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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 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.
In Season 12, the Lip Sync For The Win format was introduced, although it was only called Lip Sync For The Win in Season 13. In the two split premieres, instead of having one winner and a bottom two, all the queens were saved and the two best queens lip synced for a $5,000 prize. It was brought back for the episodes following first episode in Season 13. It is indicated with Ru stating:
"Two queens stand before me. Ladies, this is your last chance to impress me, and win a cash tip, of 5,000 doolars. The time has come, for you to lip sync, FOR, THE, WIN. Good luck, and don't fuck it up.
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:
- In Seasons 1, 2 & 3, the weakest queen of the Top 3 would be eliminated by RuPaul without being given the chance to Lip Sync. The Top 2 queens would then Lip Sync For Their Lives, with Ru choosing the season's winner based on this lip sync as well as each queen's performance throughout the season.
- In Seasons 4 & 5, all three members of the Top 3 would participate in the final lip sync, with Ru choosing the winner from the Top 3 later at the live reunion after considering this lip sync, each queen's performance throughout the season, and the opinion of the fans.
- In Seasons 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10, all members of the Top 4 would participate in the final lip sync, with Ru choosing which of the four queens to eliminate based on this lip sync and each queen's performance throughout the season. The winner would later be chosen from the Top 3 at the live reunion.
- As part of a twist in Season 9, no queen was eliminated at Top 4 after the final lip sync. Rather, all four queens remained in the competition until the live reunion, when the winner was decided by the Lip Sync For The Crown (see below). This concept returned in Season 10.
- In Seasons 11 and 12, the final 5 were critiqued, and three of them would be announced as definite finalists. The other two would lip sync for their lives, and the winner would move on to the finale, where they would lip sync for the crown, a finale tradition beginning in Season 9.
- In Season 12, however, only 3 queens moved on to the finale, due to Sherry Pie's disqualification. In the final episode, the top 3 would lip sync for the crown in a close-up lip sync, then each member of the top 3 would make a individual performance of a song of their choice and Ru would choose which queens would be moving on to the final lip sync for the crown. All the top 3 queens moved on to the final lip sync.
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.
RuPaul's Drag Race Lip Sync Songs
Premiere Lip Syncs
The premiere episode of the season included the queens face-off in Lip Sync For Your Life battles, with no queens being eliminated.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Queens Lip Syncing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner | Lip Sync Loser(s) | |||
| 1 | "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen |
|
Kandy Muse | Joey Jay |
| "When I Grow Up" by The Pussycat Dolls |
|
LaLa Ri | Denali | |
| "The Pleasure Principle" by Janet Jackson |
|
Symone | Tamisha Iman | |
| "Rumors" by Lindsay Lohan |
|
Gottmik | Utica Queen | |
| "Ex's & Oh's" by Elle King |
|
Olivia Lux | Rosé | |
| "Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa & Pink |
|
Tina Burner | Elliott with 2 Ts & Kahmora Hall | |
Top Two Lip Syncs
The next two episodes of the season included the Top Two queens from each premiere ("Winners" and "Losers") lip syncing for the win, respectively, with no queens being eliminated.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner | Safe Queen | |||
| 2 | "Break My Heart" by Dua Lipa |
|
Symone | Olivia Lux |
| 3 | "If U Seek Amy" by Britney Spears |
|
Denali | Rosé |
Regular Lip Syncs
Regular Lip Syncs where bottom two queens lip sync and one gets eliminated continued as of episode 4.
