A Lip Sync Performance, most commonly referred to as a Lip Sync For Your Life, is a crucial aspect of RuPaul's Drag Race. Lip sync performances have made an appearance at the end of almost every episode, and are used as a way for Ru to determine which queen to eliminate from the race.
A lip sync performance consists of two queens (with some exceptions) lip syncing to a song, usually by a female vocalist, with the expectation that they will dance and pull other tricks while this is going on. This performance is then edited down into a 2-minute clip for use during the episode.
Throughout the series several lip syncs have resulted in memorable and controversial moments; lip syncs are often the source of the most publicity for the show.
Lip Sync For Your Life
A Lip Sync For Your Life is the most common style of lip sync used on the show. It has so far made an appearance on every non-All Stars season of the show.
At the end of each episode, the two queens who performed worst in that week's challenge will be placed up for elimination, indicating that they must lip sync for their life. Before the lip sync begins, Ru will state the following to the queens:
"Two queens stand before me. Ladies, this is your last chance to impress me, and save yourself from elimination. The time has come... for you to lip sync... FOR. YOUR. LIFE. Good luck, and don't fuck it up."
Following the lip sync, the queen who (in Ru's opinion) performed best will be told "Shantay, you stay," while the eliminated queen will be asked to "Sashay away." In the case of particularly good lip syncs, both queens may be saved by Ru, and in the case of particularly poor lip syncs, both queens may be eliminated.
Final Lip Sync
While still referred to as a "Lip Sync For Your Life", the final lip sync of each season follows a slightly different format, depending on the season.
Lip Sync For Your Lives
The Lip Sync For Your Lives was a special variation of the Lip Sync For Your Life used during All Stars 1. It was created to deal with the season's unique "teams" twist, and also introduced the panic button, which was only used during this season.
At the end of each episode, the two teams that performed worst in that week's challenge would have to select one of their members to represent the team in the lip sync. Before the lip sync began, the two teammates not lip syncing would step off to the side of the stage, and Ru would say the following:
"Two All Stars stand before me. Ladies, this is your last chance to impress me, and save your team from elimination. The time has come... for you to lip sync... FOR. YOUR. LIVES. Good luck, and don't fuck it up."
During the first minute of the lip sync, if the teammate not lip syncing felt that her partner was under-performing in the lip sync ("having a she-mergency," as it was referred to on the show), she would have the option to hit a "panic button" and take her partner's place in the lip sync. However, each team was allowed to use the panic button only once during the season.
Regardless of whether or not the panic button was used, following the lip sync Ru would announce the safety of the team he felt performed better in the lip sync with "Shantay, you stay," and would ask the team that was eliminated to "Sashay away."
Final Lip Syncs
The final two lip syncs of this season followed a different format than the one laid out by the rest of the season. In both cases, the two queens performing were lip syncing for themselves rather than on behalf of their team. As a result, these two lip syncs were referred to as a "Lip Sync For Your Life".
Lip Sync For Your Legacy
A Lip Sync For Your Legacy was a special style of lip sync used during All Stars 2. Notably, this format led to the queens eliminating each other rather than Ru eliminating them.
At the end of each episode, Ru would announce the two queens that performed best in that week's challenge as the "Top All Stars of the week." Ru would also select the 2-3 queens who performed worst in that week's challenge to be up for elimination. After this, the bottom queens would be given the chance in the workroom to defend their case for remaining in the competition to the Top 2 of the week. The Top 2 would then select a tube of lip stick bearing the name of one of the bottom queens, representing who they would eliminate if they were to win the lip sync. Next, all the queens would return to the main stage, with the Top 2 queens standing at the front of the runway, and Ru would say the following:
"Two top All Stars stand before me. Ladies, this is your chance to impress me, win $10,000, and earn the power, to give one of the bottom queens the chop. The time has come... for you to lip sync... FOR. YOUR. LEGACY. Good luck, and don't fuck it up."
