- 3 months ago
Expect sequins, shocks and sassy staging as we rank the most unforgettable Ruveals from RuPaul’s Drag Race — the moments that surprised us, slayed the judges, or spectacularly failed. We judged each reveal on surprise factor, execution and originality (wig reveals excluded). From flawless multi-stage transformations to cringeworthy mishaps and clutch lip-sync switches, these runway moments changed the game. Which shockers do you stan? Comment below!
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00:00And this look, if it's one thing, it is camp, honey.
00:03Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
00:05And today, we're counting down our picks for the best and worst reveals throughout RuPaul's Drag Race,
00:10based on the surprise factor, execution, and originality.
00:13For this list, we'll be excluding wig reveals as they have a list of their own.
00:17Face first, this is every drag queen's nightmare.
00:21Surprise!
00:24Number 10. Georgis' Tiramisu suit look. Win.
00:27A great outfit on top of a successful challenge performance is all a queen can hope for.
00:32Not only did Georgis slay the Tournament of All-Stars snatch game as Pitbull,
00:35she also stormed the runway in one of the best looks of the night.
00:39She defies culo.
00:41Ah, okay.
00:42Because you know I like to take a picture of the culo with the Kodak.
00:45The theme was Tiramisu suit, tasking the contestants with tearing off a suit to reveal one below.
00:50Georgis strutted out as the devil, wearing a perfectly oversized deep red tuxedo with horns to match.
00:56I want to come out as butch as possible because, girl, I had just played Pitbull.
01:00She then took it off to unveil an even more stunning scarlet gown,
01:04adorned with strategically placed slits and dozens of upside-down crosses.
01:08It was everything the judges and viewers could have asked for and more,
01:11and proved just how much she had leveled up since season 14.
01:15The eighth deadly sin, all that ass.
01:18Yes.
01:18After Sasha Velour's legendary rose petals in season 9's Lip Sync for the Crown,
01:26to say expectations were raised is an understatement.
01:30The next batch of finalists attempted to recreate that magic, with varying results.
01:34Aquaria's first lip-sync look became one of her rare fashion misses throughout her run,
01:46when she hit the stage in a puffy silver ensemble.
01:48It was clear she had something underneath,
01:51but viewers were left whelmed when she immediately tore it off
01:54to show a basic pink bodysuit with fabric spikes.
01:57The fan, referencing Vanjie and eventual Glitterspike,
02:05were not enough to distract from the lackluster outfit.
02:08Luckily, it didn't affect the outcome of the lip-sync,
02:11with her moving on and eventually taking home the crown.
02:14Shantae, you both stay.
02:22Condragulations, you both made it to the finals.
02:25Number 9, Sasha Colby's knock-on-wood lip-sync, win.
02:29Moments like this prove why she is your favorite drag queen's favorite drag queen.
02:34Sasha Colby dominated the entirety of her season,
02:36and her lip-sync for the Crown against Anitra was no exception.
02:40She started out in a fabulous coat-dress hybrid,
02:42which she took off to uncover a glittery corseted purple number beneath it.
02:46She played into the musicality of knock-on-wood
02:56by pulling the strings of the corset each time the horns played.
02:59She pushed the gown down as the chorus started,
03:01leaving her in a bejeweled bra and underwear set
03:04that allowed her to display her show-stopping stunts.
03:06The multi-tiered reveal showed off all the different facets of her performance style,
03:21and made it clear why she deserved to win it all.
03:24This goes to every trans person, past, present, and future,
03:29because we are not going anywhere.
03:32Number 9, Rosé's work-bitch lip-sync, fail.
03:35Just because you can add a reveal to a performance doesn't mean you always should.
03:38Rosé had done well throughout season 13,
03:41and soon found herself going up against Candy Muse
03:43in the first round of the lip-sync showdown.
03:45Ooh, work-bitch!
03:48I can't wait to see how this turns out!
03:51It already wasn't looking good when she arrived wearing a pink suit coat
03:54and thigh-high pink boots.
03:55As the song progressed, she slowly removed the jacket and boots
03:58to unveil a bodysuit the exact same color.
