RuPaul's Drag Race | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
The sixteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was officially announced by World of Wonder on October 31, 2022. Casting opened the same day with deadline of January 6, 2023.[1]
On December 6, 2023, the cast of Season 16 was officially announced, alongside a premiere date of January 5, 2024.[2]
The winner of the sixteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Nymphia Wind, with Sapphira Cristál placing as the runner-up. Sapphira Cristál and Xunami Muse both won Miss Congeniality, making herstory as the first double Miss Congeniality winners.
About The Show[]
On this Emmy Award-winning reality competition series, a new set of talented queens face off in design and performance challenges in hopes of being crowned America's Next Drag Superstar.
Emmy® award-winning "RuPaul's Drag Race" is a reality competition show hosted by world famous drag performer and seven-time Emmy® award-winning host, RuPaul. Contestants compete in design, comedy, dancing, and lip sync challenges while vying for the crown and coveted title of "America's Next Drag Superstar." RuPaul's Drag Race is now the most-awarded reality competition show in Emmys history.
Contestants[]
(Biographical information stated from during time of contest)
Rank | Contestant | Photo | Age[3] | Location | Ep. 1 | Ep. 2 | Ep. 3 | Ep. 4 | Ep. 5 | Ep. 6 | Ep. 7 | Ep. 8 | Ep. 9 | Ep. 10 | Ep. 11 | Ep. 12 | Ep. 13 | Ep. 14 | Ep. 15 | Ep. 16 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Talent Show | Ball | Acting | Girl Groups |
Design | Rusical | Snatch Game |
Design | Rumix | Stand Up |
Design | Make Over |
Advert | Lip Sync |
Finale | ||||||
1st (Winner) |
Nymphia Wind (Group 2) |
27 | Brooklyn, NY |
SAFE Mini Chall. Winner |
WIN | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | LOW | HIGH Mini Chall. Winner |
SAFE | HIGH | LOW | HIGH | WIN | RUN | WINNER | ||
2nd (Runner Up & Miss Congeniality) |
Sapphira Cristál (Group 1) |
34 | Philadelphia, PA |
WIN Mini Chall. Winner |
HIGH | SAFE | SAFE Team Captain |
SAFE | HIGH | HIGH | HIGH | WIN | WIN Mini Chall. Winner |
WIN | BTM2 | HIGH Mini Chall. Winner |
RUN | MISS CON + RUNNER UP | ||
3rd | Plane Jane (Group 2) |
24 | Boston, MA |
WIN | SAFE | HIGH | SAFE | HIGH | SAFE | WIN | HIGH | LOW | SAFE | WIN Mini Chall. Winner |
WIN | BTM2 | RUN | ELIM | ||
4th | Q (Group 1) |
26 | Kansas City, MO |
TOP2 | HIGH | HIGH | BTM2 | WIN | HIGH | SAFE | WIN | LOW | SAFE | LOW | HIGH | ELIM | LOST 1ST ROUND |
GUEST | ||
5th (Queen of SDADHH) |
Morphine Love Dion (Group 1) |
25 | Miami, FL |
SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | LOW | BTM2 | LOW | TOP2 | BTM2 | BTM2 | ELIM | WINNER | GUEST | |||
6th | Dawn (Group 1) |
24 | Brooklyn, NY |
SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | HIGH | LOW | ELIM | LOST 1ST ROUND |
GUEST | ||||
7th | Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige (Group 2) |
34 | Miami, FL |
SAFE | LOW | LOW | WIN | BTM2 | BTM2 | HIGH | BTM2 | HIGH | ELIM | LOST 3RD ROUND |
GUEST | |||||
8th | Plasma (Group 2) |
24 | New York, NY |
SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE Team Captain |
LOW | WIN | SAFE | ELIM | LOST 1ST ROUND |
GUEST | |||||||
9th (Miss Congeniality) |
Xunami Muse (Group 1) |
33 | New York, NY |
SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE Mini Chall. Winner |
SAFE | ELIM Mini Chall. Winner |
LOST 1ST ROUND |
MISS CON | ||||||||
10th | Megami (Group 2) |
33 | Brooklyn, NY |
SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | ELIM | LOST 4TH ROUND |
GUEST | |||||||||
11th | Geneva Karr (Group 2) |
30 | Brownsville, TX |
TOP2 | BTM2 | BTM2 | WIN Team Captain |
ELIM | LOST 1ST ROUND |
GUEST | ||||||||||
12th (Golden Boot) |
Amanda Tori Meating (Group 1) |
26 | Los Angeles, CA |
SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | LOST 2ND ROUND |
GUEST | |||||||||||
13th | Mirage (Group 1) |
26 | Las Vegas, NV |
SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | LOST 2ND ROUND |
GUEST | ||||||||||||
14th | Hershii LiqCour-Jeté (Group 2) |
31 | Los Angeles, CA |
SAFE | ELIM | LOST 1ST ROUND |
GUEST |
- █ The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race.
