RuPaul’s Drag Race All Winners: Season 2 Wishlist
An ‘all winners’ season of Drag Race had been a long time coming, and it’s fair to say that All Stars 7 more than lived up to its expectations.
Historically, All Stars seasons have been something of a mixed bag as far as casts go; once lineups are announced you can normally pick out the frontrunners from the Mandoras before they even set foot in the werk room, but with all winners it’s a guaranteed no-filler competition. Eliminations (as well as their controversial All Stars format) have also been done away with altogether, leaving all the queens free to showcase their best every week in pursuit of winning a coveted legendary legend star without the drama of contrived bottom-two placements and dodgy voting tactics.
A recipe that has made for one of the best and most enjoyable seasons of Drag Race ever, naturally you’d expect mama Ru to repeat this winning formula at some point down the line, begging the question: which queens should make up the next cast?
Though a smaller pool of eligible queens to choose from, the exponential growth of the franchise has meant that now at any given time there is probably at least one version of the show airing, and with a record nine new champions crowned in 2021 alone the winners’ circle is becoming bigger by the year. While every winner has already proven their worthiness of a crown, when it comes to snatching the title of ‘Queen of all Queens’ there are definitely some further up the line for that throne than others.
DISCLAIMERS:
In case you hadn’t already guessed, this list contains spoilers for winning contestants across the entire franchise, including international editions.
I’ve yet to watch The Switch Drag Race and Drag Race Thailand, so their winners weren’t considered only for the fact that I don’t know who they are. If you think they should be in the running lmk in the comments!
Bob the Drag Queen
RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 8 (2016)
Bob was a force to be reckoned with on her original season, a comedy powerhouse winning three maxi challenges, a feat all the more impressive being achieved on one of the show’s shortest runs of only 10 episodes. Bob has been one of the most successful winners coming out of the show, staying booked and busy on TV with her own comedy specials and Emmy-nominated series We’re Here, as well as her hugely popular podcast with drag sister (and current All Stars 7 competitor) Monét X Change.
An obvious choice for an all winners All Stars season, Bob spoke of her eagerness to compete again as recently as last year (when it was still only rumoured), citing current competitor Jinkx Monsoon as her biggest potential threat.
So I have contributed to this narrative — I can acknowledge that. If there was an all-winners season, I would compete on it because I just love drag and I love competing. Of course, schedule permitting. And I think that my biggest competition would probably be Jinkx Monsoon. She’s really a brilliant performer, she’s beautiful, she’s talented, and she’s funny.
Bob the Drag Queen, interviewed by Brian Galindo for BuzzFeed (2021)
Naturally, many fans were surprised to see her missing from the cast lineup when it was formally announced, speculating that it was most likely due to lack of schedule availability. Bob cleared this up on an episode of Sibling Rivalry, explaining that in fact she just wasn’t asked.
Bob had also previously said on Sibling Watchery that she wouldn’t come back for anything less than a $1,000,000 cash prize, though seemingly this is no longer a dealbreaker.
Season 8 was criticised during its run for having an obvious winner in Bob from day one (I mean, they had a point) so it’s only right that we should get to see her compete with other queens of the highest calibre, giving her more of a run for her money.
Priyanka
Canada’s Drag Race, Season 1 (2020)
Priyanka charmed her way into everyone’s hearts as a contestant on Canada’s Drag Race’s inaugural season, brimming with charisma while remaining refreshingly relatable and looking gorgeous. Her road to the crown was not without its bumps: though she managed to get two maxi challenge wins under her belt – one fewer than runner-up, Rita Baga – she also landed twice in the bottom two.
Even with her big personality, ironically she stumbled at character-based challenges, including a Snatch Game performance she’d probably rather forget. The silver lining was that it led directly to her iconic and unforgettable Celine Dion lip sync, proving her worth as a fierce performer.
When asked about the possibility of competing again in an All Stars season she told Gay Times enthusiastically “I’m in and I win”, betting on her lip syncing skills to help her snatch another crown.