Following the lip sync, Ru would select the queen he felt did the best in the lip sync as the winner of the week's challenge, saying "You're a winner, baby." The winning queen would then reveal who she had chosen to eliminate, and that queen would be asked to "Sashay away" by Ru.
Final Lip Sync
While still referred to as a "Lip Sync For Your Legacy", the final lip sync of this season followed a slightly different format. The All Stars of the season compete in the last "Lip Sync For Your Legacy", with Ru selecting a winner based on the lip sync, as well as each queen's performance throughout the entire season.
Lip Sync For The Crown
The Lip Sync For The Crown was a unique twist on the lip sync format used for the Season 9 finale. Rather than Ru simply stating the winner during the live finale, it was revealed that the remaining four queens would have to compete in a bracket-style lip sync tournament in order to win the season.
At the beginning of the finale, a large wheel displaying the faces of all four queens was brought out. The queen selected by this wheel was given the chance to choose who she would compete against in the first round of the bracket, with the two queens not chosen lip syncing against each other in the second match-up of the first round. Each of the two performances began with Ru standing at the front of the stage, the two queens behind him, and announcing to the audience:
"Two queens stand behind me. Ladies, this is your last chance to impress me and save yourself from elimination. The time has come... for you to lip sync... FOR. THE. CROWN. Good luck, and don't fuck it up."
At the end of the two matches, Ru announced in front of the live audience which of the two queens performed better with the familiar "Shantay, you stay." The eliminated queen would be asked to "Sashay away," this time with the applause of the audience behind them.
The second round of the tournament consisted of the winners of the first two match-ups (at this point the Top 2 queens of the season) lip syncing against each other in the final lip sync of the season. The performance began again with Ru at the front of the stage with the two queens behind him, this time announcing:
"Two queens stand behind me. Ladies, this is your last chance to impress me, and prove to the world that you are America's Next Drag Superstar. The time has come... for you to lip sync... FOR. THE. CROWN. Good luck, and don't fuck it up."
Following this performance, Ru chose the winner of the season based on this final lip sync as well as each queen's performance throughout the season.
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Lip Sync Artist Counter
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  Britney Spears currently holds the record for most lip sync songs.
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- Some particularly memorable moments from lip syncs include:
- During Season 1, Shannel's wig fell off in the middle of her lip sync against Akashia. This was the first time a queen's wig came off, accidentally or intentionally, during a lip sync.
- During Season 2, Sahara Davenport jumped off the stage into the splits in the middle of her lip sync against Morgan McMichaels. This moment was later recreated in Season 7 by Sahara's drag sister Kennedy Davenport during her lip sync against Katya.
- During a Season 3 lip sync between Mimi Imfurst and India Ferrah, Mimi picked India up carried her over her shoulders onto the stage. Mimi was reprimanded for this by RuPaul, and was eliminated as a result.
- After Yara Sofia and Carmen Carrera s lip sync during Season 3, Ru announced that neither queen would be going home. This was the show's first non-elimination.
- Near the end of Season 3, Yara broke down crying in the middle of her lip sync against Alexis Mateo, due to the stress of the competition. Several of the judges started tearing up as a result of this moment.
- During Season 5, Vivienne Pinay and Honey Mahogany became the first two queens to be eliminated in a double elimination, as Ru felt neither brought the passion he was looking for.
- Also during Season 5, Roxxxy Andrews tore off her wig during her lip sync against Alyssa Edwards, revealing another wig underneath. This was cited as one of the most memorable moments from Season 5, and Roxxxy later referenced the moment during the first challenge of All Stars 2.
- During Nina Bo'Nina Brown and Valentina's lip sync on Season 9, Ru stopped the music due to Valentina not removing the mask she was wearing which was hiding her lips and the judges ability to see her lipsync. After some opposition, Valentina removed the mask and the lip sync was started over, only for it to be revealed Valentina didn't know the words to the song. She was eliminated as a result of this. This was the first and only time RuPaul has stopped a lip sync partway through.