- █ The contestant placed as a runner up while also awarded the title of "Miss Congeniality at the finale.
- █ The contestant was eliminated during the finale.
- █ The contestant appeared on the reunion episode and was still in the running.
- █ The contestant had immunity in this episode.
- █ The contestant was one of the maxi challenge winners.
- █ The contestant won the maxi challenge or was in the Top 2 of the week and won the "Lip Sync For The Win".
- █ The contestant was in the Top 2 of the week, but did not win the "Lip Sync For The Win".
- █ The contestant received mostly positive critiques, but did not win the maxi challenge.
- █ The contestant received mostly negative critiques, but was not up for elimination.
- █ The contestant was up for elimination and won the "Lip Sync For Your Life".
- █ The contestant was up for elimination, lost the "Lip Sync For Your Life", and was eliminated.
- █ The contestant won the She Done Already Done Had Herses Lip Sync tournament.
- █ The contestant lost the fourth She Done Already Done Had Herses Lip Sync round.
- █ The contestant lost the third She Done Already Done Had Herses Lip Sync round.
- █ The contestant lost the second She Done Already Done Had Herses Lip Sync round.
- █ The contestant lost the first She Done Already Done Had Herses Lip Sync round.
- █ The contestant was awarded the title of "Miss Congeniality" at the finale.
- █ The contestant appeared as a guest, but was out of the running
Contestant's Winning Earnings[]
Contestant | Money |
---|---|
Nymphia Wind | $216,950 |
Sapphira Cristál | $60,400 |
Plane Jane | $43,100 |
Q | $10,700 |
Morphine Love Dion | $50,700 |
Dawn | $700 |
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige | $2,050 |
Plasma | $10,000 |
Xunami Muse | $12,500 |
Megami | $1,250 |
Geneva Karr | $1,250 |
Amanda Tori Meating | $0 |
Mirage | $0 |
Hershii LiqCour-Jeté | $0 |
- █ The contestant won $200,000 from winning RuPaul's Drag Race.
- █ The contestant won $10,000 from winning Miss Congeniality and $25,000 for placing as the runner up, sponsored by CashApp.
- █ The contestant won $25,000 after being eliminated in the finale, sponsored by CashApp.
- █ The contestant won $10,000 for winning Miss Congeniality.
- █ The contestant won $50,000 from the She Done Already Done Had Herses Lip Sync tournament.
- Each contestant present at the finale was awarded a $2,000 cash prize courtesy of Olay Body.
Rate-A-Queen Rankings[]
Episode 1 | Episode 2 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Contestant | Rank | Contestant | Rank |
Sapphira Cristál | 1st | Plane Jane | 1st |
Q | 2nd | Geneva Karr | 2nd |
Dawn | 3rd | Nymphia Wind | 3rd |
Mirage | 4th | Plasma | 4th |
Morphine Love Dion | 5th | Mhi'ya Iman LePaige | 5th |
Xunami Muse | 6th | Hershii LiqCour-Jeté | 6th |
Amanda Tori Meating | 7th | Megami | 7th |
Episodes[]
Series # | Episode # | Title | Airdate |
---|---|---|---|
208 | 1 | Rate-A-Queen | January 5, 2024 |
209 | 2 | Queen Choice Awards | January 12, 2024 |
210 | 3 | The Mother of All Balls | January 19, 2024 |
211 | 4 | RDR Live! | January 26, 2024 |
212 | 5 | Girl Groups | February 2, 2024 |
213 | 6 | Welcome To The DollHouse | February 9, 2024 |
214 | 7 | The Sound Of Rusic | February 16, 2024 |
215 | 8 | Snatch Game | February 23, 2024 |
216 | 9 | See You Next Wednesday | March 1, 2024 |
217 | 10 | Werq The World | March 8, 2024 |
218 | 11 | Corporate Queens | March 15, 2024 |
219 | 12 | Bathroom Hunties | March 22, 2024 |
220 | 13 | Drag Race Vegas LIVE! Makeovers | March 29, 2024 |
221 | 14 | Booked & Blessed | April 5, 2024 |
222 | 15 | LipSync Lalaparuza Smackdown - Reunited | April 12, 2024 |
223 | 16 | Grand Finale | April 19, 2024 |
Episode 1: "Rate-A-Queen"[]
Airdate: January 5, 2024
Synopsis: A new cast of queens, competing to be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar, must show off their performance skills in a talent show. Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron guest judges.
