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We're joined by extra special guest, Jaymes Mansfield, to break down the highs and lows of RuPaul's Drag Race wigs! Join us as we dissect the most iconic, unforgettable, and sometimes questionable hair moments from the runway of RuPaul's Drag Race. From avant-garde artistry to baffling choices, we're breaking down the styles that made us gag (good and bad). Whether you're a wig enthusiast or just love fabulous drag, you won't want to miss this deep dive into the hairarchy of the Werk Room!
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00:00Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're ranking Drag Race wigs with a very iconic queen and wickstress.
00:06Oh, hi! It's me, James Mansfield, icon and wig whisperer, here with my friends at Ms. Mojo to rank some
00:16of the best and worst wigs seen on the runway on RuPaul's Drag Race.
00:23Who's more qualified than me? Go ahead, I'll wait.
00:28Number 5. Worst. Laganja Estranja's Pink Poodle Fantasy.
00:33For the stand-up comedy challenge, Laganja decided to show up in a confounding loofah skirt and a stoned bodice,
00:39topped with a voluminous, oversized pink poodle-esque ball of hair that practically swallowed her head whole.
00:48Unfortunately, the wig didn't read as intentionally messy or avant-garde.
00:53Instead, it looked like she yanked it straight out of a plastic bag, gave it three half-hearted shakes, and
00:58called it a day.
00:58Now, this wig was a bold comedic choice. I honestly don't know what inspired it.
01:03I might reach and say maybe she was paying homage to some of the great comedic wig wearers like Phyllis
01:08Diller.
01:08However, I think even she would have left this one on the rack.
01:10Over-the-top wigs usually make for great television on Drag Race, but we're just not living for this, okurr.
01:20Number 5. Best. Yara Sofia's Fantasy Hair Wig.
01:23This season gave us some truly unforgettable looks, and Yara was a massive part of that.
01:28For the hairball, the queens were tasked with creating couture pieces made entirely from hair.
01:33I made this with braids in the cover, and I mixed two afros, two tones.
01:40Not only did Yara deliver a stunning constructed outfit,
01:43she also paired it with a striking sculptural wig that elevated the entire ensemble.
01:48I feel so fabulous.
01:50As she strutted down the runway, the wig bounced with each step,
01:54resembling a scorpion with its tail ready to strike.
01:56Now, this wasn't the first time in season 3 that a wig could double as a weapon.
02:00Remember that time Venus Delight threw a ponytail during the first lip sync?
02:03Right step, ooh!
02:05Miss Venus throws her ponytail to the back of the stage.
02:10It should've hit me with that hair. I probably would've had the side cut.
02:13Yara has always infused her drag with an experimental edge.
02:17We still remember the iconic helicopter wig from All Stars 1,
02:20but this one felt like the clearest expression of her unique artistic mind.
02:24This wig, I heard, according to very reliable sources,
02:27actually had NASA trying to get Yara on the line to figure out its ingenuity.
02:31It's true. It's true. Allegedly.
02:33Number 4. Worst.
02:35Heidi and Closet's Sparkle Pussycat Wig.
02:37As charming and funny as she is,
02:40Heidi didn't make the strongest first impression on the runway.
02:43While her gown fit the brief and carried a certain opulence,
02:46she paired it with a stiff, unstyled pussycat wig
02:49with a harsh hairline that undermined the entire look.
02:51The other judges mostly skirted around the issue,
02:54but guest judge Nicki Minaj addressed it head-on.
02:57But I hate, hate, hate your hair and makeup today.
03:03The wig and the makeup could've enhanced your face even more
03:07to match this beautiful gown that you have won.
03:10Now, I might be in the minority here.
03:12I will die on this hill.
03:14I don't think this wig is that bad, okay?
03:16And upon further revisions, I must say,
03:19we should probably consider the source of this one.
03:22To Heidi's credit, she took the feedback and ran with it,
03:26refining her presentation as the season progressed.
03:28Her talent was never in question,
03:31but this particular hair choice was indeed a choice.
03:34This is where I'm gonna press the trap door button.
03:39Number four, best.
03:41Got Mick's black and white entrance wig.
03:43Consider the system.
03:45Crash.
03:46Have you ever just seen a wig that just inspires
03:49nothing but ungodly rage and jealousy?
03:52This is that wig for me, okay?
03:53I don't wanna talk about it.
03:55I just wanna know how she did it,
03:56what went into it,
03:57what kind of magic was sewn behind the scenes
03:59to make this wig possible?
