‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

A rare look at RuPaul, left, backstage on the “Drag Race” set before he undergoes the transformation into one of the most famous drag queens on the planet, uh, RuPaul, right. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

March 6, 2014 4:20 PM PT

RuPaul, center, has some advice for two of the young drag queens during the taping of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” seen on Logo. This shot was taken in Culver City in July, 2009, when the show was taping episodes for Season 2. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Contestants backstage on “Drag Race” begin their transformation from men to women. The show’s host, RuPaul, mentors then judges young drag queens during several competitions in their quest to become the ultimate drag queen. Season 2 premieres Feb. 1, 2010. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Drag queen Jujubee applies eye makeup before hitting the “Drag Race” runway. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Tyra Sanchez starts with makeup, left. The wig and jewelry add the crowning touches. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The contestants applaud each other during a taping in Culver City of “Drag Race,” Season 2. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Raven wrestles with undergarments backstage at the “Drag Race” taping in Culver City. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Raven carefully stuffs the bra while preparing for one of the competition rounds. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A production assistant helps Tatiana with an outfit in the workroom. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Pandora Boxx slips into some heels during the taping of an episode of Season 2 of “Drag Race.” (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Drag queen Tyra Sanchez poses during a still photo shoot in Culver City. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Actress Debbie Reynolds hugs host RuPaul during a taping featuring Reynolds as a celebrity guest judge. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Jujubee walks down the runway accompanied by a drag “mother,” Contessa Touche. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” pairs older and younger men in drag. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Tyra Sanchez strikes a sultry pose on the runway. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Raven, right, with drag “mother,” Golda Lame, do a little dance number on the runway. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Jujubee strikes a pose for the judges. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Tyra Sanchez, right, and drag “mother,” Big Tyra, work it during during one of the competitions. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Raven struts on the runway during a taping for the new season in Culver City. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Pandora Boxx, right, and drag “mother” perform a dance number. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

RuPaul takes the stage during a taping of “Drag Race,” Season 2. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

RuPaul works it. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

RuPaul is flanked by celebrity judges Merle Ginsberg, left, Debbie Reynolds, Toni Ko, Cloris Leachman and Santino Rice. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)