Top 10 RuPaul's Drag Race Lip Sync Moments of 2021
#10: Kandy Muse & Symone Both Shantay “Social Media: The Unverified Rusical”
Okay, this lip sync wasn’t exactly the best Season 13 had to offer. But the truly gag-worthy moment came after it had ended. In this episode, frontrunner Symone and confessional queen Kandy both struggled to shine in the social media-themed “rusical” performance. They faced off to Fifth Harmony’s “Boss,” and the Ebony Enchantress seemed to have edged her competitor out. But in a shocking twist after Kandy was already told to sashay away, Ru changed her mind and allowed the queen to stay too. Kandy immediately collapsed in happy tears, and it made for one of the season’s most touching moments.
#9: Denali & LaLa Ri's Surprise Rematch “Reunited”
These two queens delivered no shortage of memorable performances in Season 13. In fact, their skills were so formidable that Ru declared them both lip sync assassins during the reunion episode. In a “Charity Lip Sync Smackdown,” the two dancers extraordinaire battled it out for the second time for an organization of their choice. With La Bouche’s upbeat Eurodance number “Be My Lover” as their soundtrack, the pair kicked and twirled their way through a dazzling duet. Amazingly, they even had similar moves at certain key points in the song. Although Denali was crowned the victor, we felt like winners getting to watch these masters at work.
#8: LaLa Ri & Elliott with 2 Ts' Matching Moves “Bossy Rossy Ruboot”
There are many things to love about “Drag Race” lip syncs, and one of these is seeing competitors’ different approaches to performing the same song. However, there are other times when it’s just plain satisfying to witness queens duke it out with similar moves. This was the case in Season 13’s seventh episode, in which LaLa failed to stand out during the improv challenge while Elliott was called “dry.” Battling to the tune of Kelly Clarkson’s “Whole Lotta Woman,” the duo brought a whole lot of attitude. But the best part had to be their almost perfectly synchronized body rolls that had their fellow competitors enthralled.
#7: Denali Performs in Ice Skates “The Pork Chop”
Sure, “Drag Race” has seen queens perform in non-traditional footwear like ballet shoes and even roller skates. But Denali took things to another level in the Season 13 premiere. The first episode threw the brand-new queens a curveball by immediately pairing them up for lip sync face-offs. This meant that their entrance looks had to become performance outfits, and while Denali intended to reference her figure-skating background, she clearly didn’t see this coming. Even so, she truly turned it out on stage, kicking and even cartwheeling as though she was wearing pumps. It was a first for the series, and a truly fierce showing.
#6: Kylie Sonique Love's Epic Save “This Is Our Country” We first saw Kylie on Season 2 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and she demonstrated some incredible strength and acrobatics onstage. Despite these skills, she was eliminated all too soon after a lackluster “Snatch Game” performance. It was all the more incredible, then, for her gymnast’s instincts to save her many years later. As she participated in “All Stars” Season 6’s finalist lip sync to Lady Gaga’s “Stupid Love,” Kylie slipped on her coat. The moment was absolutely filled with drama, since it seemed like a beloved contestant’s chances were going up in smoke before our eyes. But a mere second later, she managed to somersault into a fierce floor pose. It was an immaculate TV moment, and it instantly cemented the winner’s legend status.
#5: “You’re holding it.” “Pink Table Talk”
Top 10 RuPaul's Drag Race Franchise Moments of 2021
When Ginger Minj landed in the top in this “All Stars” episode, we knew she’d have to square up with one of the show’s formidable lip sync assassins. Xref That’s why we were shocked when Bianca Del Rio emerged, since the comedy queen had infamously never lip synced on her own season. As it turned out, she was only there to tell some jokes. The real competitor was Mayhem Miller, with whom Ginger duked it out to Lizzo’s “Phone” in a consistently hilarious performance. The crowning achievement, however, was the very last moment. After Ginger pursued Mayhem as if looking for her own phone, Mayhem grabbed her heel threateningly. The song’s final punchline made the pair look like fools — and it couldn’t have been better.
#4: Laganja Estranja's Death-Defying Jump “Side Hustles”
Bianca Del Rio’s surprise appearance wasn’t the only gag-worthy lip sync assassin entrance on “All Stars” 6. In episode 3, the queens had to create a TV ad promoting their side hustle, and Trinity K. Bonet bested her competitors. But when it came time to reveal her final opponent, no one was behind the screen at the back of the runway. That is, until we heard a familiar voice call out from backstage. In a shocking turn of events, Season 6 contestant Laganja Estranja came flying into view and landed in a split heard ‘round the world. Xref The jaw-dropping moment foreshadowed the performance she’d deliver moments later, complete with her signature back-breaking dip to the floor.
#3: LaLa Ri Gets Her Tips “The Bag Ball”
With a final outfit like that, we’d be hard-pressed to find someone more deserving of a bottom two placement than LaLa Ri in this Season 13 episode. With gift bags stuck to a corset and pink fluff on top of her head, the future Miss Congeniality looked an absolute mess. Fortunately, though, she was able to redeem herself and then some in her lip sync against Joey Jay. After her competitor threw a fistful of cash in the air to the tune of Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy,” La La made an incredible move. The queen stooped over and began eagerly picking up the bills, making a punchline out of her rival’s stunt. It was a lesson in one-upmanship, and it had the judges cracking up.
#2: Denali Outshines Kahmora Hall “RuPaulmark Channel”
Season 13 had numerous entertaining lip syncs up its sleeve — from the zany to the emotionally charged. But none was quite as epic as episode four’s showdown to Crystal Waters’s “100% Pure Love.” Denali cemented her status as a bonafide lip sync assassin with an endlessly rewatchable interpretation of the ‘90s dance-pop track. She showed off voguing-inspired moves, splits, and other stunts — impressive, but not exactly wildly original. What really made the lip sync were her unique ways of miming lyrics like “it’s 12 past midnight” and “in me you will find a home.” Denali was both funny and absolutely relentless, and there was just no question she’d send Kahmora Hall packing. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Jan’s Twitch, “Halftime Headliners” Jan Gave Us an Odd Jerky Motion, But Jessica Wild Gave Us Life Kandy Muse's Boom Box, “The Pork Chop” This Queen Pretended Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” Was Playing Off Her Prop Speaker Denali & Rosé’s Embody “If U Seek Amy,” “Phenomenon” Rosé Took a Quirky Approach to This Britney Spears Banger, While Denali Served Up Her Signature Choreography Ra'Jah O'Hara & Brooke Lynn Hytes' Stunts, “The Blue Ball” Two Incredible Performers Made Magic on Stage Utica Queen Gets Spooky, “Pop! Goes the Queens” This Queen’s Unique Take On “My Humps” Secured Her Victory
#1: Silky Nutmeg Ganache Reveals Her Barbie & Ken Look “Rudemption Lip-Sync Smackdown”
There’s no question who the true star of this “All Stars” 6 episode was. She may not have won the smackdown in the end, but Silky came out on top for six of her seven lip syncs. What made the feat even more impressive was her unique approach to each song. For “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” she smuggled a rocks glass and two bottles in her bustier and made a drink onstage. For “Heartbreaker,” meanwhile, she pretended to smash a guitar prop. But her most iconic moment of all? Revealing, in a stroke of genius, dual Barbie and Ken personas for Aqua’s “Barbie Girl.” We don’t think we’ll ever forget Silky rolling back and forth to represent the characters trading lines.
