My Top 15 Drag Race Queens

Shannel had a tough time in the competition when she appeared in Season 1 of the show to the point where when asked who should go home, she said herself which was certainly a very memorable moment for the first season. She later appeared in the much-maligned first season of AllStars where she was paired with Chad Michaels. Since it seems perfectly ok for queens to have a second shot at the AllStars crown after appearing in the chaos that was season 1, I would absolutely love to see Shannel serving up all the glamour and let the kids have it in a future AllStars season.

No top list would really be complete without mentioning the ultimate high fashion queen, Raja. Raja has this wonderful ability to make simply anything look like it belongs on the cover of Vogue. I also can’t help thinking that there is an air of Victoria Beckham about her. I don’t know why, but she has always reminded me of the Spice Girl turned fashionista. And before anyone starts calling shade, no, I am not saying that Posh Spice looks like a drag queen!

Raja absolutely nailed the runway in Season 3 of the show, winning three of the main challenges and only appearing in the bottom two a single time. If there was any queen to turn out avant-garde, classy looks, Raja is the one and she can certainly slay a lip-sync too, with her showdown with Carmen Carerra being one of the most memorable lip-syncs in Drag race herstory! That being said, whether she should have won against Manila Luzon for the Season 3 crown is certainly a little bit of a contentious point amongst some fans which I will get into a little bit later but it does not take away from just how incredible a queen she is. Raja is also absolutely superb when she is part of the presenting team for the online series 'Fashion Photo RuView' alongside Raven.

First off I just wanna say that I love Katya Zamolodchikova as a drag name. It is so perfectly ridiculous but then when you watch Katya perform and do her thing it makes absolutely perfect sense. She certainly got all of the attention when she entered the workroom for the start of Season 7 with her flawless Russian accent. I am pretty sure she had many wondering if she really did hail from Russia. 

Katya has a very distinct and zany sense of humour with an iron-fisted grip on comedic timing. I think that is when she is at her very best. I mean, I'm sure that many would not find the line "I'm just your average run-of-the-mill Russian bisexual transvestite hooker," hilariously, laugh out loud funny, but I really do. Even the description that she gives of herself just makes me laugh in all its self-deprecating glory; "Katya is at the intersection of glamour and comedy. You can find her right on the corner, selling her ass." I think that self-deprecating nature may have been one of the reasons Katya struggled a little in Season 7 but came back fighting really hard in AllStars Season 2 where she was a runner-up for the crown. You often hear the quote "make me laugh" on the show and while not all drag is meant to be a comedy, Katya never fails to make me laugh and laugh hard, really hard.

I have so much love for the absolute legend that is Latrice Mutha-F**kin Royale. She is I.C.O.N.I.C. 100%. Appearing in Season 4 of Drag Race and both Seasons 1 and 4 of AllStars, Latrice has provided TV gold at every opportunity with her ability to turn a meme-able phrase in a perfectly timed heartbeat such as her 5 G's: 'Good God Girl Get a Grip'. She may not be the originator of certain phrases but the way in which she delivers them just makes them memorable and synonymous with the show. We hear about 'shade' all the time but Latrice took it a step further with "Guuuuuurl The Shade. The Shade of it all!!!". She will always be one of the most memorable queens of Drag Race for that reason. 

In addition, she is one of the very very best when it comes to painting her face and is more often than not, absolutely immaculate. Sure there are times when it might not have been quite right but take a scroll through her Instagram or watch some videos on youtube and you have to admit that this queen is stunning.

I don't know what it is, but Raven strikes me as the ultimate 'bitch' you don't wanna f**k with. And just in case she ever comes across this (and let's be honest, she probably will not), I mean that with absolute love and respect. Perhaps it is the looks or the very quick and acid tongue but she does come across as a complete bitch of a character and I am here for it! Go back and watch the many clips of the show and its very easy to find several occasions where she doesn't hold back and doesn't take any prisoners and I absolutely love that about her.

