Finale Challenge is the last challenge of the season that the Top 3, Top 4 or Top 5 Queens have to face.
There are two types of the final challenge: a Music Video Challenge, featured from Season 1 to Season 8 and Season 1 of Drag Race EspaƱa, where queens have to star in a music video for one of RuPaul's songs, and a RuMix Challenge, featured in regular Seasons since Season 9, in All Stars seasons since Season 2 and in RuPaul's Drag Race UK, where Queens have to write and perform their own verses for one of RuPaul's songs.
Season 12 introduced a mix of RuMix and Rusical challenge, where Queens had to lip sync to a medley of songs from RuPaul's Drag Race: Live, as well as to write their own verses. However, in Season 13, the challenge returned to just being a RuMix, with the queens performing their own verses to RuPaul's Lucky.
There are four exceptions for these final challenges, the first being All Stars 1, where the final queens have to go to different locations and perform different shows, consisting of a group interview, followed by an appearance at Hamburger Mary's to accept an award in their honor, and finish up with a comedy routine in front of a live audience.
The second exception is Thailand Season 1, where the final queens have to Makeover an eliminated contestant, Act in a Thai drama, and present a look on the Runway.
The third exception is Thailand Season 2, where the challenge resembles a RuMix challenge, the difference being, this time it is not a RuPaul song they are performing to. The Runway challenge, this being the Thai version, is once again judged separately together with the Main Challenge.
The fourth exception is Drag Race Holland Season 1, where the final challenge was to lip sync and learn choreography to a RuPaul medley.
Finale Challenge Judging
Since the way the winner gets crowned has changed throughtout the seasons, the way the final challenge was judged has changed as well. It wasn't until Season 11 that queens got the regular High, Safe, Low or Bottom placements on the final challenge, with the exception of the two seasons of Drag Race Thailand. The Win placement in the RuMix challenge was introduced in Drag Race Thailand (Season 2), returning in Season 12 and Season 14. Before that, they would either get crowned or become a runner-up (Seasons 1-3) or make it to the Grand Finale (Seasons 4-10). The latter returned for Season 13. Here's a brief history of the final challenge judging:
Season | Final Challenge Judging | |
---|---|---|
1 | Top 3 star in a Music video. The weakest gets eliminated without lip syncing. The remaining two lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | Top 3 star in a Music video and lip sync together on the main stage. Nobody gets eliminated and the Top 3 move onto the Grand Finale. | |
5 | ||
6 | Top 4 star in a Music video and lip sync together on the main stage. The weakest gets eliminated and cut from the music video, and so the Top 3 move onto the Grand Finale. | |
7 | ||
8 | ||
9 | Top 4 perform in a RuMix challenge. Nobody gets eliminated and The Top 4 move onto the Grand Finale. | |
10 | ||
11 | Top 5 perform in a RuMix challenge. The bottom two lip sync and the weakest is sent home. | |
12 | Top 5 perform in a RuMix challenge. One queen wins, The bottom two lip sync and the weakest is sent home. | |
13 | Top 4 perform in a RuMix challenge. Nobody gets eliminated and The Top 4 move onto the Grand Finale. | |
14 | Top 5 design their performance outfit and perform in a RuMix challenge. One queen wins, The bottom two lip sync and the weakest would be sent home. |
Season | Final Challenge Judging | |
---|---|---|
AS1 | Top 4 perform their individual Stand-Up routines, take part in a group interview and present their last runway. The weakest two get eliminated and the remaining two lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
AS2 | Top 4 perform in a RuMix challenge. The weakest gets eliminated and the remaining three lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
AS3 | Top 4 perform in a RuMix challenge. The two received the least amount of votes from the jury gets eliminated and the remaining two lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
AS4 | Top 4 perform in a RuMix challenge. The two weakest gets eliminated and the remaining two lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winners are crowned. | |
AS5 | Top 3 perform in a RuMix challenge. Nobody gets eliminated, the remaining three lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
AS6 | Top 4 perform in a RuMix challenge. Nobody gets eliminated, the remaining four lip sync, and the winner is crowned. | |
AS7 | The Top Four Queens compete in a Lipsync Smackdown to the Crown and the winner of "Queen of All Queens" is crowned. Queens not qualified to the finale compete in their own Lipsync Smackdown to the Crown for the title of "The Queen of She Did Done Already Done Had Herses". |
