Ball Challenge/RuPaul's Drag Race

Ball Challenge

Ball Challenge
Challenge History
First Seen	Season 1
Last Seen	Season 16

The Ball Challenge or simply the Ball is a Maxi Challenge on RuPaul's Drag Race where the contestants have to present multiple looks on the runway with at least one being made with the provided materials in the Werk Room. Balls are themed, typically having two to three categories in total relating to the theme.

In its earliest appearances on RuPaul's Drag Race, the challenge was typically reserved for the semi-finals and required the contestants to perform a short opening number choreographed by themselves. Since then, it has appeared at different points in a season and the sequence be dropped completely.

This challenge is not to be confused with the Design Challenge or Runway Challenge where the contestants may also be expected to either design a look with provided materials or showcase multiple looks on the runway respectively.

Challenge's Timeline

Series	Season
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
USA

█ The challenge never appeared in the season.

█ The challenge appeared in the season once.

█ The challenge appeared in the season twice.

Ball Winners

BeBe Zahara Benet,
Absolut Drag Ball

Tyra Sanchez,
The Diva Awards

Yara Sofia,
RuPaul's Hair Extravaganza

Manila Luzon,
Make Dat Money

Sharon Needles,
The Fabulous Bitch Ball

Alaska,
Sugar Ball

Adore Delano,
Glitter Ball

Violet Chachki,
Hello Kitty, Girls!

Kim Chi,
RuPaul Book Ball

Shea Couleé,
Gayest Ball Ever

Aquaria,
The Last Ball on Earth

Brooke Lynn Hytes,
Monster Ball

Gigi Goode,
The Ball Ball

Gottmik,
The Bag Ball

Willow Pill,
A Pair of Balls

Sasha Colby,
The Crystal Ball: Episode 200

Nymphia Wind,
The Mother of All Balls

Ball Eliminated

Shannel,
Absolut Drag Ball

Tatianna,
The Diva Awards

Shangela,
RuPaul's Hair Extravaganza

Yara Sofia,
Make Dat Money

Latrice Royale,
The Fabulous Bitch Ball

Detox,
Sugar Ball

BenDeLaCreme,
Glitter Ball

Katya,
Hello Kitty, Girls!

Derrick Barry,
RuPaul Book Ball

Alexis Michelle,
Gayest Ball Ever

Dusty Ray Bottoms,
The Last Ball on Earth

Ariel Versace,
Monster Ball

Rock M. Sakura,
The Ball Ball

Joey Jay,
The Bag Ball

June Jambalaya,
A Pair of Balls

Spice,
The Crystal Ball: Episode 200

Hershii LiqCour-Jeté,
The Mother of All Balls

All Ball Challenges

• Season 1
• Season 2
• Season 3
• Season 4
• Season 5
• Season 6
• Season 7
• Season 8
• Season 9
• Season 10
• Season 11
• Season 12
• Season 13
• Season 14
• Season 15
• Season 16

Episode 6: "Absolut Drag Ball"

See: Episode 6: "Absolut Drag Ball"

Runway Themes:

• Executive Realness
• Swimsuit
• Evening Gown Extravaganza

Contestant	Absolut Vodka Flavor	Looks			Placement
		Executive Realness	Swimsuit	Evening Gown Extravaganza
Bebe Zahara Benet	Raspberry				WINNER
Nina Flowers	Mango				HIGH
Rebecca Glasscock	Citron				BOTTOM 2
Shannel	Mandarin				ELIMINATED

Episode 9: "The Diva Awards"

See: Episode 9: "The Diva Awards"

Runway Themes:

• Teen Diva Awards
• Diva D.C. Press Awards
• Diva Hollywood Extravaganza Awards

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Teen Diva Awards	Diva D.C. Press Awards	Diva Hollywood Extravaganza Awards
Tyra Sanchez				WINNER
Raven				HIGH
Jujubee				BOTTOM 2
Tatianna				ELIMINATED

Episode 11: "RuPaul's Hair Extravaganza"

See: Episode 11: "RuPaul's Hair Extravaganza"

For the first of Season 3's two balls, the contestants had to make three outfits centered around hair. Of these three looks, the last one (Fantasy Hair) had to be made entirely out of wigs. Yara Sofia was declared the winner of this challenge and Shangela was eliminated.

