Top 10 Acting Challenge Performances on RuPaul's Drag Race

Top 10 Acting Challenge Performances on RuPaul's Drag Race

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Acting Challenge Performances on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

For this list, we’ll be looking at the best group challenge performances where queens portrayed fictional characters or versions of themselves. We’ll be counting both scripted and improvised material from US and U.K. seasons. However, we’ll be excluding “Snatch Game” and branding challenges.

Which queen is the greatest thespian? Let us know in the comments below!

#10: Trinity The Tuck in “Beverly Hills, 9021-HO”
“9021-HO”

Fresh off the heels of Season 9’s “Snatch Game,” the queens were once again asked to show off their comedic chops. This time, they participated in a humorous spoof of the teen soap “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Although there were several strong performances, there’s no denying how Trinity stood out. Her character parodied Jackie Taylor, a mom with substance use issues and few boundaries from the original series. In this skit, however, Nelly’s mother is a shameless groupie desperate to fit in with high schoolers. With physical comedy and an unflappable attitude, Trinity made the character the perfect level of obnoxious.

#9: Ella Vaday in “Bra Wars: The Fempire Strikes Back”
“Bra Wars”

“Drag Race UK” Season 3’s Ella Vaday is an actor by trade. Going into this group acting challenge, expectations for the performer were understandably high. Surprisingly, she ran into some difficulties with timing and line memorization during filming. But on her good takes, Ella simply knocked it out of the park. Her character combined elements of “Star Wars’” Darth Vader and the Wicked Witch from “The Wizard of Oz.” And yet, she transformed these references into a scene-stealing original villain with a distinct personality. We won’t be forgetting Daft Shader’s evil laugh, or her pleather pants, any time soon.

#8: Alaska in “Wha’ Ha’ Happened to Baby JJ?”
“Drag Movie Shequels”

In “All Stars” Season 2, the queens had to act in imagined sequels to famous flicks. Alaska and Alyssa Edwards hit the jackpot with a spoof of the utterly campy “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” “Wha’ Ha’ Happened to Baby JJ?” finds the characters many years later in a retirement home, where Alaska’s JJ torments her sister Bland. With a perfectly exaggerated mid-Atlantic accent and garish makeup, Alaska absolutely stole the show. She managed to clearly reference her source material, while also creating new memorable moments of her own. And her chemistry with the always-hilarious Alyssa was everything.

#7: Baga Chipz in “Downton Draggy”
“Downton Draggy”

The second-ever episode of “Drag Race UK” tackled a new classic of British TV. This group challenge spoofed “Downton Abbey,” the historical drama about aristocrats and their employees. While some contestants portrayed upper-crust characters, Baga got the chance to play a rough-and-tumble maid. The comedy queen hammed it up with expressive makeup and a gravelly voice. By now, we’ve probably heard enough of Baga’s signature line “much betta.” But we can all appreciate the hilarious circumstances that birthed the catchphrase. Deservedly, the queen’s over-the-top performance won her the challenge.

#6: Scarlet Envy in “Good God Girl, Get Out!”
“Good God Girl, Get Out”

In this Season 11 challenge, the queens teamed up to parody two blockbuster movies. While “Why It Gotta Be Black, Panther?” had funny moments, it was the “Get Out” spoof that truly shone. As an ill-fated couple, Scarlet and Yvie Oddly played off of one another perfectly. However, Scarlet in particular showed great range for such a silly sketch. Her performance was campy, and she knew when to overact. But she also had subtler moments that allowed the script’s humor to shine. The fact that she was the last teammate chosen only makes her victory more satisfying.

#5: Symone in “God Loves Flags”
“RuPaulmark Channel”

This Season 13 episode took aim at cheesy, holiday-inspired TV movies. Of all the performances across three separate skits, it’s clear who stood out. Symone starred in the Flag Day-themed film as a woman estranged from her flag-making family. The queen made her self-hating character villainous yet sympathetic — not to mention hilarious. Besides inventing a new way to pronounce the word “factory,” Symone saw the sketch through some odd plot developments. With boundless charisma, she used every line and facial expression as an opportunity for humor. Despite its unusual premise, we would gladly tune in to a “God Loves Flags” sequel.

#4: Latrice Royale in “Hot in Tuckahoe”
“Queens Behind Bars”

When it comes to this prison-set sitcom from Season 4, there’s one performance that stands above the rest. We know Latrice Royale is a born entertainer, whether in her lip syncs or her confessionals. But this challenge showed she could also bring a script to life. As an audacious prison guard with an allergy to nuts, she made every line count. Sure, the skit was definitely on the shorter side. But Latrice’s attitude and confidence undoubtedly led her team to victory. Plus, how many queens can say they’re responsible for one of the show’s most legendary quotes?

#3: BenDeLaCreme in “The B*tchelor”
“The B*tchelor”

Compared to scripted acting challenges, improvised skits are a completely different beast. While the former requires memorization and interpretation, the latter is all about quick wit. In “All Stars” Season 3, the queens had to portray different stereotypes of contestants on “The Bachelor.” Although we expected DeLa to succeed as “the Cougar,” no one could have predicted the specifics of her performance. From regurgitating a banana to delivering punchline after punchline, the comedy queen did not hold back. Kennedy Davenport also deserves credit for a truly iconic showing in this challenge. But DeLa rose to the top by getting down and really, really dirty.

#2: Sasha Velour & Shea Couleé in “Teets & Asky”
“Your Pilot’s on Fire”

To be fair, there were multiple memorable characters in Season 9’s TV pilot challenge. For instance, Trinity The Tuck’s performance as a good-hearted nun was absolutely hilarious. However, there’s no question that Sasha and Shea dominated the episode. During their brainstorm, the pair drew on the spy and buddy cop genres to create unforgettable characters. The pilot’s clever theme of tackling fashion crimes led to some truly absurd situations. Besides a memorable moment involving too-small shoes, we witnessed an intense interrogation about espadrilles. “Teets & Asky” stands out as one of best “Drag Race” sketches, and we have this dynamic duo to thank.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Darienne Lake in “Drag Race Me to Hell,” “Scream Queens”
Who Knew the Role of a Severed Head Could Be Star-Making?

Jinkx Monsoon in “Casa de Locas,” “Drama Queens”
There Was No Such Thing as Too Much in This Telenovela-Inspired Skit

Nina West in “It’s Britney B*tch Network,” “Diva Worship”
This Lovable Queen Was the Hostess With the Mostest

A’Keria C. Davenport in “Los Angeles Drag Patrol,” “L.A.D.P.!”
This Queen’s Improv Performance Was Perfectly Chaotic

#1: Bob the Drag Queen in “RuCo’s Empire”
“RuCo’s Empire”

There are countless reasons to love Bob the Drag Queen. Chief among them, however, is the Season 8 winner’s comedic sensibility. In this spoof of the TV series “Empire,” she landed the role of Chocolate Chip Cookie. The character was clearly inspired by Taraji P. Henson’s iconic Cookie Lyon, but Bob created an even more audacious persona. As soon as she entered the scene in a white fur coat, we were sold. From oh-so-slowly revealing her bedazzled bodysuit to throwing her drink in Naomi Smalls’s face, Bob kept us completely entertained. Suffice it to say, we’d gladly watch this queen play just about anyone.