Top 20 RuPaul's Drag Race Runway Reveal Wins & Fails

#10: Jorgeous’s “Tirami-Suit” Look (Win)

All Stars 10

A great outfit on top of a successful challenge performance is all a queen can hope for. Not only did Jorgeous slay the Tournament of All Stars Snatch Game as Pitbull, she also stormed the runway in one of best looks of the night. The theme was Tirami-Suit, tasking the contestants with tearing off a suit to reveal one below. Jorgeous strutted out as the Devil, wearing a perfectly-oversized, deep red tuxedo with horns to match. She then took it off to unveil an even more stunning scarlet gown, adorned with strategically-placed slits and dozens of upside-down crosses. It was everything the judges and viewers could have asked for and more, and proved just how much she’d leveled up since Season 14.

#10: Aquaria’s “If” Lip Sync (Fail)

Season 10

After Sasha Velour’s legendary rose petals in Season 9’s Lip Sync for the Crown, to say expectations were raised is an understatement. The next batch of finalists attempted to recreate that magic, with varying results. Aquaria’s first lip-sync look became one of her rare fashion misses throughout her run, when she hit the stage in a puffy, silver ensemble. It was clear she had something underneath, but viewers were left whelmed when she immediately tore it off to show a basic pink bodysuit with fabric spikes. The fan referencing Vanjie and eventual glitter spike weren’t enough to distract from the lackluster outfit. Luckily, it didn’t affect the outcome of the lip sync, with her moving on and eventually taking home the crown.

#9: Sasha Colby’s “Knock on Wood” Lip Sync (Win)

Season 15

Moments like this prove why she’s your favorite drag queen’s favorite drag queen. Sasha Colby dominated the entirety of her season, and her Lip Sync for the Crown against Anetra was no exception. She started out in a fabulous coat-dress hybrid, which she took off to uncover a glittery, corseted purple number beneath it. She played into the musicality of “Knock on Wood” by pulling the strings of the corset each time the horns played. She pushed the gown down as the chorus started, leaving her in a bejeweled bra and underwear set that allowed her to display her showstopping stunts. The multi-tiered reveal showed off all the different facets of her performance style, and made it clear why she deserved to win it all.

#9: Rosé’s “Work Bitch” Lip Sync (Fail)

Season 13

Just because you can add a reveal to a performance, doesn’t mean you always should. Rosé had done well throughout Season 13, and soon found herself going up against Kandy Muse in the first round of the Lip Sync showdown. It already wasn’t looking good when she arrived wearing a pink suitcoat and thigh-high pink boots. As the song progressed, she slowly removed the jacket and boots to unveil a body suit the exact same color. The outfit didn’t do much to flatter her beauty or performance, and was quickly overshadowed by Kandy Muse’s multi-colored leotard. Had she been wearing something more exciting or fashion-forward, then she may have clinched the win. Unfortunately, it signalled the end of Rosé’s impressive run instead.

#8: Lady Camden’s Mustache Reveal (Win)

Season 14

This moment took her from potential filler queen to genuine contender. During Season 14’s “Chaps on the Runway” category, Lady Camden started out in platinum hair and a classic mug, strutting down the stage in a white ensemble with black lightning-bolt accents. She fell partway through, losing her wig in the process. The judges and viewers held their breath as she slowly stood up – only for her to show off a fake mustache and short brown hairdo. Her comedic timing and Freddie Mercury-inspired look were both stellar, allowing her to pull off the risky bit with ease. She topped it off with a second surprise ‘stache during the top-two lip sync. Not only was it a unique reveal, it also cemented her as a frontrunner.

#8: Joella’s “Quilted For Your Pleasure” Look (Fail)

Season 17

One of the most important aspects to any reveal is the execution. When Joella hit the runway dressed as a giant mattress, it seemed like she might have a more chic outfit beneath it. Instead, she simply turned around to display a giant portrait of RuPaul’s face. It wasn’t a bad concept, but the revelation was underwhelming, to say the least. It might’ve been more impactful had she taken it off to uncover the mural on another garment. The way she went about it kept the focus on the ridiculousness of the overall look, rather than the art on the back. It may have contributed to her bottom-two placement that episode, but it also secured her position as a delusional icon and unexpected fan favorite.