The Corona Can't Keep A Good Queen Down special did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner(s) | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 4 | "100% Pure Love" by Crystal Waters |
|
Denali | Kahmora Hall |
| 5 | "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX |
|
LaLa Ri | Joey Jay |
| 6 | "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)" by Blu Cantrell |
|
Kandy Muse | Tamisha Iman |
| 7 | "Whole Lotta Woman" by Kelly Clarkson |
|
Elliott with 2 Ts | LaLa Ri |
| 8 (Double Shantay) |
"BO$$" by Fifth Harmony |
|
Kandy Muse & Symone |
|
| 9 | "Fascinated" by Company B |
|
Utica Queen | Elliott with 2 Ts |
| 10 | "Shackles (Praise You)" by Mary Mary |
|
Olivia Lux | Denali |
| 11 | "My Humps" by Black Eyed Peas |
|
Utica Queen | Tina Burner |
| 12 | "No Tears Left To Cry" by Ariana Grande |
|
Symone | Utica Queen |
| 13 | "Strong Enough" by Cher |
|
Kandy Muse | Olivia Lux |
Top Four Lip Sync
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Four | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winners | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 14 (Top 4) |
"I Learned from the Best (HQ2 Radio Mix)" by Whitney Houston |
|
Gottmik, Kandy Muse, Rosé & Symone |
|
Reunion Performances
Denali and LaLa Ri were chosen as the Top Two Lip Syncers of the season and had to lip sync for the charity of their choice.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Queen(s) Lip Syncing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" by En Vogue |
|
Kahmora Hall | |
| "I Want You Back" by NSYNC |
|
Joey Jay | ||
| "Arrogant" by Tamisha Iman |
|
Tamisha Iman | ||
| "Bad Bitch Tip" by LaLa Ri feat. Ocean Kelly |
|
LaLa Ri | ||
| "Hideaway" by Kiesza |
|
Elliott with 2 Ts | ||
| "How You Like That" by BLACKPINK |
|
Denali | ||
| "Turn It & Burn It" by Tina Burner |
|
Tina Burner | ||
| "You Should Be Sad" by Halsey |
|
Utica Queen | ||
| "I'm Goin' Down" by Mary J. Blige |
|
Olivia Lux | ||
| "Be My Lover" by La Bouche |
|
Top Two Lip Syncers | ||
| Lip Sync Winner | Lip Sync Loser | |||
| Denali | LaLa Ri | |||
Finale Lip Syncs
| Episode | Song | Photo | Lip Sync Winner (Top Two) |
Eliminated Queen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | "TBA" by TBA |
150px | TBA | TBA |
| "TBA" by TBA |
150px | TBA | TBA | |
| "TBA" by TBA |
150px | Top Two | ||
| Winner | Runner-Up | |||
| TBA | TBA | |||
- █ None of the contestants were eliminated in the lip sync battle.
Top Two Lip Syncs
Both premiere episodes of Season 12 included the Top Two queens lip syncing for the win, with no queens being eliminated.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner | Safe Queen | |||
| 1 | "Starships" by Nicki Minaj |
|
Widow Von'Du | Gigi Goode |
| 2 | "Call Your Girlfriend" by Robyn |
|
Jaida Essence Hall | Sherry Pie |
Regular Lip Syncs
Regular Lip Syncs where bottom two queens lip sync and one gets eliminated continued as of episode 3.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner(s) | Eliminated Queen(s) | |||
| 3 | "Problem" by Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea |
|
Nicky Doll | Dahlia Sin |
| 4 | "S&M" by Rihanna |
|
Brita | Rock M. Sakura |
| 5 | "Heart to Break" by Kim Petras |
|
Heidi N Closet | Nicky Doll |
| 6 | "Let It Go" by Caissie Levy |
|
Brita | Aiden Zhane |
| 7 | "Burning Up" by Madonna |
|
Heidi N Closet | Brita |
| 8 | "This Is My Night" by Chaka Khan |
|
Widow Von'Du | Jan |
| 9 | "Firework" by Katy Perry |
|
Jackie Cox | Widow Von'Du |
| 10 (Double Shantay) |
"Kill The Lights" by Alex Newell |
|
Heidi N Closet & Jackie Cox |
|
| 11 | "1999" by Prince |
|
Jaida Essence Hall | Heidi N Closet |
| 12 | "On The Floor" by Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull |
|
Crystal Methyd | Jackie Cox & Sherry Pie (Disqualified) |
Finale Lip Syncs and Individual Performances
Episode 13 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Queen(s) Lip Syncing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (Triple Shantay) |
"Bring Back My Girls" by RuPaul |
|
Crystal Methyd, Gigi Goode & Jaida Essence Hall | |||
| "I'm Like a Bird" by Nelly Furtado |
|
Crystal Methyd | ||||
| "Take On Me" by a-ha |
|
Gigi Goode | ||||
| "Get Up" by Ciara |
|
Jaida Essence Hall | ||||
| 14 | "Survivor" by Destiny's Child |
|
Top Three | |||
| Winner | Runners-Up | |||||
| Jaida Essence Hall | Crystal Methyd & Gigi Goode | |||||
- █ None of the contestants were eliminated in the lip sync battle.
