Over time, I have seen – and continue to see – a lot of production changes on RuPaul’s Drag Race. They are always switching things up, adding different challenges/mini challenges or changing existing ones, to keep it fresh for both the fans and the queens. There is no auto-pilot here. No one is resting on their laurels on RuPaul’s team.
They clearly have the right formula too, because the show just keeps growing in popularity. It now includes spin-offs, tours, and even a Vegas show! I, personally, am a fan of many of the queens post-race shows/podcasts. They have changed the face of television/streaming and introduced the art form of drag (along with drag terminology and all the lessons) to the masses and we are all better for it.
Throughout the years, the one steady moment of every show is the lip sync battle. That has not changed and they still bring some of the most exciting moments in Drag Race herstory. Not to disrespect Snatch Game (or Snatch Game of Love) because they have had some classic moments. But only the “lip sync for your life/legacy” battles have brought me to tears and/or had me on my feet clapping. There have been so many over the years that it’s hard to narrow it down to a “best of” list but we’re going to give it a shot here.
Note: These battles are in order of version (US or Canada) and then season. It’s impossible to give them a ranking. They are all so different and truly embody the incredible talent, creativity and charisma of the queens.
Click/tap the link to go the video(s) or just press play and enjoy.
Best Drag Race Lip Sync Battles
Canada Season 1: Priyanka v Kiara
Season 2: Alyssa Edwards v Tatianna
Season 3: Raja v Carmen Carrera
Season 4’s Detox v Jinkx Monsoon
Season 5: Coco Montrese v Alyssa Edwards
Season 5: Roxxxy Andrews v Alyssa Edwards
Season 6: Adore v Trinity K. Bonet
Season 7: Kennedy Davenport v Katya
Season 8: ChiChi DeVayne v Thorgy Thor (video in 4-parts)
Sadly, ChiChi DeVayne passed away August 20th, 2020. This beautiful Louisiana queen quickly won fans over in season 8 with her incredible talent, charisma and sweet, southern charm.
Her lip sync to And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going by Jennifer Holliday makes the top of every fan’s lip sync battle list. Her emotions were felt through screens around the world. When those crystals broke and were falling to the ground, they reflected my tears from her performance. Thorgy should have just had a seat and enjoyed the show. She will be forever missed.
Season 8 – Chi Chi DeVayne and Naysha Lopez
Season 9: Sasha Velour v Shea Coulée
Season 11: Yvie Oddly v Brooke Lynn Heights
They also went head to head in the finale
Season 12: Denali Foxx v Kahmora Hall
Season 1 All Stars: Jujubee v Raven
Season 2 All Stars: Alyssa Edwards v Tatianna
Season 6 All Stars: Ra’Jah O’Hara v Brooke Lynn Hytes
Season 6 All Stars Trinity K. Bonet v Laganja Estranja
The Season 6 All Star Silky Nutmeg “the Lip Sync Serial Killer” Ganache show
I think we all agree that Season 6 of All Stars has given us some incredible lip sync for your legacy moments. But, they were taken to another level by Silky Nutmeg Ganache during her slayings of the Game Within a Game Ru-Demption Lip-Sync battles. She had me laughing out loud one moment and on my feet clapping the next. Silky came back to All Stars to show her truth, power and undeniable talent and she killed it. She may have been eliminated, but she left a winner baby. See for yourself. We bow.
Jiggly Caliente v Silky Nutmeg Ganache
Yara Sofia v Silky Nutmeg Ganache
Scarlet Envy v Silky Nutmeg Ganache
Silky Nutmeg Ganache v Silky Nutmeg Ganache
Jan v Silky Nutmeg Ganache
Pandora Boxx v Silky Nutmeg Ganache
Eureka v Silky Nutmeg Ganache
With whispers of an International Drag Race All Stars in the works, the prospect of its lip sync battles are gaggingly staggering.
I am sure there are countless battles that I have forgotten and that should be on this list so I look forward to our readers reminding me of them. I will gladly add them to this list to give the talented queens their due respect and acknowledgement. So please be sure to let me know in the comments what you think about this list and what you would change or add.
Rest in power and peace dear ChiChi. The legacy of your beauty, generosity, realness and talent lives on forever.