Season | Final Challenge Judging | |
---|---|---|
DRT1 | Top 4 compete in two maxi challenges, those being makeover and acting and in a runway challenge. The acting challenge is combined into the runway challenge. Challenges have their winner announced and the bottom two lip sync, after which the weakest is sent home. | |
DRT2 | Top 5 perform a "RuMix" medley for the maxi challenge and present their last runway challenge. The winners of the maxi and runway challenge each get a pass to the finale, while the bottom three lip sync and the weakest two are sent home. |
Season | Final Challenge Judging | |
---|---|---|
UK1 | Top 3 perform in a RuMix challenge. The weakest gets eliminated without lip syncing. The remaining two lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
UK2 | Top 4 perform in a RuMix challenge. The weakest gets eliminated without lip syncing. The remaining three lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
UK3 | Top 3 perform in a RuMix challenge. Nobody gets eliminated, the remaining three lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. |
Season | Final Challenge Judging | |
---|---|---|
CDR1 | Top 3 perform in a RuMix challenge. Nobody gets eliminated, the remaining three lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
CDR2 |
Season | Final Challenge Judging | |
---|---|---|
DRH1 | Top 4 perform a RuPaul lip sync medley. The two weakest get eliminated and the remaining two lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
DRH2 | Top 3 perform in a RuMix challenge. The weakest gets eliminated without lip syncing. The remaining two lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. |
Season | Final Challenge Judging | |
---|---|---|
DU1 | Top 4 perform in a RuMix challenge. Nobody gets eliminated, the remaining four lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. |
Season | Final Challenge Judging | |
---|---|---|
DRES1 | Top 3 star in a Music video. Nobody gets eliminated, the remaining three lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
DRES2 | Top 4 perform in a RuMix challenge. The weakest gets eliminated without lip syncing. The remaining three lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. |
Season | Final Challenge Judging | |
---|---|---|
DRIT1 | Top 4 perform in a RuMix challenge. The weakest gets eliminated without lip syncing. The remaining three lip sync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. |
Season | Final Challenge Judging | |
---|---|---|
UKvsTW1 | Top 5 perform in a RuMix challenge. Top 2 lipsync for the world on the main stage and the winner eliminates one of the bottom queens. |
Music Video Challenges
RuPaul - Cover Girl feat. Bebe, Nina & Rebecca
Episode 8: Grand Finale
Song: Cover Girl | |||
---|---|---|---|
Contestant | Placement | ||
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Bebe Zahara Benet | WINNER | |
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Nina Flowers | RUNNER UP | |
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Rebecca Glasscock | ELIMINATED |
RuPaul's Jealous Of My Boogie (featuring Tyra Sanchez, Raven and Jujubee
Episode 11: Music Video Finale
Song: Jealous Of My Boogie | |||
---|---|---|---|
Contestant | Placement | ||
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Tyra Sanchez | WINNER | |
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Raven | RUNNER UP | |
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Jujubee | ELIMINATED |
RuPaul Champion music video (featuring Raja, Manila Luzon and Alexis Mateo)
Episode 15: Grand Finale
Song: Champion | |||
---|---|---|---|
Contestant | Placement | ||
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Raja | WINNER | |
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Manila Luzon | RUNNER UP | |
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Alexis Mateo | ELIMINATED |
RuPaul "Glamazon" music video (feat. Sharon Needles, Chad Michaels and Phi Phi O'Hara)
Episode 13: The Final Three
Song: Glamazon | |||
---|---|---|---|
Contestant | Placement | ||
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Chad Michaels | TOP 3 | |
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Phi Phi O'Hara | TOP 3 | |
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Sharon Needles | TOP 3 |
RuPaul's "The Beginning" featuring Jinkx Monsoon, Alaska, and Roxxxy Andrews Official
Episode 12: The Final Three, Hunty
Song: The Beginning | |||
---|---|---|---|
Contestant | Placement | ||
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Alaska | TOP 3 | |
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Jinkx Monsoon | TOP 3 | |
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Roxxxy Andrews | TOP 3 |
RuPaul's Sissy That Walk Official Music Video
Episode 12: Sissy That Walk!
