Which queens made the minimize and which needed to sashay away? It wasn’t straightforward narrowing this down. The sheer magnitude of expertise among the many superb drag queens that RuPaul has launched the world to is actually a drive to be reckoned with. This present hasn’t spawned an business unto itself, full with a yearly weekend-lengthy fan conference, for no cause. And as you check out our record, you will discover that merely profitable a season wasn’t sufficient for some queens to make the minimize. Because the present has advanced and grown, so too has the expertise, making it more durable and more durable for these early queens to edge their method in. Not that they are not trailblazing and legendary in their very own proper. It is simply that, if you’re whittling the listing down to twenty, you have to make some cuts someplace.
So with none additional ado, it is time to put your studying glasses on and discover out which of Mama Ru’s women made our Prime 20—and which one got here out on prime.
20. Peppermint (Season 9)
Season 9 runner-up Peppermint (actual identify Agnes Moore) greater than lived as much as her nick identify “Lip Sync Murderer,” honey. She did knock three of her sisters out of the competitors in sudden demise lip syncs, in any case. Because of her unwavering positivity, the heat she delivered to the competitors, and her place in Drag Race historical past as the primary already out trans lady to struggle for the crown, she was the season’s true Miss Congeniality. (Sorry, not sorry, Valentina followers.)
19. Adore Delano (Season 6 & All-Stars 2)
It is no secret that season six runner-up Adore Delano (actual identify Danny Noriega) struggled together with her “hog physique” on many a runway, however she nonetheless proved to be one of many present’s extra memorable queens, almost snatching the crown in what’s unofficially thought-about one of the best season of Drag Race ever. Between her sisterly bond with Bianca Del Rio, her pleasant humorousness, and her vocal expertise (Noriega competed on season seven of American Idol out of drag), she greater than earned her spot within the Prime 20. It will’ve been larger, too, if she hadn’t give up All-Stars 2 within the very first episode.
18. Violet Chachki (Season 7)
There is no denying that season seven is likely one of the weaker current seasons of Drag Race and its winner, Violet Chachki (actual identify Jason Dardo), proves that. Although she principally snatched the crown within the season’s very first episode together with her sickening twin runway outfit reveal, the style plate by no means actually proved she was rather more than that. If that rumored all-winners season of All-Stars ever involves fruition, she’d have her work minimize out for her.
17. BenDeLaCreme (Season 6 & All-Stars three)
Because of her unrelenting effervescence and unforgettable efficiency as Dame Maggie Smith in Snatch Recreation, BenDeLaCreme (actual identify Benjamin Putman) had the title of season six’s Miss Congeniality on lock. However she was typically too in her personal head and proved to be a contact too just like drag sister (and season 5 winner) Jinkx Monsoon to actually pop. Nevertheless, the truth that she’s slayed each competitors within the presently-airing All-Stars three up to now proves that she should not be counted out simply but.
sixteen. Raja (Season three)
One of many few pre-season 4 queens to earn a spot in our Prime 20, season three winner Raja (actual identify Sutan Amrull) and her editorial eye for trend couldn’t be ignored. She helped drive residence the concept drag might be one thing extra than simply feminine impersonation. With Raja, most of the time, it was rattling artwork.
15. Jinkx Monsoon (Season 5)
Water off a duck’s again, proper Jinkx Monsoon? Season 5’s narcoleptic (sure, actually) winner (actual identify Jerick Hoffer) managed to beat the highly effective and, at occasions, merciless Staff RoLaskTox to grab the crown and show that comedy queens can win this competitors. And her Snatch Recreation efficiency as Gray Gardens‘ Little Edie is among the collection’ greatest.
14. Trixie Mattel (Season 7 & All-Stars three)
OK, hear us out on this one. Trixie Mattel (actual identify Brian Firkus) and her nightmarish approximation of a Barbie doll might have left everybody barely confused throughout her first season, however in hindsight, all of us let that overshadow her fierce wit and mind. As she rose to fame as one half of the internet hosting duo for Drag Race manufacturing firm World of Marvel’s net collection UNHhhh, she proved that she’s simply flat-out hilarious and her efficiency to date on All-Stars three has solely bolstered her place within the higher echelon of Drag Race queens.
thirteen. Shangela (Seasons 2, three & All-Stars three)
Halleloo! You did not assume we might look over Shangela Laquifa Wadley (actual identify D.J. Pierce), now did you? The one queen to compete in not one, not two, however three seasons of Drag Race (together with the presently airing All-Stars three), Shangela is undeniably one of many collection’ unforgettable legends. Her arrival in season three—leaping out of an enormous present-wrapped field—and the seems on all the opposite queens’ faces because it occurred is a should-see.
12. Courtney Act (Season 6)
One third of season six’s holy triumvirate (together with Adore Delano and Bianca Del Rio), Courtney Act (actual identify Shane Jenek) is likely one of the fishiest queens to ever compete on Drag Race. (For the uninitiated, “fish” is a drag time period reserved for many who really seem like organic ladies. It is a good factor.) She typically stood within the shadows of Adore and Bianca, however Courtney and her singing voice (Jerek competed on the primary season of Australian Idol—in drag) are a star in their very own proper. And listening to her say her identify in her Australian accent lets you understand that there is some sly wit hiding beneath all that fishiness.
eleven. Shea Couleé (Season 9)
Shea Couleé (actual identify Jaren Merrell) might have stumbled within the season 9 finale, failing to ship any of the theatrics that her sisters Peppermint and Sasha Velour did, however there isn’t any denying that she slayed her season. With 4 problem wins and an unforgettable efficiency as Blac Chyna in “Kardashian: The Musical,” it appeared just like the season was hers to lose. Finally, she did, making certain she’d by no means crack the Prime 10.
