Kim Chi (drag queen) Biography: Age, Net Worth, Drag Race, Height, Parents, Boyfriend, Makeup Line, Book

Kim Chi, born Sang‐Young Shin, is a Drag queen, artist, entrepreneur, television personality.

She first drew widespread attention when she competed on the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Her performances and visual style won her a strong following, and she later expanded into makeup, merchandise, and media projects.

Profile

• Full name: Sang‐Young Shin
• Nickname: Kim Chi
• Date of birth: August 8, 1987
• Age: 38 years old
• Gender: Male (uses she/her pronouns in drag)
• Place of birth: United States
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Drag queen, artist, entrepreneur, television personality
• Height: 1.93 m
• Eye color: Dark brown
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: N/A
• Ethnicity: Korean
• Net worth: US$2 million to US$5 million

Early Life and Education

Sang‐Young Shin is now 38 years old, born on August 8, 1987. Although born in the United States, Shin spent parts of childhood in South Korea, returning later to live in Chicago.

Her parents eventually divorced, and both have resided in Chicago.

During early years, her mother was reportedly unaware of Shin’s drag aspirations until fame on television became evident.

Shin attended Okemos High School in Michigan. After high school, she studied graphic design in college and later worked as an art director.

Beyond graphic design, Shin explored sculpture, fashion design, and painting as part of her artistic journey.

Personal Life

Little is known about Kim Chi’s intimate personal relationships. There is no confirmed spouse, children, or marriage.

Shin keeps private details of dating history and family life out of the public eye.

Career

Sang‐Young Shin began performing in drag in Chicago around 2012, adopting the stage name Kim Chi.

The name is a play on the Korean dish kimchi and functions as a plausible feminine Korean name (Kim as surname, Chi as given name).

Kim Chi’s drag aesthetic is often described as a stylized live‐action anime look, merging delicate ornamentation, exaggerated shapes, and bold color.

In 2016, Kim Chi joined RuPaul’s Drag Race (season 8) as one of twelve contestants.

She became the first Korean‐American drag queen to appear on national American television in that show.

Early in the season she won the first mini challenge and advanced through to the top three, ultimately finishing as a runner‐up to Bob the Drag Queen.

Her finale performance featured a lip‐sync to a song custom made for her, titled “Fat, Fem, & Asian,” intended as commentary on stereotypes in gay dating culture.

After Drag Race, Kim Chi expanded into beauty and entrepreneurship.

She launched Kim Chi Chic (or KimChi Chic Beauty), collaborating with cosmetics brands to produce lip colors, eyeshadows, and other makeup items.

She has also released digital products, such as emoji packs, and has made public appearances, performances, and tours including Werq the World.

Kim Chi has appeared in television spin‐offs, guest judge roles, and variety specials related to the Drag Race franchise.

In 2025, she is set to publish a cookbook titled Kim Chi Eats The World, drawing on her interest in culinary culture and her experiences cooking during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

That work combines recipes, food stories, and her personal reflections.

Net worth

Kim Chi’s net worth is estimated in the range of US$2 million to US$5 million, derived from her drag performances, brand collaborations, makeup line, merchandise, media appearances, and social media revenue.

Social Media

• Instagram: @kimchi_chic
• X: @KimChi_Chic

Filmography

• Lipstick City (2016)
• RuPaul’s Drag Race (season 8) (2016) – contestant
• RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked (2016)
• Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul (2016)
• RuPaul’s Drag Race (season 10) – guest appearance
• RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular (2018)
• Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star – guest judge
• RuPaul’s Celebrity Drag Race
• Drag Me to Dinner (2023)

Discography

• Single (2016)

Books

• Kim Chi Eats The World (2025)