Runway Themes:

• Historical Hair
• Red Carpet Glamour
• Fantasy Hair Extravaganza (made out of wigs)

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Historical Hair	Red Carpet Glamour	Fantasy Hair Extravaganza
Yara Sofia				WINNER
Manila Luzon				HIGH
Raja				HIGH
Alexis Mateo				BOTTOM 2
Shangela				ELIMINATED

Episode 13: "Make Dat Money"

See: Episode 13: "Make Dat Money"''

Season 3's second ball featured money as a central theme. All categories had to do with money and elegance, and one outfit had to be made entirely out of fake dollars and coins. In addition, the contestants had to perform a musical number homaging 42nd Street, involving large coins as a prop. As the winner of the mini-challenge, Yara Sofia received an additional million dollars to work with, but was also tasked with choreographing the performance. Manila Luzon won this challenge while Yara Sofia was eliminated.

Runway Themes:

• Swimsuit Body Beautiful
• Cocktail Attire After 5
• Evening Gown Eleganza (made out of fake money)

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Swimsuit Body Beautiful	Cocktail Attire After 5	Evening Gown Eleganza
Manila Luzon				WINNER
Raja				HIGH
Alexis Mateo				BOTTOM 2
Yara Sofia				ELIMINATED

Episode 11: "The Fabulous Bitch Ball"

See: Episode 11: "The Fabulous Bitch Ball"

This season's ball took inspiration from dogs. The three looks were themed after dogs, and the third look had to be inspired by a dog assigned to each queen. For this third look the contestants would walk the runway with their assigned dog. As the winner of the mini-challenge, Chad Michaels got to assign each queen her dog, but was also tasked with choreographing the opening number. Sharon Needles was the winner of this challenge while Latrice Royale was eliminated.

Runway Themes:

• Daytime Dog Park
• Pooch in a Purse
• Canine Couture (inspired by assigned dog)

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Daytime Dog Park	Pooch in a Purse	Canine Couture
Sharon Needles			Poodle	WINNER
Phi Phi O'Hara			Bloodhound	HIGH
Chad Michaels			Chinese Crested dog	BOTTOM 2
Latrice Royale			Pomeranian dog	ELIMINATED

Episode 11: "Sugar Ball"

See: Episode 11: "Sugar Ball"

Season 5's ball was themed after candy, with a candy-centric opening number and candy-themed outfit categories, with a requirement that the third outfit of the ball be made entirely out of candy. As the winner of the mini-challenge, Alaska received additional time selecting her materials from the candy table before the other girls, but was also tasked with choreographing the opening number. Alaska would go on to win this challenge while Detox was eliminated.

Runway Themes:

• Super Duper Sweet 16
• Sugar Mama Executive Realness
• Candy Couture (made out of candy)

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Super Duper Sweet 16	Sugar Mama Executive Realness	Candy Couture
Alaska				WINNER
Roxxxy Andrews				HIGH
Jinkx Monsoon				BOTTOM 2
Detox				ELIMINATED

Episode 11: "Glitter Ball"

See Episode 11: "Glitter Ball"

This ball was inspired by glitter, jewels, and other precious materials. Each girl was tasked with creating an outfit inspired by a certain gemstone (diamond, sapphire, ruby, topaz, and rose quartz) assigned to them. As winner of the mini-challenge, BenDeLaCreme got to assign each girl's theme, but also had to choreograph the opening number. This challenge was won by Adore Delano while BenDeLaCreme was eliminated.

Runway Themes:

• Banjee Girl Bling
• CEO Platinum Card Executive Realness
• Dripping In Jewels Eleganza (inspired by assigned gemstone)

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Banjee Girl Bling	CEO Platinum Card Executive Realness	Dripping In Jewels Eleganza
Adore Delano			Diamond	WINNER
Bianca Del Rio			Sapphire	HIGH
Courtney Act			Ruby	LOW
Darienne Lake			Topaz	BOTTOM 2
BenDeLaCreme			Rose Quartz	ELIMINATED

Episode 11: "Hello, Kitty Girls!"

See: Episode 11: "Hello, Kitty Girls!"

