Hi all!
Today I’m back to rank all the RuPaul’s Drag Race seasons including UK and All Stars. On Monday, I posted a blog ranking all of the winners which you can check it out here. Once again, I want to thank JusstCartoonss on Instagram for letting me use their fabulous artwork. Please check them out! Just FYI, I won’t be including All Stars 5 as it hasn’t finished yet. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE US & UK
1.) Season 3
After much thought, I believe Season 3 comes out on top compared to all of the others. It introduced me to one of my favourite drag queens of all time: Manila Luzon and packed plenty of drama along the way (both on the regular episodes and Untucked). Who can forget the infamous rivalry between the Heathers and the Boogers? Or when Mimi Imfurst picked up India Ferrah during a lip-sync? What about Shangela’s surprise return to the competition and Alexis Mateo’s heartbreaking confession about her unrequited love with a military man? We saw some sickening looks upon the runway (Marie Antoinette anyone?) and rejoiced when the glamorous Raja was crowned as champion. If I ever re-watch a season, it will be this one.
2.) Season 4
I love Season 4 because it introduced me to the spooky Sharon Needles and her unique style of drag that nobody had seen up until this point. From there, we witnessed the epic rivalry between Sharon and Phi Phi O’Hara, gasped at Willam’s shock disqualification and cackled at Latrice Royale’s many phrases including: ‘get those nuts away from my face!’ Season 4 had the first proper finale on stage with an audience, plus plenty of participation from the previous queens. There are so many fantastic moments, shady tea and sickening looks.
3.) Season 5
Season 5 introduced so many fan-favourite queens: Jinkx Monsoon, Alaska, Detox, Alyssa Edwards, Coco Montrese and more. This was one epic cast of characters. Viewers were vindicated when Jinkx took the crown and showed the world that bullies come last. Not only was Rolaskatox (Roxxy, Alaska & Detox) born, we were all privy to one of the greatest drag rivalries in herstory: Alyssa Edwards vs. Coco Montrese. Not to mention Jade Jolie’s scathing ‘back-rolls’ comment that was so effortlessly repeated by Alyssa. There were double eliminations, double saves and one hell of a lip-sync between Jinkx and Detox. You want action? Watch Season 5!
4.) Season 6
Bianca Del Rio stole the show in Season 6, earning it a very high spot on my list. Her scathing comments and quick-witted remarks kept the audience tuned in; eager to see what she would say next. I also want to make a big call: Laganja Estranja’s entrance into the Werk Room is still my favourite of all time. Watch below and dare to disagree with me! Season 6 introduced the sickening song: Sissy That Walk, BenDeLaCreme’s hilarious Maggie Smith in the Snatch Game and Adore Delano’s adorable face. Party! It was also the first season to split the contestants up at the beginning which was replicated in Season 12. It reminded me why I love Drag Race so much.
5.) Season 8
In Season 8, the shade was off the charts. Bob the Drag Queen vs. Thorgy Thor. Bob vs. Derrick Barry. Derrick vs. Naomi Smalls and Acid Betty vs. everybody. Did you know that Derrick Barry was the 100th queen to walk into the Werk Room? Pretty special! It also introduced the world to the feisty but lovable Kim Chi, whose conceptual looks were unlike any we had ever seen before. After the lackluster Season 7, I was thoroughly entertained and engaged from beginning to end.
6.) Season 10
Similar to Season 7, 9 felt a bit off to me, so 10 renewed my love for Drag Race just like 8. Can you keep track of all those numbers? Eureka returned and hit the ground running, Aquaria strutted her way to the crown and The Vixen came to fight and fight she did! We fell in love with the innocent Blair St. Clair, lived for the final performance of American, snorted at Monet X Change’s sponge dress and giggled at Monique Heart’s ‘Brown Cow Realness.’ Don’t worry, I didn’t forget the best part of Season 10: Miss Vanjie, Miss Vanjie, Miss Vanjie!
7.) Season 12
Season 12 only ended a few weeks ago, but it will go down in Drag Race herstory. From the very first episode, audiences worldwide were shocked to hear that a contestant had been disqualified. We were further horrified when we learned why. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, just Google Sherry Pie. Furthermore, due to COVID-19, the queens had to lip-sync via Zoom at the finale for the very first time. They were unable to tour due to the pandemic and spent a lot of time promoting themselves from their own bedrooms. There was so much that happened, but this season was particularly special for me because it introduced Aiden Zhane. To say I love Aiden is an understatement. I could do an entire blog post just on this particular queen. Aiden was targeted by a lot of the other queens and delivered the most controversial Snatch Game performance, but despite all of that, she has my heart and always will.
8.) Season 1 UK
We were all anticipating the launch of Drag Race UK and when it finally arrived, it didn’t disappoint. It was so different but incredibly successful. The judges, the contestants and the challenges were top quality. I loved the friendship between Baga Chipz and The Vivienne, Blu Hydrangea’s wacky looks and The Frock Destroyers performance of Break-Up (Bye Bye). I am beyond excited for Season 2 to grace our television screens at the end of 2020. We need more British queens!