#7: Phi Phi O’Hara’s “Two Looks in One” Look (Win)

All Stars 2

If anyone needed any proof as to how far she’d come since Season 4, you don’t need to look any further than this runway during the second season of “All Stars.” The category called for two outfits in one, and Phi Phi O’Hara delivered. She came out in a short, light blue dress, crown, and tall boots, giving the dragged-up version of a fairytale prince. She then gave a twirl and tore it away to unveil a floor-length yellow gown. It was a smart, well-thought out ensemble with a story attached – everything one could ask for in a reveal. It’s no wonder why she was later named one of the Top All Stars of the week, and nearly snatched the win from Alaska.

#7: Gia Gunn’s “Head to Toe” Lip Sync (Fail)

Season 6

To paraphrase the great Bianca Del Rio, if you’re going to reveal a look, then you shouldn’t draw it out. Gia Gunn learned this the hard way after ending up in the bottom due to a subpar Snatch Game performance. During her lip sync to “Head to Toe,” she decided to remove her gown in favor of a sparkly body suit she had on underneath it. The only issue? She took her time taking it off, drawing out the process as long as possible. By the time she finished, the song was nearly over, and Laganja had danced circles around her. Had she quickly taken it off, she may have had a better chance at remaining in the competition.

#6: Yvie Oddly’s “Edge of Glory” Lip Sync (Win)

Season 11

It’s rare that you see two competitors both flawlessly pull off reveals. During the Season 11 finale, Brooke Lynn Hytes and Yvie Oddly both proved they had some unique tricks up their sleeves. The former took a tongue-in-cheek approach, with a cloak covered in the word “reveal” and teasing what was to come. Yvie went the understated route, wearing a gorgeous ball gown with a mirrored headpiece. During a lull in the song, she spun around to show off a second face on the back of her head. It was a truly innovative and breathtaking stunt, and she did it all without removing a single article of clothing. Her subtle execution ended up paying off, with her winning the lip sync and the crown.

#6: Trinity the Tuck’s LaLaPaRUza Look (Fail)

All Stars 4

A reveal lacking in creativity can make the whole look fall flat. Trinity the Tuck proved this during the “All Stars” 4 LaLaPaRUza. It made sense to plan a second one given the fact it was a lip sync showdown, but she went about it in an underwhelming way. She came out in a giant oversized cloak that showed only her head, making it obvious to everyone from the judges to the other contestants that she had something else underneath. Not only was it a lazy take on the idea, it also got rid of the most important aspect of any unveiling: the element of surprise. It didn’t help that the outfit beneath it wasn’t anything show-stopping, making the entire stunt feel unnecessary.

#5: Eureka’s “If” Lip Sync (Win)

Season 10

Reveals were not in short supply at the “Drag Race” Season 10 finale. In her lip sync against eventual winner Aquaria, Eureka executed a three-part outfit change that was as solid as they come. After she threw off her giant red wig, her feathered purple dress unfurled into a scarlet poncho. Finally, at the song’s breakdown, she unzipped into a bodysuit with mirrored detailing that matched her silver boots. The crowd went wild for each reveal, and her flawless execution helped secure her a place in the final three-way showdown. While Aquaria opted to unveil almost her entire outfit at the beginning of the number, Eureka exercised patience – and it paid off.

#5: Mimi Imfurst’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way” Lip Sync (Fail)

Season 3

This lip sync is infamous for Mimi’s choice to non-consensually hoist India Ferrah onto her back mid-performance. But even putting aside the messy physical antics that led to her elimination, Mimi did not have an easy time onstage. As she attempted to step out of her floor-length animal-print gown at the back of the runway, she tripped over the garment gathered at her feet. To make matters worse, it became attached to her heel and she had to try to shake the dress off. Any “Drag Race” fan knows that a reveal is only as good as its execution, and her sequined minidress was completely overshadowed by her clumsy footwork.

#4: Detox’s “Step It Up” Lip Sync (Win)

All Stars 2

In the penultimate episode of “All Stars” Season 2, Detox and Katya bested their competitors with their transformations of family members into drag siblings. Always one to impress on the runway, Detox showed that her outfit had more than met the eye when she took the stage to lip sync for her legacy. She took off her long-sleeved jacket to reveal a simple corseted top… until she turned around. With the bodice leading into a thong and her rear exposed, the “Look Queen” had sex appeal in spades. The visual was even more striking with her racy black garment perfectly contrasting Katya’s hilariously frumpy gown. When it comes to fashion, Detox never disappoints – and the same is true of reveals.

#4: Laila McQueen’s “I Will Survive” Lip Sync (Fail)

Season 8

This classic disco song of strength and overcoming is considered an LGBTQ anthem – but it didn’t get a fitting tribute on “Drag Race” Season 8. Neither Laila nor Dax ExclamationPoint’s performances were up to par, and the former’s choice to ditch her costume was particularly questionable. Midway through the song, the queen took off her green gown to reveal plain black undergarments. This move is a tough one to pull off – and in the context of an already underwhelming lip sync, it came off as desperate. With anticlimactic timing and her heels having already been tossed, Laila’s outfit change clearly didn’t please the judges – and it sadly sent her packing.