04:05The outfit didn't do much to flatter her beauty or performance,
04:13and was quickly overshadowed by Candy Muse's multicolored leotard.
04:17Had she been wearing something more exciting or fashion-forward,
04:20then she may have clinched the win.
04:22Unfortunately, it signaled the end of Rosé's impressive run instead.
04:26I'll try to run high, fingers to the sky.
04:30They gon' try to try, love, but they can't deny, love.
04:33Keep it moving higher and higher.
04:37Number 8.
04:38Lady Camden's mustache reveal.
04:40Win.
04:40This moment took her from potential filler queen to genuine contender.
04:44During season 14's Chaps on the Runway category,
04:47Lady Camden started out in platinum hair and a classic mug,
04:50strutting down the stage in a white ensemble with black lightning bolt accents.
04:53I love this outfit. Love Freddie Mercury and love the theatrics that you pulled.
04:59She fell partway through, losing her wig in the process.
05:02The judges and viewers held their breath as she slowly stood up,
05:06only for her to show off a fake mustache and short brown hairdo.
05:09Face first, this is every drag queen's nightmare.
05:13Surprise! I'm Freddie Mercury, bitch!
05:17Her comedic timing and Freddie Mercury-inspired look were both stellar,
05:20allowing her to pull off the risky bit with ease.
05:23She topped it off with a second surprise stash during the top two lip sync.
05:28Not only was it a unique reveal, it also cemented her as a frontrunner.
05:34Number 8.
05:35Joella's quilted-for-your-pleasure look.
05:37Fail.
05:38One of the most important aspects to any reveal is the execution.
05:42When Joella hit the runway dressed as a giant mattress,
05:44it seemed like she might have a more chic outfit beneath it.
05:47I am a gigantic quilted blanket job.
05:50And then, bam!
05:51Instead, she simply turned around to display a giant portrait of RuPaul's face.
05:55It wasn't a bad concept, but the revelation was underwhelming, to say the least.
05:59It might have been more impactful had she taken it off to uncover the mural on another garment.
06:03Comfort her?
06:05I don't even know her!
06:06The way she went about it kept the focus on the ridiculousness of the overall look,
06:10rather than the art on the back.
06:11It may have contributed to her bottom two placement that episode,
06:15but it also secured her position as a delusional icon and unexpected fan favorite.
06:20Now, I love a gag, but we can't really see your face.
06:24Yeah, you're the star of your drag.
06:26And if we're trying to find out where you are, that's a problem.
06:29Number 7.
06:31Fifi O'Hara's Two Looks in One Look.
06:33Win.
06:33If anyone needed any proof as to how far she'd come since Season 4,
06:37you don't need to look any further than this runway during the second season of All Stars.
06:41The category called for two outfits in one, and Fifi O'Hara delivered.
06:46She came out in a short, light blue dress, crown, and tall boots,
06:49giving the dragged-up version of a fairy tale prince.
06:51She then gave a twirl and tore it away to unveil a floor-length yellow gown.
06:56I'm super proud of this look.
06:57I came up with the design myself, and I feel gorgeous.
07:00It was a smart, well-thought-out ensemble with a story attached,
07:04everything one could ask for in a reveal.
07:06What I think you executed so well was how it converted.
07:09That took a lot of ingenuity.
07:12If this doesn't work out, you could work at NASA.
07:14It's no wonder she was later named one of the top All Stars of the Week
07:18and nearly snatched the win from Alaska.
07:20Number 7.
07:21Gia Gunn's Head-to-Toe Lip Sync.
07:23Fail.
07:23To paraphrase the great Bianca Del Rio,
07:25if you're gonna reveal a look, then you shouldn't draw it out.
07:29Gia Gunn learned this the hard way after ending up in the bottom
07:31due to a subpar Snatch Game performance.
07:34But everything should be okay.
07:37Kim, you look gorgeous.
07:40Absolutely.
07:41During her lip sync to Head-to-Toe,
07:43she decided to remove her gown in favor of a sparkly bodysuit she had on underneath it.
07:47The only issue?
07:49She took her time taking it off,
07:51drawing out the process as long as possible.
07:53Rule number one.
07:55You're gonna do a reveal?
07:56Get out of the dress.