10. Sasha Velour (Season 9)
Why is season 9 winner Sasha Velour (actual identify Sasha Steinberg) within the Prime 10, you ask? We direct you to her not one, however two STUNNING Whitney Houston lip syncs within the season finale. Sufficient stated. We’ll by no means take heed to “So Emotional” or take a look at rose petals the identical method once more.
9. Latrice Royale (Season four & All-Stars)
As season 4’s Miss Congeniality, plus-measurement queen Latrice Royale (actual identify Timothy Wilcots) entered into the competitors with over 20 years of drag expertise underneath her belt—and it confirmed. If a bit staid in her inventive ambition, Latrice was by no means not entertaining, particularly when she was taking us to church together with her reminder that “Jesus is a biscuit” and to “let him sop you up.” And simply attempt to not chuckle whereas watching her efficiency in the course of the “Queens Behind Bars” problem. Say it with us now: “Get these nuts away from my face!”
eight. Detox (Season 5 & All-Stars 2)
Has any queen in Drag Race historical past ever served up extra beautiful seems to be than season 5’s Detox (actual identify Matthew Sanderson)? Her head-to-toe greyscale make-up at her season’s finale, the place she upstaged the ultimate three by an extended shot, is EVERYTHING. And her efficiency in All-Stars 2, apart from the pointless reemergence of RoLaskaTox, proved much more that she’s a fierce queen.
7. Bob the Drag Queen (Season eight)
Thorgy Thor might have liked to complain that season eight was “The Bob Present,” however that is as a result of Bob the Drag Queen (actual identify Christopher Caldwell) utterly outpaced everybody competing towards her. Bob was the entire package deal and her collection-first choice to play not one, however two totally different celebrities in Snatch Recreation (Carol Channing and Uzo Aduba) all however solidified her win.
6. Chad Michaels (Season four & All-Stars)
Chad Michaels is a freaking legend and if Sharon Needles hadn’t competed towards her in season 4, she’d have walked away with the crown simply. Hell, the All-Stars format was primarily invented in order that RuPaul might give the professional Cher impersonator a crown of her personal. If that is not Prime 10 materials, we do not know what’s.
5. Alyssa Edwards (Season 5 & All-Stars 2)
Alyssa Edwards (actual identify Justin Johnson) has competed for the crown twice now, and twice she’s come up brief. However that hasn’t stopped her from turning into one of many franchise’s most memorable queens. Her rivalry with Coco Montrese result in a few of season 5’s juiciest drama and most hilarious one-liners courtesy of the tongue-popping queen. “Woman, look how orange you f–king look, woman,” ranks up there as one among her greatest. However who can overlook her priceless response to Jade Jolie‘s insinuation that she’s carrying some again fats? Say it with us now: “Again rolls?!”
four. Katya (Season 7 & All-Stars 2)
In an ideal world, Katya (actual identify Brian McCook) would’ve been handed the crown she so clearly deserved in season seven. There are few queens in Drag Race historical past who’ve displayed as a lot innovation, wit and expertise as Katya. (Like, solely the three above her on this listing, TBH.) She routinely stole the present throughout her time on All-Stars 2 and although she did not win, her rap through the legendary efficiency of “Learn U Wrote U” will stand the check of time as considered one of Drag Race‘s greatest performances.
three. Sharon Needles (Season four)
When Sharon Needles (actual identify Aaron Coady) arrived on the scene in season 4, her “genderf–okay” horror-present type of drag utterly modified the thought of what was attainable and permissible on Drag Race. Although she routinely confronted assaults from season villain Phi Phi O’Hara, who advised her to return to Social gathering Metropolis “the place you belong,” she received the final snicker, because of her real heat, wit and artistry. She helped to revolutionize the present, although her efficiency within the last “Glamazon” music video problem proved she was additionally able to melding her distinctive imaginative and prescient with Mama Ru’s eleganza strategy to tug, elevating her to the crown and her spot on this record.
2. Alaska (Season 5 & All-Stars 2)
Hieee! In season 5, Alaska (actual identify Justin Honard) proved simply how good she was for this competitors. There was her hilarious perfume business parody for “Purple For Filth…” Her wig-snatching efficiency within the “Studying is Elementary” problem. Her creation of Lil Pound Cake. She misplaced the crown to Jinkx Monsoon, however then she returned for All-Stars 2, newly sober and able to win. And boy did she. Between her unbelievable Mae West in Snatch Recreation and her second stand-out business parody, she greater than proved why she’s one of many all-time greats. Positive, her elimination decisions deserve all of the aspect-eye on the planet, however none of them take away from her killer efficiency and her place within the Drag Race Corridor of Fame.
1. Bianca Del Rio (Season 6)
Did you anticipate anybody else? Within the historical past of Drag Race, there isn’t any one who even comes near season six winner Bianca Del Rio (actual identify Roy Haylock). She is, surely, one of many funniest queens to ever vie for the title of America’s Subsequent Drag Celebrity, however beneath all that sarcasm and sass, there lies a coronary heart of gold. Not threatened, she took Adore Delano beneath her wing, mentoring her all through their season, all of the whereas slaying competitors after competitors. Her Snatch Recreation efficiency as Decide Judy was considered one of her riskiest strikes that paid dividends (Decide Judy is one among RuPaul‘s largest idols), her rapping within the “Oh No She Betta Do not” workforce problem had us crying tears of laughter, and her work within the last “Sissy That Stroll” music video proved this comedy diva is one hell of an eleganza queen as properly. If that each one-winners season of All-Stars ever does occur, there isn’t any doubt that she’s the one to beat.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars three airs Thursdays at eight p.m. on VH1.
