A Definitive Ranking Of All The Seasons Of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
With Drag Race: Down Under just on the horizon, we thought we’d take a look back on all the seasons that made the franchise what it is today.
Now, we should note, that there are no bad seasons (with the exception of what is ranked #18). So, just because a season is ranked low it does not mean in any way that it’s a bad season or the queens themselves are bad. It just pales in comparison. Okay, now let’s get into the list.
Here’s A Definitive Ranking Of All The Seasons Of RuPaul’s Drag Race
#18. All-Stars 1
There should be no surprises here. All-Stars One is regarded by many as the worst season of Drag Race simply because of its premise. If you haven’t seen it, this season brought back some of our fave competitors from the early seasons of Drag Race to compete for the title again. The catch? The queens had to compete in pairs. Safe to say, the queens and the fans didn’t really enjoy this one. Like, at all.
#17. Season 11
Season 11 was like… OK. Casting your minds back, this was the season with Silky Nutmeg Ganache, the season where there was drama over some wigs that were accidentally left behind and the season with a challenge so bad that Ru made six people lip-sync for their lives. It did have some redeeming moment’s (like the ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ lip-sync) but other than that… It was just meh.
#16. All-Stars 4
Now, it should be noted, this season was a good season. Not only was the cast strong from the get-go, but each and every episode had me on the edge of my seat. The reason why it’s ranked so low was because of the series’ ending. Unlike any season of Drag Race that had aired prior, this season saw a double-win with Monet X Change and Trinity The Tuck both taking home $100,000. Ultimately, it just didn’t feel like a satisfying ending to the show. Plus, ‘Super Queen’ is one of the weaker Ru-Mixes in Drag Race herstory. Please make them all rap!!
#15. Season 12
Again, similar to All-Stars 4, season 12 ranks low on our list because of its ending. Unlike all other seasons in recent Drag Race herstory, the grand finale was a COVID-19-influenced DIY-from-home situation (which had some wild rumours flying about). And as a result, it just wasn’t as satisfying as the other seasons.
Also, given the whole situation with (Redacted) Pie, it’s hard to watch the series and enjoy it wholeheartedly. Having said that, the rest of the cast were extremely talented and I can’t wait to see most of them on All-Stars.
#14. All-Stars 5
All-Stars 5 had its moments. What’s great about All Stars 5 was that Shea Coulee, the rightful winner of season 9, was deservingly crowned a winner of Drag Race. The only reason why it’s so low is that it was just kind of predictable. We could pretty much guess the top three of the season from the get-go and none of the other queens really got to redeem themselves that much. Plus, the lip-sync assassin plot twist was good in theory, but in practice? Not so much…
#13. Season 10
When the most memorable moment in season 10 happens in the first episode, you know it’s a bit of a lacklustre season. Don’t get me wrong, I was entertained as hell but with all the drama with The Vixen and Eureka, Asia O Hara’s butterflies, and Kameron Michaels making it to the finale.. It was just a bit… Fine. Aquaria’s runways though… that’s another story completely.
#12. Season 7
Season 7 had an odd vibe to it. Even though Drag Race’s biggest alumni Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova competed in this season, they were as forgettable as Santino Rice in this setting. This season had an odd new drag vs old drag theme running throughout it and that divided fans like no other season had done before. But, let me just say, Violet Chachki’s red-tartan reveal lives in my brain rent-free. A worthy winner.
#11. Season 1
Season 1 of Drag Race almost feels like a different show entirely. There’s this weird filter used throughout, the cash prize was far from what it is today, and the main stage looks insanely different. But, we need to give credit to the season 1 queens for paving the way for the show to do what it does today. And the moment where Ongina comes out as HIV+ will go down as one of the most inspiring moments in TV history, period.
#10. Season 13
At the time of writing, I’m unsure if season 13 deserves to be this high but you know what, I’ve been living for every second of it. Sure, the season is a bit long, but it ultimately feels super worth it. After the lacklustre season 11 and the Sherry Pie-impacted season 12, season 13 was a breath of fresh air. Plus, lord knows we’re gonna be talking about Symone, Gottmik, Kandy and Rosé for a long time. Like, a long time.
#9. Season 2
This season, more than any other season, brought the fights, the drama and the star-power. A season with Shangela, Raven and Tatiana? What were you expecting? Also, not gonna lie, Tatiana uttering the words “I don’t think you’re seeing that Tyra is a complete bitch” lives in my head rent-free.
#8. Season 8
OMG season 8 is 8th place – that’s funny. Now, let’s break down why this season was so good. In addition to having a makeup legend, an all-rounder legend and a leg-end (see what I did there?), this season was good because it was short. Because this season only had 10 episodes, it meant that the show was consistently entertaining from the very start to the very finish. And for that, it ranks high!
#7. Season 3
Season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race could honestly be a season of Project Runway; it was that crafty. If season 2 was Drag Race finding its footing, season 3 was Drag Race stomping its heels on the runway. This was the season that Raja (queen, icon, we stan) won and the season Michelle Visage became a regular judge. Two moments that shape the rest of reality tv history.
#6. Season 4
There are simply too many moments in season 4 that are iconic. Whether it be: “Go back to party city where you belong,” Willam’s disqualification or Dida Ritz’ lip-sync to Natalie Cole’s track ‘This Will Be,’ this season had moments that will forever be in the Drag Race hall of fame. Oh and don’t even get me started on the legacy of Sharon Needles…
#5. All-Stars 3
Okay, okay. I know this is controversial, but I love All Stars 3. And sure, I know I may be in the minority here, but let me plead my case. There was so much going on in All-Stars 3, that every episode seemed groundbreaking. To recap, this is the season where: Dela sent herself home, Shangela was backstabbed by her fellow competitors and Trixie bombed a comedy challenge! You don’t get better tv than this! Plus, don’t even pretend that “ra-ti-ti-ti-ti-ta-ta” doesn’t play on loop in your brain 24/7.
#4. Season 9
I can not even begin to describe to you how exciting season 9 was to watch. Season 9 was packed to the brim with everything that makes Drag Race fun to watch. There were great challenges, there were great personalities and there were great fights. I mean, the fact of the matter is, three out of the Top 4 in Drag Race season 9 have become winners of the show… let that sink in.
#3. Season 5
When you think of Drag Race legends there are only a few which come to mind. And let me tell you most of them are from season 5. Alyssa Edwards, Roxxxy Andrews, Alaska and Jinkx Monsoon have all gone on to become mainstream legends and for that, we have no choice but to stan this season. Can I get an Amen?
#2. Season 6
While season 5 had the legends, season 6 had the icons. This entire series is filled with some of Drag Race’s most iconic stars. I genuinely think that more than half of this cast would be household names (at least, within my circles). And how can we forget, this season of Drag Race is responsible for birthing the show’s most-followed (and as a result, most ionic) queen, Bianca Del Rio.
#1. All-Stars 2
Where to fucking begin. This season is not only peak Drag Race, but it’s peak reality TV. Firstly, every single participant in this season is a Drag Race icon (whether it be because of their talent or not). Secondly, the introduction of the All-Stars twist was something absolutely no one was ready for. Thirdly, ‘Read U, Wrote U’. Fourthly, Alyssa’s confrontation with Phi Phi. Like?? Do you get it??? They don’t make TV like this anymore!
For more on Drag Race, make sure you check out our list of the songs we’d like to see on Drag Race Down Under.