Kim Chi Net Worth , Age, Height, Husband & Siblings
Last updated: October 7, 2026
Kim Chi is one of the most recognisable names to come out of RuPaul's Drag Race, and in 2026 she is still busy. Between new books, a beauty brand, television guest spots and touring, there is a lot to catch up on. This updated guide covers her net worth, age, height, family, education, relationship status and career in one place.
Table of Contents
| S.No | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kim Chi Quick Bio and Main Information |
| 2 | Kim Chi Net Worth in 2026 |
| 3 | Kim Chi Age, Birth Date and Birthplace |
| 4 | Kim Chi Height and Weight |
| 5 | Kim Chi Parents and Siblings |
| 6 | Kim Chi Husband, Spouse and Kids |
| 7 | Kim Chi Education and Early Career |
| 8 | Kim Chi Career Milestones |
| 9 | Nationality, Ethnicity and Religion |
| 10 | Kim Chi Social Media Profiles |
| 11 | FAQs About Kim Chi |
Kim Chi Quick Bio and Main Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Sang Young Shin (신상영) |
| Stage Name | Kim Chi |
| Date of Birth | August 8, 1987 |
| Age (October 2026) | 39 years |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Birthplace | United States (lived in South Korea as a child) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Korean American |
| Height | 6 ft 4½ in (1.94 m) |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Education | Graphic design studies, Okemos High School |
| Profession | Drag queen, artist, makeup entrepreneur, TV personality, author |
| Known For | RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 (runner up) |
| Parents | Divorced, both reportedly live in Chicago |
| Relationship Status | No publicly confirmed spouse or partner |
| Kids | None publicly known |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1 million to $5 million (unverified estimate) |
Most of these details come from her Wikipedia page and the Drag Race Fandom wiki.
Kim Chi Net Worth in 2026
Kim Chi's exact net worth has never been publicly confirmed. Fan and industry estimates usually place it between $1 million and $5 million. You may come across websites quoting a single, very precise figure, but those numbers rarely come with proof, so treat them with caution. A range is the more honest way to describe it.
Where the Money Comes From
Her income is spread across several streams, which is a big reason her earning power has lasted well beyond her time on television.
KimChi Chic Beauty. She announced her own cosmetics brand in 2019 together with Bespoke Beauty Brands, the company founded by Toni Ko, who also created NYX Cosmetics. The line is sold online and through retailers, and it remains her biggest business. Before that, in 2016, she worked with Sugarpill Cosmetics on a collection that included a donut scented lipstick and an electric teal eyeshadow. You can browse the brand on its official Instagram page.
Touring and live shows. She joined the North American leg of the Werq the World tour in 2017 and was still performing with the tour in 2025, including a date at Caesars Windsor in Ontario.
Television and brand work. She has appeared in Drag Race spin offs, RuPaul's Celebrity Drag Race in 2020, and the Hulu series Drag Me to Dinner in 2023. She also took part in a Super Bowl ad for Sabra hummus in 2020. In February 2026 she teamed up with Behavior Interactive for a Dead by Daylight cosplay campaign.
Products and publishing. In 2025 she partnered with the Korean American streetwear label Sundae School on a line of cannabis gummies called Kim Chi Over Flowers, according to Into. She also released two books that year, which are covered below.
Social media. With a large following across platforms, sponsored posts and digital partnerships add a steady secondary income.
Kim Chi Age, Birth Date and Birthplace
Kim Chi was born on August 8, 1987, which makes her 39 years old as of October 2026. She will turn 40 in August 2027. Some pages still list her as 38, but that is simply out of date. Born in August, she is a Leo.
She was born in the United States and spent part of her childhood in South Korea before returning to America. Her high school years were spent at Okemos High School in Michigan, and she later built her drag career in Chicago, where she began performing in 2012.
Kim Chi Height and Weight
How Tall Is Kim Chi?
Kim Chi is listed at 6 ft 4½ in, or about 1.94 metres. That is tall even without heels, and once she is in full drag with wigs and platforms she towers over almost any stage. Her height has always been part of her look, especially in her sculptural, anime inspired outfits.
What About Her Weight?