- Special Guests: Derrick Barry and Love Connie
- Guest Judge: Charlize Theron
- Mini Challenge: Photoshoot through a Doorbell Camera on RuPaul's porch
- Mini Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
- Mini Challenge Prize: $2,500 cash prize
- Maxi Challenge: Perform in the MTV Spring Break Talent Show
- Runway Theme: RuVeal Yourself
- Top Two: Sapphira Cristál and Q
- Lip Sync Song: "Break My Soul" by Beyoncé
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize and immunity from a future challenge
Entrance Order
1 | Q |
2 | Xunami Muse |
3 | Amanda Tori Meating |
4 | Morphine Love Dion |
5 | Sapphira Cristál |
6 | Mirage |
7 | Dawn |
Talent Show Performances
Contestant | Performance | Rate-A-Queen Rankings |
---|---|---|
Morphine Love Dion | Lip Sync | 5th |
Amanda Tori Meating | Original Song | 7th |
Dawn | Original Song | 3rd |
Q | Dance Puppetry | 2nd |
Mirage | Original Song | 4th |
Xunami Muse | Original Song | 6th |
Sapphira Cristál | Opera Singing | 1st |
RuPaul's Front Porch Photoshoot
Episode 2: "Queen Choice Awards"[]
Airdate: January 12, 2024
Synopsis: A new cast of queens, competing to be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar, must show off their performance skills in a talent show. Superstar singer Becky G guest judges.
- Special Guest: Derrick Barry, Love Connie and Ts Madison
- Guest Judge: Becky G
- Mini Challenge: Get a photo taken at the She-MV
- Mini Challenge Winner: Nymphia Wind
- Mini Challenge Prize: $2,500 cash prize
- Maxi Challenge: Perform in the Queen Choice Award Talent Show
- Runway Theme: Made Ya Look
- Top Two: Geneva Karr and Plane Jane
- Lip Sync Song: "Shower" by Becky G
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Plane Jane
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize and immunity from a future challenge
Entrance Order
1 | Hershii LiqCour-Jeté |
2 | Plasma |
3 | Geneva Karr |
4 | Plane Jane |
5 | Megami |
6 | Mhi'ya Iman LePaige |
7 | Nymphia Wind |
Talent Show Performances
Contestant | Performance | Rate-A-Queen Rankings |
---|---|---|
Geneva Karr | Original Song | 2nd |
Hershii LiqCour-Jeté | Original Song | 6th |
Plasma | Original Song | 4th |
Nymphia Wind | Cultural Dance | 3rd |
Megami | Lipsync | 7th |
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige | Stunts / Lipsync | 5th |
Plane Jane | Original Song | 1st |
Episode 3: "The Mother of All Balls"[]
Airdate: January 19, 2024
Synopsis: The two groups of queens meet for the first time. Tensions rise as queens put their design skills to the test in a pageant of mother-inspired couture and showcase three mom-themed looks. Iconic fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi guest judges.
- Guest Judge: Isaac Mizrahi
- Maxi Challenge: Ball Challenge
- Runway Themes: Mother Goose, Significant Mother and Call Me Mother/Father Eleganza
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Nymphia Wind
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
- Bottom Two: Geneva Karr and Hershii LiqCour-Jeté
- Lip Sync Song: "Maybe You're the Problem" by Ava Max
- Eliminated: Hershii LiqCour-Jeté
- Farewell Message: "Whiplash!!! Love Hershii"
Runway Inspiration
Contestant | Nursery Rhyme | Significant Mother |
---|---|---|
Amanda Tori Meating | Little Pussy | Michelle Visage |
Dawn | Cushy Cow | Audrey Hepburn |
Geneva Karr | Miss Muffet | Salma Hayek |
Hershii LiqCour-Jeté | Burnie Bee | Mother Nature |
Megami | Little Bo-Peep | Lady Gaga |
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige | Mary's Canary | Lil' Kim |
Mirage | Baa Baa Black Sheep | La Llorona |
Morphine Love Dion | A Man and A Maid | Kris Jenner |
Nymphia Wind | Little Boy Blue | Angelina Jolie |
Plane Jane | Pussycat by the Fire | Octomom |
Plasma | Tweedle-Dum & Tweedle-Dee | Anne Boleyn |
Q | The Man in the Moon | Judy Garland |
Sapphira Cristál | Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater | Eve |
Xunami Muse | Humpty Dumpty | Kandy Muse |
Episode 4: "RDR Live!"[]
Airdate: January 26, 2024
Synopsis: Live from Tuckahoe, it’s RDR Live! The queens are challenged to serve up laughs in a hilarious send-up of the iconic sketch comedy show. Actress and three-time SNL host Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) guest judges.
