Top 10 Most Stacked Casts on RuPaul's Drag Race
#10: Season 12
Barring one disqualified cast member, the top half of this cast is collectively one of the strongest ever to compete on the show. You had lip sync assassins, comedians, musical theater queens, and fashion icons in equal measure. Most of season 12’s ensemble were all of that and more. The great thing about watching them week to week was that every time you thought you could pigeon-hole them, they’d unleash a brand new skill you had no idea they had. It was the season of surprises and discoveries, with artists reinventing themselves as they needed to.
#9: Season 16
Variety is the keyword for this cast. Throughout the season, these queens were fighting for the top spot, and we learned quickly that with this much talent, anyone could go home at any time. The finale was a real fight to the finish. Nymphia Wind, Sapphira Cristál, Plane Jane, and Q were all real contenders with multiple challenge wins under their belts. Even the queens who didn’t make it far put on a show before they left. Season 16 is the perfect mix of modern-day social media queens and the messiness of older seasons of “Drag Race.” We have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of a lot of these contestants.
#8: Season 2
If the first season was the trial run, the second was where the show really found its footing. Season 2 is iconic precisely because it’s classic drag. Here, you have a cast of pre-social media contestants who come from the club scene. Upstart winner Tyra Sanchez may be a controversial figure, but you can’t argue she didn’t slay several challenges. Perennial returnee Jujubee made her “Drag Race” debut here. Raven, Pandora Boxx, and Morgan McMichaels were the seasoned pros, with Tatianna, Jessica Wild, and Mystique Summers Madison heading up the underdog contingent. Even early-outs Nicole Paige Brooks and Kylie Sonique Love have made their mark on the fandom. Kylie later returned and won “All Stars 6.” Also, did we mention the drama?
#7: Season 14
From the first episode’s talent show, we knew we were dealing with a very special group. Season 14 found stars in several queens. It also meant that the fans were completely divided as to who the best really was. This is the season that saw Willow Pill take a bath. We saw RuPaul fall in love with Jorgeous in real time. And who could have seen Maddy Morphosis, the season’s 10th place finisher, becoming one of the most iconic YouTube personalities the show’s ever produced? This was a cast so good that RuPaul broke protocol and allowed the entire top five to advance to the finale.
#6: Season 15
It’s easy to forget how incredible this lineup was when you remember Sasha Colby was there. She was the powerhouse of the season. But in any other season, her fellow finalists could have easily taken the crown. What also set this cast apart, aside from talent, is they were more authentic and eager to get into dust-ups when needed. They all seemed to know what they offered and made no apologies. When someone as compelling as Irene the Alien is a first-out, you know you’re dealing with some serious talent. Each time we lost one of these queens, we were left with the feeling that they had a lot more to offer.
#5: Season 3
Raja is still one of the most fashion-forward queens “Drag Race” has ever seen. While her win may have seemed like a foregone conclusion, competitors Manila Luzon, Alexis Mateo, and Yara Sofia gave her a run for her money. Season 3 is also where fans got to know Shangela, Carmen Carrera, and Stacy Layne Matthews. We also can’t forget Delta Work, who has since gone on to become a well-known podcaster and Diet Coke connoisseur. Despite what some of the queens had to say, there actually weren’t that many boogers in this exceptionally well-rounded cast.
#4: Season 7
Looking back, it’s kind of crazy just how many good queens were on this cast. Between her burlesque art and ability to attract controversy, Violet Chachki is one of the show’s unique winners. Aside from the superstardom of Trixie Mattel and Katya, Ginger Minj, Kennedy Davenport, and Jasmine Masters have each achieved cultural relevance in their own ways. Even the ones who didn’t stay in the “Drag Race” fold, like Pearl, Max, and Miss Fame, bring something fascinating to the table. At the time, fans just didn’t appreciate season 7. It’s become clear that the cast was a gem. The challenges were the real let-down.
#3: Season 6
Bianca Del Rio may have been accused of sailing through the competition, but her incredible run since winning has proven she’s a genuine success story. But season 6 is one of those seasons that generated more iconic queens than usual. Finalist Adore Delano was an instant fan favorite, and her success as a singer translated off-screen. Courtney Act has taken her fame and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights to several other platforms. Beloved contestants include later all star participants in BenDeLaCreme, Gia Gunn, Darienne Lake, Milk, and Trinity K. Bonet. On another season, most of these queens would have been true contenders.
#2: Season 9
This is easily one of the strongest final fours of all-time. Sasha Velour, Shea Couleé, and Trinity the Tuck are all “Drag Race” franchise winners. The only reason Peppermint isn’t is because she hasn’t come back for “All Stars” yet. Season 9 also brought us immensely talented and controversial contestants like Valentina, Alexis Michelle, Aja, and Nina Bo’nina Brown. Beloved season 8 queen Cynthia Lee Fontaine returned to recapture our hearts, while future season 10 finalist Eureka would have been a threat to win if she hadn’t been injured. In terms of stacked casts, this one has more potential winners than almost any other.
#1: Season 5
If we were including “All Stars” casts, this one would be fighting for the top spot with “All Stars” 2. That’s because literally half the cast is from season 5. Here’s a cast who represents everything “Drag Race” can be. This is the season of Roxxxy Andrews, Alyssa Edwards, Coco Montrese, and Detox. Everyone brought something to the table. Runner-up Alaska has become a producer, host, and frequent TV fixture. Winner Jinkx Monsoon is rightfully the crown jewel. She’s the franchise’s first two-time winner, and she’s now become a fixture on Broadway. Between the unreal fashions, the nonstop hilarity, the ingenuity, and the drama, season 5 is the epitome of a stacked cast.
Which “Drag Race” cast is your favorite? Tell us in the comments.
