Top 20 BFFS on RuPaul's Drag Race
#20: Brooke Lynn Hytes & Vanessa Vanjie Mateo
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Or should we call them Branjie? Fans are always on the lookout for romance in the workroom. Sometimes some light flirting or a subtle glance is enough to get imagination going. But these two season 11 queens left nothing to the imagination. The first time we saw Brooke Lynn and Vanjie kiss in “Untucked,” it was the smooch heard round the world, or at least round the workroom. From that moment on, the ship that was Branjie set sail in the hearts and minds of every “Drag Race” fan. Though the romance didn’t last long past the season, their close bond provided us with some of the most touching and bittersweet moments.
#19: Ginger Minj & Kennedy Davenport
No one threw more shade and had a better time doing it than Ginger Minj and Kennedy Davenport. These two members of the Bitter Old Lady Brigade had to say goodbye to their fellow Sisters in Shade, Ms. Kasha Davis and Jasmine Masters, early on. But Ginger and Kennedy made it deep into the competition together. The duo were polarizing because their targets tended to be fan-favorites. But make no mistake: they were partners in crime throughout the season. They agitated drama like no one else, and season 7 was all the better for it.
#18: Bimini Bon-Boulash & Ginny Lemon
Out and proud non-binary vegan Bimini Bon-Boulash didn’t have many quiet moments on “Drag Race UK” season 2. But Bimini showed fans a different side of them when they comforted fellow queen Ginny Lemon about their shared non-binary identity. The two had a very raw, very genuine, and very educational conversation about what it means to exist outside of the traditional gender binary. That it was two of the season’s comedy queens drove the point home that much harder. We love to see queens cutting up and throwing shade, but sometimes, it’s the intimate and vulnerable moments that make us love them all the more.
#17: Laganja Estranja & Gia Gunn
Is this one of the most iconic friendships in drag race herstory? Absolutely! These two clicked as soon as they entered the werk room. With Laganja’s fierce death drops and Gia’s unforgettable catchphrases, this duo wasn’t just a drag friendship made in heaven - they were reality TV gold. The on-screen friendship came to a sad end when Laganja’s lip sync skills sent Gia home, but their friendship off screen has only gotten stronger since season 6. Both are super supportive sisters who tour together, do photoshoots together, and were both part of the Haus of Edwards. And if all that isn’t enough, they also moved in together. Now, that’s true friendship goals!
#16: Adore Delano & Bianca Del Rio
Who could forget this unstoppable duo? Adore Delano was the wild child and Bianca Del Rio the professional veteran, proving that sometimes opposites really do attract. After Adore had been told by the judges to start cinching her waist, Bianca showed her softer side when she let Adore borrow one of her corsets for a runway look - and so began a long mother-and-daughter style friendship that only got more adorable as the season continued. Adore’s raw natural talent complemented Bianca’s sharp and refined professionalism, helping them both to land a spot in the finale, as well as a friendship that we hope will last forever. Party!
#15: Manila Luzon & Latrice Royale
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After being shackled together in the maligned pairs twist on “All Stars 1,” Manila and Latrice tried to make the best of the situation. Despite getting eliminated in week 3 of the competition, Team Latrila was cemented from then on. Soon after getting chopped from “All Stars,” the two released a fun single called “The Chop,” and they later went on to start a podcast of the same name. We were also treated to even more shenanigans when the two returned for “All Stars 4” in 2018. It’s clear their friendship has only grown since those early days. This was never clearer than the episode where Latrice went home.
#14: Mistress Isabelle Brooks & Sugar & Spice
When the TikTok twins came into the workroom with their high energy, few fans thought the fierce and ferocious Mistress, of all people, would take to them so well. But as season 15 progressed, the twins proved to be worthy competitors, and Mistress warmed up quickly. She became like a den mother, taking them under her wing and giving them advice when needed. And while unexpected, it was a bond that was really nice to see. Mistress later revealed that she had officially adopted Sugar and Spice into her prestigious drag family, and we absolutely love to see it.
#13: The Heathers
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Love them or loathe them, drag queen cliques have been keeping us entertained since season 3, when BFF troupe the Heathers were formed. This fierce foursome consisted of Raja, Manila Luzon, Delta Work and Carmen Carrera, who bonded over slaying the runway with their couture looks and stunning makeup. However, as all “Drag Race” fans know, cliques don’t often come without drama, and most of the season’s drama was between the Heathers and the group they shadily named the Boogers. It all came to a head in the reunion episode. Despite the controversy, they stayed close after their season ended, touring the world together and even releasing a Lady Marmalade cover.
#12: Rosé & Denali
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The ice-skating princess warmed up quickly to the fiery Scottish queen. Rosé and Denali had a great rapport from the beginning of season 13. Their flirtatious friendship captivated and delighted audiences. Sharing tender and intimate moments in “Untucked,” their growing bond practically sent fans into a frenzy of speculation, fantasy, and fan fiction. And the two seemed happy to play into it every chance they got. Although they ultimately assured everyone that they were just close friends, they still like to throw a bone to the Rosénali shippers every now and then. And though there’s no romance, their friendship is nothing short of lovely.
#11: Alaska & Willam
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Alaska and Willam did not compete on the same season of “Drag Race,” but they still feel like old friends. Their personalities complement each other so well. Willam is the firebrand who takes no prisoners and has no filter, and Alaska is the slightly more diplomatic of the pair with a more subtle sense of humor. Since 2018, they’ve co-hosted the boundary-pushing and tea-spilling podcast “Race Chaser.” They’ve used their platform to highlight both the queens of “Drag Race” and the production hijinks involved in making the show happen. And not that there was ever any doubt, but they know how to keep people entertained.