Season 7's ball took a different approach: rather than requiring the contestants to make three outfits, one from scratch, with an opening number, this ball had no opening number and the contestants were only required to produce two outfits, with the caveat that both had to be made from scratch. As the week's special guest judge was Hello Kitty, both of the looks were Hello Kitty-inspired: the first was creating a new best friend for Hello Kitty in the style of a Hello Kitty character (with large, cartoonish blocky heads being given to each queen), and the second was a traditional outfit made out of Hello Kitty merchandise. Violet Chachki was the winner of this challenge while Katya was eliminated.

Runway Themes:

• Hello Kitty BFF Realness (done in the style of a Hello Kitty character)
• Hello Kitty Eleganza (made out of Hello Kitty merchandise)

Contestant	Looks		Placement
	Hello Kitty BFF Realness	Hello Kitty Eleganza
Violet Chachki			WINNER
Ginger Minj			HIGH
Pearl			HIGH
Kennedy Davenport			BOTTOM 2
Katya			ELIMINATED

Episode 8: "RuPaul Book Ball"

See: Episode 8: "RuPaul Book Ball"

Season 8 returned to the traditional ball theme, this time inspired by books. As RuPaul's semi-autobiographical novel had recently been released, Ru tasked the girls with telling their life story across three outfits, from being a child to a full-fledged drag queen. The final outfit came with the additional challenge of being made entirely out of books. Further the opening number paid tribute to Strangers With Candy by having each queen perform as Jerri Blank. As winner of the mini-challenge, Chi Chi DeVayne was tasked with choreographing the opening number. Kim Chi won the challenge while Derrick Barry was eliminated.

Runway Themes:

• Baby Drag Realness
• That's My Mama Realness
• Book Couture (made out of books)

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Baby Drag Realness	That's My Mama Realness	Book Couture
Kim Chi				WINNER
Chi Chi DeVayne				HIGH
Naomi Smalls				HIGH
Bob the Drag Queen				BOTTOM 2
Derrick Barry				ELIMINATED

Episode 11: "Gayest Ball Ever"

See: Episode 11: "Gayest Ball Ever"

For this season's ball, Ru threw the gayest ball ever. Each of the outfit categories was based around traditionally "gay" symbols, and the opening number involved the "gayest Olympic sport of all:" ribbon twirling. One of the categories was based on the Village People, and for the look each girl had to create an outfit inspired by one of the Village People (construction worker, cowboy, cop, leather biker, and Native American) assigned to them. As winner of the mini-challenge, Sasha Velour got to assign the theme to each queen, and also had to choreograph the opening number. Shea Coulee won this challenge while Alexis Michelle was eliminated.

Runway Themes:

• Rainbow-She-Betta-Do
• Sexy Unicorn
• Village People Eleganza Extravaganza (inspired by assigned Village People character)

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Rainbow-She-Betta-Do'	Sexy Unicorn	Village People Eleganza Extravaganza
Shea Coulee			Construction Worker	WINNER
Sasha Velour			Cowboy	HIGH
Trinity Taylor			Cop	LOW
Peppermint			Biker	BOTTOM 2
Alexis Michelle			Native American	ELIMINATED

Episode 4: "The Last Ball on Earth"

See: Episode 4: "The Last Ball on Earth"

This season, Ru surprised the contestants by holding a ball early in the series, while there were still eleven contestants left in the competition. This ball was inspired by climate change, with the first two looks themed around climate change and the final look themed around leaving Earth. This final look (Martian Eleganza Extravaganza) had to be designed by the contestants using intergalactic-themed materials. Due to this ball happening with eleven contestants, there was no performance component to it. The winner of this challenge was Aquaria , while Dusty Ray Bottoms was eliminated.