9.) Season 2
Season 2 is a mixed bag for me. Normally I love some shade, but this one took quite a mean turn. Raven was so nasty toward Tatianna that I felt quite put off by her. I stan her now, but initially I was not a fan. Morgan McMichaels was threatened with violence in Untucked by Mystique and if you read Monday’s post, you know that Tyra is the worst winner in Drag Race herstory. Having said that, this season had some of the best challenges and lip-syncs. I adore Gone with the Window and I’ve Googled Jujubee’s performance of Black Velvet more times than I can count. Fun fact: she was drunk at the time!
10.) Season 11
Season 11 was fun, but a lot of the queens irritated me and I wasn’t a huge fan of the challenges; hence why it’s so low on my list. My favourite part of the whole thing was Vanjie and Brook Lynn’s relationship – the first romantic pairing on the show. I was living for all of Yvie’s runway looks and cheered for the astrological themed runway. Aside from that, I lacked a connection to the cast.
11.) Season 1
Season 1 is so so different to all the other seasons. It has a weird filter, no Michelle Visage (this is a crime) and feels more budget than eleganza extravaganza. There was no Snatch Game, Untucked or reading challenges. It hadn’t gained the popularity of today, so I can understand, but I just feel it belongs in a realm of its own. However, it does hold a special place in my heart because it’s where my love for Drag Race began. Also, nobody will ever hold a candle to my precious, cinnamon-roll Ongina. I couldn’t be happier that she returned on All Stars 5.
12.) Season 9
In my opinion, Season 9 started strong with extra special guest judge: Lady Gaga and then it went downhill…I was sad when Eureka left and annoyed by Farrah Moan’s whining. As I mentioned in Monday’s post, I did not connect with Sasha Velour until the finale, where I saw a fire in her I had never seen before. It made her victory a bit anticlimactic for me. I didn’t care for the challenges or a lot of the contestants. There was something missing, but I just can’t put my finger on it…
13.) Season 7
My least favourite season was 7. If you take to the forums, you will find most people agree. Firstly, Untucked was revamped and not for the better. It took on a more serious angle and the fans weren’t happy. Secondly, the overall feel was different. Ginger Minj and Katya were a highlight for me, but at the time I was really unsatisfied with Violet Chachki’s win. Now I see her as more than deserving, but in the show, she came off as overly arrogant and superficial. Pearl’s interaction with RuPaul was awkwardly uncomfortable and the Shakespeare challenge was so bad, the judges were fuming. I found it difficult to watch, which pains me to admit.
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS
1.) All Stars 2
Ahh All Stars 2. It was like RuPaul himself decided to put all of my favourite queens together just for me. I remember screaming as Katya, Detox, Ginger Minj, Coco Montrese, Alyssa Edwards, Tatianna, Alaska and Adore Delano marched into the Werk Room. I still watch Read U, Wrote U on repeat and Tatianna’s ‘Same Parts’ on YouTube. Phi Phi O Hara reprised her role as villain despite swearing she had changed, Roxxy Andrews redeemed herself, Adore removed herself from the competition after the first episode and the Snatch Game earned a double win from Katya as Bjork and Alaska as Mae West. I have a feeling All Stars 5 is going to top 2, but at the moment, this one takes grand prize.
2.) All Stars 4
For the first time ever in Drag Race herstory, All Stars 4 had its first double win. Both Trinity the Tuck and Monet X Change shared the crown. My favourite duo: Latrila returned and despite Manila’s shocking elimination by Naomi Smalls, we got to witness her incredible talent show act and roast of Lady Bunny. It was colourful, fun and full of laughs. I really enjoyed all of it. Everybody whisper: Club 96.
3.) All Stars 1
All Stars 1 saw the birth of Latrila, Rujubee, Yarlexis, Shad and more. The contestants were put into teams of two and introduced to lip-syncing for your legacy. It reminded me a lot of Season 1 thanks to no Snatch Game. A positive was I actually grew to love Raven (I did not like her in Season 2) but once again, she came runner up. Her lip-sync against best friend Jujubee was so emotional; forcing Ru to save them both from elimination. I’m so happy Chad Michaels won. It was very well deserved.
4.) All Stars 3
I have so many thoughts about All Stars 3. I was not satisfied with the outcome, which I mentioned on Monday’s post. I did not believe Trixie Mattel deserved to win and was devastated when BenDeLaCreme eliminated herself. My heart sunk for poor Shangela, who had shown the most growth throughout the competition, but still lost to Trixie, despite accruing more challenge wins than her. None of it made any sense. It’s definitely my least favourite season of All Stars.
I hope you enjoyed this ranking. Did you agree with my answers? What is your favourite season of Drag Race and All Stars? Let me know what you think! Huge shout out to JusstCartoonss for helping a blogger out. Thanks for reading!
Peace & Love xoxo
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