#3: Peppermint’s “Stronger” Lip Sync (Win)

Season 9

At the Season 9 finale, Trinity the Tuck and Peppermint competed in the first Lip Sync Smackdown to get a step closer to the crown. At the number’s midway point, their takes on Britney Spears’ early aughts hit were fairly evenly matched. As the song inched to its climax and Peppermint reached behind her belt, an incoming reveal was obvious. But as she twirled onstage, not only did her skirt unfurl into a long dress; her long blue hair also gave way to a cropped ice-blonde wig. The crowd went wild, and for good reason – even if it took a moment to prepare, the switch was perfectly timed and smoothly executed. The dramatic transformation undoubtedly helped secure Peppermint’s place in the final lip sync.

#3: Cynthia Lee Fontaine’s “Woman Up” Lip Sync (Fail)

Season 9

Any “Drag Race” devotee knows that undressing onstage during a lip sync can be a hard sell. Although a sexy striptease can pay off, revealing one’s undergarments can just as easily make for a sloppy performance. When Cynthia Lee Fontaine failed to shine in Season 9’s “Kardashians: The Rusical,” she faced off against Farrah Moan and made this all-too-common error. Practically as soon as the song began, she removed her grey gown with grid panelling to show a mismatched set of bra and panties. With absolutely no lead-up to the reveal, it was not only unoriginal, but downright underwhelming.

#2: Brooke Lynn Hytes’s “Sequins on the Runway” Look (Win)

Season 11

Sometimes, the best reveals are the ones you don’t see coming. While the rapid-fire outfit changes have become standard practice during “Drag Race” lip syncs, they’re less common during runway presentations. Brooke Lynn took full advantage of this when she emerged onto the runway after the Snatch Game in a sequined shawl and matching thigh-high boots. Within a couple of steps onto the catwalk, the “Queen of the North” spun around and removed her wig and tunic in one fell swoop, revealing a hot pink leotard with cutouts. While Brooke Lynn worked the stage, Ru and Michelle sung her praises. With the element of surprise on her side, this dancing queen showed that a well-timed reveal can be a star-making moment.

#2: Trinity the Tuck’s “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” Lip Sync (Fail)

All Stars 4

Outfit reveals intended solely for shock value don’t always land. That was unfortunately the case with this performance from “All Stars” 4, which saw Trinity inexplicably change from her fierce runway look molded out of pink plastic into senior drag. When she removed her leopard-print bathrobe in the middle of the number, she unveiled a sagging bodysuit and diaper. The visual gag might have been funny in another context, but was totally unrelated to the song and felt forced as a consequence. While some of the funniest lip syncs bring out the humor in the music, in this case the song played second fiddle to Trinity’s bewildering comedy routine. There’s no doubt that Trinity is a sickening performer, but this reveal got old quickly.

#1: Violet Chachki’s Fall Look (Win)

Season 7

There are some instantly iconic moments on “Drag Race” that go on to shape future seasons, and one of the best came during the first mini-challenge of Season 7. With each queen tasked to walk the runway showcasing a Spring and Fall outfit, eventual winner Violet seriously impressed when it came to the latter category. She strutted onto the catwalk in a gorgeous black sequined gown with red tartan accessories, but that wasn’t all. When she undid her belt, the garment reversed into a winged jumpsuit and the look became head-to-toe tartan. While the judges adored her seamless switch at the time, Violet’s stunning reveal would also go on to inspire the “Two Looks in One” runway category in “All Stars” Season 2.

#1: Asia O’Hara’s Butterfly Mishap (Fail)

Season 10

When it comes to reveals, sometimes simple is best. Unfortunately, Asia’s attempt at a complex and risky one at the Season 10 finale totally backfired. At a pivotal moment as she entered her first Lip Sync Smackdown against Kameron Michaels, Asia ripped off structures from her wrists and chest, seemingly expecting the butterflies enclosed inside to fly away. However, the stunned insects infamously failed to take off and instead fell to the stage. Even though the trick wasn’t working, the finalist continued to rip off the butterfly cages – but it sadly didn’t get any better. With the audience looking on in horror as the disappointing scene unfolded, it was a downright cringe-worthy moment.

Which queen do you think has had the most iconic reveal so far? Let us know in the comments below!