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, 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 DRUK Season 1, 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 lipsync to a medley of songs from RuPaul's Drag Race: Live, as well as to write their own verses.
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 lipsync and learn choreography to a RuPaul medley.
Contents
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 first season of Drag Race Thailand. In Season 12, the WIN placement in the rumix challenge was introduced. 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). 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 lipsyncing. The remaining two lipsync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | Top 3 star in a Music video and lipsync together on the main stage. Nobody gets eliminated and the Top 3 move onto the Grand Finale. | |
AS1 | Top 4 go to different locations and perform different tasks. The weakest from each pair gets eliminated and the remaining two lipsync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
5 | Top 3 star in a Music video and lipsync together on the main stage. Nobody gets eliminated and the Top 3 move onto the Grand Finale. | |
6 | Top 4 star in a Music video and lipsync 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 | ||
AS2 | Top 4 perform in a Ru-mix challenge and lipsync together on the main stage. The weakest gets eliminated and the remaining three lipsync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
9 | Top 4 perform in a Ru-mix challenge and lipsync together on the main stage. Nobody gets eliminated and The Top 4 move onto the Grand Finale. | |
AS3 | Top 4 perform in a Ru-mix challenge and lipsync together on the main stage. The two received the least amount of votes from the jury gets eliminated and the remaining two lipsync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
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 and the bottom two lipsync, after which the weakest is sent home. | |
10 | Top 4 perform in a Ru-mix challenge and lipsync together on the main stage. Nobody gets eliminated and The Top 4 move onto the Grand Finale. | |
AS4 | Top 4 perform in a Ru-mix challenge and lipsync together on the main stage. The two weakest gets eliminated and the remaining two lipsync for the crown on the main stage and the winners are crowned. | |
DRT2 | Top 5 perform a medley for the maxi challenge and shoot a music video that goes along with it. The winners of the maxi and runway challenge each get a pass to the finale, while the bottom three lipsync and the weakest two are sent home. | |
11 | Top 5 perform in a Ru-mix challenge and the challenge is judged regularly: The bottom two lipsync and the weakest is sent home. | |
UK1 | Top 3 perform in a Ru-mix challenge. The weakest gets eliminated without lipsyncing. The remaining two lipsync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
12 | Top 5 perform in a Ru-mix challenge and the challenge is judged regularly: There is one winner and the bottom two lipsync and the weakest is sent home. | |
AS5 | Top 3 perform in a Ru-mix challenge. Nobody gets eliminated, the remaining three lipsync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. | |
CAN1 | ||
DRH1 | Top 4 perform a RuPaul lip sync medley. The two weakest get eliminated and the remaining two lipsync for the crown on the main stage and the winner is crowned. |
Music Video Challenges
RuPaul - Cover Girl feat. Bebe, Nina & Rebecca
Episode 8: Grand Finale
Song: Cover Girl | |||
---|---|---|---|
Queen | 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Queen | 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Queen | 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Queen | 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Queen | 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Queen | 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Queen | 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Queen | 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 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Perf. Order | Queen | Placement | ||
1 | ![]() |
Alaska | WINNER | |
2 | ![]() |
Detox | RUNNER UP | |
3 | ![]() |
Katya | RUNNER UP | |
4 | ![]() |
Roxxxy Andrews | ELIMINATED |
'Category Is...' Performance w Peppermint, Sasha, Trinity & Shea 👯♀️ RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9
Episode 12: Category Is
Song: Category Is | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Perf. Order | Queen | Placement | ||
1 | ![]() |
Peppermint | TOP 4 | |
2 | ![]() |
Sasha Velour | TOP 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
Trinity Taylor | TOP 4 | |
4 | ![]() |
Shea Couleé | 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 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Perf. Order | Queen | 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 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Perf. Order | Queen | Placement | ||
1 | ![]() |
Aquaria | TOP 4 | |
2 | ![]() |
Asia O'Hara | TOP 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
Eureka O'Hara | TOP 4 | |
4 | ![]() |
Kameron Michaels | TOP 4 |
'Super Queen’ Performance w Monét, Monique, Naomi & Trinity RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 4
Episode 10: Super Queen Grand Finale
Song: Super Queen | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Perf. Order | Queen | Placement | ||
1 | ![]() |
Monét 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 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Perf. Order | Queen | Placement | ||
1 | ![]() |
Vanda Miss Joaquim | ELIMINATED | |
2 | ![]() |
Angele Anang | BOTTOM 3 | |
3 | ![]() |
Bandit | ELIMINATED | |
4 | ![]() |
Kandy Zyanide | WINNER | |
5 | ![]() |
Kana Warrior | WINNER |
'Queens Everywhere’ Performance w A'Keria, Brooke, Silky, Yvie & Vanjie RuPaul's Drag Race S11
Episode 12: Queens Everywhere
Song: Queens Everywhere | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Perf. Order | Queen | 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) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Perf. Order | Queen | 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Queen | 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 |
‘Clap Back’ Performance w Jujubee, Miz Cracker & Shea RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 5
Episode 8: Clap Back!
Song: Clap Back | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Perf. Order | Queen | Placement | ||
1 | ![]() |
Jujubee | RUNNER UP | |
2 | ![]() |
Miz Cracker | RUNNER UP | |
3 | ![]() |
Shea Couleé | WINNER |
U WEAR IT WELL feat. Rita Baga, Scarlett BoBo, and Priyanka
Episode 10: U Wear It Well
Song: U Wear It Well | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Perf. Order | Queen | Placement | ||
1 | ![]() |
Priyanka | WINNER | |
2 | ![]() |
Scarlett BoBo | RUNNER UP | |
3 | ![]() |
Rita Baga | RUNNER UP |
Other Finale Challenges
Episode 6: The Grand Finale
Queen | 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
Queen | Placement | |
---|---|---|
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Année 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
Queen | Placement | |
---|---|---|
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Envy Peru | WINNER |
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Janey Jacké | RUNNER UP |
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Ma'Ma Queen | ELIMINATED |
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Miss Abby OMG | ELIMINATED |
Trivia
- Season 6 was the first season to have a Top 4 in the final challenge, where as Season 11 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.
- Thailand 1 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 first All Stars season to have a Top 3 in the final challenge, where All Stars 1, 2, 3, and 4 all had a Top 4.
- Challenges
- Season 1
- Season 2
- Season 3
- Season 4
- Season 5
- Season 6
- Season 7
- Season 8
- All Stars 2
- Season 9
- All Stars 3
- Season 10
- All Stars 4
- Season 11
- Season 12
- All Stars 5
- All Stars 1
- UK Season 1
- Drag Race Thailand Season 1
- Drag Race Thailand Season 2
- Canada's Drag Race Season 1
- Drag Race Holland Season 1