Kim Chi has never shared an official weight, so any exact number you see online is a guess. What she has discussed is how her body has changed over the years. According to earlier coverage, she has spoken about online body shaming and explained that weight changes were linked to personal struggles, including depression and a leg injury. Fans have also noticed her fitness progress and gym selfies, and discussions on communities like Reddit show that opinions are mixed. The takeaway is that public figures face scrutiny at every size, and she has handled it with openness.
Kim Chi Parents and Siblings
According to Wikipedia, Kim Chi's parents are divorced and both live in Chicago. She has not shared her father's name or many details about him. She has said that she kept her drag career hidden from her mother for a long time, partly to avoid disappointment. On Season 8 she won the opening challenge and sent her prize money home to her mother, telling her she had earned it through makeup work. Her mother only found out about the drag once Kim Chi became famous on television. You can read more in her Out interview.
There is no reliable public information about siblings. She has not named a brother or sister in interviews, so it is best to say that her siblings, if any, are not publicly known. She has also been open about how cultural stigma around drag in Korea shaped her family conversations.
Kim Chi Husband, Spouse and Kids
Kim Chi has never been married. She has said she is single in past interviews, and she has not publicly confirmed a husband, boyfriend or partner at this time. Relationship details can change, so it is worth checking her official Instagram and recent interviews for anything new.
There is also no public record of her having children. She keeps her private life fairly protected, and the focus of her public content is her work, her art and her Korean heritage.
Kim Chi Education and Early Career
Kim Chi attended Okemos High School and went on to study graphic design in college. Before drag became her full time career, she worked professionally as an art director. She also explored sculpture, fashion design and painting, which explains the detailed, craft heavy look of her costumes and makeup. Her visual background is a big reason her runway looks are so memorable. More on her path is available in this Morning Brew interview.
Her stage name is a playful nod to kimchi, the Korean dish, and also sounds like a real Korean woman's name. She has described her persona as a live action anime character.
Kim Chi Career Milestones
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8
In 2016 she became the first Korean American contestant on Drag Race and the first Korean American drag queen on American national television. She reached the finale and finished as runner up to Bob the Drag Queen, alongside Naomi Smalls. In the finale she performed the original song "Fat, Fem and Asian," which tackled stereotypes about race, body image and femininity.
TV, Film and Tours After the Show
She returned for the Holi slay Spectacular special in 2018, judged on Glow Up: Britain's Next Make Up Star in 2019, and appeared in RuPaul's Celebrity Drag Race in 2020. In 2016 she played a character in the short film Lipstick City, directed by Shea Couleé. She does not star in feature length movies. According to TVmaze, she also appeared as a special guest in Season 18 of Drag Race, including the January 2026 premiere and the April 2026 grand finale.
Books and New Projects
Her biggest recent move is publishing. In 2025 she released a superhero graphic novel with Stephan Lee called Donutella Hamachi and the Library Avengers, along with a cookbook titled Kim Chi Eats the World. Out Magazine covered her new author chapter in a December 2025 interview. Her official site, kimchithequeen.com, is the best place to follow updates.
Nationality, Ethnicity and Religion
Kim Chi is American by nationality and Korean American by ethnicity. She often brings Korean fashion, food and pop culture into her drag, and she has said she wants to help Korea become more open to drag as an art form. She has also mentioned that she has returned to South Korea several times since her Drag Race fame. Her religion has not been publicly discussed, so there is nothing reliable to report there.
Also Read:
Kim Chi Social Media Profiles
- Instagram (personal and brand): @kimchi_chic
- Instagram (cosmetics): @kimchichicbeauty
- Facebook: Kim Chi Official Facebook
- Official website: kimchithequeen.com
FAQs About Kim Chi
What is Kim Chi's net worth in 2026?
Kim Chi's net worth is not officially verified, but common estimates range from $1 million to $5 million, based on her beauty brand, touring, television work, books and brand deals.
How old is Kim Chi?
Kim Chi was born on August 8, 1987, so she is 39 years old as of October 2026.
How tall is Kim Chi?
She is listed at 6 ft 4½ in, or roughly 1.94 metres, according to Wikipedia.
Is Kim Chi married?
No. Kim Chi has never been married and has not publicly confirmed a spouse or partner.
What is Kim Chi's real name?
Her real name is Sang Young Shin. Kim Chi is her drag name.
Did Kim Chi win RuPaul's Drag Race?
No. She finished as runner up in Season 8, which was won by Bob the Drag Queen. She was, however, the first Korean American contestant on the show.
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