- Guest Judge: Sarah Michelle Gellar
- Maxi Challenge: Perform in a sketch comedy performance of RDR Live
- Runway Theme: Everything Every-Cher All At Once
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Plasma
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
- Bottom Two: Geneva Karr and Mirage
- Lip Sync Song: "Dark Lady" by Cher
- Eliminated: Mirage
- Farewell Message: "Looks Like the Trash bag Lost 💋 LoL ♡ Mirage"
RDR Live! Roles:
Contestant | Skit | Role | Cher Look |
---|---|---|---|
Amanda Tori Meating | Queen Network News | News Anchor #1 | The Cher Doll, 2001 |
Dawn | Queen Network News | News Anchor #2 | Mod Cher, 1976 |
Geneva Karr | End of the World Countdown - Total Annihilation | Lindsey Graham | Ringling Brothers Ringmaster, 1974 |
Megami | Thick and Long Deck Service | Connie Thick | Turn Back Time, 2009 |
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige | End of the World Countdown - Total Annihilation | Donna Lemon | Cher Promoting Burlesque, 2010 |
Mirage | Host | Cher in Concert, 1979 | |
Morphine Love Dion | End of the World Countdown - Total Annihilation | Brandy Cohen | Academy Awards, 1988 |
Nymphia Wind | Holidays with the Barbra Shop Quartet | unsaid | Cher, The Egyptian Goddess, 1979 |
Plane Jane | Thick and Long Deck Service | Candy Long | Cher, 1974 MET Gala |
Plasma | Holidays with the Barbra Shop Quartet | Barbra | Cher, 1985 MET Gala |
Q | Queen Network News | The First Brick of Stonewall | Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, 1973 |
Sapphira Cristál | Holidays with the Barbra Shop Quartet | Laurence Steam | Cher Vegas Residency, 2017 |
Xunami Muse | End of the World Countdown - Total Annihilation | Randerson Cooper | Cher, The Prisoner, 1979 |
Episode 5: "Girl Groups"[]
Airdate: February 2, 2024
Synopsis: The queens are tasked with writing and performing their own verses, for RuPaul songs from his new album Black Butta. Swedish synth-pop duo Icona Pop guest judge.
- Guest Judge: Icona Pop
- Mini Challenge: Take a cover photo for an original memoir, inspired by RuPaul's The House of Hidden Meanings
- Mini Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
- Mini Challenge Prize: $2,000 cash prize and a signed copy of RuPaul's The House of Hidden Meanings
- Maxi Challenge: Create girl groups and original verses for songs from RuPaul's Black Butta
- Runway Theme: Faster Pussycat! Wig, Wig!
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Geneva Karr, Megami, Mhi'ya Iman LePaige and Nymphia Wind
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize (split among them, $1,250 each)
- Bottom Two: Amanda Tori Meating and Q
- Lip Sync Song: "Emergency" by Icona Pop
- Eliminated: Amanda Tori Meating
- Farewell Message: "You are all Fugly SKANKS and I hate every last one of you bitches. Most of all Q. LMAO but actually ily♡ Have fun cleaning this mirror you bitch. You better fucking win so I can at least say the winner sent me to the house."
Girl Groups
Q.D.S.M | Lovah Girlz | Thicc & Stick | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
"Star Baby" | "Courage to Love" | "A.S.M.R. Lover" | ||
Contestant | Who Should Go Home? | Contestant | Who Should Go Home? | Contestant |
Dawn | Q | Amanda Tori Meating | Q | Geneva Karr |
Morphine Love Dion | Amanda Tori Meating | Plane Jane | Amanda Tori Meating | Megami |
Q | Amanda Tori Meating | Plasma | Q | Mhi'ya Iman LePaige |
Xunami Muse | ||||
Sapphira Cristál | Amanda Tori Meating | Xunami Muse | Q | Nymphia Wind |
Episode 6: "Welcome To The DollHouse"[]
Airdate: February 9, 2024
Synopsis: After a flamenco dance with Spanish sensation Charo, the queens must design their own dolls, based on their drag personas. Superstar stylist Law Roach (Legendary) guest judges.
