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Top 10 Iconic Runway Walks on RuPaul's Drag Race

Top 10 Iconic Runway Walks on RuPaul's Drag Race
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Get ready for a masterclass in strutting! Join us as we count down our picks for the most distinctive and unforgettable runway walks from the fierce queens of RuPaul's Drag Race. From modelesque precision to quirky theatrics, these performers know how to own the main stage and leave a lasting impression with every single step. Get ready to gag! Our countdown for the most iconic runway moments features the unparalleled elegance of Raja, the athletic precision of Anetra, the supermodel swagger of Naomi Smalls, the unique charm of Symone, and the unforgettable confidence of Shea Couleé. Which queen's walk is your all-time favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

#10: DiDa Ritz

Her runway looks may be hit or miss, but there’s no denying that this Chicago legend has an unmistakable stomp. With long legs that go all the way up to her you-know-where, DiDa walks with a natural bounce, relaxed shoulders and an unapologetic confidence. Sometimes, she keeps it classic, charging down the runway in a straight line. Other times, she leans into a bit of whimsy, swaying from one corner of the stage to another as she makes her way down. There’s just something refreshingly honest about how she moves, as if she’s comfortable whether the look she’s wearing lands or not.


#9: Anetra

On the runway, this Vegas queen indeed lives up to her signature catchphrase: she walks that mothertucking duck. Anetra’s background in taekwondo and other martial arts transformed her runway presentations into mini action sequences. The precision in her movements – sharp poses punctuated by hip slides, shoulder shimmies and sudden spins – create a visual rhythm unlike anything seen before on the show. Her gaze and attitude ooze confidence, which stays at the same level whether she’s wearing something ultra glamorous or a little more questionable. Combining athletic prowess with model poise, Anetra proves that a runway walk can be both elegant and explosive at the same time.


#8: Kim Chi

A queen can become iconic on the runway for how fiercely she stomps, but sometimes, it can be for the exact opposite reason. Season 8 finalist Kim Chi certainly falls under the latter category. Throughout the season, the judges often critiqued her for appearing stiff on the runway, but Kim Chi leaned into that restraint and made it her signature. Her steps are careful and controlled, giving the judges and audience time to fully absorb her intricate makeup and sculptural outfits. There’s a doll-like quality to how she moves, keeping her posture upright and her gestures minimal, which supports the fantasy without overwhelming it. When Kim Chi hits the runway, the look itself is the main event.


#7: Utica Queen

Fluid, alien, and completely unpredictable, Utica’s runway walk defies categorization in the best possible way. The Minnesota queen brought performance art to the main stage with her otherworldly movements that seemed to originate from another dimension entirely. Her limbs would undulate like she was underwater, creating strange shapes that complemented her quirky, avant-garde aesthetic. Rather than sticking to a steady rhythm, Utica would suddenly accelerate or decelerate, making it impossible to predict what was coming next. She was not afraid to lean into the whimsy of her eccentric looks – playing like a dog, slithering across the runway and even lying down in her now-legendary bag look. The judges may not have always loved her walk, but we absolutely did.


#6: Naomi Smalls

Those legs truly are everything. This Season 8 queen got half of her name from supermodel Naomi Campbell and she really lives up to that inspiration. Standing at a towering 6 foot 3 inches without heels, Naomi transforms the runway into her personal catwalk with a strut that wouldn't look out of place at Paris Fashion Week. Campbell’s influence is evident in every perfectly timed step and hip swivel. The mathematical precision of Naomi’s walk – the exact same distance between steps, the perfect 45-degree angle of her foot placement – makes it hypnotic to watch. The confidence in her step feels earned rather than forced, which is why her runway presence remains one of the most instantly recognizable in the franchise.


#5: Symone

Don’t let the smooth taste fool ya baby. The ebony enchantress from Arkansas redefined Black excellence on the runway with a walk that blends urban swagger with high-fashion precision. Symone’s aura on the runway is all about attitude – the unmistakable tilt of her head and that signature bounce in her step that makes her seem like she's walking to music only she can hear. During Season 13, the walk became so iconic that other queens regularly imitated it. Beyond the jokes though, Symone often incorporated subtle nods to Black culture into her walk, whether through a deliberate pose or gesture. No matter the variation, the moment she hit the runway, you could undeniably tell it was Symone.


#4: Discord Addams

When it comes to truly distinctive runway walks on “Drag Race,” very few can compete with that of Season 18’s Discord Addams. From her very first appearance, Discord made an instant impression on the judges with her unusual, almost confrontational stomp down the runway. The St. Petersburg, Florida queen says she serves intense fashion model, leaning all the way back and attacking the stage, shins-first. To Discord, this is the ultimate runway walk, especially since she seems to constantly look back at the judges, as if daring them to acknowledge just how hard she’s killing it. Call her delusional if you want, but what’s a drag queen without at least a little delusion?


#3: Vivacious

Mother has arrived! Though her time on Season 6 was brief, Vivacious delivered one of the most memorable walks in “Drag Race” herstory. Drawing directly from the New York scene where she reigned supreme, Vivacious brought authentic club kid energy with her staccato, robotic movements. The dramatic pauses and mechanical pivots make her presentations feel like performance art rather than traditional modeling. Vivacious marched to the beat of her own drum, and while not traditionally polished, her movements exuded an unshakeable confidence that made her runway presence truly iconic. Despite being an early out, that distinctive walk has influenced countless queens. If only we could’ve seen more of it on our screens.


#2: Shea Couleé

Poetry in motion barely begins to describe the runway excellence that is Shea Couleé. A theater kid herself, Shea brings technical precision to the runway that makes every step feel deliberate yet effortless. The controlled energy in her walk creates a hypnotic quality that draws all eyes to her. Unlike many queens who maintain a single signature style, Shea adapts her walk to complement each look, shifting from sharp and editorial to regal and opulent as needed. Like Naomi Smalls, Shea Couleé’s walk is also heavily influenced by Naomi Campbell, and she got the privilege to present it before the supermodel during the “All Stars” 7 premiere. How many people can say they’ve gotten a stamp of approval from the runway icon?


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.


Jinkx Monsoon

Her Campy Shuffle Proves You Don’t Need Model Precision to Leave a Lasting Impression


La Grande Dame

Sharp Posture & Elongated Strides That Scream European High Fashion


Ra'Jah O'Hara

A Confident Stomp That Effortlessly Oozes Swagger


Tayce

A Hypnotic, Supermodel Saunter That Makes Time Itself Seem to Slow Down


Yvie Oddly

Unpredictable, Elastic Motion That Mirrors Her Offbeat Drag Aesthetic


#1: Raja

When it comes to runway walks, Raja remains the undisputed queen supreme. The makeup artist turned drag superstar revolutionized how queens present on the runway with a walk that perfectly balances high fashion with theatrical performance. Raja's years of professional modeling experience are evident in the languid confidence of her stride – elongated steps and gestural flourishes that showcase every detail of her garments. She often pauses to deliver a smoldering gaze or a confident, precise hand gesture, embodying her supermodel persona with an effortless sophistication. Even after numerous seasons and hundreds of queens, no one has matched Raja's ability to transform a simple walk down a runway into a transcendent fashion moment.


Which “Drag Race” queen's runway walk would you recognize anywhere? Sound off in the comments below.

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MsMojo drag race rupaul runway walks iconic walks drag queens supermodel fashion main stage Raja Shea Coulee Symone Naomi Smalls Anetra Kim Chi Vivacious Utica Queen Discord Addams Dida Ritz WatchMojo MsMojo list top
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