I know that I could probably send anybody home in a lip-sync. Could you imagine me against Sasha Velour? Oh god, it would be so good.
Priyanka, interviewed by Sam Damshenas for Gay Times (2020)
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Priyanka is one of the best and most likeable winners across the whole franchise to date, and she could definitely hold her own against the US queens.
Aquaria
RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 10 (2018)
Aquaria sashayed into the werk room at the tender age of 21 with the confidence and talent of a seasoned veteran. Establishing herself early on as the season’s fashion queen, she went on to win the most maxi challenges including the ball, Snatch Game, and final competitive challenge all while never placing in the bottom two.
Though “look” queens can often fall into the trap of relying too much on their runway presentations, her winning turn as Melania Trump proved she could go toe to toe with the comedy queens, and her skills as a trained dancer made every stage performance all the more dazzling.
Following her win the fashion world welcomed her with open arms as she went on to sign with IMG Models, walked the red carpet at the Met Gala as one of the first ever drag queens to do so, and performed as a part of Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Beauty Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week.
When asked directly if she would ever compete in an (at the time, hypothetical) All Stars winners’ season, she told Cosmopolitan “I don’t necessarily need to. I enjoy sharing my art to those that enjoy me and not trying to appeal to those who don’t.”
Not exactly encouraging, but also not a definite “no”. Given how well she performed on her original run, it would be incredible to see how far she’s come in the last five years and would be a phenomenal addition to any All Stars cast.
Alaska
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Season 2 (2016)
Drag Race superfan, Alaska, famously auditioned for every season until finally getting cast on her 5th attempt. As a first-time competitor she had a brilliant run, winning two maxi challenges and making it all the way to the final without placing in the bottom two, but just missing out on the crown which ultimately went to Jinkx Monsoon. When it was announced that she had been cast on All Stars 2, she was singled out as an early frontrunner – and with good reason. She went on to win five out of eight possible maxi challenges (as well as both mini challenges) and her iconic Mae West Snatch Game character has since become one of the most legendary performances in the show’s herstory.
As well as being one of Drag Race’s most accomplished competitors, Alaska has gone on to maintain a moderately successful music career – both as a solo artist, and as part of drag supergroup, The AAA Girls, with fellow alumni, Courtney Act and Willam – make numerous film and television appearances, and co-host popular Drag Race recap podcast, Race Chaser.
Another queen fans were surprised to see absent from the All Stars 7 cast list, during Race Chaser’s first episode recap, Alaska jokes that Ru asked her to “sit this one out” due to her overwhelming beauty, but then goes on to explain how things really went down:
This season… ok, I was very apprehensive going into it because when I wasn’t asked to be on it I was very, very emotional and I was very, very hurt and sad by that, so I was like, ‘Is this gonna be too hard? Is it gonna be just really difficult for me to even watch it and talk about it?’, and I just have to say that it’s really so incredible, and I’m so glad that this is happening, and I’m so glad that this is happening with these girls.
Alaska, speaking on Race Chaser (2022)
Starts at 1:18:20
If another ‘all winners’ season happens, they simply couldn’t do it without Alaska, and evidently she’s more than up for the challenge.
Chad Michaels
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Season 1 (2012)
Before appearing on Drag Race, Chad Michaels already had 20 years in the game, and her wealth of experience really showed in her performance. So much so, that during her original season Chad’s worst critique from the judges was that she was almost too perfect, which is exactly the kind of backhanded compliment worthy of a race to be crowned Queen of all Queens. True to form, Chad won two maxi challenges including that season’s Snatch Game with her unparalleled Cher impersonation, and held a consistently solid performance throughout the competition.
Though ultimately losing out at the finale to season 4 winner, Sharon Needles, she more than made up for it with her appearance on All Stars 1 that very same year. Winning four out of a possible six maxi challenges (three as part of team ‘Shad’ with Drag Race season 1 contestant, Shannel) she powered through the competition to cement her place as the first ever contestant to be inducted into the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
While Chad joined the show as an already-established consummate drag performer, her victory propelled her fame to the heights of prime time television with appearances on 2 Broke Girls, Jane the Virgin, RuPaul’s own AJ and the Queen, and even got to perform on The Talk as Cher for Cher.