Regular Lip Syncs
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two/Six | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner(s) | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 1 | "Best of Both Worlds" by Hannah Montana |
|
Kahanna Montrese | Soju |
| 2 | "Work Bitch" by Britney Spears |
|
Mercedes Iman Diamond | Kahanna Montrese |
| 3 (Bottom Six) |
"Waiting For Tonight (Hex Hector Remix)" by Jennifer Lopez |
|
A'keria Chanel Davenport, Plastique Tiara, Ra'Jah O'Hara, Scarlet Envy & Shuga Cain |
Honey Davenport |
| 4 | "Living in America" by James Brown |
|
Ra'Jah O'Hara | Mercedes Iman Diamond |
| 5 | "I'm Your Baby Tonight" by Whitney Houston |
|
Shuga Cain | Ariel Versace |
| 6 | "Last Dance" by Donna Summer |
|
Ra'Jah O'Hara | Scarlet Envy |
| 7 | "Strut" by Sheena Easton |
|
A'keria Chanel Davenport | Ra'Jah O'Hara |
| 8 (Double Shantay) |
"Sorry Not Sorry" by Demi Lovato |
|
Brooke Lynn Hytes & Yvie Oddly |
|
| 9 | "Hood Boy" by Fantasia |
|
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo | Plastique Tiara |
| 10 | "No More Drama" by Mary J. Blige |
|
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo | Shuga Cain |
| 11 | "No Scrubs" by TLC |
|
Silky Nutmeg Ganache | Nina West |
| 12 | "Pride: A Deeper Love" by Aretha Franklin |
|
Brooke Lynn Hytes | Vanessa Vanjie Mateo |
Finale Lip Syncs
Episode 13 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Lip Sync Winner (Top Two) |
Eliminated Queen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | "Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child |
|
Brooke Lynn Hytes | Silky Nutmeg Ganache |
| "SOS" by Rihanna |
|
Yvie Oddly | A'keria Chanel Davenport | |
| "The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga |
|
Top Two | ||
| Winner | Runner-Up | |||
| Yvie Oddly | Brooke Lynn Hytes | |||
- █ None of the contestants were eliminated in the lip sync battle.
Regular Lip Syncs
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner(s) | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 1 | "Ain't No Other Man" by Christina Aguilera |
|
Kalorie Karbdashian-Williams | Vanessa Vanjie Mateo |
| 2 | "Best Of My Love" by The Emotions |
|
Eureka O'Hara | Kalorie Karbdashian-Williams |
| 3 | "Celebrity Skin" by Hole |
|
Mayhem Miller | Yuhua Hamasaki |
| 4 | "Pound The Alarm" by Nicki Minaj |
|
Monét X Change | Dusty Ray Bottoms |
| 5 | "Man! I Feel Like A Woman" by Shania Twain |
|
Monét X Change | Mayhem Miller |
| 6 | "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross |
|
The Vixen | Blair St. Clair |
| 7 | "Cut To The Feeling" by Carly Rae Jepsen |
|
The Vixen | Monique Heart |
| 8 | "Groove Is In The Heart" by Deee-Lite |
|
Asia O'Hara | The Vixen |
| 9 (Double Shantay) |
"New Attitude" by Patti LaBelle |
|
Eureka O'Hara & Kameron Michaels |
|
| 10 | "Good As Hell" by Lizzo |
|
Kameron Michaels | Monét X Change |
| 11 | "Nasty Girl" by Vanity 6 |
|
Kameron Michaels | Miz Cracker |
Top Four Lip Sync
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Four | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winners | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 12 (Top 4) |
"Call Me Mother" by RuPaul |
|
Aquaria, Asia O'Hara, Eureka O'Hara & Kameron Michaels |
|
Finale Lip Syncs
Episode 13 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Lip Sync Winner(s) (Top Three) |
Eliminated Queen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | "Nasty" by Janet Jackson |
|
Kameron Michaels | Asia O'Hara |
| 14 (Double Shantay) |
"If" by Janet Jackson |
|
Aquaria & Eureka O'Hara |
|
| 14 | "Bang Bang" by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj |
|
Top Three | |
| Winner | Runners-Up | |||
| Aquaria | Eureka O'Hara & Kameron Michaels | |||
- █ None of the contestants were eliminated in the lip sync battle.
