Top 10 Celeb Outfit Recreations on RuPaul's Drag Race

The Season 9 premiere, and the maxi challenge in particular, were a dream come true for any Lady Gaga fan. With Mother Monster herself presiding, the queens had to replicate the star’s iconic looks. Many contestants excelled, but perhaps none used props as well as Alexis Michelle. The New York City queen emerged looking gorgeous in a figure-hugging black gown with accentuated hips. It was a near-perfect recreation of Gaga’s 2016 Golden Globes outfit, and it looked red carpet worthy in its own right. While the Versace-inspired garment impressed Gaga, Alexis had Ru hollering when she pulled a trophy from behind her back. The ensemble managed to celebrate career and fashion landmarks for Gaga, all at once.

While some homages to celeb outfits are explicit, others may fly under the radar. That would be the case for Season 10 winner Aquaria’s look for the “Mermaid Fantasy (Salute to Bette Midler)” runway. Every queen’s presentation was indebted to Midler’s character Delores Delago (the toast of chicago), a mermaid who used a wheelchair who debuted in 1978. But Aquaria’s inky look also bore a resemblance to Lady Gaga’s aquatic alter ego Yüyi. The character was featured in music videos and live performances, and actually came under fire from Midler herself in 2011. Aquaria’s dramatic ensemble stood out to the eye, but also demonstrated serious pop-culture savvy.

It isn’t easy to steal the spotlight from Rihanna on the red carpet. But that’s exactly what Sarah Paulson did at the “Ocean’s 8” premiere in 2018, sporting an instantly iconic neon green Prada dress. In fact, the singer admitted in an interview with Paulson just how mad the scene-stealing garment made her. So what better ensemble to replicate when entering an all-important “Drag Race All Stars” season? Even though her homage to Paulson was expertly executed, Trinity made the outfit her own. For one, she came out in a giant body bag labeled “biohazard” before revealing the acid-green getup. But she also accessorized with earrings, a collar, and a fringe bracelet. She may have risen from the dead, but this look gave us life.

The Spice Girls have sported countless memorable outfits over their careers. So when the queens of “Drag Race UK” Season 3 had to channel a member of the girl group, there was no shortage of material to work with. If you ask us, Krystal Versace undoubtedly stole the show with a tribute to guest judge Emma Bunton, A.K.A. Baby Spice. The queen’s ensemble, composed of a baby blue coat with fur trim, matching boots, and blonde pigtails, was instantly stunning. The garment fit Krystal like a glove, and closely matched a signature outfit Bunton sported during the 1998 Spiceworld Tour. Remarkably, the Spice Girl herself said that Krystal’s coat looked better than the original. If that’s not high praise, we don’t know what is.

The queen who won “All Stars” Season 3 truly looked her best in her coronation episode. “Best Drag” is a perennial runway category on “Drag Race,” but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a challenge. It asks queens to tell us who they are — and to look flawless while doing so. For this all-important task, Trixie sported a gown that looked strikingly like Christina Ricci’s 2011 Met Gala outfit. The Zac Posen original was composed of figure-hugging sheer black fabric, and Trixie’s was extremely similar. However, she made the eye-catching ensemble even draggier with a pile of blonde curls and, of course, her signature makeup.

Jennifer Lopez was a special guest on this Season 14 episode, and we were treated to a runway extravaganza in her honor. For their parts, Willow Pill channeled 1990s perfection, while Alyssa Hunter elevated an all-white suit with a sparkling corset. But the true star of the show was Kerri Colby, who came about as close to replicating a J.Lo look as possible. In fact, the queen was sporting the same green Versace getup that J.Lo wore at Milan Fashion Week 2019. That dress was a recreation of Lopez’s navel-baring Grammys outfit from the year 2000. Whether in its original or revived form, the tropical-print piece is an iconic part of fashion history. Unsurprisingly, Kerri’s runway presentation was truly something to behold.

Movie references abound on the “Drag Race” runway. But tackling an outfit as iconic and beloved as Judy Garland’s in “The Wizard of Oz” takes serious gumption. Thankfully, A’Whora was up to the task on “Drag Race UK” Season 2. She broke down the red-white-and-blue look on Instagram, comparing her time on the competition series to Dorothy’s journey far from home in the film. Although A’Whora’s reference is instantly recognizable, she clearly elevated the character’s gingham dress and famous slippers. Sporting glittering ruby thigh-high boots and long red nails, the fashion queen made Dorothy Gale fiercer than ever before.

This queen won the premiere of “Drag Race UK” Season 2 thanks in large part to this outfit. The contestants had to create a two-part runway presentation, with the second look inspired by a gay icon. Tayce also chose to channel Naomi Campbell, but it was Asttina who truly brought the supermodel to life. The East Londoner recreated the sheer black dress that Campbell wore on the Valentino runway in 2019. The garment was a conversation starter, and it marked one of Campbell’s most iconic fashion moments. This made for smart source material, but Asttina’s execution was also spot-on. In fact, she herself wouldn’t have looked out of place at Paris Fashion Week.

Season 8’s Madonna-themed runway category brought us the unforgettable kimono-gate. A whopping four out of eight queens sported the wrapped garment in homage to two separate Madonna looks. Unfortunately, the repetition may have distracted from the quality of the ensembles themselves. In particular, Kim Chi’s vintage kimono was absolutely stunning and styled to a tee. The queen’s makeup skills are no secret, and her dramatic eye makeup complimented her vibrant outfit. Sure, it wasn’t an exact replica of what Madonna wore in her “Paradise (Not For Me)” visual. But the inspiration was clear — and the result truly something to behold.

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

Rosé's Black and White Finale Ball Look, “Grand Finale”
This Queen Name-Dropped Audrey Hepburn in “My Fair Lady” As Her Inspiration

Lawrence Chaney's Gay Icon Look, “Royalty Returns”
A Touching Tribute to the Late Diana Rigg and the U.K. TV Series “The Avengers”

Valentina's Night of a Thousand Madonnas: The Shequel Runway, “Snatch Game”
This Look Wasn’t the Most Complicated, But It Was Unforgettable

Symone’s Entrance Look, “The Pork Chop”
The Polaroid Dress Bore Similarities to a Gisele Bündchen Look in October 2004’s “Esquire”

Sasha Velour’s Lady Gaga Drag Runway, “Oh. My. Gaga!”
Bald, Yet Artsy — So, 100% Sasha

Season 13 offered a unique spin on the show’s beloved “makeover challenge.” Rather than transforming an outsider into a stage-worthy performer, the queens had to swap drag aesthetics with a competitor. Ever a student of pop culture, Symone drew on a cult classic film to style Utica Queen. Despite their very different aesthetics, the pairing produced incredible results. Utica strutted down the runway in a tiger-print jacket and tights, with an intricate hair piece atop her head. It was a pitch-perfect rendition of the eccentric fashions that made “B.A.P.S.” iconic. Plus, we got to see Symone nail the look herself in a side-by-side. It was both a visually stunning ensemble and a clever homage to Black American cinema.