Top 20 Drag Race Lip Syncs That Deserved a Double Shantay

#20: Brooke Lynn Hytes vs. Vanessa Vanjie Mateo

Season 11

When it came time to fight for a spot as one of the top four in the finals, these two lovebirds had to battle it out to an Aretha Franklin dance hit. Two more different performers you couldnt find. Brooke Lynn Hytes put her impressive ballet technique to use, while Miss Vanjie tapped into her irrepressible energy. From there, its really just a matter of taste. But Vanjies performance is too fierce to ignore. She wants this so bad, and you can see it the whole time. There had never been a top five in the finale before. If there was a time to break with tradition, it was here.

#19: Coco Montrese vs. Jade Jolie

Season 5

The vibes during this Lip Sync For Your Life are out of this world. Rus loving it, the Pointer Sisters are living, and Coco Montrese and Jade Jolie are giving Im So Excited the explosive energy it deserves. While Coco was clearly the seasons Lip Sync Assassin, Jade doesnt just hold her own here. She gives a fun and goofy performance that feels like pure joy. Jade may have been eliminated, but this is such a shining moment for her, especially when you consider her opponent is one of the seasons most fearsome lip sync artists.

#18: Morgan McMichaels vs. Kylie Sonique Love

Season 2

One of the crazy things about Drag Race is how differently a performers talents may be considered between an original season and an all-stars one. Kylie Sonique Loves acrobatics and impressive flexibility were a big part of what nabbed her the All Stars 6 crown. But in her original season, those skills are almost portrayed as foolish and just not right for the song. Landing in the bottom two with Morgan McMichaels, Sonique brings her A game. She twirls, splits, and cartwheels all across that tiny stage. Morgan is unimpressed, and unfortunately, so is Ru. If we could turn back time, though, wed want to give this the double save it deserves.

#17: Joslyn Fox vs. Laganja Estranja

Season 6

Its the synchronized split that shook the RuPauls Drag Race Mainstage. But this entire showdown to Pinks Stupid Girls is a lesson in grace under pressure. Laganja Estranja had just had the biggest meltdown of the season in Untucked, but she went out there and absolutely smashed this. Joslyn Fox rightfully won her way back into the Werk Room, but still, Laganja was fiercely determined. Now, were not here to say Laganjas narrative hadnt run out by then. She was clearly against the ropes and crashing fast. But she filled this song with all the attitude necessary to at least make it one more week.

#16: Kori King vs. Lydia B Kollins

Season 17

This matchup was more dramatic than usual. Season 17s Kori King and Lydia B Kollins were actually in a relationship when they lip synced against each other, and you cant say they didnt go for it. Lip syncing to Lita Fords 1988 rock song, Kiss Me Deadly, these two more than lived up to that title. Although Kori is the one to sashay away, this is a double shantay in every way possible. How could someone lose this lip sync when we all won? And if you want more proof that this shouldve been a double shantay, RuPaul was cackling the entire time.

#15: Lineysha Sparx vs. Detox

Season 5

There are a lot of reasons Lineysha Sparx got a raw deal on her season. The language barrier was a hurdle she didnt always clear, but the Puerto Rican queen always turned it out when she had to perform. When she and Detox bombed the Snatch Game, they had to battle their way back in a Lip Sync for Your Life to Chers disco hit Take Me Home. Detoxs campy approach and impressive jaw action are favored in the edit of the sequence. But Lineyshas seductive take on the song is totally different and just as effective.

#14: Nina Bonina Brown vs. Aja

Season 9

Finally is a showdown of the seasons underdogs. Both Aja and Nina Bonina Brown had a rocky road during season 9. While other queens had better track records, these two always came through with the performance. And Cece Penistons house anthem is a song a queen can really let loose on. Aja is tapping into her dance background, while Nina goes for a more lived-in, dramatic interpretation of the song. But the proof that these two were a perfect match is when they begin to synchronize and battle each other on stage in the second half of the lip sync. These two are bringing out the competitor in the other, and both show they should have stayed.