Regular Lip Syncs
Episode 1 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner(s) | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 2 | "Love Shack" by The B-52's |
|
Kimora Blac | Jaymes Mansfield |
| 3 | "Holding Out For A Hero" by Bonnie Tyler |
|
Aja | Kimora Blac |
| 4 | "I Wanna Go" by Britney Spears |
|
Trinity Taylor | Charlie Hides |
| 5 (Double Shantay) |
"Woman Up" by Meghan Trainor |
|
Cynthia Lee Fontaine & Farrah Moan |
Eureka O'Hara (Departed) |
| 6 | "Music" by Madonna |
|
Peppermint | Cynthia Lee Fontaine |
| 7 | "Finally" by Cece Peniston |
|
Nina Bo'nina Brown | Aja |
| 8 | "Baby I'm Burnin'" by Dolly Parton |
|
Alexis Michelle | Farrah Moan |
| 9 | "Greedy" by Ariana Grande |
|
Nina Bo'nina Brown | Valentina |
| 10 | "Cool For The Summer" by Demi Lovato |
|
Shea Couleé | Nina Bo'nina Brown |
| 11 | "Macho Man" by Village People |
|
Peppermint | Alexis Michelle |
Top Four Lip Sync
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Four | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winners | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 12 (Top 4) |
"U Wear It Well" by RuPaul |
|
Peppermint, Sasha Velour, Shea Couleé & Trinity Taylor |
|
Finale Lip Syncs
Episode 13 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Lip Sync Winner (Top Two) |
Eliminated Queen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | "Stronger" by Britney Spears |
|
Peppermint | Trinity Taylor |
| "So Emotional" by Whitney Houston |
|
Sasha Velour | Shea Couleé | |
| "It's Not Right But It's Okay" by Whitney Houston |
|
Top Two | ||
| Winner | Runner-Up | |||
| Sasha Velour | Peppermint | |||
- █ None of the contestants were eliminated in the lip sync battle.
Regular Lip Syncs
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner | Eliminated Queen(s) | |||
| 1 | "Applause" by Lady Gaga |
|
Laila McQueen | Naysha Lopez |
| 2 (Double Sashay) |
"I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor |
|
Dax ExclamationPoint & Laila McQueen | |
| 3 | "Mesmerized" by Faith Evans |
|
Robbie Turner | Cynthia Lee Fontaine |
| 4 | "Call Me" by Blondie |
|
Chi Chi DeVayne | Naysha Lopez |
| 5 | "Causing A Commotion" by Madonna |
|
Naomi Smalls | Acid Betty |
| 6 | "I Don't Care" by Icona Pop |
|
Derrick Barry | Robbie Turner |
| 7 | "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going'" by Jennifer Holliday |
|
Chi Chi DeVayne | Thorgy Thor |
| 8 | "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" by Sylvester |
|
Bob The Drag Queen | Derrick Barry |
Top Four Lip Sync
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Four | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winners | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 9 (Top 4) |
"The Realness" by RuPaul |
|
Bob The Drag Queen, Kim Chi & Naomi Smalls |
Chi Chi DeVayne |
Individual Performances
| Episode | Song | Photo | Queen Lip Syncing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | "I Don't Like To Show Off" by Lucian Piane |
|
Bob The Drag Queen | |||
| "Fat, Fem & Asian" by Lucian Piane |
|
Kim Chi | ||||
| "Legs" by Lucian Piane |
|
Naomi Smalls | ||||
| Top Three | ||||||
| Winner | Runners-Up | |||||
| Bob The Drag Queen | Kim Chi & Naomi Smalls | |||||
- █ Both of the contestants were eliminated in the lip sync batte.