Raven competed in Season 2 of Drag Race where she lost out on the crown to Tyra Sanchez (insert shady eye roll here) and then became the runner up again in AllStars 1. It is definitely arguable that she should have won either of those seasons. At least in AllStars, she conceded to Chad Michaels, a legendary queen in her own right. Nevertheless, Raven is certainly one of the most iconic queens to ever appear on the show and is one hell of a performer. She is formidable and is not afraid to tear anyone a new one. Raven is the type of person I'd want in my corner because she is fierce in every sense of the word. She is also an incredibly accomplished make-up artist and is known for doing RuPaul's make-up in later seasons of the show. 

Brooke is another of the queens that actually make me want to do drag (again) and really embodies that sense of elegance and glamour that is my favourite 'type' of drag that I wish I could achieve. Throughout her time on Drag Race, she turned out some incredible looks bagging three maxi-challenge wins. That isn't really a surprise when you look at her. She is absolutely stunning and her face is always painted to the very highest standard. 

On top of that flawlessly iconic look, Brooke is also an incredibly talented dancer, having trained at Canada's National Ballet School. What? You didn't know she did ballet??..... Ok, so she definitely made it known during her season but then if you have that talent, why not use it at every opportunity? That isn't to say that dancing is her only talent either. Brooke has a wicked sense of humour and isn't afraid to let it all hang out. Literally. This was seen in the "L.A.D.P" episode where her performance could even be considered surprising (whilst also still showcasing her dancing talents). I think it also speaks volumes about her place in the franchise considering she was chosen to be one of the permanent judges for the spin-off: Canada's Drag Race.

The self-proclaimed 'terminally delightful' BenDeLaCreme is exactly that. She initially swept into Season 6 of Drag Race where she finished in 5th place. There was actually a little controversy over her elimination when she lost the lip-sync for your life to Darienne Lake. The show was accused of putting ratings and drama ahead of the competition (in a reality show? no, that never happens...) and some viewers started boycotting the show and starting petitions to have her brought back.

Nevertheless, BenDeLaCreme did return to Drag Race in AllStars 3 where she won a massive five maxi-challenges, making her one of the best performing queens in the franchise.

One of my absolute favourite Snatch Game performances from the entire series was when she took on the character of Dame Maggie Smith, particularly referencing her Downtown Abbey character 'Violet Crawley'. The performance was an absolute masterclass in how to turn a very strange character choice into the most hilarious 'contestant' on the show.

Particularly in AllStars, her looks were exceptionally well conceptualised and she also seems to be one of the very nicest queens to ever walk that runway so it figures that she was also awarded Miss Congeniality after her stint on Season 6. 

Infinitely quotable, recognisable and 'memeable' (what, I can't invent words myself?), Alyssa is probably one of the most memorable queens to ever appear on Drag Race. Who can possibly forget that "back rolls" moment? What about declaring a competitor a "BEAST". Her quotable lines even cross over into the philosophical with "Don't get bitter, just get better". She was also a part of one of the most notable rivalries in drag race herstory. There was definitely history with Coco Montrese which culminated in the iconic and quotable workroom showdown... "Gurl, look how orange you look!". 

I felt like when she came to AllStars she really had a handle on how to play the game and was perfecting the act. I still find it surprising that she didn't win that season but there was certainly tough competition and despite not winning, she was and is a stand out star. Her looks, particularly in AllStars were so ambitious and so well put together. Since her time on the show, she has been invited back as a choreographer for an episode in Season 11, is a very successful dancer herself.  In addition to performing as Alyssa, she also teaches dance and this was a big part of her fly-on-the-wall documentary show, "Dancing Queen".

At this point, Courtney Act is somewhat of a reality-tv superstar. Having appeared on Australian Idol prior to her run on Season 6 of Drag Race. Since then she has also appeared in Celebrity Big Brother UK, which she won and then Dancing With The Stars Australia where she was a runner-up.

One of Courtney's stand out attributes is the looks that she creates. Of any Drag Race contestant, she is probably the best at pulling off the notion of 'female illusion'. It was that illusion that got her through the initial stages of Australian Idol and has been a feature in the subsequent reality shows that she has been a part of. Whilst competing on Drag Race, Courtney is one of few queens to never find herself in the bottom two.

