Top 10 Most Emotional Lip Syncs on RuPaul's Drag Race

“Your Pilot’s on Fire”

Even if you weren’t a ride or die Valentina fan, this lip sync was an explosive and unexpected turn of events. The season 9 fan favorite landed in the bottom with Nina Bo’nina Brown. Given track records, Valentina would’ve been the odds-on favorite to emerge victorious. But fans watched in horror, confusion, and utter shock as Valentina was forced to take off her mask mid-lip sync, and we realized she didn’t know the words to the Ariana Grande song. The look of defeat on her face throughout the song is heartbreaking. Even before she was told to sashay away, her tears said it all. Her time was up.

“Ru Ha Ha!”

Though some killjoys have called this disco hit one of the worst songs ever, Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park” is as tragic and melodramatic as dance songs get. When two queens had to lip sync to it in the third season, the reality of the situation brought out the raw emotion of the song. Manila Luzon gave a performance with a capital P. Equal parts campy and poignant, Manila embodied the song’s most outlandish lyrics. By the end, she really did make us feel the pain of having a cake left out in the rain. It’s a beautiful piece of performance art. When she threw her arms around opponent Delta Work at the end, it was clear just how much she gave to that performance.

“Grand Finale”

The title of the song says it all. Lip syncing to Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional,” Sasha Velour’s severe and naturally expressive style was startling to watch. But she got the entire crowd on its feet with several expertly-timed and seamlessly-executed reveals of rose petals hidden in her outfit. Once she revealed that cascade of rose petals from under her wig, it was over. The electricity in the finale crowd was undeniable. Shea Coulée fans had another reason to feel emotional. In a flash, it was all over for her. But it’s hard to compete with such an immediately iconic and completely shocking moment. It was the mark of a true artist. No one has come close to such an unexpected mid-performance reveal on the show since.

“The Money Ball”

Alexis Mateo and Yara Sofia were true sisters on season 3. Storywise, it makes sense the two would have to battle it out for a spot in the finals. But halfway through, Yara began tearing her Money Ball look apart, ditching her wig and flailing until she broke down in tears on the mainstage. Her disappointment is a stark contrast to Alexis, who can only attempt to keep going. It’s hard to watch someone who’s normally so hilarious break down like that. Even guest judge LaToya Jackson can’t keep it together. The tears don’t stop for the rest of the episode.

“Glamazons vs. Champions”

An emotional lip sync can make us cry. It can also fill us up with 100% pure euphoria. Watching season 4’s DiDa Ritz lip sync to Natalie Cole’s evergreen 70s classic is a serotonin boost like no other. You’re watching someone radiate with joy from every cell. The pressure of having the singer sitting on the panel that week was not lost on her. DiDa put every ounce of her body and soul into this song. By the time she launched into the track’s ecstatic bridge, she had the entire studio dancing and waving along.

“DILFS: Dads I’d Like to Frock”

Even if Kenya Michaels hadn’t completely dropped the ball, Latrice still would’ve been tough competition. Luckily, Latrice was so amazing it almost distracted from Kenya’s mismatched performance. Few “Drag Race” contestants could connect with a song like Latrice. Her pantomime to this Aretha Franklin classic was a masterclass in making a song your own. As the younger queen spun and tried to command attention with her dance moves, Latrice planted her feet and lip synced straight from the heart. Rubbing her foam baby bump like an expectant mother, she made what could have been a gimmick feel like a genuine emotional journey.

“Choices 2020”

The emotions were high when this lip sync started. Season 12 queen Jackie Cox’s runway look highlighted the disconnect she feels with her culture as a Persian queer person. Her opponent, Widow Von’Du, was feeling incredibly defeated by her critiques, but she came back fighting. Both of them were facing the possibility of leaving, and both were feeling it in their bones. Jackie dedicated her spirited performance to other immigrants who’ve been made to feel like they don’t belong. She smartly went with a mix of comedy and earnest feeling to convey that message. Guest judge Jeff Goldblum heard that message loud and clear. If someone as unflappable as him is crying, the rest of us don’t stand a chance.

“Here Comes the Bride”

RuPaul rarely comments on a song before the queens perform it. But her personal connection to the song she credits with getting her through the pain of her mother’s death made this season 2 lip sync all the more special. Morgan McMichaels and Sahara Davenport were more than up to the task. Sahara’s flexibility and balletic dance moves were an unexpectedly pitch perfect match to Martha Wash’s house anthem, “Carry On.” Ru’s remarks at the beginning took on even more meaning after Sahara’s death. Watching it now, it’s a prescient reminder of how someone’s spirit can live on after they’re gone.

“Shady Politics”

Chi Chi DeVayne’s humble beginnings and irrepressible attitude made her a favorite of fans and fellow competitors alike. She was the season 8 underdog. But more than that, when given just a stage and a song, she was the fiercest competitor. Her lip sync to the classic “Dreamgirls” tune proved she meant every word. She’s defiant, powerful, and unforgettable throughout. However, when her string of beads broke and showered the stage, it was actual poetry. This is another lip sync that took on a whole new level of emotion after Chi Chi tragically passed away in 2020.

“Dynamic Drag Duos”

No one liked the duo twist on “All Stars” 1. But the moment “Drag Race” bffs and partners Raven and Jujubee had to face off against each other, it almost made the twist worth it. “Dancing On My Own” is already the ultimate sad night out song, but watching the two sobbing uncontrollably gave it a whole new layer of sad. Instead of competing, the two joined hands and made the performance a tearful and heartrending duet. It was as if they were refusing to send the other one home. They got their wish. Ru and the judges were so moved, both were allowed to stay and compete in the finals.