Regular Lip Syncs
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 1 | "Geronimo" by RuPaul ft Lucian Piane |
|
Kandy Ho | Tempest DuJour |
| 2 | "Twist of Fate" by Olivia Newton-John |
|
Katya | Sasha Belle |
| 3 | "I Was Gonna Cancel" by Kylie Minogue |
|
Kennedy Davenport | Jasmine Masters |
| 4 | "Dreaming" by Blondie |
|
Pearl | Trixie Mattel |
| 5 | "Lovergirl" by Teena Marie |
|
Kandy Ho | Mrs. Kasha Davis |
| 6 | "Break Free" by Ariana Grande |
|
Jaidynn Diore Fierce | Kandy Ho |
| 7 | "No More Lies" by Michel'le |
|
Jaidynn Diore Fierce | Max |
| 8 | "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tiffany |
|
Ginger Minj (with Sasha Belle) | Jaidynn Diore Fierce (with Tempest DuJour) |
| 9 | "Really Don't Care" by Demi Lovato ft Cher Lloyd |
|
Pearl | Miss Fame |
| 10 | "Show Me Love" by Robin S. |
|
Ginger Minj | Trixie Mattel |
| 11 | "Roar" by Katy Perry |
|
Kennedy Davenport | Katya |
Top Four Lip Sync
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Four | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winners | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 12 (Top 4) |
"Born Naked" by RuPaul ft Clairy Browne |
|
Ginger Minj, Pearl & Violet Chachki |
Kennedy Davenport |
Individual Performances
Episode 13 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Queen Lip Syncing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | "Pray & Slay" by Lucian Piane |
|
Ginger Minj | |||
| "Sleepwalker" by Lucian Piane |
|
Pearl | ||||
| "Too Many Daddies" by Lucian Piane |
|
Violet Chachki | ||||
| Top Three | ||||||
| Winner | Runners-Up | |||||
| Violet Chachki | Ginger Minj & Pearl | |||||
Regular Lip Syncs
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner(s) | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 1 | "Express Yourself" by Madonna |
|
Vivacious | Kelly Mantle |
| 2 | "Turn The Beat Around" by Vicky Sue Robinson |
|
Darienne Lake | Magnolia Crawford |
| 3 | "Shake it Up" by Selena Gomez |
|
April Carrión | Vivacious |
| 4 | "I'm Every Woman" by Chaka Khan |
|
Trinity K. Bonet | April Carrión |
| 5 | "Head to Toe" by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam |
|
Laganja Estranja | Gia Gunn |
| 6 | "Whatta Man" by Salt-n-Pepa feat. En Vogue |
|
Trinity K. Bonet | Milk |
| 7 (Double Shantay) |
"Point of No Return" by Exposé |
|
BenDeLaCreme & Darienne Lake |
|
| 8 | "Stupid Girls" by P!nk |
|
Joslyn Fox | Laganja Estranja |
| 9 | "Vibeology" by Paula Abdul |
|
Adore Delano | Trinity K. Bonet |
| 10 | "Think" by Aretha Franklin |
|
Adore Delano | Joslyn Fox |
| 11 | "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" by Kelly Clarkson |
|
Darienne Lake | BenDeLaCreme |
Top Four Lip Sync
Episode 13 and Episode 14 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Four | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winners | Eliminated Queen | ||||
| 12 (Top 4) |
"Sissy That Walk" by RuPaul |
|
Adore Delano, Bianca Del Rio & Courtney Act |
Darienne Lake | |
| Top Three | |||||
| Winner | Runners-Up | ||||
| Bianca Del Rio | Adore Delano & Courtney Act | ||||
- █ None of the contestants were eliminated in the lip sync battle.