During her time in the Celebrity Big Brother house in the UK. Courtney Act (and as Shane too) demonstrated a particular eloquence and class as an activist for the LGBTQ community. One of her fellow contestants was the right-wing politician Ann Widdecombe who is pretty much anti-everything that constitutes equality. The way in which Courtney engaged in discussion and debate with Ann was mature and measured in nature. It was absolutely fantastic to see on television because it opened up the discussions around equality and gender that need to be had with the wider audience in a sensible and meaningful way. Her time on the show may have started with that now-infamous wardrobe malfunction but she left that house an absolute star. She even had her very own Christmas Special which aired on Channel 4.

One of the most notable attributes of Chad Michaels is the fact she is an absolutely incredible and spot-on impersonator of Cher. That in itself is enough to make her one of my favourites. "I'm Cher bitch!' indeed.

Of course, we have seen another particularly good celebrity impersonation walk through those doors into the Drag Race workroom in Derrick Berry who is an incredible Britney Spears. However, where Derrick struggled to find her own identity outside of the celebrity impersonation, Chad soared. Being ever so more experienced than many of her fellow competitors on Season 4, she displayed well polished and refined professionalism in all of the tasks and seemed to be a sure thing for the win in the Grand Finale but ultimately finished as runner-up. She later returned to the Drag Race franchise for AllStars 1 where she once again soared. She may have found herself in the bottom two for episode one but she never again ended up in the bottom.

Whether it is her 'Cher' or not, Chad is an amazing drag queen and quite rightly deserves her spot as the first in the 'Drag Race Hall of Fame'.

Right off the bat here but Shea Couleé is FIERCE! She is absolutely stunning and has pulled off some of my absolute favourite looks ever during her time on Drag Race. Almost every single one of her looks is perfection.

Beyond those incredible looks, she is also what I consider a Lip-Sync assassin turning out jaw-dropping performances at every opportunity. She certainly leaves it all on the stage and I love that about her.

Shea performed really well during her time on Season 9 of Drag Race which saw her narrowly miss out on the crown after an even more exceptional (and now famous) lipsync and stunt from Sasha Velour. Her return on the more recent Season 5 of AllStars saw come back fighting better than ever before leading to a very consistent run on the show. I have this feeling that we are still learning just what Shea can do and I look forward to seeing what she does next after winning that crown.

Instagram: @itsshangela

4. Shangela

The ultimate comeback queen, Shangela Laquifa Wadley has appeared on the main show twice and had a stint on AllStars season 3 along with a few stand-out cameo type moments too. I am definitely in the camp that is adamant that if she should have won that AllStars season. That being said, winner or not, Shangela has worked incredibly hard developing and refining her drag. What truly makes Shangela stand out for me is that it feels like we have been privy to her entire journey in drag. From those first beginnings where things were a little messy right through to the polished and perfected queen that she has become; I have been rooting for her, we have all been rooting for her.

She has certainly come a very long way and was chosen to appear in the recent 'A Star Is Born' with Lady Gaga! As a result of the film's success, Shangela also became the first drag queen to ever walk the red carpet at the Oscars in full drag!

Finally, I couldn't resist but also chuck in a quote from what is probably the most infamous showdown in Drag Race herstory. It truly was a jawdropping exchange between her and Mimi Imfurst at the early stages of Season 3: "I don't have a sugar daddy. I've never had a sugar daddy. If I wanted a sugar daddy, yes, I could probably go out and get one because I am what? Sickening! You could never have a sugar daddy because you are not that kind of girl. Baby, everything I've had, I've worked for and I have gotten myself. I built myself from the ground up, you f**king BITCH!"

In my opinion, Manila has always been the very best at finding that balancing point between costume and fashion. There is always just the right level of camp to make the best and most convincing drag whilst also being whimsical, comedic and fun all at the same time. 