Song: Sissy That Walk | |||
---|---|---|---|
Contestant | Placement | ||
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Adore Delano | TOP 3 | |
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Bianca Del Rio | TOP 3 | |
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Courtney Act | TOP 3 | |
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Darienne Lake | ELIMINATED |
RuPaul - Born Naked (Stadium Remix) Official Music Video
Episode 12: And The Rest Is Drag
Song: Born Naked | |||
---|---|---|---|
Contestant | Placement | ||
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Ginger Minj | TOP 3 | |
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Pearl | TOP 3 | |
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Violet Chachki | TOP 3 | |
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Kennedy Davenport | ELIMINATED |
RuPaul - The Realness Official Music Video
Episode 9: The Realness
Song: The Realness | |||
---|---|---|---|
Contestant | Placement | ||
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Bob The Drag Queen | TOP 3 | |
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Kim Chi | TOP 3 | |
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Naomi Smalls | TOP 3 | |
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Chi Chi DeVayne | ELIMINATED |
RuMix Challenges
'Read U Wrote U' Performance w Alaska, Katya, Detox & Roxxxy RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 2
Episode 8: All Stars Supergroup
Song: Read U Wrote U | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | ||
1 | ![]() |
Alaska | WINNER | |
2 | ![]() |
Detox | RUNNER UP | |
3 | ![]() |
Katya | RUNNER UP | |
4 | ![]() |
Roxxxy Andrews | ELIMINATED |
'Category Is...' Performance w Peppermint, Sasha, Trinity & Shea šÆāāļø RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9
Episode 12: Category Is
Song: Category Is | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | ||
1 | ![]() |
Peppermint | TOP 4 | |
2 | ![]() |
Sasha Velour | TOP 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
Trinity Taylor | TOP 4 | |
4 | ![]() |
Shea CouleƩ | TOP 4 |
'Kitty Girl' Performance w Trixie Mattel, Shangela, Bebe & Kennedy RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3
Episode 8: A Jury of Your Queers
Song: Kitty Girl | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | ||
1 | ![]() |
Kennedy Davenport | RUNNER UP | |
2 | ![]() |
Shangela | ELIMINATED | |
3 | ![]() |
BeBe Zahara Benet | ELIMINATED | |
4 | ![]() |
Trixie Mattel | WINNER |
'American' Performance w Aquaria, Eureka, Asia & Kameron RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10
Episode 12: American
Song: American | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | ||
1 | ![]() |
Aquaria | TOP 4 | |
2 | ![]() |
Asia O'Hara | TOP 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
Eureka | TOP 4 | |
4 | ![]() |
Kameron Michaels | TOP 4 |
'Super Queenā Performance w MonĆ©t, Monique, Naomi & Trinity RuPaulās Drag Race All Stars 4
Episode 10: Super Queen Grand Finale
Song: Super Queen | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | ||
1 | ![]() |
MonƩt X Change | WINNER | |
2 | ![]() |
Monique Heart | ELIMINATED | |
3 | ![]() |
Naomi Smalls | ELIMINATED | |
4 | ![]() |
Trinity The Tuck | WINNER |
Drag Race Thailand Season 2 - Top 5 Performance
Episode 11: White Elephants
Song: Top 5 Medley | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Vanda Miss Joaquim | ELIMINATED |
2 | ![]() |
Angele Anang | BOTTOM 3 |
3 | ![]() |
Bandit | ELIMINATED |
4 | ![]() |
Kandy Zyanide | WINNER |
5 | ![]() |
Kana Warrior | WINNER |
'Queens Everywhereā Performance w A'Keria, Brooke, Silky, Yvie & Vanjie RuPaul's Drag Race S11
Episode 12: Queens Everywhere
Song: Queens Everywhere | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
A'keria Chanel Davenport | HIGH |
2 | ![]() |
Brooke Lynn Hytes | BOTTOM 2 |
3 | ![]() |
Silky Nutmeg Ganache | LOW |
4 | ![]() |
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo | ELIMINATED |
5 | ![]() |
Yvie Oddly | HIGH |
To the Moon (Cast Version)
Episode 8: Grand Finale
Song: Rock It (To The Moon) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Baga Chipz | ELIMINATED |
2 | ![]() |
Divina De Campo | RUNNER UP |
3 | ![]() |
The Vivienne | WINNER |
I Made It Mirror Song Losing is the New Winning (Las Vegas Live Medley)
Episode 12: Viva Drag Vegas
Songs: I Made It / Mirror Song / Losing is the New Winning | ||
---|---|---|
Contestant | Placement | |
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Gigi Goode | WINNER |
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Jaida Essence Hall | HIGH |
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Sherry Pie | SAFE + DISQUALIFIED |
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Crystal Methyd | BOTTOM 2 |
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Jackie Cox | ELIMINATED |
āClap Backā Performance w Jujubee, Miz Cracker & Shea RuPaulās Drag Race All Stars 5
Episode 8: Clap Back!