Regular Lip Syncs
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner(s) | Eliminated Queen(s) | |||
| 1 | "Party in the U.S.A" by Miley Cyrus |
|
Serena ChaCha | Penny Tration |
| 2 | "Only Girl (In The World)" by Rihanna |
|
Monica Beverly Hillz | Serena ChaCha |
| 3 | "When I Grow Up" by Pussycat Dolls |
|
Coco Montrese | Monica Beverly Hillz |
| 4 (Double Sashay) |
"Oops!...I Did It Again" by Britney Spears |
|
Honey Mahogany & Vivienne Pinay | |
| 5 | "Take Me Home" by Cher |
|
Detox | Lineysha Sparx |
| 6 | "I'm So Excited" by The Pointer Sisters |
|
Coco Montrese | Jade Jolie |
| 7 (Double Shantay) |
"Whip My Hair" by Willow Smith |
|
Alyssa Edwards & Roxxxy Andrews |
|
| 8 | "Ain't Nothin' Going on but the Rent" by Gwen Guthrie |
|
Alyssa Edwards | Ivy Winters |
| 9 | "Cold Hearted" by Paula Abdul |
|
Coco Montrese | Alyssa Edwards |
| 10 | "(It Takes) Two To Make It Right" by Seduction |
|
Detox | Coco Montrese |
| 11 | "Malambo No. 1" by Yma Sumac |
|
Jinkx Monsoon | Detox |
Top Three Lip Sync
Episode 13 and Episode 14 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Three | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winners | Eliminated Queen | ||||
| 12 (Top 3) |
"The Beginning" by RuPaul |
|
Alaska, Jinkx Monsoon & Roxxxy Andrews |
||
| Top Three | |||||
| Winner | Runners-Up | ||||
| Jinkx Monsoon | Alaska & Roxxxy Andrews | ||||
- █ Both of the contestants were eliminated in the lip sync batte.
- █ None of the contestants were eliminated in the lip sync battle.
Regular Lip Syncs
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner(s) | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 1 | "Toxic" by Britney Spears |
|
Jiggly Caliente | Alisa Summers |
| 2 | "Bad Girls" by Donna Summer |
|
The Princess | Lashauwn Beyond |
| 3 | "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole |
|
Dida Ritz | The Princess |
| 4 | "Trouble" by P!nk |
|
Milan | Madame LaQueer |
| 5 | "Vogue" by Madonna |
|
Milan | Kenya Michaels |
| 6 | "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga |
|
Jiggly Caliente | Milan |
| 7 | "Mi Vida Loca" by Pam Tillis |
|
Willam | Jiggly Caliente |
| 8 (Double Shantay) |
"It's Raining Men (The Sequel)" by Martha Wash and RuPaul |
|
Phi Phi O'Hara & Sharon Needles |
Willam (Disqualified) |
| 9 | "I've Got To Use My Imagination" by Gladys Knight |
|
Latrice Royale | Dida Ritz |
| 10 | "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin |
|
Latrice Royale | Kenya Michaels |
| 11 | "No One Else On Earth" by Wynonna Judd |
|
Chad Michaels | Latrice Royale |
Top Three Lip Sync
Episode 12 and Episode 14 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Three | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winners | Eliminated Queen | ||||
| 13 (Top 3) |
"Glamazon" by RuPaul |
|
Chad Michaels, Phi Phi O'Hara & Sharon Needles |
||
| Top Three | |||||
| Winner | Runners-Up | ||||
| Sharon Needles | Chad Michaels & Phi Phi O'Hara | ||||
- █ None of the contestants were eliminated in the lip sync battle.
Regular Lip Syncs
Episode 1 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner(s) | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 2 | "The Right Stuff" by Vanessa Williams |
|
Shangela Laquifa Wadley | Venus D-Lite |
| 3 | "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga |
|
Delta Work | Phoenix |
| 4 | "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston |
|
India Ferrah | Mimi Imfurst |
| 5 | "Meeting in the Ladies Room" by Klymaxx |
|
Stacy Layne Matthews | India Ferrah |
| 6 | "Lookin For A New Love" by Jody Watley |
|
Delta Work | Mariah |
| 7 | "Knock On Wood" by Amii Stewart |
|
Alexis Mateo | Stacy Layne Matthews |
| 8 | "MacArthur Park" by Donna Summer |
|
Manila Luzon | Delta Work |
| 9 (Double Shantay) |
"Hey Mickey (Spanish Version)" by Toni Basil |
|
Carmen Carrera & Yara Sofia |
|
| 10 | "Believe" by Cher |
|
Shangela Laquifa Wadley | Carmen Carrera |
| 11 | "Even Angels" by Fantasia |
|
Alexis Mateo | Shangela Laquifa Wadley |
| 12 | "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul |
|
Raja | Carmen Carrera |
| 13 | "I Think About You" by Patti LaBelle |
|
Alexis Mateo | Yara Sofia |
Finale Lip Sync
Episode 14 and Episode 16 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Runner-Up | |||
| 15 | "Champion" by RuPaul |
|
Raja | Manila Luzon |
- █ None of the contestants were eliminated in the lip sync battle.