With an incredible range of skills from her fashion, her flawless make-up to her actual performances, she was a front runner in both Season 3 where she finished in 2nd place. I was most definitely gobsmacked and so disappointed for her as I thought she was easily the winner. Still, she had another opportunity to snatch the crown when she appeared in Season 4 of AllStars (let's not talk about Season 1 anymore). Unfortunately, some rather shady strategy play meant that Manila was eliminated from the competition in AllStars 4 a little earlier than anyone was expecting. That being said, Manila was quite open about playing the strategy game herself, so it wasn't entirely surprising.

Following the show, Manila has released several musical offerings and I absolutely love them in all their 'camptastic' fantasy glory. Manila was probably the very first drag queen I ever followed on Twitter and socials and I distinctly remember her make-up tutorial being the first one I ever watched trying to pick up on some of those incredible skills.

At the very beginning of Season 8, I must confess I was not convinced by Bob The Drag Queen. There was something a little unpolished or unfinished about her act. That being said, it did not take very long at all before I 'got it' and she became my favourite of the season and I was rooting for her to win. First and foremost, Bob is a comic and a damn funny one at that to the point that she has since had two comedy specials. I find her to be incredibly inciteful and intelligent with her comedy whilst also throwing just the right level of shade at the right times. She is also known for being using that articulate nature when it comes to political and social activism which certainly grabbed my attention and made listen. 

Bob has also released a couple of absolute bops in 'Purse First', referencing an iconic moment during her time on Drag Race and 'Bloodbath'. These two songs are my most favourite songs ever released by a Drag Race contestant. Then there was an appearance on the Todrick Hall album 'Straight Outta Oz' on the song 'Wrong Bitch' which again, is definitely a favourite of mine. I just love Bob and can't wait to see what she does next.

Instagram: @thebiancadelrio

1. Bianca Del Rio

From her own actual movies 'Hurricane Bianca' and 'Hurricane Bianca 2: From Russia With Hate', appearing in ‘Something About Jamie’ in the West End (London) to highly successful stand-up comedy tours, I am not sure if there is anything that Bianca Del Rio can’t do? She has never released a music album I guess and from I have heard, she never intends to but I bet she could.  

In my eyes, she is probably one of the most successful queens to come out of Drag Race, given the level and nature of crossover success. Heck, I’ve seen her, in full drag and on the best comedic form on British breakfast television for heaven's sake. Who has the commitment to be in full drag at 6.30 in the morning? Aside from all that, Bianca is an absolute force of nature and is not a queen to be messed with, not unless you really want her to read you to filth and back again that is. Of her many talents (bearing in mind that she is also an accomplished costume designer and creator), her comedy is what stands out the most for me. As what some refer to as an 'insult comic', she has a real knack for delivering a savage and shady read but also making it funny. It really is down to you, as the audience, whether you take personally. She really doesn't care either way. Personally, I don't think of her as just an insult comic, she is just a comic. Period. Her comedy has taken her on some pretty impressive stand-up tours which led up to 'It's Jester Joke' where she even performed at the massive Wembley Arena in London becoming the first drag queen to ever headline the venue..

In the past, Bianca has gotten grief for her make-up choices because she paints in a far more exaggerated style and I'll be honest, it isn't my favourite style but I can see how it fits the Bianca persona. In all honesty, I don't think it would matter too much how she paints when she is so talented and so damn funny. Besides, she knows exactly what she does and is the first to say that she is "clown realness".

Bearing in mind that Bianca Del Rio won Drag Race all the way back in Season 6, there have been many queens that have come after her but she has always remained my absolute favourite and I can't wait to see what she does next. 

Of course, this is my list of favourite Drag Race queens and there are sooooo many more that could have been included. They are (nearly) all so brilliant and so talented. There is only a handful that I just don't 'get'. The art of drag is such an incredible thing and to see it having such widespread success is amazing. Long may it continue.

What about you? Who are your favourite queens? Let me know in the comments down below or come have a chat about it over on Twitter. I promise I do respond.

Thank you for stopping by and reading x