Runway Themes:

• Alaskan Winter Realness (actually a swimsuit category)
• Miami Summer Realness (actually a winter wear category)
• Martian Eleganza Extravaganza (made out of space-themed materials)

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Alaskan Winter Realness	Miami Summer Realness	Martian Eleganza Extravaganza
Aquaria				WINNER
Kameron Michaels				HIGH
Miz Cracker				HIGH
Blair St. Clair				SAFE
Eureka				SAFE
Mayhem Miller				SAFE
Monique Heart				SAFE
The Vixen				SAFE
Asia O'Hara				LOW
Monét X Change				BOTTOM 2
Dusty Ray Bottoms				ELIMINATED

Episode 5: "Monster Ball"

See: Episode 5: "Monster Ball"

Following Season 10, the ball challenge was held when there was still eleven contestants left in the competition. This ball was inspired by Halloween, with the first look being inspired by the idea of trick or treating and the second look being inspired by witches. The final look (MILF Eleganza: Monster I'd Like To Freak) had to be designed using Halloween appropriate and themed materials. Due to this ball happening with eleven contestants, there was no performance component to it. The winner of this challenge was Brooke Lynn Hytes and Ariel Versace was eliminated.

Runway Themes:

• Trampy Trick or Treater
• Witch, Please!
• MILF Eleganza: Monster I'd Like to Freak

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Trampy Trick or Treater	Witch, Please!	MILF Eleganza: Monster I'd Like to Freak
Brooke Lynn Hytes				WINNER
Plastique Tiara				HIGH
Yvie Oddly				HIGH
A'keria Chanel Davenport				SAFE
Nina West				SAFE
Ra'Jah O'Hara				SAFE
Scarlet Envy				SAFE
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo				SAFE
Silky Nutmeg Ganache				LOW
Shuga Cain				BOTTOM 2
Ariel Versace				ELIMINATED

Episode 4: "The Ball Ball"

See: Episode 4: "The Ball Ball"

Like the two previous seasons, Season 12's ball challenge was held early with twelve contestants left in the competition. This ball took the "ball" theme literally, with the first two looks inspired by sports and the final look incorporating ball-shaped materials. Due to this ball happening with twelve contestants, there was no performance component to it. The winner of this challenge was Gigi Goode, while Rock M. Sakura was eliminated.

Runway Themes:

• Lady Baller
• Basketball Wife Realness
• Balls to the Wall Eleganza (incorporated ball-shaped materials)

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Lady Baller	Basketball Wife Realness	Balls to the Wall Eleganza
Gigi Goode				WINNER
Jaida Essence Hall				HIGH
Nicky Doll				HIGH
Crystal Methyd				SAFE
Heidi N Closet				SAFE
Jackie Cox				SAFE
Jan				SAFE
Sherry Pie				SAFE
Widow Von'Du				SAFE
Aiden Zhane				LOW
Brita				BOTTOM 2
Rock M. Sakura				ELIMINATED

Episode 5: "The Bag Ball"

See: Episode 5: "The Bag Ball"

As previous seasons, this season's ball was held with twelve contestants left in the competition. The contestants had to present three outfits centered around bags, with the first look inspired by bag phrases, the second look accessorized with a Coach Create bag designed by themselves, and the final look made entirely out of bags. Due to this ball happening with twelve contestants, there was no performance component to it. The winner of this challenge was Gottmik, while Joey Jay was eliminated by LaLa Ri. LaLa Ri later won the Golden Boot Award, in recognition of her third look.

Runway Themes:

• Mixed Bag (a punny look that includes the word "bag" in its description)
• Money Bags (executive look accessorized with a Coach Create bag)
• Bag Ball Eleganza (a look made entirely out of bags)

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Mixed Bag	Money Bags	Bag Ball Eleganza
Gottmik	Bodybag			WINNER
Rosé	Bagpipes			HIGH
Utica Queen	Doggie Bag			HIGH
Denali	Airbag			SAFE
Elliott with 2 Ts	Giftbag			SAFE
Kandy Muse	Bag of Tricks			SAFE
Olivia Lux	Punching Bag			SAFE
Symone	Fun Bags			SAFE
Tina Burner	Brown Baggin' It			SAFE
Tamisha Iman	That Old Bag			LOW
LaLa Ri	Bag of Bones			BOTTOM 2
Joey Jay	IV Bag			ELIMINATED

Episode 3: "A Pair of Balls"

See: Episode 3: "A Pair of Balls"

For Season 14's ball, the contestants were split into two separate balls. Both balls had the contestants bring a resort & evening wear look, as well as designing a bridal look, but the categories themselves were themed differently.

Runway Themes (Hide & Chic Ball):

• Zebra Print Resort (a resort wear look themed after zebra patterns)
• Leopard Evening Wear (an evening wear look themed after leopard patterns)
• Animal Print Bridal Couture (a bridal look themed after any kind of animal print. The contestants had to design this look in the Werk Room.)

