Every ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Winner Ranked, Who Did We Crown the Greatest Queen?
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Over the years, some true performers have taken the Drag Race stage. Here, we revisit all the winners of the iconic show and rank our favs. Take a look at the “charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent” that earned these queens the crown.
13. Yvie Oddly
Yvie Oddly took the crown on season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The drag queen, fashion designer, and recording artist was the first to make it to the Grand Finale in 2019. Although she only won one maxi challenge, her unique style and killer lip sync skills earned her the title of “Next Drag Superstar.”
12. Sasha Velour
Sasha Velour was crowned winner on season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. While many thought she was overlooked on challenges that season, her unique fashion, charisma, cleverness, and lip-sync skills secured her spot as champion. Today, the drag star is known for her Quibi series, NightGowns and her one-person theatrical work, Smoke & Mirrors.
11. BeBe Zahara Benet
BeBe Zahara Benet was the first ever winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Back in 2009, the queen was personally persuaded by Ru himself to join the inaugural cast. After declining twice, BeBe eventually competed on season one and became America’s first drag superstar.
As of 2019, the performer stars in the TLC series Dragnificent, a transformational make-up program. This year, the queen was also featured in Being BeBe, a documentary capturing the past 15 years of her life.
10. Jinkx Monsoon
Jinkx Monsoon reigned champion on season five of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The queen won the main challenges for the episodes “Drama Queens” and “Snatch Game” where she impersonated Edith Bouvier Beale. Jinkx also holds the record for ranking in the top the most number of consecutive weeks.
9. Jaida Essence Hall
Jaida Essence Hall received the crown on season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Through her stint on the show, Jaida won three main challenges.Her three-way lip sync against Crystal Methyd and Gigi Goode earned Jaida a nomination at the 2020 People’s Choice Awards. Following her win on the show, the champion was featured in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Fashion Show Vol 2.
8. Raja Gemini
Raja Gemini, better known as “Raja,” won the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. To this day, she remains the only Asian-American to win the show. On her season, Raja became known for her high fashion looks and signature catwalk. Since 2009, the queen has been the makeup artist for none other than Adam Lambert and his Glam Nation tour.
7. Bob The Drag Queen
Bob The Drag Queen notably took home the win on season eight of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Remembered for their comedy, Bob won three challenges including the coveted “Snatch Game.” After winning Drag Race, Bob released several dance singles and started a podcast with Monet X Change called Sibling Rivalry. The comedy queen also starred in her own special, Suspiciously Large Woman as well as the Netflix movie, Cherry Pop.
6. Violet Chachki
Violet Chachki secured the win on season seven of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The queen won three main challenges during her time on the show. After winning her season, Violet gained even more popularity performing as an aerialist, burlesque performer, and model.
5. Aquaria
Aquaria secured the win on season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The queen won three main challenges, never ranked in the bottom two, and was the first queen in history to win both the ball and “Snatch Game” in the same season. Known best for her fashion skills, Aquaria proved that she was more than just her beauty. In the Grand Finale, she lip-synced for her life against Kameron Michaels and became one of the show’s youngest winners.
4. Tyra Sanchez
Tyra Sanchez is the notable winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season two. Tyra ended the show with three maxi challenge wins, and became the first Drag Race contestant to win without ever landing in the bottom two. After winning the show, Tyra went on to become a drag professor and mentor on the second season of RuPaul’s Drag U. As of March 2020, the queen has officially retired from drag. After making an official post on Instagram, the former queen uses his birth name, James Ross, and goes by he/him pronouns.
3. Bianca Del Rio
Bianca Del Rio took home the crown on season six of RuPaul’s Drag Race. As a fan-favorite on the show, she won three maxi challenges. The “Drag on a Dime” design challenge, the stand-up comedy challenge, and the makeover challenge.
Since appearing on the show, Bianca has written and toured several standup shows, and was the first queen to headline Wembley Arena. She has also starred in the movies Hurricane Bianca, Hurricane Bianca 2, and has released her own book and make-up remover.
2. Symone
Symone is the most recent winner of the Drag Race series. Taking home the crown on season 13, she won the season’s first maxi challenge as well as the makeover challenge. She received positive critique for her drag persona, which frequently honors black cultural icons like Grace Jones and ‘Lil Kim.
1. Sharon Needles
Sharon Needles took home the win on season four of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She is the first queen in the show’s history to win four maxi challenges and is a notable fan favorite. Throughout the season, she exhibited a spooky aesthetic, quick wit, and humble attitude. Since appearing on the series Sharon released her own horror music videos and albums. She also toured around the world as a spokesperson for PETA and became an icon in the alternative world of drag. In her honor, “Sharon Needles Day” was dedicated to her in Pittsburg on June 12, 2012.