Though several queens who already competed All Stars 1 came back for a third shot at a crown, there’s no word from Chad on whether or not she’d return for her first shot at a second crown. No doubt, if she did, she’d be a sickening competitor.
Carmen Farala
Drag Race España, Season 1 (2021)
Drag Race España’s first season might be one of the best in the franchise outside the US version, the only negative (if you can even call it that) is how painfully obvious it was that Carmen Farala was going to win from day one; not that her competitors weren’t up to par, she was just exceptionally good.
An accomplished seamstress, Carmen made every one of her outfits worn during the competition and never looked anything less than perfect on the runway. Definitely no one-trick pony, she won the musical performance, comedy roast, and makeover challenges, proving the breadth of her talents and also being the only queen to win multiple maxi challenges. Not too shabby for someone who had never even seen the show!
With the added popularity of its second season, Drag Race España has become the highest rated of the entire franchise on IMDb, and with winners like Carmen it’s easy to see why. Describing her wholly positive experience on the show, Carmen told Reyes del Palique that she’s ready and willing to come back for All Stars.
“If you call me to come back tomorrow, I have five bags ready. The truth is that for me it was super fun [and] enriching… it has only brought me good things, in addition to €30,000.”
Carmen Farala, interviewed by Fizpireta and Uy Albert for Reyes del Palique (2022)
(Auto-translated to English from captions, original in Spanish below)
Seemingly the only thing standing in the way of this fantasy is that Carmen isn’t fluent in English (and unfortunately that year’s supply of Krash Kosmetics didn’t come with a Duolingo subscription), but she would be an incredible competitor to rival the US queens, even if they need to get Charo in to interpret.
Violet Chachki
RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 7 (2015)
Self-proclaimed “one-of-a-kind collectable”, Violet Chachki, hit the ground strutting on season 7 by serving one of the most iconic reveals in the show’s herstory (and for a mini challenge, no less) on the first episode.
As well as her phenomenally creative looks and tiny waist, Violet became known for her cutting remarks in confessionals and towards the other queens, even nabbing herself the title of ‘Shadiest Queen’ at the first (and last?) DESPY Awards. On the strengths of her fashion and stage performance skills, Violet made it to the finale picking up three maxi challenge wins – equalling runner-up, Ginger Minj – without ever placing in the bottom two.
Post-Drag Race, she broke barriers in the world of fashion becoming the first drag queen to model for a major lingerie campaign, walked for Moschino in their Fall 2018 Collection at Milan Fashion Week, as well as the Met Gala red carpet in 2019 alongside Aquaria. More recently, she’s become known in the fandom for her unforgiving takes on The Pit Stop and Fashion Photo RuView.
The good news is that Violet has already spoken of her eagerness to return, as she told Gay Times:
I have said that I wasn’t going to do a winners’ season, but I think it would be fun and it would be nice to do it and have it documented… I’d love to have as much documentation of me at my height as possible, and I think it would be great entertainment… It’s not like I’m dying for it to happen, but I’m sick of watching people on All Stars that are not all stars.
Violet Chachki, interviewed by Sam Danshenas for Gay Times (2020)
Fierce as she was on her season, Violet’s unshakeable confidence and lack of filter when it came to reading the other queens (or indeed, the judges) made it more challenging to warm to her. Off the show she comes across as more relaxed with a lighter sense of humour that’s much more endearing, though still with her trademark sharp tongue.
As one of the youngest winners, Violet took the crown relatively early on in her drag career, so you’d expect the level she’s reached in the seven years since to be nothing short of spectacular – and we want to see it!
Symone
RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 13 (2021)
Sending everyone’s blood sugar levels off the charts, sweetheart Symone became an early fan favourite on the strength of her promo look alone, and didn’t disappoint with her stellar performance and lovable personality. As well as wowing on the runway every week with her unique style, she notched up four maxi challenge wins (on what was famously one of the longest seasons) though still had to lip sync for her life twice after falling short for the Rusical and comedy roast challenges.
Following her win Symone quickly became a red carpet staple, making appearances at the MTV VMAs, Met Gala, and Primetime Emmy Awards, and was handpicked by Billy Eichner himself to star in his 2022 film, Bros.
When asked about the possibility of returning for an ‘all winners’ season shortly after she was crowned on season 14, she told The Playlist:
Oh my God, yes. I would need a minute because let me tell you something. Filming is a beast, dog. It is a beast… it’s not as easy as it looks, honey. But I would love to go back and show the growth that I would have over time. I would want to go back in like a few years or two… But yeah, I would go back, for sure.
Symone, interviewed by Gregory Ellwood for The Playlist (2021)
As well as her amazing talent and creativity, Symone had the perfect balance of warmth and confidence that makes for a reality TV contestant you really want to root for, and given how long her original season was I’m sure she could handle coming back for a mere 12 episodes!
The D (for delusional) list
Some former winners who would make excellent All Stars contestants have to be ruled out for the numerous reasons that they would probably never do it, but still we can dream…
James Ross, formerly known as Tyra Sanchez (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 2)
Appearing as Tyra on season 2, James stunned on the runway but was not always the most sympathetic character, either for the audience to watch or for his fellow queens to get along with. That said, his talent was undeniable, and let’s face it, made for great reality TV. Following a string of controversies, James was eventually banned from attending 2018’s RuPaul’s DragCon, and announced his retirement from drag the following year. It’s always especially interesting to see queens from the Logo TV era of Drag Race come back given how the show has evolved over the years, and Tyra was certainly a character, but that bridge has probably been burned for good.
Sharon Needles (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 4)
Sharon’s win was important for the show, proving that it wasn’t all just an elaborate beauty contest – not that she wasn’t beautiful, but her style was definitely more unconventional when you consider the three winners who preceded her. Well-earned, her talent, creativity, and sense of humour won her four maxi challenges before being crowned season 4’s champion. In the years since she’s been haunted by accusations of racism and fan abuse, the latter of which she denied via her lawyers, but seemingly has not otherwise addressed publicly. As great a contestant as she was and likely would be again, it’s doubtful she would (or indeed should) ever be asked to come back.
Bianca Del Rio (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 6)
Bianca is often cited as one of the show’s best winners, and arguably has gone on to have one of the most successful post-Drag Race careers. Famous for her quick wit, and let’s say “consistent” fashion, Bianca “sailed” through season 6 picking up three maxi challenge wins and never even placing low before beating Courtney Act and Adore Delano to the crown. After Drag Race, Bianca’s career took off quickly as she went on to star in Hurricane Bianca and its sequel, graced the stage of London’s West End in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and headlined numerous comedy tours throughout the world. All that success seems to overshadow any appeal to the thought of another turn in the werk room, which she explained in more detail to Digital Spy as to why she turned down the offer to appear on All Stars 7:
The format wasn’t what I wanted. Well, not ‘what I wanted’ – it just didn’t suit my life… Had the format been a little different, and had the situation been a little more interesting to me, I would have said yes… I even gave suggestions, which all fell on deaf ears. So it just became what they decided… It’s nothing that I wanted to do, and I didn’t feel there was anything I had to prove, or go back.
Bianca Del Rio, interviewed by David Opie for Digital Spy (2022)
It’s quite evident she doesn’t need to go back, so it makes sense that it would be a tough sell. But there’s hope – in her own words there is a hypothetical version of All Stars she would say yes to, mama Ru just needs to sign off on some of those suggestions!
Correct winners of Drag Race UK
If the correct people had won Drag Race UK 2-3 and UK vs. the World they would all be on this list, let’s just say that.
This article was originally published on the Pop Warrior blog – July 28 2022
🗨️ Join the discussion
Is this your dream cast? Who would you like to see on the next All Winners All Stars?