Runway Themes (Red, White, and Blue Ball):

• Red Hot Resort (a resort wear look themed after the color red)
• Evening Wear: All in White (an evening wear look themed after the color white)
• Red, White, & Blue Bridal Couture (a bridal look themed after the colors red, white, & blue. The contestants had to design this look in the Werk Room)

Willow Pill won this challenge, being a part of the Hide & Chic Ball, while Maddy Morphosis sent home June Jambalaya.

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Resort	Evening Wear	Bridal Couture
Willow Pill				WINNER
Angeria Paris VanMicheals				HIGH
Jorgeous				HIGH
Alyssa Hunter				SAFE
Bosco				SAFE
Daya Betty				SAFE
DeJa Skye				SAFE
Jasmine Kennedie				SAFE
Kerri Colby				SAFE
Kornbread "The Snack" Jeté				SAFE
Lady Camden				SAFE
Orion Story				LOW
Maddy Morphosis				BOTTOM 2
June Jambalaya				ELIMINATED

Episode 9: "The Crystal Ball: Episode 200"

See: Episode 9: "The Crystal Ball: Episode 200"

Season 15's ball celebrated the 200th episode of the main show. Two categories were celebratory of the show's history in general, while the third look was themed after crystals, the traditional 15th anniversary gift, and said look was designed in the Werk Room, as per usual.

Runway Themes:

• Start Your Engines (a look inspired by RuPaul's racer outfit she wears on the title card)
• My Favorite Ball (a look inspired by past balls, the contestants got to choose from a limited set of balls, and make a look themed around their chosen one)
• Crystallized Eleganza (a look designed in the Werk Room from crystals)

Sasha Colby won the challenge, while Salina EsTitties sent Spice home.

Contestant	Looks			Placement
	Start Your Engines	My Favorite Ball	Crystallized Eleganza
Sasha Colby		The Bag Ball		WINNER
Anetra		The Sugar Ball		HIGH
Mistress Isabelle Brooks		The Ball Ball		HIGH
Luxx Noir London		The Hair Ball		SAFE
Malaysia Babydoll Foxx		The Hair Ball		SAFE
Marcia Marcia Marcia		The Bag Ball		SAFE
Loosey LaDuca		The Bag Ball		LOW
Salina EsTitties		The Money Ball		BOTTOM 2
Spice		The Ball Ball		ELIMINATED

Episode 3: "The Mother of All Balls"

See: Episode 3: "The Mother of All Balls"

For Season 16's ball, the contestants were tasked to pay homage to Mothers of different kinds.

Runway Themes:

• Mother Goose (Inspired by Nursery Rhymes)
• Significant Mother (Inspired by Famous Mothers)
• Call Me Mother/Father Eleganza (Create a look out of Men's clothing. The contestants had to design this look in the Werk Room.)

Nymphia Wind won this challenge, while Geneva Karr sent home Hershii LiqCour-Jeté.

Contestant	Looks					Placement
	Mother Goose		Significant Mother		Call Me Mother/ Father Eleganza
Nymphia Wind						WINNER
	Little Boy Blue		Angelina Jolie
Q						HIGH
	Man in the Moon		Judy Garland
Sapphira Cristál						HIGH
	Peter Peter Pumpkin eater		Eve
Amanda Tori Meating						SAFE
	Little Pussy		Michelle Visage
Dawn						SAFE
	Cushy Cow		Audrey Hepburn
Megami						SAFE
	Little Bo Peep		Lady Gaga
Mirage						SAFE
	Baa Baa Black Sheep		La Llororna
Morphine Love Dion						SAFE
	A Man and a Maid		Kris Jenner
Plane Jane						SAFE
	Pussycat by the Fire		Octomom
Plasma						SAFE
	Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum		Anne Boleyn
Xunami Muse						SAFE
	Humpty Dumpty		Kandy Muse
Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige						LOW
	Mary's Canary		Lil' Kim
Geneva Karr						BOTTOM 2
	Miss Muffet		Salma Hayek
Hershii LiqCour-Jeté						ELIMINATED
	Burnie Bee		Mother Nature