RuPaul's Drag Race has taken the world by storm! After twenty something years in the entertainment industry, nine years of Drag Race and twelve seasons, Emmy winning host, RuPaul has become an icon in pop culture.
RuPaul's Drag Race is probably the biggest indicator of RuPaul's legacy, as he is passing his knowledge of the industry down to up and coming queens. Before I begin, I have not seen seasons 1 or 2, so I have not included them. Anyway, here's my ranking of the seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race I've seen.
9. Season 3
Season 3 crowned one of my favorite fashion queens. The challenges were pretty silly, looking back and comparing it to newer seasons. When watching this season, you have to contextualize it in 2011. The show was still very much under the radar, and drag was more of a taboo spectacle of queerness.
Overall, some of the dialogue is problematic by today's standards, which is just interesting in examining how pop culture and political correctness have changed in just a few years. The Untucked (I'll explain later) for this season also contains one of the most iconic reads of all time, which you should take a look at (Shangela vs. Mimi Imfurst). Quote of the Season: "Because I'm what? SICKENING." - Shangela Laquifa Wadley
8. Season 8
Season 8 is a quality season but just doesn't measure up in terms of the charisma of the queens and entertainment. The top 4 of this season is when the heat is really turned up. I think this season isn't as popular because the competition is not as stiff. It does, however, give us THE picture of all pictures, with all of the winners of previous seasons up until this point. They even had a life-size copy at DragCon that fans could pose with.
7. All Stars
The first season All Stars features queens from previous seasons that RuPaul deems worthy of a second chance. The whole idea is that the winner of All Stars is inducted into the Drag Race Hall of Fame, which, at the time, contained only RuPaul. All Stars always comes through with the most iconic of queens, which is why I'm such a big fan of them. For the time, this is a good season, but comparing it to others, it falls a little flat, hence the low ranking.
6. Season 7
7 contains some incredible queens, but it's definitely not my favorite season. The best part of this season is the behind the scenes YouTube series, Untucked. Untucked is more along the lines of reality TV in terms of drama. While the judges deliberate, backstage, the queens have a cocktail and the drama unfolds from there.
While this isn't my favorite season, it resulted in the YouTube series UNHhhh, featuring Season 7 queens, Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova. The show was so popular, it led to a TV show (now Wednesdays at 10:30 on Viceland), The Trixie and Katya Show.
5. Season 6
Two thumbs up. This season has a handful of the most popular queens from Drag Race and some rather strange queens. Season 6 is funny, shady, and just overall entertaining. I don't really have a lot to say about the season, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good one. I just really love Adore Delano, tbh.
4. Season 9
Season 9 stepped it UP. The challenges are the most difficult they've ever been in a regular season, they are All Stars level challenges. The finale is also just WOW. The Season 9 cast is one of my favorites. And the finale is just WOW. Oh yeah, and Lady Gaga is the first judge! There's even Lady Gaga runway, which I've been praying for.
3. Season 4
Season 4 is definitely up there in rank. It is a very entertaining season with some of the most iconic queens of Drag Race herstory. I would consider this one to be one of the more evenly matched seasons from early on.
This season really put Drag Race on the map, I think because of the mix of entertaining challenges and iconic queens. It was also the first season with a $100,000 prize (in the past it had been $25,000 and $75,000), so the stakes had never been higher. So, I'd say season 4 is one of my favorites. And in the words of Sharon Needles, "when in doubt, freak 'em out".
2. Season 5
Season 5 is my favorite season of RuPaul's Drag Race that isn't All Stars 2. Again, season 5 has so many iconic queens. I've seen this season definitely three, if not four times. This season provides comedy, drama, shade, heartfelt moments, and the worst dress in 5 seasons of Drag Race. Really, what else do you need? Quote of the season (there's a few, but this may be my favorite): "Backrolls??"
1. All Stars 2
THIS IS THE BEST SEASON OF ANYTHING EVER TO GRACE TELEVISION. I love All Stars 2, I've seen it more times than I can count. The cast is made up of most of my favorite queens, so needless to say it was highly anticipated. It's entertaining, shady, and a little frustrating.
The stakes had literally never been higher. The queens' legacies are on the line here, there's more money to win than ever before, and, of course, a spot in the Drag Race hall of fame next to RuPaul. If you can't find a reason to watch this season, do it for episode five, my favorite episode in Drag Race herstory. Moment of the Season (that happens to be in episode 5): The Alyssa Edwards/Tatianna lip sync, which I watch on a weekly basis.
BONUS - All Stars 3
All Stars 3 is currently on (Thursdays at 5 on VH1), so I feel as though I cannot rank it yet, but I'm still gonna give you my two cents. This season is SHADY and the runway looks are SICKENING.
Seriously, if you aren't already watching this show, you should be.