The Most Shocking Moment from Every Season of RuPaul's Drag Race

The Most Shocking Moment from Every Season of RuPaul's Drag Race

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at our picks for the most jaw-dropping “Drag Race” moments. We’re keeping things narrowed down to just the main franchise - no “All Stars” or international seasons and warning: there’ll be some spoilers about placements and eliminations.

Season 1: Shannel Nominates Herself

Although it’s been quite a long time since the show premiered, there’s so many moments from that first season that are still living rent-free in our heads. Tammie Brown coined some of the most well-loved lines of the whole series during her argument with Ru. And we remember how impactful it was when Ongina won the Mac-Viva Glam challenge and shared her HIV status. But when Mama Ru asks the dreaded question of who should be eliminated, you are guaranteed to get the juiciest drama. Shannel is gorgeous and an exceptional performer, and it was so upsetting to see her feel like she wasn’t being recognized.

Season 2: Tatianna vs. Tyra

Tatianna is definitely someone who is not afraid to speak her mind. It was a gag watching her tell off Raven at the reunion. But even wilder than that was when she proudly called out Tyra on the mainstage right in front of the judges. She airs out all her grievances and some of the other queens are more than happy to chime in with their thoughts as well. Despite these negative critiques from her competitors, Tyra perseveres and ends up snatching the crown in what is probably the most emotional win in the show’s herstory

Season 3: India & Mimi

When a season begins with a previous season contestant popping out and surprising everyone, you know it’s gonna be good. There were some pretty wild feuds thanks to Mimi Imfurst - drama just seems to follow her wherever she goes. Her “Untucked” fight with Shangela is one of the most well known moments in the show’s herstory. But things really went overboard during Mimi’s lip sync with India Ferrah. Getting physical like that was totally uncalled for and it was a great way to guarantee her own elimination. In the wise words of RuPaul: “drag is not a contact sport”.

Season 4: Willam’s Disqualification

One of the most shocking queens ever seen on “Drag Race” is definitely Sharon Needles. Her unique edgy aesthetic created some amazing fashion moments. And of course there is the legendary werkroom fight between her and PhiPhi. But none of that can compare to the show’s first disqualification. This queen had just snatched a win for that week’s maxi challenge. Little did she know she was in for an even bigger surprise. It was a shame to see her go. The rest of the season just wasn’t the same without her ruthless shade.

Season 5: Vivienne & Honey Double Elimination

Five was truly one of the gaggiest seasons of them all. It was packed full of drama and emotions. We still get choked up when we think about Monica tearfully speaking her truth to everyone on the mainstage. And we all cried along with Roxxxy when she shared her tragic story. As heart-wrenching as those moments are, herstory was made when Vivienne and Honey were both sent home after a lackluster lip sync for your life. It was the first ever double elimination. The looks on everyone’s faces say it all.

Season 6: Milk’s Ru Runway

Laganja Estranja brought us many memorable moments this season. Her roast performance was just plain uncomfortable to watch, and her “Untucked” meltdown is one for the herstory books. While Ganja might be the most quotable queen, nothing made our jaws drop like Milk’s choice for the Night of a Thousand RuPaul’s runway. She technically did follow the assignment - just in a way that no one expected. Strutting the mainstage in boy drag is a bold choice. The judges were a bit rough on her but it’s still iconic that she was willing to take that risk.

Season 7: Violet’s Death Becomes Her Runway

Violet is a queen who takes the phrase “beauty is pain” to a whole different level. Of course, there were plenty of memorable moments with other contestants that we also love. It was heartening to watch Katya and Miss Fame talk so candidly about the challenges of sobriety in such a stressful environment. And the frightening tension between Pearl and RuPaul in the werkroom had us gagged. But this runway is an unforgettable stunner. Violet is known for her fashion and this really pushes it to the limit. Who needs oxygen when you look this sickening?

Season 8: Naysha’s Eliminations

This season was brimming with jaw-dropping moments. There’s no doubt you still get chills seeing the passion of Chi Chi DeVayne’s awe-inspiring lip sync against Thorgy. And we all felt for Kim Chi when she revealed that her parents didn’t know she does drag. But there’s nothing like a dismissed queen to shake things up. No one could have guessed that a former Miss Continental would be the first to go. Miraculously, she gets her chance at ru-demption after a surprise double elimination leaves the cast short one contestant. She survives for her returning episode, but she unfortunately sashays away yet again just the following week.

