Top 10 Queens Who Just Keep Coming Back to Drag Race
#10: Vanessa Vanjie Mateo
Few exits in “Drag Race” have come close to being as memorable and quotable as hers. Despite going home first on Season 10, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo’s viral moment made enough of an impression that she was invited back the following year. She survived the premiere, and lasted until the final five before getting the chop. She wasn’t done there. After taking a few years to build her craft, she strutted back into the Werk Room for “All Stars” 9. There, she won the makeover challenge and made it to the final lip sync, before falling just short of the crown. It was a complete redemption from her initial run, and proved that even early-outs can go on to thrive.
#9: Kennedy Davenport
With her history as a pageant queen, it's no wonder why she keeps coming back for a chance at the crown. Kennedy Davenport proved herself to be a strong competitor early on, with her making it to the top four on Season 7. She returned for the third installment of “All Stars,” where she was a runner-up. It was at that point that she diversified, and appeared on “Canada vs. the World”. She showed once again that she was finale material, and ended in third place. You may see a pattern here – if Kennedy’s competing, it’s likely she’s making it to the finish line. That’s why her early elimination from Season 11 of “All Stars” was SUCH a gag. Iconic lip sync though.
#8: Alyssa Edwards
Thanks to her appearances, she’s provided the fanbase with an endless supply of iconic moments. Alyssa Edwards’ rivalry with Coco Montrese and her dancing skills made her a constant entertaining presence on the fifth season. She placed sixth, but she more than showed her potential. She solidified her fan-fave status with “All Stars” 2, where her brief elimination and return ended up being one of the biggest moments. She came in fifth, and for a while, that was her last stint as a competitor on “Drag Race”. That is, until “Global All Stars” in 2024. She went up against a batch of fierce international divas, and bested them all. Through every appearance, she’s shown time and time again why she’s so beloved.
#7: Lydia B Kollins
Most contestants take some time between the main show and “All Stars.” Lydia B Kollins was one of the few to break that mold. After finishing in seventh place on the seventeenth season, she was immediately asked back for the Tournament of All Stars. She accepted, and in just five days, she stepped up her game an impressive amount. She was in the top for two out of three episodes in her bracket, and advanced to the semifinals. The crown was in her sight, but she ended up being cut during the lip sync smackdown. Though she was likely exhausted by the time the dust from both stints settled, her back-to-back runs helped her leave a permanent mark on the franchise and the fanbase.
#6: Silky Nutmeg Ganache
Since coming onto our screens during Season 11, she’s been anything but forgettable. Silky Nutmeg Ganache may have secured two challenge wins and a finale placement, but the viewers’ lukewarm response to her left her All Star status in jeopardy. She proved the haters wrong when she came back for the sixth season, and effortlessly slayed the Rudemption lip sync tournament. Afterwards, she crossed the border to show her stuff on “Canada vs. the World”. She made it further than she ever had before, and ended as a runner-up. It seems 11 is her lucky number, as she was invited back for the eleventh installment of “All Stars”. She’s prime for a full-circle moment, and since she's still crown-less, we may yet again see the Reverend Doctor before long.
#5: Raven
Technically, she’s only competed for the crown and title twice. However, Raven’s constant appearances in the Werk Room and long term job doing RuPaul’s makeup have made it clear that she considers “Drag Race” her home. She holds the distinction of making it to the finale during both of her runs, before losing to Tyra Sanchez and Chad Michaels respectively. Since then, she’s been a permanent fixture in the Ru-niverse. Whether she’s offering makeup tips to currently-competing contestants or appearing in random gags, she’s ensured that each new generation of queens and fans know who she is. With how far she’s come, it's hard to believe she’s the same person that once ruthlessly read others back during Season 2.
#4: Ginger Minj
Fourth time’s the charm. Ginger Minj is the ultimate proof that working hard and continuously answering World of Wonders’ calls can eventually result in a crown. After falling just short of the victory in Season 7, she made a quick turnaround and returned for “All Stars” 2. Unfortunately, the new format and strong cast resulted in her placing in eighth. She didn’t let that stop her from trying again. She made it to the finale a second time for the sixth installment, and then returned one last time for the Tournament of All Stars. That ended up being her ticket to the crown, and a decade after her first appearance, she was finally inducted into the “Drag Race” Hall of Fame.
#3: Jorgeous
RuPaul was right – she really was born to do drag. Jorgeous has proven that time and time again, with three impressive runs in a relatively short time. Her first shot was during the fourteenth season, where she solidified herself as one of Ru’s favorites. She got an invite back not long afterwards, when she competed on “All Stars” 9 and placed fourth. She turned right back around and returned the following year. This was the closest she’d ever gotten to the crown, and she made it to the finale before losing to the aforementioned Ginger Minj. We wouldn’t doubt if she comes back for another chance, and if she does, we’re sure she’ll have elevated her art even more.
#2: The Entirety of Season 14
Jorgeous isn’t the only queen from Season 14 to have competed multiple times. Several other contestants have returned, and we wouldn’t be surprised if almost everyone else follows suit. Angeria Paris VanMicheals returned for “All Stars” 9, where she successfully snatched the crown. The rest can’t say the same – but they certainly proved why they were asked back. Alyssa Hunter, Kerri Colby, DeJa Skye, Bosco, and Daya Betty all competed during the tenth season, with the last two making the merge into the semifinals. While Jasmine Kennedie didn’t compete with her sisters, she was revealed to be the Season 14 rep for “All Stars” 11. That means that eight out of 14 have come back so far, which proves how stacked the cast was.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Alexis Mateo
Since Season 3, She’s Competed on Two “All Stars” Installments & “Canada vs. the World”
Eureka
So Far, She’s Competed on Two Regular Seasons & Two Variations of “All Stars”
Trinity the Tuck
After Losing Season 9 & Co-Winning “All Stars” 4, She Returned for a Victory Lap
Cheryl
After Two Attempts in the United Kingdom, She Branched Out to Canada for Her Third Try
Jimbo
She Excelled in Three Different Countries Before Becoming the Champion of “All Stars” 8
#1: Jujubee
If you ask us, she should get an honorary spot every year. Jujubee has been a staple of the franchise since Season 2, when her elite lip syncing skills helped her get to the finale. She then competed with Raven in the debut of “All Stars”, where she fell just short of the Top 2. In 2020, she made her comeback in “All Stars” 5. After finishing as a runner-up, she headed across the pond to compete in the very first installment of “UK vs. the World”. Again, she made it to the end before getting the chop. She may be the embodiment of "always a bridesmaid, never the bride” – but she’s proven you don’t have to win to leave a lasting impact.
Did we miss any of your favorite, resilient queens? Let us know in the comments!