Every ball challenge winner in 'RuPaul's Drag Race' herstory

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The ball challenges on RuPaul’s Drag Race always have fans eagerly anticipating not only the fabulous outfits that the queens brought to the show, but also the looks they can put together in a limited amount of time while in the werk room.

There is some correlation between the queens who won a ball maxi challenge and the winners of those respective seasons. Specifically, at least half of the ball winners went on to be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar. On the other hand, we shouldn’t just jump to those conclusions, as there have been plenty of ball winners who did not win the show.

Before going down the list of winners, it should be noted that every single U.S. season of Drag Race has featured a ball. Moreover, season 3 included two balls, contributing to the ongoing notion that Drag Race season 3 — with queens like Raja, Manila Luzon, Alexis Mateo, and Yara Sofia — was the closest the series has gotten to something like Project Runway.

Whether you’re a master at sewing or a hot-glue gun diva, check out the queens who

Scroll through to check out every winner of ball challenges on RuPaul’s Drag Race — and tune into season 16 every Friday on MTV.

BeBe Zahara Benet (Season 1)

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The OG winner of Drag Race, BeBe Zahara Benet, also won the first-ever ball challenge in the series: “The Absolut Drag Ball.”

Tyra Sanchez (Season 2)

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“The Diva Awards” ball challenge on Drag Race season 2 was won by the artist formerly known as Tyra Sanchez, who now uses the stage name King Tyra.

Yara Sofia (Season 3)

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As previously mentioned, the third season of Drag Race included two balls. First up was “The Hair Ball” (episode 11) won by Yara Sofia.

Manila Luzon (Season 3)

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The second ball from Drag Race season 3 took place in episode 13: “The Money Ball.” This time, Manila Luzon came out victorious.

Sharon Needles (Season 4)

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Sharon Needles, the controversial season 4 winner, won “The B*tch Ball” from that season.

Alaska (Season 5)

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“The Sugar Ball” was a milestone episode on Drag Race season 5 that ended with Alaska winning the maxi challenge. In turn, Jinkx Monsoon and Detox had to lip sync for their lives, and Detox was sent home.

Adore Delano (Season 6)

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One of the most surprising balls in Drag Race herstory took place in season 6. Even though fans had already fallen in love with Adore Delano’s personality and aesthetic, the judges regularly critiqued her looks. Nonetheless, Adore did win “The Glitter Ball” of season 6.

Violet Chachki (Season 7)

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In many ways, “The Hello Kitty Ball” signaled to fans how big Drag Race was getting in terms of its sponsors and pop culture reach. Unsurprisingly, Violet Chachki won this season 7 ball and solidified herself even further as a frontrunner.

Kim Chi (Season 8)

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Another pretty straightforward result was Kim Chi winning the ball on Drag Race season 8. For this season, the theme of the challenge was “The Book Ball.”

Shea Couleé (Season 9)

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She didn’t come to play, she came to slay! Shea Couleé obviously won “The Gayest Ball Ever” in season 9 — her fourth and final maxi challenge in during that season.

Aquaria (Season 10)

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Aquaria was a young and more introverted queen who shocked the judges and the fans with her great comedy and acting performances… but no one had any notes for her aesthetics! As expected, Aquaria won “The Last Ball on Earth” on Drag Race season 10.

Brooke Lynn Hytes (Season 11)

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Another fashionable and polished queen, Brooke Lynn Hytes, won the ball of Drag Race season 11: “The Monster Ball”!

Gigi Goode (Season 12)

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Gigi Goode won “The Ball Ball” from Drag Race season 12 episode 4 — showing the judges and her competition that she was a force to be reckoned with.

Gottmik (Season 13)

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“The Bag Ball” that gave us that infamous and hilarious LaLa Ri bag look also gave us a stunning runway presentation from Gottmik, who won the season 13 ball challenge.

Willow Pill (Season 14)

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Season 14 featured a somewhat complicated concept for its ball challenge. The episode, titled “A Pair of Balls,” had different queens following two different ball concepts: one was “The Hide and Chic Ball” whereas the other was “The Red, White, and Blue Ball.” In the end, Willow Pill was deemed the winner.

Sasha Colby (Season 15)

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Mother, mothering. What’s new? Drag superstar Sasha Colby won the ball of Drag Race season 15, titled “The Crystal Ball.”

Nymphia Wind (Season 16)

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The banana queen herself, Nymphia Wind, won the most recent ball of the franchise: season 16’s “The Mother of All Balls” featured in episode 3.