- Special Guest: Charo
- Guest Judge: Law Roach
- Mini Challenge: Flamenco dance with the Pit Crew
- Mini Challenge Winner: Xunami Muse
- Mini Challenge Prize: A trip to Spain courtesy of the Tourism Board of Spain
- Maxi Challenge: Create a look and a matching look for an original doll
- Runway Theme: Welcome to the Dollhouse
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Q
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
- Bottom Two: Geneva Karr and Mhi'ya Iman LePaige
- Lip Sync Song: "Control" by Janet Jackson
- Eliminated: Geneva Karr
- Farewell Message: "Malditas las odio. Love, GK. Vroom vroom!"
Doll Edition:
Contestant | Doll Edition |
---|---|
Dawn | Galactic Empress Edition |
Geneva Karr | Daintiest Doll Texas Edition |
Megami | Native New Yorker Edition |
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige | Queen of Flips Edition |
Morphine Love Dion | Miami Bimbo Edition |
Nymphia Wind | Spring Banana Yellow Carpet Edition |
Plane Jane | Aquatic Edition |
Plasma | Passenger on the Pacific Edition |
Q | Fantasy Edition |
Sapphira Cristál | Grade Dame Diva Metropolitan Opera Edition |
Xunami Muse | Fashion Week Edition |
Episode 7: "The Sound Of Rusic"[]
Airdate: February 16, 2024
Synopsis: This season’s Rusical is set high in the Swish Alps, as a young queen called Mariah goes in search of a musical outlet for her inner freak. Legendary director Adam Shankman (Hairspray) guest judges.
- Special Guest: Melissa McCarthy
- Guest Judge: Adam Shankman
- Maxi Challenge: Perform in the Rusical "The Sound of Rusic"
- Runway Theme: I Could Buy Myself Flowers
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Plasma
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
- Bottom Two: Megami and Mhi'ya Iman LePaige
- Lip Sync Song: "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus
- Eliminated: Megami
- Farewell Message: "Choose Chaos Be Badass Bitches NYC Girls, Take It Home! Heart Eyes ♡ -M"
The Sound of Rusic Roles:
Contestant | Role |
---|---|
Dawn | Strudel Von Snapp |
Megami | Schnitzel Von Snapp |
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige | Sister Sister |
Morphine Love Dion | Sister Fister |
Nymphia Wind | Diesel Von Snapp |
Plane Jane | Baronette Eva |
Plasma | Mariah Grande |
Q | Baroness Braun |
Sapphira Cristál | Mother Superior |
Xunami Muse | Baronette Magda |
Episode 8: "Snatch Game"[]
Airdate: February 23, 2024
Synopsis: After the iconic Reading challenge, the queens impersonate celebrities in the classic quick-fire comedy game show. All Stars winner Chad Michaels drops by the werkroom; actress Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) guest judges.
- Special Guest: Chad Michaels
- Guest Judge: Kyra Sedgwick
- Mini Challenge: Reading Challenge
- Mini Challenge Winner: Xunami Muse
- Mini Challenge Prize: $2,500 cash prize
- Maxi Challenge: Snatch Game
- Runway Theme: Dancing Queens
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Plane Jane
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
- Bottom Two: Morphine Love Dion and Xunami Muse
- Lip Sync Song: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston
- Eliminated: Xunami Muse
- Farewell Message: "You know what... NOT me leaving this early!!! LMAO Ladies, just serve mad C*** LOVE u all ♡ -Xunami MUSE"
Snatch Game Characters:
Contestant | Celebrity | Dancing Queen Inspiration |
---|---|---|
Dawn | Meghan McCain | Polka |
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige | Trina's Cousin Shaquita | 1990s Hip-Hop |
Morphine Love Dion | Anna Sorokin | Flamenco |
Nymphia Wind | Jane Goodall | Japanese Butoh |
Plane Jane | Jelena Karleuša | Latin Ballroom |
Plasma | Patti LuPone | Tap Dance |
Q | Amelia Earhart | Robot |
Sapphira Cristál | James Brown | Drag U Majorette |
Xunami Muse | The Gold Tooth Fairy | Salsa |
Episode 9: "See You Next Wednesday"[]
Airdate: March 1, 2024
Synopsis: Morticia meets Mugler as the queens create a Neo-Goth look from scratch, using only black, white and gray fabric. Drop dead gorgeous model and actress Kaia Gerber (Bottoms) guest judges.