04:01And that's exactly why it made the list.
04:03In her original season,
04:05Got Mick was known for serving show-stopping style,
04:07topped with equally unforgettable wigs.
04:10I came here to win,
04:11and if this look isn't telling you that exact thing,
04:14then you must be watching a different show, my love.
04:17But absolutely nothing prepared us
04:19for what she showcased on her second run.
04:21Oh, come on, see you?
04:23Look at you!
04:25Fully aware that a strong first impression
04:27is everything.
04:29Got Mick entered the All-Stars 9 workroom
04:31in her best wig,
04:32a razor-sharp black and white piece
04:34that perfectly complemented
04:35her stark white face paint.
04:37There was not a hairline in sight.
04:39The illusion was so seamless
04:41that the strands appeared to fuse into her head.
04:43The structure, the style,
04:45the way it could double as a cornucopia.
04:48Ugh!
04:48Fellow contestant Plastique Tiara
04:50certainly gave Got Mick a run for her money
04:52with her own stellar collection of wigs,
04:54but Got Mick's checkered flag
04:55still lives in our heads rent-free.
04:57Number 3.
04:58Worst.
04:59Candy Muse's Chopped Bob
05:00Sometimes a bad outfit can be saved
05:03by a flawless wig.
05:04Other times, like in Heidi's case,
05:06a stunning dress can distract
05:08from a disappointing wig.
05:10Unfortunately,
05:11there was absolutely no opportunity
05:12for redemption here.
05:13I am walking down to the drummer
05:15like a little dog
05:16that just walked out of a bus.
05:17Candy's look for the Oat Pockets runway
05:19was a misfire from head to toe.
05:21The dress was already a disaster,
05:23but she made matters worse
05:25by pairing it with a choppy,
05:26uneven bob
05:27that reminded us of a demented
05:28My Little Pony mane.
05:30Ooh!
05:30Cue the shade button.
05:33The outfit became so notorious
05:35that Lana Jarae later revived it
05:37for Season 17's
05:38Ugliest Dress Ever runway.
05:40In the iconic Candy Muse pocket dress.
05:42May I speak to your dress?
05:44Yes, of course.
05:46You sure live the...
05:50And if there were ever
05:51an Ugliest Wigs category,
05:53we fully expect to see this one
05:55making a comeback too.
05:56Thoughts, James?
05:57Okay, once again,
05:58our swords are locked in battle.
06:00I don't think this wig is that bad.
06:02I have to say, like,
06:03the asymmetry of it all,
06:04the colors,
06:05the fact that she was inspiring
06:07Ava Max with this hairstyle,
06:08and she has yet to be given credit
06:10for that, by the way.
06:11Number 3.
06:12Best.
06:13Jimbo's Brain Wig.
06:14Leave it to Jimbo
06:15to turn human anatomy
06:17into high drag.
06:18The Canadian queen
06:19and self-proclaimed clown
06:20pushed her conceptual artistry
06:22further than most queens
06:23would dare.
06:24For the timeless
06:25signature drag runway,
06:26Jimbo wore a wig
06:27designed to look
06:28exactly like a human brain.
06:30I am serving
06:31brains, body, and booty.
06:33The piece came complete
06:34with folds, texture,
06:36and an unsettling
06:37level of realism.
06:38All surprisingly achieved
06:39through hair.
06:40Now, even I must admit,
06:42this wig is actually super cool.
06:43I know.
06:44I was there.
06:45Although I must say,
06:46my flawless,
06:47Mae West-inspired look
06:48should also be in the race.
06:50But again,
06:50it's not my list.
06:51It's yours.
06:52Sorry, James.
06:53Your nomination
06:54wasn't submitted in time.
06:56As for Jimbo,
06:57the judges were genuinely wowed.
06:59And honestly,
06:59so were we.
07:00Now, I have to give it up
07:01for the craftsmanship,
07:02the creativity,
07:03the structure of it all.
07:04And if memory serves,
07:06I do remember this wig
07:06giving her a throbbing headache,
07:08so that made me feel
07:09a little better
07:10about losing that episode.
07:11James Mansfield,
07:13you are safe.
07:15It wasn't the franchise's
07:17only cerebral hair moment.
07:19Irene the alien
07:19later served a wig
07:20that dramatically hatched
07:21to reveal an alien
07:23controlling her.
07:24Oh.
07:25Oh, it's an alien.
07:26That all makes sense now.