#13: Latrice Royale vs. DiDa Ritz

Season 4

Two lip sync titans face off to this pounding Gladys Knight soul classic. If anyone was going to take out DiDa Ritz, who gave one of the shows best lip syncs of all time, it had to be Latrice, who gave another one of the shows best lip syncs of all time. Both of these queens were completely in the pocket here. Between DiDas fierce energy and Latrices feeling the words down deep in her soul, theres no loser here. Its a match-up thats worthy of a double shantay, and a higher ranking among the shows very best lip syncs.

#12: Monét X Change vs. Kameron Michaels

Season 10

Lizzos Good As Hell is the perfect lip sync song. You can play it straight, like Kameron Michaels does, or you can go for the comedy, like Monét X Change does. While Kamerons slick moves and acrobatics had already saved her spot in the season the week before, this one made her a true lip sync assassin. But Monéts overtly comic approach is just as good. She tells the story, and she makes us laugh while doing it. The editing is clearly not in her favor, with RuPaul looking less than impressed by her slide across the stage. And we have to wonder if she charged Monét for that light she took out.

#11: Jan vs. Silky Nutmeg Ganache

All Stars Season 6

Week after week, the contestants on the sixth edition of All Stars faced off in an elimination lip sync that would eventually earn them a spot back in the real game. Silky Nutmeg Ganache was absolutely killing it. She was destroying every single queen looking for Rudemption. But Jan almost stole her spot. Performing to Pat Benatars Heartbreaker, Jan tore up the stage and matched pace with the reigning Lip Sync Smackdown champ. Although she edged Jan out with a cardboard guitar prop she hid under her coat, its safe to say this one was Silkys closest call.

#10: Utica Queen vs. Tina Burner

Season 13

Its always exciting to see queens unique interpretations of the same musical material - and sometimes, theyre quite similar. But for this performance of The Black Eyed Peas My Humps, two contestants with starkly different aesthetics took totally opposite approaches. While Tina played up her gaudy teddy bear outfit and pulled out old-school dance moves, Utica used her quirky yet high-fashion monster look as inspiration for an oddly spooky take on the song. Although Uticas combination of snarling and strutting won her the lip sync, it was one of the hardest to call in Season 13.

#9: Team Latrila vs. Team Brown Flowers

All Stars Season 1

Queens often have to adapt their performance styles to fit particular songs, but that wasnt the case for this number. The choice of show tune perfectly suited Latrice Royales old-school glamor as well as Tammie Browns retro kookiness. It was particularly thrilling to see Tammie give her all onstage, since her only lip sync on her original season was one of the shows most ill-prepared. Although both queens were thoroughly entertaining, Latrice was declared the winner, and fan favorites Tammie and Nina Flowers were sent home arguably before their time. But with their sterling reputations and equally lively tributes to Ethel Merman, it wouldnt have been surprising if both competing Drag Race legends had shantayed.

#8: Naomi Smalls vs. Gia Gunn

All Stars Season 4

One of "All Stars" Season 4's biggest twists put each remaining queens spot in the competition at stake as they were forced to lip sync for their life against an already eliminated peer. To the tune of RuPauls Adrenaline, two of the seriess most modelesque beauties went head to head in a fierce battle. While Gia revealed a sparkly tasseled bodysuit and showed off perfectly timed voguing-inspired moves, Naomi demonstrated gravity-defying flexibility that had the judges cheering. With both queens sporting extra-long wigs and Gia whipping hers all over the stage, the remaining queens were simply in awe. Although Naomi was declared the victor, Gia more than proved herself as a captivating performer.

#7: Raja vs. Carmen Carrera

Season 3

Some lip syncs are campy and others are emotional, but this Season 3 performance set the bar for sexy. In contrast to more typically dance-heavy numbers, here two friends created an electrifying spectacle through the sultriest game of one-upmanship the show had ever seen. Raja gradually disrobed, strutting around in just a see-through top and lingerie, but Carmen wasnt about to be upstaged. She got totally naked and joined Raja on the floor, leading to one of the shows most iconic mainstage moments courtesy of some red lipstick. Carmen had already benefited from a double shantay this season, and had just returned after her first elimination. But this face-off had RuPaul visibly on the edge of her seat and could have warranted a second double-save.

