Top 10 Iconic RuPaul's Drag Race Catchphrases

During Season 12’s “Choices 2020” debate, Jaida Essence Hall inadvertently came up with the perfect three words to parody political question-dodging. Not only was celebrity guest judge Jeff Goldblum completely confused by her response, but Jaida was able to catch him out with the phrase more than once. Seeing the actor turn in confusion to see if she was actually pointing to anything only made the bit even funnier. Heidi ‘N’ Closet was even forced to break character from laughing so much. Jaida distracted her way to a main challenge win in that episode, and “Look over there!” became the most quotable line from Season 12.

We’ll always remember Detox for her legendary runways, her cheeky lip syncs, and her wicked sense of humor. But she also gave us some great catchphrases, too: The one that sticks with us the most, though, comes from her introductory confessional when she arrived in Season 5. What makes it especially memorable is the way she mimes actually crowning herself as she says “crown it,” just to emphasise how deserving she is of the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar. Detox repeated it enough times that it became firmly planted in our brains, continuing into All Stars 2.

Some catchphrases are shady and some are just straight up hilarious. Never has there been a more positive one, though, than Season 5 winner Jinkx Monsoon’s. Whenever Jinkx was feeling the pressure in the competition, she would repeat a calming mantra, reminding herself to let negativity roll her off her like… When RuPaul caught her muttering the phrase under her breath on the runway, she was a fan of the way Jinkx managed her anxiety. As one of the show’s biggest underdogs, “water off a duck’s back” just made us fall in love with Jinkx even more.

America, Monique Heart may have failed to take the crown home twice, but she sure reigned supreme in the confessionals. The ‘heart’ of Season 10, Monique was not only known for struggling to tell the difference between animal prints, she was also famous for her frankness, which was both endearing and really funny. Monique wasn’t shy about letting her opinions be known to the other queens, nor was she afraid of addressing the nation when she did it. No need for fact-checking when Monique Heart’s around!

Can yelling out a random word be considered a catchphrase? Well, yes, as long you’re Alyssa Edwards. Alyssa is one of the most unforgettable queens “Drag Race” has ever featured, period. From her shady dig at Coco Montrese’s “orange” make-up to her classic “back rolls” line, she’s an iconic quote-making machine, too. “BEAST!” is no exception, and the word absolutely belongs to Alyssa, always and forever, thanks to “Drag Race.” Even Michelle Visage had trouble keeping a straight face when Alyssa threw it her way in the “All Stars 2” comedy challenge. Burn!

Speaking of one-word wonders, when Tatianna returned to “All Stars 2” alongside Alyssa Edwards, she came armed with a singular catchphrase, too. After using it in the first episode’s Reading challenge to pull apart Alaska’s fashion, Tatianna went on to use the word “choices” to shade the rest of her competitors throughout the season. Coming from someone else, the word probably wouldn’t have the same effect, but similarly to the way Tatianna uses “thank you,” her delivery is everything. It can be salty or it can be genuine; either way, it’s uniquely hers.

Sometimes, one word is all you need, and for Alexis Mateo that word is: Once more, this one is all in the delivery. The two-time All Star contestant reduced RuPaul to tears from laughing so hard at the frequency and the way she said this signature catchphrase in Season 3. It’s the perfect way for Alexis to convey the energy and charisma that she’s known for, especially when it’s followed by: There’s something about her high-pitched voice that gets us - and Ru - every time. Sickening, no? More like sickening, YES.

The only person with a bigger heart than Monique, Latrice Royale is “Drag Race” royalty for a reason. Overflowing with pearls of wisdom and endlessly quotable because of it, Latrice’s catchphrases vary from letting the children HAVE IT: to putting them in their place: But the one we love the most is her body-positive affirmation, “large and in charge, chunky yet funky,” usually followed by “bold and beautiful.” Self-empowerment with a dash of humor - the perfect summation of Latrice’s drag persona.

Though we have to give props to Ongina for originating the phrase on the show on Season 1, it was the weird and wonderful Alaska who went on to really make it her own. She is “Drag Race”’s biggest fan, after all. From the moment Alaska stepped into the Werkroom on Season 5, she made her presence known with the exaggerated, nasal version of the greeting. Throughout her time on the show, Alaska used the word so often that she should really slap a copyright on it. And somehow, it just never got old.

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

“Party!”
Adore Delano

“Boo!”
Aiden Zhane

“Much Betta!”
Baga Chipz

“Good Morning, Campers”
Gigi Goode

“My Cucu”
Cynthia Lee Fontaine

“No Tea, No Shade, No Pink Lemonade”
Jasmine Masters

If you hear a “Halleloo,” you know that Shangela is about to pop out of a box. While Shangela’s constant use of this greeting across her three seasons of “Drag Race” grates on the other contestants, like the queen herself, it’s gone from a minor irritation to a loveable staple of the show. A cross between “hello” and “hallelujah,” the made-up word perfectly captures Shangela’s irrepressible spirit. Every time we hear it we’re always reminded that the All Star puts the “C” in Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent.