Top 10 Exact Moments We Found Out a Drag Race Queen Could Lip Sync

In this hotly anticipated challenge, the first name drawn was Malaysia Babydoll Foxx. With tensions already simmering between Malaysia and Mistress Isabelle Brooks, it seemed like the perfect setup for a fierce showdown between the two. But Malaysia chose Marcia Marcia Marcia instead, thinking she’d be an easy target. The New York theater queen, who hadn’t lip synced before, quickly proved why she never needed to. Marcia served up a flawless rendition of Anitta’s “Boys Don't Cry,” flipping, twirling and werking every inch of the stage. Despite Malaysia’s efforts to keep up, the battle was over as soon as it started. This phenomenon essentially repeated itself when Luxx Noir London picked Salina EsTitties, only to get outshined in the Celine Dion lip sync.

Throughout Season 8, Bob the Drag Queen and Derrick Barry never quite saw eye to eye. They cleverly used this rivalry to their advantage, clinching a shared win in the presidential campaign challenge, only to both land in the bottom the next episode. Bob was already renowned for her comedic chops, but we hadn’t yet seen her lip sync when her frontrunner status hung in the balance. But any doubts we had were immediately cleared. Bob poured her heart into Sylvester’s “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” sprinkling her signature humor at every turn. Opposite Derrick Barry’s lackluster performance, it was crystal clear why she was the right queen to win the lip sync– and the entire competition.

By the time Widow Von'Du found herself in the bottom for the presidential debate challenge, she had already slayed two lip syncs. We knew she could turn it out. Jackie Cox, on the other hand, hadn’t yet gotten the chance to show us what tricks she had up her sleeves. When it came time to lip sync to Katy Perry’s “Firework,” Jackie delivered a performance that was raw, emotional and hilarious, all at once. Having just served a powerful political statement with her runway, Jackie kept the momentum going, using her kaftan to create a dazzling yet moving spectacle. Her performance was so impactful it brought Jeff Goldblum to tears, and let everyone know that she was not to be underestimated.

Jinkx Monsoon was a favorite to snatch the crown on Season 5, keeping herself clear of the bottom, until just before the final three. The stakes were sky-high as she faced off against Detox, a fierce performer who had already sent two queens packing. It certainly was a nail-biting moment for Jinkx, but once the opening notes of “Malambo No. 1” hit, it was clear she was born ready. Jinkx fully embraced all of her unique quirks, lip-curling and hip-grinding her way through every lyric, and effortlessly defeating the formidable Detox. In this moment, Jinkx didn’t just win the lip sync for her life, she cemented her spot as the most deserving head for the crown.

Going up against Laganja Estranja in a lip sync is a challenge that only very few queens can succeed at. Laganja is, without a doubt, one of the fiercest dancers to ever grace “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” So when she went head-to-head with Joslyn Fox, many expected Joslyn to sashay away. But Joslyn proved she didn’t come to play, she came to slay! She matched Laganja move for move, trick for trick, right up to the moment they both nailed a perfect split in sync. Clearly, Joslyn was not there to be overshadowed. She may have been the “black horse” of the competition, but she showed she’s got the lip syncing skills of a frontrunner.

Denali had a bumpy start on Season 13. In the first episode, she was sent to the porkchop loading dock after losing a lip sync to Lala Ri. Although she later redeemed herself by besting Rosé, it wasn’t until her showdown against Kahmora Hall that Denali truly earned her assassin status. As soon as Crystal Waters’ infectious jam “100% Pure Love” began playing and Denali tossed her train of feathers, it was clear she meant business. Unlike her battle against Lala Ri, where she was hindered by figure skates, this time, she was free to vogue, duck walk and strut her way to victory. This was the birth of a new lip sync assassin and the moment we all recognized Denali’s true power.

It was the ultimate showdown for the crown. On one side, you had Sapphira Cristál, a tried and tested performer who had already won three lip syncs. On the other, there was Nymphia Wind, the quiet storm who hadn’t yet lip synced. Performing to Kylie Minogue’s “Padam Padam,” Nymphia was a revelation. She came out dressed as bubble tea, Taiwan’s signature drink, then immediately revealed a cascade of balloons under her outfit. Nymphia vogued, kicked and twirled, then delivered another flawless reveal that left everyone gagged. This surprise factor had been her secret weapon all season, much like Megami’s strategy during the “Lip Sync LaLaPaRuza” . Nymphia didn’t need much else to convince us of her lip syncing prowess, and RuPaul, to hand her the crown.

By now, every “Drag Race” fan knows that Miss Yekaterina Zamolodchikova is a phenomenal dancer. But we’d barely gotten to know her when she landed in the bottom on episode two, opposite Sasha Belle. We weren’t quite sure what to expect from Katya, especially since the reason she was lip syncing was because she flubbed the words to the Rusical. But Katya came prepared. She was not about to butcher an Olivia Newton-John song in front of Olivia Newton-John herself! That night, she unleashed many of her now-iconic moves, like those slow splits and dramatic backbends. This was the moment many of us fell head over heels for her unique performance style– a love that remains strong today.

Brooke Lynn Hytes came into Season 11 touting her ballet skills. So when she wound up in the bottom two with Yvie Oddly after their disastrous Snatch Game performances, we all knew Brooke would bring it. But Yvie? She was the wild card. Sure, we were aware of her highly flexible nature, but could she work that to her advantage in a lip sync? Nothing could have prepared us for what came next. Yvie proved to be a formidable opponent to Brooke, contorting her body into mind-blowing shapes, to deliver what Shuga Cain aptly described as “Cirque du Soleil.” It was arguably the most deserving double shantay in “Drag Race” herstory and foreshadowed their eventual rematch in the finale.

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

DiDa Ritz, “Glamazons vs. Champions,” Season 4
Dida Ritz Caught Us All Totally Off-Guard With This Powerful Performance

Silky Nutmeg Ganache, “RuDemption Lip Sync Smackdown,” All Stars 6
Silky Went From “Meh” to Marvelous in Her Lip Sync RuDemption on All Stars 6

Valentina, “Super Girl Groups, Henny!,” All Stars 4
Valentina Didn’t Keep Anything on as She Redeemed Herself to Another Ariana Grande Song

For many fans, the Season 9 finale already felt like a done deal– Shea Couleé was going to be crowned the winner. With four challenge wins under her belt and having already showcased her exceptional performance skills, Shea seemed untouchable. However, in the second lip sync of the night, Shea faced off against Sasha Velour, her season-long collaborator, who had never lip synced on the series before. Sasha immediately showed that she was a force to be reckoned with, and that’s even before she unveiled the tricks she had up her sleeves and underneath her wig. Sasha’s big reveal sent the audience into wild cheers, an incredible feat for a queen who had been underestimated all season.

What other “Drag Race” queens were you delighted to find out could lip sync? Let us know in the comments below.