The 13 Best Queens From Rupaul's Drag Race
"RuPaul's Drag Race" came back hotter than ever, but for anyone who hasn't binge-watched every season and all star season, it can feel like an overwhelming cast to get to know.
While each season will only have a handful of queens, "Drag Race" has seen over 100 candidates going after the coveted crown, each leaving with their own fanbase. And the past contestants are sure to make playful comebacks, whether in cameo appearances or in mentions through newer seasons, so it's crucial to know at least a little bit about Ru's girls.
Here are our top 13 favorite queens that aren't in the current season.
13. Laganja Estranja
A member of the "Haus of Edwards" trilogy - all drag daughters of Alyssa Edwards - Laganja has done multiple national tours after competing in season 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race.
12. Miss Fame
Miss Fame's makeup transformation video basically dominated the internet, and her unique look has helped catapult her into our Drag Queen Hall of Fame. Though she took home 7th place in season 7, she's been an iconic name since leaving the show.
11. Chad Michaels
Chad has *already* made their way back into the RPDR spotlight by appearing in the teaser clip for this season, a parody of "A Handmaid's Tale." A runner-up for season 4, this queen was the first crowned "All Star."
10. Sharon Needles
Sharon beat out Chad to win the crown in season four, but her legacy on Drag Race didn't end there. She also famously dated All Stars 2 winner Alaska.
9. Porkchop
The first queen to EVER get eliminated from the show, Porkchop overcame her "Drag Race"loss and went on to have a huge career in drag. She's come up on the show throughout the seasons - including in Alaska's "AS2" finale rap and (*spoiler*) the Vanessa Hudgens lip sync battle last night.
8. Peppermint
"RPDR" deals with the conversation around gender and sexuality in a lot of nuanced ways, including representing the transgender community within the drag scene. Season 9 runner-up Peppermint is a transgender woman, and has done a lot of work to bridge the two communities.
7. Bianca Del Rio
Season 6 winner Bianca is one of the most famous queens from the show. She used her crown to launch her own international tour and works frequently with Lady Bunny, one of RuPaul's most famous nemeses.
6. Adore Delano
Although she sadly dropped out of "All Stars 2," Adore Delano – a runner-up to Bianca in season 6 - is a MAJOR fan favorite. Adore's fame began when she appeared on "American Idol" and has since skyrocketed her to being a social media icon.
If you ever hear a queen pop her lips, it's an ode to Alyssa Edwards. The "Abby Lee Miller of Drag," this dance teacher turned pageant queen always tops the lists of "RPDR" favorites for her polished, hilarious routines.
Winner of season 8, this Brooklyn queen (who performs frequently throughout New York) challenges the gender binary with her interesting name. Bob has some of the best "reveals" of any queen out there, and plenty of All Stars look up to her enough that her name is bound to come up this season.
3. Sasha Velour
Brooklyn-bred Sasha won last season and has become iconic in the drag community for her unique brows and etherial presence. She performs across the country and our fingers are crossed that she re-appears on the show sometime soon.
2. Alaska Thunderf*ck 5000
You've already seen Alaska this season (can we talk about that ominous ending to the first episode?) but if you haven't seen some of her performances in All Stars 2 (which she won) and season 5, you need to get educated.
She may be taking a break from drag, but Katya will always be the queen of our hearts. The Russian bombshell was runner-up in "AS2" and took home 5th place in season 7, but her sold-out tours and intense following helped her get her own Vice show with this season's Trixie Mattel, not to mention a top spot on everyone's list.
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