee faced off in the lip syncing challenge to represent each of their teams. Jujubee was paired with Raven. In the end, Royale and Luzon were sent home.^[20] During their elimination, RuPaul told them, "Manila and Latrice, my brainy and courageous queens. I think I’m going to miss you the most. Now, sashay away."^[21]

RuPaul's Drag U

In 2012, Royale joined the cast of RuPaul's Drag U for its third and final season. Other "professors" included JuJubee, Manila Luzon, Raja, Raven, Shannel, Alexis Mateo, Mariah, Chad Michaels, Willam, Morgan McMichaels, Pandora Boxx, Delta Work, and Sharon Needles.^[22]

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 4

In November 2018, Royale was announced as a cast member for All Stars 4, joining fellow All Stars season 1 cast member Manila Luzon for their second All Stars competition; the pair are the first Drag Race alumni to compete on two All Stars seasons. They are also the second and third contestants to compete on three separate seasons of the show (excluding specials) following Shangela Laquifa Wadley. Royale was originally eliminated fourth, sent home by Mo Heart, but was brought back into the competition during the LalapaRuza episode.^[23] After her elimination she won episode seven and eliminated Valentina from the competition. In the subsequent episode, she was saved from elimination by Naomi Smalls. Royale was eliminated again in episode nine by Trinity the Tuck, ultimately placing fifth overall.^[24]

RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular and RuPaul's Drag Race Live Untucked

In December 2018, Royale competed in the Drag Race television special RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular.^[25] She appears in RuPaul's Drag Race Live Untucked (2024).