Regular Lip Syncs
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 1 | "Covergirl (Put The Bass In Your Walk)" by RuPaul |
|
Sahara Davenport | Shangela Laquifa Wadley |
| 2 | "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" by En Vogue |
|
Raven | Nicole Paige Brooks |
| 3 | "I Hear You Knocking" by Wynonna Judd |
|
Raven | Mystique Summers Madison |
| 4 | "Two of Hearts" by Stacey Q |
|
Morgan McMichaels | Sonique |
| 5 | "Carry On" by Martha Wash |
|
Sahara Davenport | Morgan McMichaels |
| 6 | "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles |
|
Jujubee | Sahara Davenport |
| 7 | "He's the Greatest Dancer'" by Sister Sledge |
|
Tatianna | Jessica Wild |
| 8 | "Shake Your Love" by Debbie Gibson |
|
Jujubee | Pandora Boxx |
| 9 | "Something He Can Feel" by Aretha Franklin |
|
Jujubee | Tatianna |
Finale Lip Sync
Episode 10 and Episode 12 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Runner-Up | |||
| 11 | "Jealous of My Boogie" by RuPaul |
|
Tyra Sanchez | Raven |
Regular Lip Syncs
| Episode | Song | Photo | Bottom Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Sync Winner | Eliminated Queen | |||
| 1 | "Supermodel" by RuPaul |
|
Akashia | Victoria "Porkchop" Parker |
| 2 | "We Break The Dawn" by Michelle Williams |
|
Akashia | Tammie Brown |
| 3 | "The Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston |
|
Shannel | Akashia |
| 4 | "Would I Lie to You?" by Eurythmics |
|
Rebecca Glasscock | Jade |
| 5 | "Stronger" by Britney Spears |
|
BeBe Zahara Benet | Ongina |
| 6 | "Shackles (Praise You)" by Mary Mary |
|
Rebecca Glasscock | Shannel |
Finale Lip Sync
Episode 7 and Episode 9 did not featured lip sync performances or eliminations.
| Episode | Song | Photo | Top Two | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Runner-Up | |||
| 8 | "Cover Girl (Put The Bass In Your Walk)" by RuPaul |
|
BeBe Zahara Benet | Nina Flowers |
Lip Sync Performances
S13 E1 “Call Me Maybe” Lip Sync
S13 E1 “When I Grow Up” Lip Sync
S13 E1 “Pleasure Principle” Lip Sync
S13 E1 “Rumors” Lip Sync
S13 E1 “Ex's & Oh's” Lip Sync
S13 E1 “Lady Marmalade” Lip Sync
S13 E2 “Break My Heart” Lip Sync
S13 E3 “If U Seek Amy” Lip Sync
S13 E4 “100% Pure Love” Lip Sync
S13 E5 “Fancy” Lip Sync
S13 E7 “Whole Lotta Woman” Lip Sync
S13 E8 “BO$$” Lip Sync
S13 E9 “Fascinated” Lip Sync
S13 E10 “Shackles (Praise You)” Lip Sync
S13 E11 “My Humps” Lip Sync
S13 E12 “No Tears Left To Cry” Lip Sync
S13 E13 “Strong Enough” Lip Sync
S13 E14 “I Learned From The Best” Lip Sync
Reunion Performances
S13 E15 “Giving Him Something He Can Feel” Lip Sync
Episode 1 “Starships” Lip Sync
Episode 5 “Heart to Break” Lip Sync
Episode 6 “Let It Go” Lip Sync
Episode 8 “This is My Night” Lip Sync
Episode 9 “Firework” Lip Sync
Episode 10 “Kill The Lights” Lip Sync
Episode 11 “1999” Lip Sync
Episode 12 “On The Floor” Lip Sync
Season 12 Lip Sync for the Crown
Trivia
- 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 queens 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 a mask she was wearing which was hiding her lips and the judges ability to see her lip sync. 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.)
- 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.
- 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 on one stage.
- In Season 13, instead of having a premiere or split-premiere, the opening episode featured six lip syncs that resulted in the queens being split into two groups- the "Winner's Circle" and the "Pork Chop Queens." Elliott With 2 Ts, who was originally put in the Pork Chop group, was moved to the Winner's Circle after being voted to be "eliminated" by her fellow Pork Chop queens.