- Guest Judge: Kaia Gerber
- Mini Challenge: Spit Take in response to comments from RuPaul
- Mini Challenge Winner: Nymphia Wind
- Mini Challenge Prize: $2,500 cash prize
- Maxi Challenge: Design a neo-goth look using only black, white and grey fabric
- Runway Theme: See You Next Wednesday
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Q
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
- Bottom Two: Mhi'ya Iman LePaige and Plasma
- Lip Sync Song: "Bloody Mary (Wednesday Dance TikTok Remix)" by Lady Gaga
- Eliminated: Plasma
- Farewell Message: "'Wow!' -Morphine Thank you all for the love UGLY UGLY UGLY! xoxo -Plazzy"
Episode 10: "Werq The World"[]
Airdate: March 8, 2024
Synopsis: The queens let their voices be heard in an inspirational political anthem and exercise their right to shake their groove thing. Choreographer Jamal Sims (Aladdin) guest judges.
- Special Guests: Leland and Freddy Scott
- Guest Judge: Jamal Sims
- Maxi Challenge: Write and record verses for political anthem "Power"
- Runway Theme: True Colors
- Top Two: Morphine Love Dion and Sapphira Cristál
- Lip Sync Song: "Made You Look" by Meghan Trainor
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
True Colors Runway:
Contestant | Color |
---|---|
Dawn | Navy Blue |
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige | Red |
Morphine Love Dion | Purple |
Nymphia Wind | Yellow |
Plane Jane | Green |
Q | Lavender |
Sapphira Cristál | Blue |
Episode 11: "Corporate Queens"[]
Airdate: March 15, 2024
Synopsis: The queens must devise and present comical Drag Awareness seminars, in front of a live audience of bored corporate employees. Actor and comedian Joel Kim Booster (Fire Island) guest judges.
- Guest Judge: Joel Kim Booster
- Mini Challenge: Vote who best fits the characteristic named by RuPaul. Instead of points, the majority voters earn $100.
- Mini Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
- Mini Challenge Prize: $3,400 cash prize ($2,500 cash prize + $900 prize points from the mini challenge)
- Maxi Challenge: Present funny Drag Awareness Employee Seminars in teams.
- Runway Theme: Flashback: DragCon 1980
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
- Bottom Two: Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige and Morphine Love Dion
- Lip Sync Song: "Dim All The Lights" by Donna Summer
- Eliminated: Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige
- Farewell Message: "It was fun I love you all Season 16! Morphine bring it home #305 *Queen of Flipss* #Mhi'ya"
Drag Seminar Teams:
Do You Know Your Drag Herstory? |
Drag in the Werkplace | Are You a Drag Queen? You Might Be Surprised |
---|---|---|
Plane Jane | Dawn | Morphine Love Dion |
Q | Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige | Nymphia Wind |
Sapphira Cristál |
Episode 12: "Bathroom Hunties"[]
Airdate: March 22, 2024
Synopsis: Nature calls! The queens star in the hot new design show “Bathroom Hunties,” decorating and showcasing over-the-top powder rooms. Actress Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez) guest judges.
- Special Guest: Norvina
- Guest Judge: Mayan Lopez
- Mini Challenge: Paint a custom t-shirt using just a painted face, inspired by Tammy Faye.
- Mini Challenge Winner: Plane Jane
- Mini Challenge Prize: $5,000 worth of Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics
- Maxi Challenge: Design a gender inclusive bathroom for a nightclub on the fictional show 'Bathroom Hunties'
- Runway Theme: Chain Reaction
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Plane Jane and Sapphira Cristál
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize (split, $2,500 each)
- Bottom Two: Dawn and Morphine Love Dion
- Lip Sync Song: "Body" by Megan Thee Stallion
- Eliminated: Dawn
- Farewell Message: "BYE ♡ xoxo Dawn ☺"
Design Teams:
Bathroom | Contestants |
---|---|
Naughty Potty |
Morphine Love Dion |
Q | |
F.ART Museum |
Dawn |
Nymphia Wind | |
Bootylickers Speakeasy |
Plane Jane |
Sapphira Cristál |
Episode 13: "Drag Race Vegas LIVE! Makeovers"[]
Airdate: March 29, 2024
Synopsis: Hunky male dancers from the RuPaul’s Drag Race LIVE! show in Las Vegas drop by the werkroom, to be made over into devastating drag queens. Country star Kelsea Ballerini guest judges.