- Also during Season 9, in Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé's Lip Sync for the Crown, Sasha removed her wig only to have a flurry of rose petals fall out from underneath it. This resulted in a standing ovation from the audience in the middle of the lip sync, and led to Sasha eliminating Shea (a queen who many thought was going to win the season).
- In Drag Race Thailand (Season 1), the first bottom three lip-sync occured with Année Maywong, Petchra, and JAJA all lip-syncing for their lives.
- During Monét X Change and Dusty Ray Bottoms' lip sync on Season 10, Monét faked a jump split on a false beat drop of the song. This resulted on the judges laughing out loud.
- After Silver Sonic and M Stranger Fox's lipsync in Drag Race Thailand (Season 2) the judges were disappointed in their performance and made them do the lipsync again. After the second attempt Silver Sonic was asked to stay.
- Kana Warrior refusing to lip-sync against her friend Angele Anang in Drag Race Thailand (Season 2) in a genuine and emotional moment. When made to lip-sync, they both delivered an incredible performance and were asked to stay.
- In Season 11, one team performed so terribly in the challenge that RuPaul asked them all to lip-sync in the show's first ever six-way lip-sync for your life, resulting in A'keria Chanel Davenport, Honey Davenport, Plastique Tiara, Ra'Jah O'Hara, Scarlet Envy and Shuga Cain all performing one one stage.
- Detox and Katya's lip sync for your legacy on All Stars 2 was the 100th lip sync.
- Alexis Michelle and Farrah Moan's lip sync on Season 9 was the 100th lip sync for your life.
- During Season 13, Symone and Kandy Muse participated in 7 lip syncs, the record for most times lip syncing in a single season.
- It was followed by Silky Nutmeg Ganache on all All Stars 6
- BenDeLaCreme set the record for lip syncing in the most separate episodes in a single season, as she lip synced in 5 episodes of All Stars 3.
- Trinity The Tuck lipsynced a total of 9 times across two seasons, breaking the record for most lipsyncs by a single contestant in total.
- Season 5 is the first season to feature both a Double Shantay and a Double Elimination.
- It was followed by Drag Race Thailand Season 1 and Drag Race Thailand Season 2.
- Drag Race Thailand Season 1 is the first season to have three queens compete in a regular lipsync for your life (i.e. not a top 3/4 lipsync) This being between Année Maywong, JAJA, and Petchra
- It is also the first season where a queen who won the main challenge also must lipsync for their life, that being Natalia Pliacam in episode 4
- BenDeLaCreme & Darienne Lake, BenDeLaCreme & Shangela, Eureka! & Kameron Michaels, Monique Heart & Trinity The Tuck, Brooke Lynn Hytes & Yvie Oddly, Ra'Jah O'Hara & Scarlet Envy, Ra'Jah O'Hara & A'keria C. Davenport and Denali & LaLa Ri are the only pairs of queens to lip sync against each other twice. Alaska & Katya are the only pairs to Lip Sync against each other three times
- Apart from RuPaul, the only male vocal songs have been by Sylvester, The B-52s, Village People, Dead or Alive, James Brown, Wham!, Alex Newell, A-ha, Prince, Ricky Martin, The Communards, Steps, Elton John, Black Eyed Peas and Little Richard.
- Nineteen lip-sync songs have been used multiple times:
- The first was RuPaul's "Cover Girl", used for BeBe Zahara Benet and Nina Flowers's lip sync in Season 1 and Sahara Davenport and Shangela's lip-sync in Season 2.
- The second was Britney Spears's "Stronger", used for Bebe and Ongina's lip sync in Season 1 and Peppermint and Trinity Taylor's lip sync tournament battle in Season 9.
- The third was Lady Gaga's "Born This Way", used for Milan and Jiggly Caliente's lip-sync in Season 4 and Meannie Minaj and Morrigan's lip-sync in Drag Race Thailand (Season 1). It was used once more in Drag Race Holland (Season 1).