07:57We all know reveal in French means take it off.
08:00By the time she finished,
08:01the song was nearly over and Laganja had danced circles around her.
08:05Had she quickly taken it off,
08:06she may have had a better chance at remaining in the competition.
08:09Gia, Gia, my pet.
08:12Make no mistake.
08:14I love you from head to toe.
08:17Now, sashay away.
08:20Number six.
08:21Evie Oddly's Edge of Glory lip sync.
08:22Win.
08:23It's rare that you see two competitors both flawlessly pull off reveals.
08:28I need a man that thinks it's right when it's so wrong tonight,
08:32yeah, baby, tonight, yeah, baby.
08:35During the season 11 finale,
08:36Brooklyn Heights and Evie Oddly both proved
08:38they had some unique tricks up their sleeves.
08:41The former took a tongue-in-cheek approach
08:42with a cloak covered in the word reveal
08:44and teasing what was to come.
08:46I'm on the edge of glory.
08:50Evie went the understated route,
08:55wearing a gorgeous ball gown with a mirrored headpiece.
08:58During a lull in the song,
08:59she spun around to show off a second face on the back of her head.
09:05I'm on the edge of glory.
09:09And I'm hanging on a moment of truth.
09:12It was a truly innovative and breathtaking stunt
09:15and she did it all without removing a single article of clothing.
09:18Her subtle execution ended up paying off
09:21with her winning the lip-sync and the crown.
09:24A reveal lacking in creativity can make the whole look fall flat.
09:31Trinity the Tuck proved this during the All-Stars 4 Lala Perusa.
09:34It made sense to plan a second one given the fact that it was a lip-sync showdown,
09:43but she went about it in an underwhelming way.
09:45She came out in a giant oversized cloak that showed only her head,
09:48making it obvious to everyone from the judges to the other contestants
09:52that she had something else underneath.
09:53Not only was it a lazy take on the idea,
10:04it also got rid of the most important aspect of any unveiling,
10:07the element of surprise.
10:09It didn't help that the outfit beneath it wasn't anything show-stopping,
10:13making the entire stunt feel unnecessary.
10:15Reveals were not in short supply at the Drag Race Season 10 finale.
10:33In her lip-sync against eventual winner Aquaria,
10:36Eureka executed a three-part outfit change that was as solid as they come.
10:41After she threw off her giant red wig,
10:47her feathered purple dress unfurled into a scarlet poncho.
10:54Finally, at the song's breakdown,
10:56she unzipped into a bodysuit with mirror detailing that matched her silver boots.
11:01The crowd went wild for each reveal,
11:03and her flawless execution helped secure her a place in the final three-way showdown.
11:11While Aquaria opted to unveil almost her entire outfit at the beginning of the number,
11:17Eureka exercised patience.
11:19And it paid off.
11:21Number 5.
11:22Mimi I'm First's Don't Leave Me This Way Lip Sync
11:25Fail
11:25This lip-sync is infamous for Mimi's choice to non-consensually hoist India Farrah
11:31onto her back mid-performance.
11:32You gotta make sure that you're always the one that's in front.
11:35But even putting aside the messy physical antics that led to her elimination,
11:44Mimi did not have an easy time on stage.
11:47As she attempted to step out of her floor-length animal print gown at the back of the runway,
11:52she tripped over the garment gathered at her feet.
11:54Leave me this way, though.
11:58I can't survive.
12:00To make matters worse, it became attached to her heel,
12:03and she had to try to shake the dress off.
12:06Any Drag Race fan knows that a reveal is only as good as its execution,
12:11and her sequined mini-dress was completely overshadowed by her clumsy footwork.
12:15Now, sashay away.
12:19Number 4.
12:20Detox's Step It Up Lip Sync
12:22Win
12:22In the penultimate episode of All-Stars Season 2,
12:26Detox and Katya bested their competitors
12:28with their transformations of family members into drag siblings.
12:31Ooh.
12:33The sisters are doing it for who?
12:36Themselves.
12:37Always one to impress on the runway,
12:39Detox showed that her lip sync for her legacy outfit
12:42had more than met the eye when she took the stage.