- Guest Judge: Kelsea Ballerini
- Maxi Challenge: Make over dancers from RuPaul's Drag Race LIVE! and choreograph a duet dance.
- Runway Theme: Drag Family Resemblance
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Plane Jane
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
- Bottom Two: Morphine Love Dion and Sapphira Cristál
- Lip Sync Song: "Miss Me More" by Kelsea Ballerini
- Eliminated: Morphine Love Dion
- Farewell Message: "It's gonna be sooo boring without me. I'm rooting for all of you my top 4 queens here slaying and I can't wait to see you soon ♡ Morphine Love Dion 💋"
Makeover Partners:
Contestant | Partner | |
---|---|---|
Name | Drag Name | |
Morphine Love Dion | Miguel | La Tina Love Dion |
Nymphia Wind | Jonathan | Juanita Wind |
Plane Jane | Nick | Lazi Susan |
Q | Sebastian | Luna |
Sapphira Cristál | Mark | Shakira Cristál |
Episode 14: "Booked & Blessed"[]
Airdate: April 6, 2024
Synopsis: The queens dig deep and write their memoirs, pose for a book cover photo shoot and are grilled by co-host of Las Culturistas podcast Matt Rogers. Journalist and author Ronan Farrow (Catch and Kill) guest judges.
- Special Guest: Albert Sanchez and Matt Rogers
- Guest Judge: Ronan Farrow
- Mini Challenge: Lip Sync underwater to "Kitty Girl" by RuPaul
- Mini Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
- Mini Challenge Prize: A trip for two to The Alamar Resort and Mantamar Beach Club in Puerto Vallarta.
- Maxi Challenge: Write a memoir, pose for the cover and participate in an interview
- Runway Theme: Fandango
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Nymphia Wind
- Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
- Bottom Two: Plane Jane and Q
- Lip Sync Song: "Better Be Good to Me" by Tina Turner
- Eliminated: Q
- Farewell Message: "Not Gonna Lie, This one hurts... But I love you all so much! you're gonna kill it ♡ FROM NOW ON THERE'S ONLY ONE LETTER OF THE ALPHABET -Q"
Memoirs:
Contestant | Book Title |
---|---|
Nymphia Wind | Breaking Wind - The Art of Letting Go |
Plane Jane | Plane Crash! How I Walked Away from Disaster |
Q | Alphabet Soup - Savor Every Bite |
Sapphira Cristál | Slue Foot - Embracing All of Me |
Top Three of Season 16
Contestant | Challenge Wins | Up for Elimination |
---|---|---|
3 (Eps. 3, 5, 14) |
0 | |
4 (Eps. 2, 8, 12, 13) |
1 (Ep. 14) | |
4 (Eps. 1, 10, 11, 12) |
1 (Ep. 13) |
Episode 15: "LipSync Lalaparuza Smackdown - Reunited"[]
Airdate: April 12, 2024
Synopsis: All of the eliminated queens return to battle it out in a LipSync Lalaparuza Smackdown, with nine lip syncs and a cash prize of $50,000 on the line.
- Maxi Challenge: The eliminated contestants face off in a lip sync smackdown
- Top Two: Megami and Morphine Love Dion
- Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses: Morphine Love Dion
- Prize: $50,000 cash prize
Lip Sync LaLaPaRUza Smackdown
Contestants | Song | Result |
---|---|---|
Round 1 | ||
Amanda Tori Meating | "Damaged" by Danity Kane |
WINNER |
Dawn | LOSER | |
Megami | "What About" by Janet Jackson |
WINNER |
Q | LOSER | |
Morphine Love Dion | "Million Dollar Baby" by Ava Max |
WINNER |
Geneva Karr | LOSER | |
Mirage | "Alone 2.0" by Kim Petras ft. Nicki Minaj |
WINNER |
Hershii LiqCour-Jeté | LOSER | |
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige | "Milkshake" by Kelis |
WINNER |
Plasma | LOSERS | |
Xunami Muse | ||
Round 2 | ||
Megami | "The Shoop Shoop Song" by Cher |
WINNER |
Amanda Tori Meating | LOSER | |
Morphine Love Dion | "This Time I Know It's Real" by Donna Summer |
WINNER |
Mirage | LOSER | |
Round 3 - Semi Finals | ||
Megami | "We Got the Beat" by The Go-Go's |
WINNER |
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige | LOSER | |
Round 4 - Finals | ||
Morphine Love Dion | "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" by C + C Music Factory |
WINNER |
Megami | LOSER |
Episode 16: "Grand Finale"[]
Airdate: April 19, 2024
Synopsis: The top queens face off in an epic evening of performances and lip syncs, as they compete for the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar and a grand prize of $200,000.
