Willow Pill – From Chronic Illness to Drag Race Icon
Willow Pill is the kind of drag artist you don’t forget. She’s quirky, heartfelt, a little weird in the best way, and always a step ahead creatively. Rising to fame as the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14, she didn’t just walk the runway, she redefined it.
But beyond the wigs and wild looks is a layered story. Willow is a trans femme performer living with a chronic illness, and she’s never shied away from weaving that into her art. Her drag isn’t just about spectacle. It’s about feeling, vulnerability, and pushing boundaries while still having fun.
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Who Is Willow Pill?
Born Willow Patterson on January 22, 1995, in Denver, Colorado, she grew up in Denver, Colorado, where her early life was shaped not only by creative interests but also by living with cystinosis, a rare genetic disorder.
This chronic condition affected how she experienced the world, giving her a perspective that would later become central to her drag persona. Her background played a big role in shaping both her humor and her ability to express vulnerability through performance.
Studied at Colorado State University
While studying at Colorado State University, she started experimenting with drag as a way to explore identity, performance, and artistic freedom.
It was during college that she began performing publicly, developing her signature mix of camp, oddball fashion, and subtle emotional storytelling. Her drag was never just about looking pretty. It was about making people feel something, laugh, or think.
Origin of the Name Willow Pill
The name “Willow Pill” is a direct nod to two major influences: Willow Rosenberg, the witchy best friend from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and her own experience with taking daily medications to manage cystinosis.
The combination of pop culture and personal history gives her drag name a playful yet deeply meaningful twist and something that perfectly sums up her entire vibe.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14
Season 14 of RuPaul’s Drag Race wasn’t just another installment. It felt like a cultural shift. With more trans representation than ever before, the season spotlighted the voices of performers who had long been part of the drag community but not always fully recognized.
For Willow Pill, this was her breakout moment, but it also marked the first time multiple openly transgender contestants competed on the same season, helping usher in a more honest and inclusive era for the franchise.
Auditioning Three Times
She didn’t land a spot on Drag Race right away. It took her three auditions before finally being cast on Season 14, which gave her time to fully develop her voice as a performer.
By the time she stepped into the werkroom, she had a clear point of view—quirky, thoughtful, and full of unexpected layers. That persistence paid off, setting the tone for a season that would be anything but predictable.
Iconic Talent Show Performance
Her talent number in Episode 1 was instantly iconic. Performing in a bathroom scene filled with spaghetti, toaster ovens, and random chaos—all while Enya’s “Only Time” played—she confused the judges at first, then completely won them over.
The performance was weird, smart, and full of charm—exactly the kind of energy Willow would bring to the rest of the season.
Other Trans Contestants
Season 14 featured an unprecedented lineup of openly transgender contestants:
- Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté
- Kerri Colby
- Jasmine Kennedie
- Bosco
- and Willow Pill
Their openness created space for meaningful conversations around identity, transition, and community. Kerri Colby in particular became a nurturing force in the werkroom, inspiring Jasmine and Bosco to come out as trans during the season.
Kornbread, although she exited early due to injury, made a strong impression with her humor and presence.
Trans Contestants Who Paved the Way
This moment in the show’s history wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging earlier trans contestants who helped pave the way like Gia Gunn and Jiggly Caliente.
Gia, who came out as trans after her original Season 6 run and returned for All Stars 4, has since been vocal about trans inclusion in drag spaces.
Jiggly Caliente, a fan-favorite from Season 4 and All Stars 6, made history as the first openly trans judge on Drag Race Philippines. Tragically, Jiggly passed away in April 2025 after complications from an infection. Her legacy lives on as a beloved figure who blended humor, heart, and activism throughout her career.
Groundbreaking Win
Willow Pill’s win in April 2022 wasn’t just a personal achievement—it was a milestone moment for RuPaul’s Drag Race and for trans visibility in mainstream entertainment. By taking the crown in Season 14, she became the first openly transgender woman to win a regular (non-All-Stars) season of the show.
Her victory symbolized more than just her talent. It showed that drag could evolve while embracing new voices, new bodies, and new stories that break away from old expectations.
First Openly Trans Winner of a Regular Season
Her win made history. While Kylie Sonique Love became the first openly trans winner in All Stars 6, Willow was the first trans woman to win a regular season.
It felt like a major moment of progress, not just for the franchise, but for fans who had long hoped to see trans queens celebrated at the same level as their cisgender counterparts. The show had come under fire in the past for its lack of trans representation, and Willow’s win was part of a larger shift toward inclusion.
Winning with a Chronic Illness
In addition to her gender identity, she also lives with cystinosis, a rare genetic disorder that affects her physical strength and energy. She never used it as an excuse—instead, she worked around it and brought her full creativity to the stage.
Being crowned while openly talking about her health challenges made her win even more meaningful to fans living with disabilities or chronic conditions. It reminded people that resilience can look soft, strange, or silly—and still be incredibly powerful.
Identity & Health
One of the most memorable aspects of Willow Pill’s journey on Drag Race was her openness about both her gender identity and her chronic illness. Rather than keeping those parts of herself in the background, she brought them into the spotlight and used them as part of her storytelling.
Her drag became a way to explore and express what she was going through—not just artistically, but emotionally. The show became a space where she could not only showcase her creativity but also step into herself more fully.
Coming Out as Trans Femme
While filming Drag Race Season 14, Willow came out publicly as trans femme. She shared her experience on social media and in interviews, describing how being in an environment surrounded by other trans queens helped her feel more seen and supported.
Unlike other coming-out moments that feel overly dramatic or heavy, hers was soft and honest. It reflected the quiet confidence that runs through her drag. She didn’t need to explain everything. She just showed up as herself, and that spoke volumes.
Facial Feminization Surgery and Hormones
After the season wrapped, she shared updates about her medical transition, including undergoing facial feminization surgery and starting hormones.
She documented some of her journey online, opening up about the changes she was embracing and the joy she felt seeing her reflection align more with her identity. Her approach was never about perfection—it was about self-love, discovery, and giving herself permission to evolve on her own terms.
Living with Cystinosis
Cystinosis, affects her muscles, energy levels, and day-to-day mobility. But instead of letting it hold her back, she’s woven it into her drag persona. Her physicality on stage which was slightly offbeat and sometimes delicate, became part of her charm.
She’s talked about how living with a rare disease has made her more reflective and emotionally aware, qualities that come through in her work. Her drag doesn’t try to hide her limitations. It works with them, creating something all the more unique because of it.
A symbol of self-acceptance
Willow Pill’s journey is a reminder that drag isn’t about fitting into a mold. It’s about breaking it in the most creative, heartfelt, and honest way possible. From her offbeat performances to her quiet courage, she has become more than a Drag Race winner.
She’s become a symbol of self-acceptance and the power of showing up fully as yourself.
If her story inspired you, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it. Post about it. Talk to your friends. The more we amplify voices like Willow’s, the more space we create for others to step into their own light.
Follow Willow Pill
Stay connected with Willow Pill and support her journey by following her on social media and professional platforms:
- Instagram: @willowpillqueen
- TikTok: @willowpillqueen