12:45She took off her long-sleeved jacket to reveal a simple corseted top,
12:49until she turned around.
12:50Girl, you better step it up, better step it up.
12:53With the bodice leading into a thong and her rear exposed,
12:56the look queen had sex appeal in spades.
13:00The visual was even more striking with her racy black garment
13:03perfectly contrasting Katya's hilariously frumpy gown.
13:06When it comes to fashion,
13:08Detox never disappoints.
13:10And the same is true of reveals.
13:12So glad he didn't make me wear that.
13:15Number 4.
13:16Layla McQueen's I Will Survive Lip Sync
13:18Fail
13:19This classic disco song of strength and overcoming
13:25is considered an LGBTQ plus anthem.
13:28But it didn't get a fitting tribute on Drag Race Season 8.
13:32Neither Layla nor Dax!
13:34performances were up to par.
13:35And the former's choice to ditch her costume
13:38was particularly questionable.
13:40Midway through the song,
13:41the queen took off her green gown to reveal plain black undergarments.
13:45This move is a tough one to pull off.
13:47And in the context of an already underwhelming lip sync,
13:51it came off as desperate.
14:01With anticlimactic timing and her heels having already been tossed,
14:05Layla's outfit change clearly did not please the judges.
14:08And it sadly sent her packing.
14:10Number 3.
14:15Peppermint's Stronger Lip Sync
14:16Win
14:17At the Season 9 finale,
14:25Trinity the Tuck and Peppermint
14:27competed in the first lip sync smackdown
14:29to get one step closer to the crown.
14:31At the number's midway point,
14:33their takes on Britney Spears' early aughts hit
14:35were fairly evenly matched.
14:37Here I go!
14:38Oh no, oh no!
14:39As the song inched to its climax
14:41and Peppermint reached behind her belt,
14:43an incoming reveal was obvious.
14:46But as she twirled on stage,
14:48not only did her skirt unfurl into a long dress,
14:51her long blue hair also gave way to a cropped ice blonde wig.
14:57The crowd went wild,
15:03and for good reason.
15:04Even if it took a moment to prepare,
15:06the switch was perfectly timed
15:07and smoothly executed.
15:09The dramatic transformation undoubtedly
15:12helped secure Peppermint's place
15:13in the final lip sync.
15:19Number 3.
15:20Cynthia Lee Fontaine's Woman Up Lip Sync
15:22Fail.
15:23Any drag race devotee knows that
15:25undressing on stage during a lip sync
15:27can be a hard sell.
15:36Although a sexy striptease can pay off,
15:39revealing one's undergarments
15:41can just as easily make for a sloppy performance.
15:44When Cynthia Lee Fontaine failed to shine
15:46in season 9's Kardashian the Musical,
15:49she faced off against Farrah Moan
15:50and made this all-too-common error.
15:58Practically as soon as the song began,
16:00she removed her grey gown with grid paneling
16:03to show a mismatched set of bra and panties.
16:08With absolutely no lead-up to the reveal,
16:11it was not only unoriginal,
16:13but downright underwhelming.
16:14Number 2.
16:16Brooklyn Heights Sequins on the Runway Look.
16:18Win.
16:19Brooklyn Heights.
16:20Alright, Pam Queer.
16:21Sometimes the best reveals
16:23are the ones you do not see coming.
16:25While the rapid-fire outfit changes
16:27have become standard practice
16:28during drag race lip syncs,
16:30they are less common
16:31during runway presentations.
16:33Brooklyn took full advantage of this
16:35when she emerged onto the runway
16:36after the Snatch Game
16:37in a sequined shawl
16:39and matching thigh-high boots.
16:41Within a couple of steps onto the catwalk,
16:43the Queen of the North spun around
16:45and removed her wig and tunic
16:47in one fell swoop,
16:48revealing a hot pink leotard with cutouts.
16:56While Brooklyn worked the stage,
16:58Rue and Michelle sung her praises.
17:01With the element of surprise on her side,
17:03this dancing queen showed
17:04that a well-timed reveal
17:05can be a star-making moment.
17:07RuPaul is gagged.
17:09Everyone is gagged.
17:10Yes, I did it!