- Special Guests: Pit Crew Dancers of RuPaul's Drag Race Live!, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, and Sasha Colby
- Special Honoree: Cassandra Peterson, Elvira Mistress of the Dark
- Runway Theme: Grande Finale Eleganza
- Maxi Challenge: The top 3 perform in individual show-stopping original numbers
- Top Two: Nymphia Wind and Sapphira Cristál
- Eliminated: Plane Jane
- Lip Sync Song: "Padam Padam" by Kylie Minogue
- Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16: Nymphia Wind
- Runner Up: Sapphira Cristál
- Misses Congeniality: Sapphira Cristál and Xunami Muse
Top Three Performances
Contestant | Song | Placement |
---|---|---|
Nymphia Wind | Queen of Wind[4] | 1st (Winner) |
Plane Jane | Bodysuit[5] | 3rd |
Sapphira Cristál | DANCE![6] | 2nd (Runner Up & Miss Congeniality) |
Trivia[]
- Season 16 is the first season...
- ...to have an East Asian winner in an American season, Nymphia Wind.
- ...since Season 3, to have an Asian winner in an American season. Season 3 was won by Raja who is of Indonesian descent.
- ...since Season 3 where none of the contestants shared a final placement.
- ...since Season 8 to not feature a double shantay.
- ...to feature a four-way Maxi Challenge win on the original series.
- ...to have multiple contestants (two) with four Maxi Challenge wins, Sapphira Cristál and Plane Jane.
- ...to have multiple contestants (two) eliminated on their fourth lip-sync for their lives, Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige and Morphine Love Dion.
- ...to have two Miss Congenialities, Sapphira Cristál and Xunami Muse.
- ...since Season 1 to have the runner-up crowned as Miss Congeniality.
- ...where the winner of the political challenge did not win the season.
- ...to feature a queen winning 3 challenges in a row on the original series, being Sapphira Cristal.
- ...of a regular season to have Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses
- ...since Season 12 to have a top 3 for the finale (and is the first season since Season 8 to have intentionally had a top 3, due to the unprecedented developments surrounding Season 12)
- Season 16 is the only season...
- ...with the most cumulative wins seen in finalists in the original series, with 11.
- Drag Family connections to Drag Race alum include:
- Hershii LiqCour-Jeté, member of the Haus of Jeté alongside Season 14's Kornbread "The Snack" Jeté.[7]
- Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige, drag daughter of Season 7 and All Stars 3's Kennedy Davenport.[8]
- Xunami Muse, drag daughter of Season 13 and All Stars 8's Kandy Muse,[9] drag granddaughter of Season 9 and All Stars 3 contestant Aja and drag niece of Season 12 contestant Dahlia Sin.
- Mirage, drag sister of Season 15's, Anetra.[10]
- Sapphira Cristál, drag sister of Season 11's Honey Davenport.
- Although Season 16 did not have a formal reunion, a reunion-type special was at RuPaul's DragCon LA 2024 for Bring Back My Girls.[11]
- During the event, Amanda Tori Meating was unofficially awarded the Golden Boot Award.
- This makes Amanda the only recipient of the Golden Boot to have not had it awarded to them at their respective season's finale.
- During the event, Amanda Tori Meating was unofficially awarded the Golden Boot Award.
Gallery[]
Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' looks from each episode.
|
Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' planned looks for each episode.
|
Check out the video gallery to see challenge performances, runways, lip syncs, and more!
|
References[]
|
[]
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16
| |
Winner | Nymphia Wind |
---|---|
Runners-Up | 2nd: Sapphira Cristál (Miss Congeniality) • 3rd: Plane Jane |
Other Contestants | 4th: Q • 5th: Morphine Love Dion (Queen of SDADHH) • 6th: Dawn • 7th: Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige • 8th: Plasma • 9th: Xunami Muse (Miss Congeniality) • 10th: Megami • 11th: Geneva Karr • 12th: Amanda Tori Meating • 13th: Mirage • 14th: Hershii LiqCour-Jeté |
Judges | RuPaul • Michelle Visage • Carson Kressley • Ross Mathews • Ts Madison |
Pit Crew | Bruno Carvalho • Bryce Eilenberg • Asaf Goren • Jesse Pattison • Calixto Quan |
|