Season 9: Valentina’s Elimination

When you think of Season 9, there’s no doubt that one of the first things you think of is Sasha's herstory-making reveal. Or perhaps it’s Eureka’s early departure that comes to mind. And of course we all remember Lady Gaga’s werkroom surprise. Yet, nothing could have gagged us like this did. Valentina was adored by the judges, but then she committed the ultimate “Drag Race” sin - she didn’t know the lyrics. When Ru had to interrupt the lip sync to call her out, that was the moment we knew she was done for.

Season 10: Asia’s Reveal

Emotions certainly ran high during the tenth season. The Vixen came in ready for a fight, and she found it with Eureka. And Blair’s moment of vulnerability on the mainstage had us tearing up along with her. But none of that could compare with what happened during the finale. There is a lot of pressure for contestants to come up with the most show-stopping reveals for this. Asia’s idea was great, but it unfortunately just did not work out the way she had planned. It was honestly heartbreaking to watch her chances of snatching the crown be dashed away just like that.

Season 11: The 6 Way Lip Sync

There were plenty of “elevengendary” moments, like the surprise return of the loud, lovable fan favorite Miss Vanjie. And of course there’s the mind-blowing performance by Yvie Oddly and Brooke Lynn Hytes. But this 6 person lip sync battle was shocking in a different way. To say it was absolute chaos would be an understatement. Everyone is desperately trying to stand out in the crowd. It’s a claustrophobic mess on that stage, so it makes sense that Honey takes the chance of jumping off. Crawling around on the floor though was maybe not the best idea.

Season 12: Heidi Goes Off

This soft and supple queen impressed us throughout her whole time on “Drag Race”. She was a lip sync extraordinaire and was one half of the season’s only double shantay (xref). But we saw a completely different side of her in “Untucked” when the girls were going after Aiden. We absolutely love it when a queen comes to the defense of one of her sisters. And she really lets them all have it. Despite this fiery exchange, she was still well-loved by her competitors and won the title of Miss Congeniality during the one-of-a-kind remote finale.

Season 13: Kandy’s “Elimination”

When things kicked off with every queen lip syncing for their life, and then the losing queens voting for one of them to get the chop, we knew we were in for a wild ride this season. And, speaking of wild, we definitely all remember that ferocious battle between Kandy and Tamisha. However, there’s another moment with Kandy that’s even more memorable. After being defeated by Symone, it looks like it’s her turn to sashay away. But then Ru steps in and delivers us a miracle. We were absolutely overjoyed to see one of our favs get a second chance.

Season 14: Snatch Game Bottom 7

The fourteenth season was full of surprises. We saw a golden chocolate bar save a contestant from elimination. We even had the first straight guy to compete on the show. And who could forget Lady Camden’s iconic runway moment? However, nothing beats that atrocious snatch game. It’s the most difficult challenge and these girls really struggled. Except for Deja Skye, who blew everyone out of the water with her ridiculous Lil Jon impression. As their punishment, all seven of the bottom queens must battle it out in a lip sync lalaparuza smackdown.

Season 15: Jax’s Talent Show

Fifteen had some fantastic stunt queens that pulled off crazy athletic feats. They proved to us that the laws of physics don’t apply to drag queens. Anetra dazzled everyone with her board-breaking, duck-walking talent show. And she and Marcia turned it out in their legendary lip sync battle. Though, it doesn’t get much wilder than using your braids as a jump rope. Jax combines her cheerleading experience with her drag to deliver one amazing show. She just back handsprings down the runway like it’s no big deal - and she does it all in heels!

Season 16: Mirage’s Elimination

This season brought an exciting new twist with the immunity potions. We saw one queen’s inner saboteur get the best of her , and another showed an unexpected softer side when she saved her friend. But nothing stunned us as much as when Mirage sashayed away. After her heel clacking performance amazed everyone, no one thought the Vegas performer would struggle in a lip sync. Not knowing the lyrics is bad enough, but it only makes things worse that Cher is one of Ru’s absolute favorite artists. Our hearts shattered when she broke down. Emotionally devastating doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Which iconic “Drag Race” moment had you gooped, gagged and gobsmacked? Let your voices be heard down below.