17:11Number 2.
17:12Trinity the Tux,
17:13You Spin Me Round Like a Record Lip Sync.
17:16Fail.
17:16Coming into All Stars,
17:17I came here to prove
17:19that I'm
17:20not one thing.
17:22Outfit reveals intended solely for shock value
17:25do not always land.
17:27That was unfortunately the case
17:29with this performance from All Stars 4,
17:31which saw Trinity inexplicably change
17:33from her fierce runway look
17:35molded out of pink plastic
17:36into senior drag.
17:38When she removed her leopard print bathrobe
17:40in the middle of the number,
17:41she unveiled a sagging bodysuit and diaper.
17:43You spin me,
17:45watch,
17:46baby,
17:46watch,
17:47baby,
17:48watch,
17:49run,
17:50run,
17:50run,
17:50run,
17:50run,
17:50run,
17:50The visual gag might have been funny
17:52in another context,
17:53but was totally unrelated to the song
17:56and felt forced as a consequence.
17:58Trinity is being weird.
17:59She's being gross.
18:00She's wearing this like old suit,
18:02long titties.
18:04I just don't understand
18:05the correlation to the number.
18:07I don't get it.
18:07While some of the funniest lip syncs
18:09bring out the humor in the music,
18:10in this case,
18:11the song played second fiddle
18:12to Trinity's bewildering comedy routine.
18:15There's no doubt
18:16that Trinity is a sickening performer,
18:18but this reveal got old quickly.
18:21Number one,
18:22Violet Tchotchke's fall look,
18:24win.
18:24Looking smart and tartan.
18:26Getting a reveal.
18:27Oh God.
18:28Oh!
18:30Bay City roller.
18:31There are some instantly iconic moments
18:34on Drag Race
18:34that go on to shape future seasons,
18:36and one of the best
18:38came during the first mini challenge
18:39of season seven.
18:40With each queen tasked
18:41to walk the runway,
18:42showcasing a spring and fall outfit,
18:45eventual winner Violet
18:46seriously impressed
18:47when it came to the latter category.
18:49She strutted onto the catwalk
18:51in a gorgeous black sequined gown
18:53with red tartan accessories,
18:54but that wasn't all.
18:55When she undid her belt,
18:57the garment reversed
18:58into a winged jumpsuit,
18:59and the look became
19:00head-to-toe tartan.
19:02I'm giving you tartan alicanza.
19:04Being able to serve
19:06two looks in one
19:06is a talent.
19:08While the judges adored
19:09her seamless switch
19:10at the time,
19:11Violet's stunning reveal
19:12would also go on
19:13to inspire the
19:14two looks in one runway category
19:16in All Stars season two.
19:17Because the category is
19:19two looks in one,
19:21inspired by Violet Tchotchke.
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19:39Number one,
19:40Asia O'Hara's
19:41butterfly mishap,
19:43fail.
19:44When it comes to reveals,
19:45sometimes simple is best.
19:48Unfortunately,
19:49Asia's attempt
19:49at a complex and risky one
19:51at the season 10 finale
19:52totally backfired.
19:59At a pivotal moment
20:01as she entered
20:02her first lip-sync smackdown
20:03against Cameron Michaels,
20:04Asia ripped off structures
20:06from her wrists and chest,
20:07seemingly expecting
20:08the butterflies enclosed inside
20:09to fly away.
20:15However,
20:16the stunned insects
20:17infamously failed
20:18to take off
20:19and instead
20:20fell to the stage.
20:22Even though the trick
20:23wasn't working,
20:24the finalists continued
20:25to rip off
20:25the butterfly cages,
20:26but it sadly
20:27didn't get any better.
20:28With the audience
20:29looking on in horror
20:31as the disappointing
20:31scene unfolded,
20:32it was a downright
20:34cringeworthy moment.
20:41Which queen do you think
20:43has had the most
20:43iconic reveal so far?
20:45Let us know
20:45in the comments below.
20:58and then,
20:59let us know
21:00in this video.
21:01We'll be back to
21:02the next video,
21:02because we'll be back to
21:02the next video.
21:03At least we'll be back
21:03in the comments below.
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21:04the next video.
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