- Alexis Michelle and Farrah Moan's lip sync on Season 9 was the 100th lip sync for your life.
- During Season 10, Kameron Michaels participated in 6 lip syncs, the record for most times lip syncing in a single (regular) season.
- Season 5 is the first season of the franchise to feature both a Double Shantay and a Double Elimination.
- BenDeLaCreme & Darienne Lake, Alaska & Katya, BenDeLaCreme & Shangela, Eureka O'Hara & Kameron Michaels, Eureka O'Hara & Aquaria, Monique Heart & Trinity The Tuck, Ra'Jah O'Hara & Scarlet Envy, Ra'Jah O'Hara & A'keria Chanel Davenport, Brooke Lynn Hytes & Yvie Oddly, and Ma'Ma Queen & Miss Abby OMG are the only pairs of queens to lip sync against each other twice.
- Apart from RuPaul, the only male vocal songs have been by Sylvester, The B-52s, Village People, James Brown, Wham!, Alex Newell, Prince, Ricky Martin, and Black Eyed Peas.
- Fourteen lip-sync songs have been used multiple times:
- The first was RuPaul's "Cover Girl", used for BeBe Zahara Benet's and Nina Flowers' 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.
- "Shackles (Praise You)" by Mary Mary was the fourteenth song, used for Season 1 with Rebecca Glasscock and Shannel and Season 13, with Olivia Lux and Denali.
- 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.
- The fourteenth reused song is the only gospel song to ever be used on the show.
- Three out of the six Madonna songs lip synced on the show were used in Snatch Game episodes.
- The majority of artists/bands have only been lip synced to once, with some notable exceptions:
- RuPaul with 25 songs (one with Martha Wash, two with Big Freedia).
- RuPaul has been performed 28 times as Covergirl, Born Naked, and Sissy That Walk have all been used twice.
- Ariana Grande with 7 songs, Break Free, Greedy, Bang Bang, Into You, Problem, One Last Time and No Tears Left To Cry.
- Madonna and Whitney Houston with 6 songs.
- Britney Spears and Aretha Franklin with 5 songs respectively.
- Although Spears has been performed 7 times as Stronger and Toxic were used twice.
- Lady Gaga, Paula Abdul and Nicki Minaj (one as a feature) with 4 songs respectively.
- Although Gaga has been performed 6 times as Born This Way was used 3 times.
- Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Miley Cyrus (one as Hannah Montana), Donna Summer, Demi Lovato, Christina Aguilera & P!nk with 3 songs respectively.
- Jackson has also been performed 4 times as Nasty was used twice.
- Wynonna Judd, Patti LaBelle, Martha Wash (one with RuPaul), Pussycat Dolls, Cher, En Vogue (one as a feature), Blondie, Gladys Knight (One as Gladys Knight & the Pips), The Pointer Sisters, Katy Perry, Diana Ross, Big Freedia (Both Features), Fantasia, Robyn, Chaka Khan, & Michelle Williams (one with Destiny's Child) with 2 songs respectively.
- Eurythmics have been performed 3 times as Would I Lie to You? has been used twice.
- The Pussycat Dolls have also been performed 3 times, as When I Grow Up has been used twice.
- RuPaul with 25 songs (one with Martha Wash, two with Big Freedia).
- Besides RuPaul, Britney Spears is the first artist to be lip synced two separate times (in Season 1 and Season 4), quickly followed by Donna Summer (in Season 3 and Season 4.)
- Spears is also the first artist besides RuPaul to have a song used twice, being Stronger in Season 1 and Season 9.
- Spears is also the first artist besides RuPaul to be lip synced twice in the same season on two separate episodes, with I Wanna Go and Stronger in Season 9.
- She was followed by Nicki Minaj in Season 10 with Pound the Alarm and Bang Bang.
- 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 Grande Finale.
- She was followed by Janet Jackson with Nasty and If from the season 10 Grande 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.
- Season 11 and All Stars 5 are the only seasons of the franchise 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.
- The greatest number of lip syncs in a single episode is six, in the first episode of Season 13.
- Season 13 is the first time the series aired multiple lip syncs in an opening episode.
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