- The fourth was Britney Spears's "Toxic", used for Alisa Summers and Jiggly Caliente's lip-sync in Season 4 and JAJA, Année Maywong and Petchra in Drag Race Thailand (Season 1).
- The fifth was Janet Jackson's "Nasty", used for Jujubee and Manila Luzon's lip-sync in All Stars 1 and Asia O'Hara and Kameron Michaels' lip sync tournament battle in Season 10.
- The sixth was RuPaul's "Born Naked", used for Ginger Minj, Kennedy Davenport, Pearl, and Violet Chachki's final lip-sync in Season 7 and Silver Sonic and M Stranger Fox's lip-sync in Drag Race Thailand (Season 2).
- The seventh was RuPaul's "Sissy That Walk", used for Adore Delano, Bianca Del Rio, Courtney Act, and Darienne Lake's final lip-sync in Season 6 and Latrice Royale and Monique Heart's LaLaPaRUza lip-sync in All Stars 4.
- The eighth was The Eurythmics' "Would I Lie to You" used for Jade and Rebecca Glasscock's lip-sync in Season 1 and Sum Ting Wong and Vinegar Strokes's lip-sync in RuPaul's Drag Race UK (Season 1).
- The ninth was Madonna's' "Express Yourself" used for Kelly Mantle and Vivacious' lip-sync in Season 6 and Megan Schoonbrood and Roem's lip-sync in Drag Race Holland (Season 1).
- The tenth was Katy Perry's "Roar" used for Katya and Kennedy Davenport's lip-sync in Season 7 and Madame Madness and Patty Pam-Pam's lip-sync in Drag Race Holland (Season 1).
- The eleventh was Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" used for Darienne Lake and BenDeLaCreme's lip-sync in Season 6 and Ma'Ma Queen and Miss Abby OMG's lip-sync in Drag Race Holland (Season 1).
- The twelfth was The Pussycat Dolls' "When I Grow Up" used for Coco Montrese and Monica Beverly Hillz' lip-sync in Season 5 and Denali and LaLa Ri's lip-sync in Season 13.
- The thirteenth was Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mýa and P!nk's "Lady Marmalade" used for both seasons of Drag Race Thailand and Elliott with 2 Ts, Kahmora Hall and Tina Burner's lip-sync in Season 13.
- The fourteenth was Mary Mary's "Shackles (Praise You)" used for Rebecca Glasscock and Shannel's lip-sync in Season 1 and Denali and Olivia Lux's lip-sync in Season 13.
- The fifteenth was Britney Spears' "Work Bitch" used for Mercedes Iman Diamond and Kahanna Montrese's lip-sync in Season 11 and Kandy Muse and Rosé in Season 13
- The sixteenth was Dua Lipa's "Physical" used for Trinity K. Bonet and Laganja Estranja in All Stars 6 and Reggy B and Juicy Kutoure in Holland Season 2
- The seventeenth was Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way" used for Mimi Imfurst and India Ferrah in Season 3 and Reggy B and Ivy-Elyse in Holland Season 2
- The eighteenth was Expose's "Point of No Return" used for BenDeLaCreme and Darienne Lake in Season 6 and Silky Nutmeg Ganache and Yara Sofia in All Stars 6
- The nineteenth was En Vogue's "Free Your Mind" used for Serena Cha Cha and Jiggly Caliente in All Stars 6 and Ivy-Else and The Countess in Holland Season 2
- The first two lip sync repeats were both songs originally used in Season 1, and both in lip syncs won by Bebe Zahara Benet.
- The third and fourth reused songs were both from season 4 and both lipsyncs won by Jiggly Caliente.
- The sixth and seventh reused songs were both the top 4 lipsyncs of their season where the queen eliminated had been lipsyncing the week prior. They are also both RuPaul songs.
- "Don't Leave Me This Way" has been used three times, however the second time in UK Season 2 was sung by The Communards.