Song: Clap Back | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Jujubee | RUNNER UP |
2 | ![]() |
Miz Cracker | RUNNER UP |
3 | ![]() |
Shea CouleƩ | WINNER |
U WEAR IT WELL feat. Rita Baga, Scarlett BoBo, and Priyanka
Episode 10: U Wear It Well
Song: U Wear It Well | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Priyanka | WINNER |
2 | ![]() |
Scarlett BoBo | RUNNER UP |
3 | ![]() |
Rita Baga | RUNNER UP |
A Little Bit of Love (Cast Version)
Episode 10: Grand Finale
Song: A Little Bit of Love | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Bimini Bon-Boulash | RUNNER UP |
2 | ![]() |
Ellie Diamond | ELIMINATED |
3 | ![]() |
Lawrence Chaney | WINNER |
4 | ![]() |
Tayce | RUNNER UP |
S13 E14 āLuckyā Performance
Episode 14: Gettin' Lucky
Song: Lucky | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Gottmik | TOP 4 |
2 | ![]() |
Kandy Muse | TOP 4 |
3 | ![]() |
RosƩ | TOP 4 |
4 | ![]() |
Symone | TOP 4 |
Episode 8: Grand Finale
Song: I'm a Winner, Baby | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Kita Mean | WINNER |
2 | ![]() |
Art Simone | RUNNER UP |
3 | ![]() |
Karen From Finance | RUNNER UP |
4 | ![]() |
Scarlet Adams | RUNNER UP |
Episode 11: This is Our Country
AS6 E12 āThis Is Our Countryā Performance
Song: This Is Our Country | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Eureka! | RUNNER UP |
2 | ![]() |
Ginger Minj | RUNNER UP |
3 | ![]() |
Kylie Sonique Love | WINNER |
4 | ![]() |
Ra'Jah O'Hara | RUNNER UP |
Famke Louise x My Little Puny, Vanessa van Cartier & Vivaldi - VIEREN
Episode 8: Drag Race Holland Season 2 Grand Finale
Song: Vieren | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Vanessa Van Cartier | WINNER |
2 | ![]() |
My Little Puny | RUNNER UP |
3 | ![]() |
Vivaldi | ELIMINATED |
Episode 10: Grand Finale - UK Season 3
Hey Sis, It's Christmas (Cast Version)
Song: Hey Sis, It's Christmas | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Ella Vaday | RUNNER UP |
2 | ![]() |
Kitty Scott-Claus | RUNNER UP |
3 | ![]() |
Krystal Versace | WINNER |
Episode 10: Queen of the North
Song: Queen of the North | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Icesis Couture | WINNER |
2 | ![]() |
Kendall Gender | RUNNER UP |
3 | ![]() |
Pythia | RUNNER UP |
Episode 6: Grand Finale - Drag Race Italia
Song: A Little Bit of Love | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Elecktra Bionic | WINNER |
2 | ![]() |
Luquisha Lubamba | ELIMINATED |
3 | ![]() |
Le Riche | RUNNER UP |
4 | ![]() |
Farida Kant | RUNNER UP |
Episode 5: Semifinals - UK vs The World Season 1
Living My Life in London (Cast Version)
Song: Living My Life in London | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1st | ![]() |
Baga Chipz | BOTTOM 3 |
2nd | ![]() |
Blu Hydrangea | BOTTOM 3 |
3rd | ![]() |
Janey JackƩ | ELIMINATED |
4th | ![]() |
Jujubee | WINNER |
5th | ![]() |
Mo Heart | WINNER |
Episode 14: Catwalk
S14 E14 āCatwalkā Performance
Song: Catwalk | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1st | ![]() |
Bosco | LOW |
2nd | ![]() |
Angeria Paris VanMicheals | BOTTOM 2 |
3rd | ![]() |
Daya Betty | HIGH |
4th | ![]() |
Lady Camden | WINNER |
5th | ![]() |
Willow Pill | BOTTOM 2 |
Episode 11: Take Me To Heaven
Song: Take Me To Heaven | |||
---|---|---|---|
Order | Contestant | Placement | |
1 | ![]() |
Sharonne | WINNER |
2 | ![]() |
Marina | ELIMINATED |
3 | ![]() |
Estrella Xtravaganza | RUNNER UP |
4 | ![]() |