07:28I'm an alien invasion robot
07:30sent here to infiltrate
07:32American politics
07:33and ruin our society.
07:36Number two.
07:37Worst.
07:37Ginger Minj's
07:38Future of Drag Wig.
07:40Ah, Ginger Minj.
07:41Our beloved
07:42All-Stars 10 winner
07:43who could do no wrong
07:44in our eyes.
07:45Well,
07:45except for this one occasion.
07:47Just this one.
07:48I got me, gal.
07:50Okay,
07:51these Future of Drag
07:52categories always crack me up.
07:53I think she really
07:54hit the target on this one.
07:56Clearly,
07:56she's saying
07:57the future is dystopian.
08:01See,
08:02if that was the concept,
08:03we have a winner.
08:04Tasked with giving viewers
08:05a glimpse into the future of drag,
08:07Ginger chose a silver bodysuit
08:08that looked unfinished
08:09and paired it
08:10with a cropped red wig
08:11perched awkwardly high
08:12on her head.
08:13A future of drag runway
08:15calls for vision
08:16and ambition,
08:17but sadly,
08:18this wig offered neither.
08:19I gotta admit, Ginger,
08:20in this wig,
08:21it looks like you lost a bet.
08:22We wish we could say
08:23it was elevated
08:24in any way
08:25when she revamped
08:26the look for the
08:27Redemption runway
08:28on All-Stars 6,
08:29but we'd be lying.
08:30And we all know
08:32that telling the truth
08:32is the one thing
08:33Ginger Minj values most.
08:35Then all the Miss Mojo videos
08:36were suddenly like,
08:37even if the video
08:38wasn't about me,
08:39I was the screen grab.
08:42Okay, hold up.
08:44I think it's time
08:45you and Miss Mojo
08:45buried the hatchet, okay?
08:47Kiss and make up
08:48or settle it
08:49in the parking lot.
08:50Number two,
08:51best,
08:52Nymphia Wynn's banana wig.
08:53From the very moment
08:55she stepped into the workroom,
08:56Nymphia wasted no time
08:58announcing her aesthetic
08:59to the world.
09:00Bananas.
09:04While her towering
09:06entrance wig
09:06was incredible,
09:08her most impressive
09:09hair showing
09:09came later
09:10on the runway.
09:11I turn into
09:11a yellow banana.
09:12This banana-themed wig
09:14was a brilliant
09:15bright yellow construction
09:16shaped like a cluster
09:17of actual bananas
09:18sitting on top
09:18of her head.
09:19It's the kind of look
09:20that makes you pause,
09:21rewind,
09:22and question
09:22your entire
09:23understanding of drag.
09:24Again,
09:25do you ever
09:25just see something
09:26that inspires
09:27unreasonable jealousy?
09:29Whose mind
09:29did this crawl out of?
09:31I mean,
09:31I just wanted to
09:32scream through my house
09:32like Regina George
09:33when I saw this.
09:37The wig was paired
09:38with a fully cohesive
09:39banana-inspired ensemble,
09:40and together,
09:41they created
09:42one of the most
09:43talked-about looks
09:44of the season.
09:45A wig like this
09:45requires a team
09:46of specialists,
09:47expertise in cage building,
09:49and all of the nerve.
09:50In fact,
09:51I think I'm gonna get
09:51my lawyer on the phone
09:52and see if I can sue
09:53for emotional distress
09:54due to incurable envy.
09:57Number one,
09:58worst,
09:58Dita Ritz's entrance wig.
10:00Don't you, lady?
10:02Dita Ritz is undeniably
10:03one of the greatest
10:04lip-sync performers
10:05in Drag Race Herstory,
10:07but her wig game
10:08on season four?
10:09That's a different
10:10conversation entirely.
10:11While other queens
10:12strive to make
10:13a great first impression
10:14with their entrance looks,
10:15Dita didn't even
10:16bother trying,
10:17as she strutted
10:18in wearing the epitome
10:19of mall drag.
10:20Wait, wait, hold up.
10:22I must interject.
10:24As for the outfit,
10:24I must admit,
10:25I'm not mad.
10:26Clearly, she treats
10:27drag like a job.
10:28Try that challenge, haters.
10:30Okay, but it gets worse.
10:32She then paired it
10:33with a dry,
10:34unstyled shake-and-go wig
10:35that still would've
10:36looked bad even if
10:37season four was filmed
10:37in the late 90s.
10:39Dita Ritz look a mess.
10:40That dry-ass wig
10:42and that awful-ass makeup.