#10: Shea Couleé & Sasha Velour
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This adorable friendship started when these queens paired up to win not just one, but two challenges on season 9, cementing their place in the finale and bonding them as drag sisters for life! Shea and Sasha gelled seamlessly on tasks and challenges, both being fierce fashion queens with a quirky sense of humor and likable vibe. They left us feeling ‘So Emotional’ during their lip sync in the grand finale, battling it out in one of the most iconic performances in “Drag Race” herstory. Even off the show, they’re still just as cute as ever, whether they’re going on tour together or just having a good old kiki on YouTube.
#9: Rolaskatox
This formidable trio left us obsessing over more than just their runway looks. First starring in season 5, this clique combined Roxxxy's polished beauty prowess, Detox’s fashion expertise and Alaska’s hilarious creativity to create a seemingly unbeatable girl group, who dominated the competition until the loveable Jinkx Monsoon snatched the crown. When they met again in “All Stars” 2, they insisted that Rolaskatox was out of action. However, the “All Stars” twist meant that challenge-winning queens would decide which competitor would sashay away, leaving a lot of opportunities for the trio to show us that after all is said and done, best friends still come first.
#8: Yara Sofia & Alexis Mateo
These Puerto Rican beauties gifted us one of the purest sisterhoods in Drag Race herstory! Yara and Alexis were both absolute sweethearts, yet cutthroat competitors. We loved watching them support each other through every challenge, and they created iconic characters who slayed the competition, both making the top four. Sadly, our hearts broke when they had to lip sync against each other, leading to Yara’s gutting on-screen breakdown. However, this friendship was far from over - after teaming up in “All Star”s 1, they proved their friendship had survived the drama of “Drag Race.”
#7: Priyanka & Lemon
“Canada’s Drag Race” introduced a lot of fresh and fabulous friendships to the franchise. But the incredibly shady and hilarious BFFdom of season 1 winner Priyanka and 5th place finisher Lemon takes the cake. Priyanka’s chaotic energy meshed so well with Lemon’s unwavering confidence that fans were excited to watch them interact week to week. Like any deep and meaningful friendship, theirs is based mostly on insults (all in good fun, of course!). Since the show, they’ve collaborated on original music and other projects, often continuing to take jabs and pretend they can’t stand the sight of each other. It’s pretty adorable.
#6: Willow Pill & Kornbread "The Snack" Jeté
Few “Drag Race” friendships warmed our hearts like this one. One of the loveliest moments of season 14 came during the week 3 ball challenge. Willow Pill, who lives with cystinosis, was having issues using their hands to sew her looks, and Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté came to her rescue. The two queens epitomize trans excellence, and their connection only seemed to deepen once Willow came out as trans femme while the season was airing. The friendship is so deep that Kornbread even revealed she got a tattoo of Willow. Now that might be a first for “Drag Race” BFFs, but it’s also one of the most beautifully meaningful things we’ve ever heard.
#5: Symone & Gigi Goode
The winner of season 13 and the runner-up of season 12 have a close friendship that existed before either one appeared on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Gigi Goode has ties to Symone’s drag collective, the House of Avalon. And according to the pair, they had an instant connection when they met. In the years since, they’ve cheered each other on during their respective “Drag Race” seasons and have been seen attending events and fashion shows together. Their close friendship may slip by more casual fans’ attention, but there’s no denying it’s an absolutely epic one that warms our hearts.
#4: Violet Chachki & Gottmik
As the resident fashion queens of their respective seasons, Violet Chachki and Gottmik know a thing or two about what looks good and what doesn’t. On their podcast, “No Gorge,” the two deliver their deliciously catty commentary on fashion, life, and show business. It’s kind of rare to see queens from seasons so far apart become this close, but witnessing what these two share, we wish it happened more often. The performers reportedly became BFFs after touring together, and it seems the podcast was born out of their natural rapport. If you ask us, their chemistry is too easy and natural to deny.
#3: Jinkx Monsoon & BenDeLaCreme
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These two queens from dovetailing seasons have a lot in common. They’re based in the same city, they both won the Snatch Game, and their drag is often inspired by more old school references. And of course, their infectious and goofy energy has always been a hit with “Drag Race” fans. Outside the show, the Seattle sisters have proven to be a dynamic duo of musical comedy with a slew of sold out shows. The filmed version of their holiday special also proved incredibly popular, and it’s easy to see why. What makes them uniquely powerful is that they really do seem like two peas in a pod.
#2: Bob the Drag Queen & Monét X Change
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How many other BFFs can say their friendship has been immortalized on “The Simpsons”? While Monét found a forever friend in “All Stars 4” Twinner Trinity the Tuck, we have to spotlight her friendship with Bob. “Sibling Rivalry” is the perfect podcast title for this duo. Queens Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change seem to spend much of their time butting heads or insulting each other the way real sisters do. Plus, they’re refreshingly honest with one another. Yet all the while, their friendship is so real that nothing ever feels mean-spirited. And it’s clear that Monét is never far from Bob’s mind…
#1: Katya Zamolodchikova & Trixie Mattel
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Katya’s quirky sense of humor and vulnerability earned her more than her share of friends on season 7! Katya and Trixie gave us life, but their friendship really touched our hearts when they started their YouTube series “UNHhhh,” where they talk about whatever they want - because it’s ‘their show, and not yours’. It’s the next best thing to actually hanging out with these hilarious queens. They’re also super supportive of each other’s successes, and we love watching them rib each other on Twitter like true besties. They even had their own TV show, making them not just BFFs, but a true power couple in our eyes. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
