Top 10 Drag Race Lip Syncs Where the Winner Actually LOST

Season 1
Were going way back to the very first season for this one. In what may have been the first controversial elimination in the franchises history, RuPaul gave this lip sync win to eventual third place finisher Rebecca Glasscock. Rebeccas head to head with Jade to Would I Lie To You? by Eurythmics is the culmination of a feud between the two. Jade brings energy and some genuine humor to the song. Rebeccas lip sync is just lethargic. The two get uncomfortably physical at one point, but when all is said and done the queens are just as shocked as we are to see Jade go home.

All Stars 2
The top two all stars of the week lip synced to Cheryl Lynns Got to Be Real, a song full of attitude. The judges are clearly living for Alaskas camped up performance as Lil Poundcake. Her interpretation of the track is funny, and seeing a real-life version of her legendary and deranged creation is striking on the mainstage. But Phi Phi is living the song. Her dancing is fluid and sexy, and shes in the pocket the entire time. There are moments when she genuinely looks like shes singing the song. Its a clashing of styles, to be sure, but sometimes playing it straight can be the best approach.

Season 14
The seasons Lip Sync LaLaPaRuZa Smackdown saw Jasmine Kennedie lose twice. First, to Daya Betty and then to Angera Paris VanMichaels, which led to her elimination. Vying for a spot in the top 7, Jasmine and Angeria faced off to J. Los Love Dont Cost A Thing. Jasmines dancing is tight and its hard to take your eyes off her. In the end, Angeria moves on. This one clearly came down to track record. At that point in the competition, frontrunner Angeria had won two maxi-challenges. Jasmine hadnt won any and had landed in the bottom several times, and even a tight lip sync couldnt save her.

All Stars 5
When RuPaul introduced the Lip Sync Assassin mechanic in All Stars season 5, it gave previous contestants a chance to wow us without having to compete in an entire season. In week 4, challenge winner Miz Cracker has to go up against Morgan McMichaels. The former all star proves that maybe shes due for a full-on return of her own. Her Rihanna lip sync is the perfect mix of comedy, stunts, and genuine showmanship. She even manages to undercut her opponent without appearing too vicious. Fans immediately knew something was up when a tie was declared. Morgan dominated that performance.

Season 17
Stunts dont always spell a win, but every move season 17s Lana JaRae hit while performing this Dua Lipa track was just so ridiculously smooth. Lana was eliminated in week 12 despite giving her best lip sync so far. And thats saying something, because her other three lip syncs were incredible too. But thats the whole problem. Lana had been in the bottom four times now without a single win, and was now up against a frontrunner. Watching her annihilate Illusions just shows that sometimes, even the best performance cant delay the inevitable. But it doesnt make this loss any easier to swallow.

RuDemption Lip Sync Smackdown
Returning contestant Silky Nutmeg Ganache gave a tour de force throughout the multi-week RuDemption Lip Sync Smackdown, even when her only opponent was herself. She proved time and again that she deserved to re-enter the competition. But she met her match when she went up against fellow all star, Jan. Lip syncing to Pat Benatars 80s hit Heartbreaker, Jan perfectly captures the songs fierce, head-banging, rock goddess energy. Silky matches pace with her. Even though Silkys guitar stunt is incredible, and is probably what gives her the edge over Jan, there is no losing performance here. Cant they both stay?

All Stars 3
The top two season 7 castmates Trixie Mattel and Kennedy Davenport face off to Miley Cyrus pop ballad Wrecking Ball. Kennedy is known for her dancing and acrobatic approach to lip syncs, but she pulls out all the stops here. She is also connecting with the drama of the song and is at her very best. Trixie is great, too, and her track record across the season earned her the win. But if it was all about the final lip sync, Kennedy would have snatched the All Stars 3 crown here. The controversial jury vote twist had already thrown a wrench in the All Stars 3 finale, so you might argue that fans were going to be upset no matter what happened in the end.

Season 11
Season 11s Silky Nutmeg Ganache and Nina West vie for a spot in the top 5 with TLCs No Scrubs. An R&B classic, it was great to finally see it as a Lip Sync For Your Life. Imagine everyones disappointment when it was just boring, lacking energy, imagination, or anything dynamic. While Silky is declared the winner, RuPaul doesnt seem to have any strong feelings about this lip sync. Its the one that famously makes her go, Meh after its all over. No one would have blamed her if she told both queens to sashay away.

Season 14
Its the lip sync that lived and died by a malfunctioning money gun. Editing really can be the difference between winning and losing for a queen. But in season 14s lip sync showdown between Kerri Colby and Alyssa Hunter, fans were particularly frustrated with the heavy edit in Kerris favor. Kerri looks great, posing and doing low-effort novelty dances, but Alyssas lip sync is tighter, more vibrant, and much higher energy. But then everything seems to stop when Alyssa tries to use a money gun prop and it doesnt work. Suddenly, the edit slows down, cutting to every possible reaction instead of how flawlessly Alyssa recovers. Kerri would be declared the winner, and Alyssa is sent packing. Fans werent buying it.

Spoof! (There It Is)
Before going on to become one of the most successful drag queens to come out of the show, Trixie Mattel was just a fourth-out contestant on RuPauls Drag Race. Fans were devastated, confused, and even outraged to see her leave the show. In Season 7, competing against Pearl on Dreaming by Blondie, the song was much more Trixies speed. Her high-energy, style of lip syncing was just more fitting than Pearls stiff-armed power posing. But RuPaul clearly doesnt agree. When Pearl was announced the winner, it was a shocker for everyone. Even Trixie thought she had won. At the time, it was called the most controversial elimination in the shows history.


Which controversial lip sync win did we miss? Let us know in the comments.