10:44I'm gonna take
10:45the L on this one.
10:46I think we need to
10:46put some respect
10:47on this trendsetter's name,
10:49okay?
10:49She could tell
10:50the future.
10:51Every queen now
10:52is wearing a flat wig
10:53with a middle part.
10:54If this was human hair,
10:55you'd all be demanding
10:56her spread in French Vogue,
10:58okay?
10:59Hot take, James.
11:00Let's not forget,
11:01she returned to that
11:02same unfortunate wig
11:03the very next episode.
11:05For someone with
11:06such explosive
11:07stage presence,
11:08that hair felt like
11:08it belonged in an
11:09entirely different,
11:10far less exciting show.
11:12Alright, folks,
11:13to present our number
11:14one pick for the best
11:15RuPaul's Drag Race wig
11:16of all time,
11:17here is James Mansfield.
11:19No, it's time
11:20for number one.
11:21And I must say,
11:22after much deliberation,
11:23I'm so pleased to say,
11:25it's me!
11:26Yes!
11:27James Mansfield's
11:28Net Gala look
11:29from All Stars 8
11:31Episode 2.
11:32My hair roller look.
11:34Innovative,
11:35beautiful,
11:35and well-constructed.
11:37I know,
11:38I was the engineer.
11:39I'd like to thank
11:40the Academy,
11:40myself,
11:41and the three
11:42Five Below locations
11:43I went to
11:44to get those pool noodles.
11:46Hold on,
11:46hold on.
11:47Um,
11:47wait,
11:48is this right?
11:49Wait,
11:49where's the script?
11:51Okay,
11:51we love you,
11:52James,
11:52but before we set off
11:53a firestorm
11:54in the comments section,
11:55let's go to the real
11:56number one best wig.
11:57Wait,
11:58what?
11:58What do you mean
11:58I'm not number one?
11:59Well,
11:59if it's not me,
12:00then who is?
12:01Number one best,
12:03Simone's finale package.
12:04I told y'all not
12:06to let the smooth taste
12:06fool you.
12:08They say the higher the hair,
12:09the closer to God.
12:10And at the season 13
12:12grand finale,
12:13Simone was practically
12:14at the pearly gates.
12:15Okay,
12:16I'll admit it,
12:16she was the best.
12:17Oh my God,
12:19we're gonna tell our children
12:20about this finale package
12:21one day,
12:22okay?
12:22They're gonna look at us
12:23as if we're having
12:23delusions of grandeur,
12:25but it'll all be the truth.
12:26We'd already seen signs
12:28of her wig mastery
12:29during the Meet the Queens.
12:30While she lived up to
12:31expectations throughout the season,
12:33Simone completely outdid
12:34herself at the finale.
12:35Tasked with delivering
12:36three separate eleganza looks,
12:38she first stepped out
12:39in a stunning black and white gown
12:41with a voluminous black wig.
12:42I feel very strong,
12:44very confident,
12:44and that's what I need, honey.
12:46Because Simone is here,
12:47and she's here to win.
12:50For her second look,
12:51Simone donned a dress
12:52made of nails,
12:53with a wig shaped like
12:54her hands clutching
12:55bundles of hair.
12:56And this hair is really fun,
12:59and they held in my bundle,
13:00say.
13:00She finished with
13:01a goddess-like ensemble,
13:02crowned by a show-stopping
13:04white wig dripping in gold.
13:06The gold leaf is the crown
13:07dripping upon my hair.
13:09There's your hair,
13:10there's your crown.
13:11Honestly,
13:11the Ebony Enchantress
13:12could have won the season
13:13on her wigs alone.
13:15The creativity,
13:16the layered references,
13:18and more special effects
13:19and wire work
13:20than the entire
13:20Matrix franchise.
13:22Yeah,
13:22she did that.
13:24The winner
13:24of RuPaul's Drag Race,
13:27Simone.
13:35Thanks for all your insights,
13:37James.
13:37We're looking forward
13:38to another exciting collab
13:39next month on a brand new list.
13:40Thank you so much,
13:41Miss Mojo.
13:42I look forward
13:43to our next one.
13:44Now,
13:45if you don't mind,
13:45I have to get back to work,
13:46okay?
13:48If you enjoyed this video,
13:50make sure to check out
13:51James' YouTube channel
13:52and follow her socials.
13:53Did we leave out
13:55any impressive
13:55or underwhelming wigs?
13:57Let us know
13:57in the comments.
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