Venedita Von DƤsh | RUNNER UP |
Other Finale Challenges
Episode 6: The Grand Finale
Contestant | Placement | |
---|---|---|
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Chad Michaels | WINNER |
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Raven | RUNNER UP |
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Jujubee | ELIMINATED |
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Shannel | ELIMINATED |
Episode 7: Twins
Contestant | Placement | |
---|---|---|
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AnnƩe Maywong | WINNER |
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Natalia Pliacam | HIGH |
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Dearis Doll | BOTTOM 2 |
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B Ella | ELIMINATED |
Episode 8: The Grand Finale
Contestant | Placement | |
---|---|---|
![]() |
Envy Peru | WINNER |
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Janey JackƩ | RUNNER UP |
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Ma'Ma Queen | ELIMINATED |
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Miss Abby OMG | ELIMINATED |
Episode 9: Drag Race EspaƱa Grand Finale
Song: U Wear It Well | |||
---|---|---|---|
Contestant | Placement | ||
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Carmen Farala | WINNER | |
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Killer Queen | RUNNER UP | |
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Sagittaria | RUNNER UP |
Episode 8: Grand Finale ā France Season 1
Song: Catwalk | |||
---|---|---|---|
Contestant | Placement | ||
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Paloma | WINNER | |
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La Grande Dame | RUNNER UP | |
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Soa de Muse | RUNNER UP |
Trivia
- Season 6 was the first season to have a Top 4 in the Finale Challenge, where as DRT2 was the first season to have a Top 5.
- All Stars 1 is the first season to not have a typical music video/Remix challenge; rather, each queen in the Top 4 had to perform a show at a club in the LA area in front of a live audience and the Judges.
- The First Season of Drag Race Thailand didn't have a typical music video/Remix challenge either. Rather, the Top 4 competed in a Makeover, an Acting, and a Runway presentation Challenges.
- All Stars 5 is the only All Stars season to have a Top 3 in the final challenge, whereas All Stars 1, All Stars 2, All Stars 3, All Stars 4 and All Stars 6 all had a Top 4.
- Seasons 4, 5, 9, 10 and 13 are the only seasons without an elimination in the Finale Challenge.
- Seasons AS1, AS3, DRT2, AS4, and DRH1 all feature a double elimination in the Finale Challenge.
- DRT2 is the only one of these to have the bottom queens lip sync for their lives.
- However, as this was a three-way lip sync with one winner, it isn't purely considered a double sashay.
- DRT2 is the only one of these to have the bottom queens lip sync for their lives.
- Shea CouleƩ, Trinity The Tuck, Eureka!, Baga Chipz, Jujubee, and Mo Heart are the only queens to participate in two finale RuMix challenges.
Maxi Challenges | Acting ⢠Ball ⢠Choreography ⢠Commercial ⢠Design ⢠Finale ⢠Improvisation ⢠Makeover ⢠Photoshoot ⢠Runway ⢠Rusical ⢠Singing ⢠Snatch Game ⢠Stand-Up ⢠Talent Show ⢠Variety Show |
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Mini Challenges | Everybody Loves Puppets ⢠Reading is Fundamental |