The Definitive Ranking Of The Most Iconic Fights On ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

RuPaul’s Drag Race has given us so much. From jaw-dropping runway looks to emotional moments, but what truly makes the series is the constant shade thrown between the queens.

When looking back at iconic milestones from the series, the fights usually top the list among the reality show’s stans. Starting with the Season 2 beef between Tatianna and Tyra Sanchez, up to Season 11’s Yvie Oddly taking on Vanessa Vanjie Mateo and Silky Nutmeg Ganache all in one episode of Untucked, the show’s feuds gives the fans oxygen. But which fight is the most iconic? It’s time to rank!

The criteria for inclusion in this ranking is that it has to be a two-way feud, so for example while Aja telling Valentina, “You’re perfect, you’re beautiful, you look like Linda Evangelista,” was a momentous Drag Race scene, Valentina didn’t fight back (or even respond) so it hasn’t made the list. Same goes for Willam’s unbothered reaction when Phi Phi O’Hara was laying into her on Season 4. Iconic? Yes. But not on this list!

Take off your earrings and sharpen those nails, it’s time to revisit some of the messiest feuds.

The definitive ranking of RuPaul’s Drag Race’s most iconic fights:

10. Jiggly Caliente Vs. Lashauwn Beyond

This fight is iconic simply for the seven words uttered by Lashauwn that would become some of the most quoted in future seasons: “This is not RuPaul’s Best Friend Race.” The argument during Untucked came about when Lashauwn called out Jiggly for not knowing how to sew, in return Jiggly said that Lashauwn’s makeup wasn’t up to scratch.

Somehow the argument evolved into Lashauwn telling all the queens in the room that she wasn’t there to make friends and in a touching pastiche to America’s Next Top Model, she dropped that line.

Most iconic line: “This is not RuPaul’s Best Friend Race.”

9. Yvie Oddly Vs. Vanessa Vanjie Mateo & Silky Nutmeg Ganache

This Untucked episode had two feuds for the price of one. Yvie clearly came with her fight face on, as she took on both Vanjie and Silky for telling the judges that she should be eliminated. The arguments were nothing unusual for the show but Brooke Lynn Hytes’ hilarious reaction shots made the moment extra memorable among fans.

Most iconic line: I can’t decide between “I was trying to be cor-jial with you!” or “That’s because Sasha Velour was talented.”

8. The Vixen Vs. Eureka O’Hara

The Vixen and Eureka did not get along for pretty much their entire season. Eureka was dismissive of The Vixen, who often felt like Eureka (and some of the other white queens) painted her as an “angry black woman”. It all came out on the main stage, when The Vixen told the judges after Snatch Game that Eureka deserved to be eliminated, citing her “unprofessionalism” and that “she takes all the air out of the room”. They had a lot of arguments but nothing quite as dramatic as the below screaming fight during Untucked.

Most iconic line: “Go have your cigarette bitch because it’s done!”

7. Mimi Imfurst Vs. All Stars Season 1

This has to be the most chaotic argument in Drag Race herstory. Mimi is a contentious queen at the best of times, so when she was a last-minute addition to the lineup for All Stars 1, not all the queens supported her inclusion. It all blew up during Untucked, as pretty much every queen told Mimi they didn’t think she deserved her place in the competition.

Everyone was yelling and Tammy Brown randomly shouting, “C’mon Teletubby, teleport us to Mars!” for no discernible reason just added to the madness. I couldn’t actually find a video of the fight on YouTube, so here is the audio accompanied by a cartoon bird reenaction. (Mimi is the owl, for those playing at home.)

Most iconic line: “Act a fool, gurl. Act a fool.”

6. Alyssa Edwards Vs. Jade Jolie

Two words. History made. Back rolls. These words are so iconic among the Drag Race fandom that they have almost become removed from their origin: the Season 5 feud between Alyssa and Jade. These two hated each other and after Alyssa came for Jade, she hit back with, “I would judge you on that body where them shoulders should match them hips!” before dropping a low-blow, telling Alyssa, “Girl, you had rolls all over the place in the back, it was disgusting.”

In hindsight, the comments were straight-up damaging, but Alyssa’s baffled reaction looking straight to camera and questioning “Back rolls?” is still truly hilarious. The scene also birthed Coco Montrese’s famed line “Get her Jade!”, it’s a God-tier argument.

Most iconic line: “Back rolls?”

5. Tatianna Vs. Tyra Sanchez

Season 2 was dominated by Tyra, well more specifically: all the queens hating Tyra. The most vocal of them all was Tatianna, who gave zero fucks and after a bridal runway even told RuPaul in front of everyone on the main stage: “I don’t think you’re seeing that Tyra is a complete bitch.” QUEEN SHIT. After that comment, Tyra and Tatianna faced-off in Untucked and TV magic was made.

Most iconic line: “I don’t like you. Are you happy? I don’t like you.”

4. Laganja Estranja Vs. Season 6

This blow-up was a long time coming, as Laganja had been quickly getting everyone’s nerves — even their real-life bestie Adore Delano. Since arriving, Laganja incessantly spoke only in catchphrases like “Okurrr!”, “C’mon!” and “Yes, Mama!” and finally in Untucked, Bianca Del Rio brought it up. In return, Laganja got super defensive and they felt “very attacked!!”

Most iconic line: “I feel very attacked!!”

3. Alyssa Edwards Vs. Coco Montrese

This was the Drag Race feud to end all Drag Race feuds. Any true fan will know that Alyssa was first crowned Miss Gay America but was controversially dethroned and Coco took her place. This caused their friendship to become fractured and when they were both cast on Season 5 their fight was reignited.

There were countless petty arguments between them during their season, but nothing compares to the scene when they were applying their makeup in the workroom. Alyssa thought she was just having a laugh with Coco by saying her makeup looked orange, but in fact, Coco was “not joking, bitch!”

 Most iconic line: “Look how orange you fu*king look, girl!”

2. Phi Phi O’Hara Vs. Sharon Needles

This was the penultimate good versus evil rivalry. Phi Phi is arguably the show’s most hated villain, while Sharon (at the time) was a beloved and kooky queen. Phi Phi was known for having temper tantrums and this time Sharon got the brunt of her ire when she tried to tell Phi Phi that she felt pushed into doing a spooky look. Phi Phi screamed across the room, “Sharon, you are not even on the same level as me, so get the fu*k out of my face,” which led to Sharon labelling Phi Phi a “tired-ass showgirl.”

This comment triggered one of the most iconic lines, in not just Drag Race but pop culture as a whole, as Phi Phi snapped: “At least I am a showgirl, bitch! Go back to Party City where you belong!”

Most iconic line: “Go back to Party City where you belong!”

1. Shangela Vs. Mimi ImFurst

If you ask any self-respecting Drag Race fan to name their fave feud, there’s zero chance that this iconic Season 3 moment wouldn’t be mentioned. You just can’t get any more dramatic than swilling a cocktail in someone’s face.

It’s a similar argument that would come up again in All Stars 1, with the queens questioning and hammering Mimi’s drag. Shangela went in on Mimi, telling her she could “never be glam” and in response, Mimi accused Shangela of having a “sugar daddy”. Shangela then served one of the greatest comebacks of all time.

Most iconic line: “If I wanted a sugar daddy, yes, I could probably go out and get one because I am what? Sickening!”