Top 10 Times RuPaul's Drag Race Got Real

Top 10 Get Real Moments on Rupaul’s Drag Race

Sometimes being honest is more important than being fierce. Welcome to MsMojo and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Get Real Moments on 'RuPaul's Drag Race.'
For this list, we're looking at the powerful confessions and bonding moments that grounded the otherwise upbeat competition, whether they were on RuPaul’s Drag Race or its spin-offs. We're basing our choices on a mix of intense stories, how other queens dealt with the situations, and how surprising each moment was. But we’re avoiding fights and unexpected eliminations. These are important moments, so a SPOILER ALERT is in order.

#10: Alyssa Edwards & Her Sister Moment

Alyssa Edwards and her sister Tabatha had an emotional reunion on 'All Stars,' and family proved to be Alyssa's sore-spot. After initial tears over their own troubles, the Edwards siblings get a visit from Ru. When RuPaul tries to pry into Alyssa's outrageous personality, her and her sister gush about their late mother. Edwards finally comes to terms with that heavy loss, and lets out some impactful sobbing. Just like when her father apologized for years of cruelty to her, Alyssa is in hysterics almost immediately. Alyssa is such a strong personality that seeing her be so vulnerable was all the more impactful.

#9: Monica Beverly Hillz' Confession

Only two episodes into Season 5, Monica Beverly Hillz was receiving harsh reads from the judges for her disconnected performances. Rather than fight with the judges, Monica broke down crying when they confronted her about it. Hillz admitted that her head is elsewhere, as she had been struggling to open up about being transgender. After Sonique's transgender reveal in Season Two, it was heartwarming to see another queen open up earlier in their own season. With her troubles off her chest, Monica went on to devastate Serena in their lip-sync as well.

#8: HIV Confessions

Season one of Drag Race featured a challenge to inspire those living with HIV through MAC's Viva Glam makeup. Ongina rocked the weight and excitement of the challenge to win, and then broke down crying. With Ru celebrating the performance, Ongina admitted she had been living with HIV for two years already. Trinity K Bonet had a much more positive reveal on 'Untucked,' where she professes love and acceptance. Bonet's message about inspiring others living with HIV brings smiles around the room. Despite the shock-value, Ongina and Trinity's confessions highlighted the idea that HIV didn’t have to mean the end.

#7: Adore Breaks Down & Michelle Convinces Her to Stay

Adore Delano looks so distraught by her second episode of 'All Stars,' that Alyssa Edwards stops ranting to check on him. When Ru comes into the werk room, Delano explains she's feeling attacked by Michelle Visage over her personal style. As Adore suggests leaving the competition, RuPaul sends her out to talk to Visage. After a hug, Michelle apologizes for hurting Delano with her tough love approach to judging. Despite Michelle's pleas to stay, Adore leaves because she doesn't feel right about the competition anymore. Delano's departure is all the more heartbreaking since Michelle and even other contestants want her to keep going.

#6: Pearl's Stare-Down

Following a rough week for Pearl, RuPaul suggests her personality has been sorely lacking. Pearl immediately goes on the defensive and insists that Ru is trying to insult her. When RuPaul admits he's just trying to encourage her, Pearl keeps pushing back. After RuPaul gives her a massive glare, Pearl tries to brush it off with more sarcasm. Though there was some backstage tension behind this intense moment, Pearl ended up getting her act together as a result. Pearl also won that week's main challenge and grew into one of the season's top competitors. This uncomfortable exchange gave Pearl the shove she needed to focus.

#5: Cynthia & Trinity Talking About the Pulse Shooting

Many people had a connection to the Pulse Nightclub shooting, but Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Trinity Taylor were still processing their losses. Trinity explains she was performing at Pulse only a week before the attack. The other queens are left speechless when Cynthia explains she had to reschedule an appearance at Pulse the night of the shooting. After hearing that Fontaine's friend was killed because she went to see her, everyone looks upset and concerned. Considering how devastating the Pulse shooting was to the LGBTQ community, this talk reminded the other queens how connected they are to these tragedies.

#4: Laganja's Breakdown

Laganja Estranja's strong personality came off as fake to her fellow queens, so Bianca told her she appeared too forced. Though Laganja tries to suggest she isn't playing a character, Courtney insists she's noticed two distinct personalities from her. Adore tried to argue with Estranja as a friend, before explaining that she talks differently when they hang out together. Laganja takes all the comments as an attack and storms off the set crying. The other queens are genuinely sad that Estranja refuses to just be herself. Regardless of Laganja's breakdown, her friends showed her honesty that she needed to hear.

#3: Katya's Breakdown

As Katya is second-guessing herself and her place in the competition, she turns to Miss Fame for help. Fame talks to her about sobriety, and admits how much the show can shake your self-control. With Katya finally hearing someone experiencing the same thing, she admits she's never been able to love herself. Miss Fame lifts her spirits by reminding Katya that everyone is fighting their own doubts together. Their heart-to-heart shows the constant struggles of addiction and the power of opening up. By just talking things out, Katya was able to put her heart back in the competition and grow as a person.

#2: Roxxxy's Confession of Being Abandoned as a Child

Roxxxy Andrews wowed everyone during her lip-sync by ripping off her wig, only to unveil a second wig underneath it. When she talked to the judges however, Andrews was overcome with sadness. As everyone stands with worry and confusion, Roxxxy explains how she was abandoned by her family at a bus stop. Andrews is in hysterics from a lifetime of neglect, as other queens try to process her heartbreaking story. Even Ru is blubbering before he talks about choosing one’s family. Roxxxy's trauma is tear-jerking to this day due to the sheer level of emotion from her, the panel and other queens.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Sasha Talking About Her Mom

Eureka's Apology About Anorexia Comment

Peppermint on Her Experience In Russia

#1: Blair Shares Her Story on Stage

In response to comments about her runway look, Blair St. Clair talks about brightening things up because she feels dirty. St. Clair starts to cry and reveals she was actually raped during a college party. Though Blair says she should move past it, she admits that she's doing the best that she can for now. Ru praises St. Clair for being so open and thanks her for staying honest with everyone. Any queen who's not already bawling offers Blair love, and Ru even pauses to give her a moment. While St. Clair's story is haunting, her fellow queens showed compassion to match.