- Four out of the seven Madonna songs lip-synced on the show were used in Snatch Game episodes, with Vogue, Causing a Commotion, Music, and Open Your Heart all being used for Snatch Game episodes.
- Eurythmics have been performed twice as Would I Lie to You? has been used twice.
- Besides RuPaul, Britney Spears is the first artist to be lipsynced two separate times (in Season 1 and Season 4), quickly followed by Donna Summer (in Season 3 and Season 4.)
- Britney Spears is the only artist, besides RuPaul, to be lip-synced to four separate times in a single season (Season 13) with If U Seek Amy in Episode 3, and Work Bitch, Gimme More and Til the World Ends in Episode 16.
- Whitney Houston is the first artist to be lip-synced twice in the same episode, with So Emotional and It's Not Right But It's Okay from Season 9's Grand Finale.
- She was followed by Janet Jackson with Nasty and If from the Season 10 Grand Finale and Britney Spears with Work Bitch, Gimme More and Til the World Ends from the Season 13 Grand Finale
- Besides RuPaul, Miley Cyrus is the first artist to have one of their songs used for two different premiere episodes, Party in the USA in Season 5 & (as Hannah Montana) Best of Both Worlds in Season 11.
- If counting international seasons this would be Lady Gaga, with Applause in Season 8 & Born This Way in Drag Race Thailand (Season 1).
- All Stars 2 marks the first season where the last lipsync is not a RuPaul song, with 'If I Was Your Woman' by Gladys Knight & the Pips being used.
- Since then every other final lipsync has not been a RuPaul song, with Whitney Houston in season 9, Miley Cyrus in All Stars 3, Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj in Season 10, Christina Aguilera in All Stars 4, Lady Gaga in Season 11, Destiny's Child in Season 12, Janelle Monáe in All Stars 5, and Britney Spears in Season 13.
- Alternatively, the lipsync before each finale episode until Season 10 was a RuPaul song, with Step It Up, U Wear It Well, Freaky Money, and Call Me Mother.
- Currently, only nine episodes and one special have contained more than one Lip Sync for your life/legacy/crown, those being:
- Season 9 Episode 14 "Grand Finale" with 3.
- Season 10 Episode 14 "Grande Finale" with 3.
- Holi-Slay Spectacular, with 5.
- All Stars 4 Episode 6 "LaLaPaRUza" with 4.
- Season 11 Episode 14 "Grand Finale" with 3.
- Season 12 Episode 14 "Grand Finale" with 2 and 3 individual performances.
- Season 13 Episode 1 "The Pork Chop" with 6.
- Season 13 Episode 16 "Grand Finale" with 4.
- All Stars 6 Episode 10 "Rudemption Lip Sync Smackdown" with 8
- Season 11, All Stars 5, and Season 13 are the only seasons of Drag Race/ Drag Race All Stars where a RuPaul song isn't lip-synced to.
- Excluding Top 4 and finale episodes, Season 12 was the first regular Drag Race season to include a Top 2 lip-sync (used in the two premiere episodes). However, unlike the All Stars format of naming both of the Top 2 challenge winners, the winner of each respective lip-sync was the overall winner of the episode (these being Widow Von'Du and Jaida Essence Hall respectively).
- Born This Way is the first song that was used three times. The first time in the fourth season of the american version of the show, the second in the debut season of Drag Race Thailand and the third in the first season of Drag Race Holland.
- Lady Marmalade is the second song that was used three times, as it was used in both season of Drag Race Thailand and in Season 13.
- The 200th aired Lip Sync was Aiden Zhane and Brita to Let It Go
- if you exclude international seasons, the 200th Lip Sync was Elliott with 2 Ts and Lala Ri to A Whole Lot of Woman
- The 250th aired Lip Sync was Tia Kofi and Joe Black to Don't Leave Me This Way
Apple Music Playlist
Listen to every lip sync for your life song on MUSIC.
Spotify Playlist