#6: Milan vs. Kenya Michaels

Season 4

This showdown had two of Season 4s most energetic performers ripping up the stage to Madonnas classic Vogue. Milan immediately launched into an impressive headstand, while Kenya started off slowly and seductively, posing and tousling her hair. Before long, though, both queens were giving it their all and paying homage to the legendary geometric dance style. On the songs climactic beat, Milan and Kenya simultaneously dropped to their knees and then into matching splits, and the judges ate it up. The contestants similarly upbeat lip sync styles didnt serve them in every situation, but here they combined to produce one of the shows most impressive all-out dance-offs.

#5: Anetra vs. Marcia Marcia Marcia

Season 15

As soon as it happened, Drag Race fans knew they were witnessing herstory. Obviously, the big moment here is Anetra literally jumping over Marcia while shes in the middle of her own stunt. Its one of the biggest death blows in any lip sync ever. But still, it shouldnt take away from the fact that Marcia Marcia Marcia is absolutely slaying this. She recovers from that moment and finishes strong, working the entire stage and doing all she can to pull focus. These two are forces of nature, and this is exactly what every Lip Sync For Your Life should be.

#4: Bebe Zahara Benet vs. Ongina

Season 1

This Season 1 face-off is considered by some fans to be the original double shantay that should have been. The edit favored eventual winner Bebes more expressive performance, but Ongina gave a regal and emotional rendition of Britney Spears empowerment anthem Stronger. In a move that would later become a lip sync cliché, Bebe snatched her own wig to reveal her hair underneath, while Ongina dramatically tossed her headpiece near the songs climax. In the end, frontrunner Ongina was controversially eliminated, and its understandable why this lip sync had one of the most hotly debated outcomes in Drag Race her-story.

#3: Kennedy Davenport vs. Katya

Season 7

This lip sync came at a pivotal moment in Season 7 as spots in the final four remained up for grabs. When their Hello Kitty-inspired looks werent loved by the judges, two highly talented dancers with opposing drag styles went head-to-head to the tune of Katy Perrys Roar. Both queens went all out and pulled off some seriously impressive stunts, with pageant veteran Kennedy narrowly eclipsing quirky fan-favorite Katya. While Kennedys head-banging, stomping, and acrobatic jumps captured the songs fighting spirit, Katyas more understated take tapped into its hopeful message. This easily stands out as one of the seriess most inspirational and uplifting lip syncs, and it had the other queens screaming the performers praises.

#2: Adore Delano vs. Trinity K. Bonet

Season 6

Its no secret that Trinity was a tough opponent in Season 6, with performances besting April Carrión and Milk already under her belt by the time she faced Adore Delano. In front of legendary choreographer and singer Paula Abdul, the queens gave a hot and heavy interpretation of her house-inspired song Vibeology. This number had everything we want from a lip sync: on-point dance moves, serious sensuality, and even a good dose of humor, thanks in part to the queens wacky animal costumes. It was Trinitys third time in the bottom - a notoriously hard position to emerge from unscathed. But if ever there was a reason to keep her around, this chemistry-filled duet was it.

#1: Coco Montrese vs. Alyssa Edwards

Season 5

Season 5s biggest rivalry between two pageant legends came to a head in this performance of Paula Abduls aptly titled Cold Hearted. Its widely understood as one of the show's most impressive and evenly matched face-offs, with both queens leaving no stone unturned in their quest to outperform the other. Although Coco had already shown us her dancing prowess against Jade Jolie, she demonstrated mastery over this songs rapidfire rap verse. And while Alyssa threw herself to the ground with abandon and nailed a spinning jump into a split, Coco put her gigantic sleeves to creative use. With the dramatics turned up to 11, this Lip Sync for Your Life felt more like a battle to the death, and could have easily gone either way.

Do you agree with our picks? Let us know in the comments.