RuPaul's Drag Race: 10 Losers Who Ended Up Becoming Fan Favorites
by Michael Chaar
– on Feb 05, 2019
RuPaul's Drag Race has easily become one of the most addictive and sought after shows on television right now! Starting off as a competition to find America's Next Drag Superstar, the show has skyrocketed to a level of notoriety that anyone could enjoy.
With a group of drag queens entering the competition every year, fans have grown to love and admire countless queens, many of which have never managed to win a crown. Despite their losses, they have gained the hearts of millions across the world! Here are the 10 RuPaul's Drag Race losers that became fan favorites!
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10. Vanessa Vanjie Mateo
"Miss Vanjie... Miss Vanjie... Miss Vanjie." No catchphrase has ever made RuPaul or all of America laugh more! Despite being the first contestant to be eliminated from the 10th season of RuPaul's Drag Race, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, otherwise known as Miss Vanjie, was easily the most successful queen of the season.
After sashaying away from a failed lip-sync, the queen iconically walked in reverse off stage as she muttered the most famous line in Drag Race herstory, "Miss Vanjie." This brought Ru and co-judge Michelle Visage to tears for episodes to come, making Miss Vanjie the most popular queen to grace the season for one single episode.
Despite her quick appearance on season 10, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo will be joining the cast of season 11.
9. Courtney Act
This Australian heartthrob stole the show during her stint on season six of RuPaul's Drag Race. The former Australian Idol finalist made her American television debut on VH1 in 2014. Although she didn't win the crown, she came pretty darn close! Courtney Act, who labels herself as a "fishy queen," made the top three, only to lose the title to none other than comedy queen, Bianca Del Rio. Fans fell in love with Courtney Act more and more after each and every episode, and we don't blame them in the slightest. Her perky attitude, singing skills, and sickening looks allowed her to soar to stardom, and rightfully so! She later was cast on Celebrity Big Brother UK, where she eventually took the win this time around.
8. BenDeLaCreme
Bendelacreme Drag Race
BenDeLaCreme, known as DeLa for short, is Seattle, Washington's most famous queen to grace RuPaul's Drag Race not once, but twice! Her first appearance on the show was in 2014, during the show's sixth season. She was the 10th queen eliminated on her season, however, this wasn't the end for DeLa.
Due to her growing popularity after season six, she was later cast in the third All-Stars season, where she truly shined brighter than ever before. Although DeLa was a shoo-in to win the crown this time around, she decided to eliminate herself in what could only be considered one of the most shocking moments in Drag Race herstory. With two shots at getting the crown, it appears BenDeLaCreme is doing just fine without it.
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7. Tatianna
Tatianna is the "America's Sweetheart" of RuPaul's Drag Race. She first appeared on the second season of Drag Race, making her one of the earliest queens to compete on this whole list. Tatianna, or Tati for short, made a name for herself during the second season due to her ongoing feud with cast member and drag queen, Tyra Sanchez, who won on her season.
In addition to throwing shade at Sanchez, Tatianna became known for her iconic catchphrase "Choices," which she used quite often throughout the season. Despite not winning, Tatianna later returned to compete in All-Stars 2 in 2016, where she gained immense popularity amongst newer fans of the show who may not have had the chance to watch the earlier seasons of Drag Race.
6. Katya Zamolodchikova
via Billboard
Katya Zamolodchikova, otherwise known as just Katya, is a drag queen that appeared on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race. She notoriously entered the Drag Race workroom on the first episode with a thick Russian accent, only to reveal that it was fake shortly after. Katya, who was definitely a comedy queen, managed to come in fifth place during her season, however, her countless comedic jokes and Russian-inspired style, allowed her to gain enough popularity to be cast on All-Stars 2 in 2016.
She, alongside Detox and Alaska, made it all the way to the top, and with three challenge wins under Katya's belt, many believed she could win the whole thing, however, no such thing happened. Although she may not have won her second time around, Katya soared to immense fame after All-Stars with a growing following on social media, YouTube, a show on Viceland with co-star, Trixie Mattel.
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5. Alyssa Edwards
Alyssa Edwards has become a household name, a name that started on RuPaul's Drag Race season five. Edwards arrived onto Drag Race with a deep-rooted feud with contestant Coco Montrese, which became Edwards' storyline throughout her season.
Despite her and Coco's differences, Alyssa Edwards was able to showcase her dancing abilities, looks, and comedy well enough to have her return back for All-Stars 2 after not winning on her original season. Alyssa was gunning for that crown the second time around, however, she had no such luck. Edwards was eliminated after failing to lip-sync for her life. However, she was luckily brought back into the competition a few episodes later for a second chance.
Despite her return, Alyssa Edwards came in fifth place and left with no crown. Many would believe this to be an unfortunate story, however, due to her growing success as a drag queen and dancer, Alyssa Edwards landed her own Netflix show Dancing Queen!
4. Adore Delano
"Party!" Adore Delano is one of Drag Race's most notorious cast members! The American Idol alumn turn drag superstar made her appearance on season six of RuPaul's Drag Race. Adore may not have been the most intelligent drag queen to grace the runway, but she sure did know how to have a fun time, which is what viewers could easily connect to. Her laissez-faire attitude and grunge looks soared her into the top three, however, she wasn't able to snag that crown. Although she didn't win the first time around, Adore was invited back to participate in All-Stars 2. However, she decided to quit the show in the season's second episode, which she later revealed was a massive regret! Although she bowed out far too early, Adore has gone on to have a stellar music career all thanks to her appearances on Drag Race.
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3. Shangela
Shangela is a queen that has graced the Drag Race runway not once, not twice, but three times! She first made her appearance on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race but did not last long as she was the first queen eliminated. Although she pulled an early Miss Vanjie, this didn't stop her from gaining a fanbase, leading to her appearance on the third season. Shangela's catchphrase, "Halleloo," a play on the word "Hallelujah," soared her to sixth place the second time around. Her hilarious comebacks and shade made fans fall in love with her and wanting more, and more is what they got.
Shangela appeared on All-Stars 3, where she was then given the boot by previously eliminated contestants having her land in fourth place, which led to a viewer uprising as she was a leading contender for that crown. Despite her never getting a win during her three tries, Shangela remains as one of the most iconic drag queens on Drag Race herstory, why? Because she is sickening! And if she wanted, she could get a sugar daddy.
2. Detox
Next up in the number two spot is Venus D'Lite ...we mean Detox! Any Drag Race fan will understand that. Detox, who appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race two times, had her first shot on season four. However, despite her sickening looks, she only managed to place in fourth. Detox later returned for All-Stars 2, where she then finished as a runner-up. Her claim to fame is not only being a part of the trio RoLaskaTox, a combination name made up of two other Drag Race alums, Roxxxy Andrews and Alaska, but her wit, intelligence, and unique style of lip-syncing.
Although someone as talented and beloved as Detox never won the crown, she has managed to have a successful career in music, acting, and modeling!
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1. Willam
Coming in at the number one spot is none other than the legendary Willam Belli! Willam first appeared on season four of RuPaul's Drag Race, where she caused quite the controversy. Many speculate that Willam was only cast to play the bad girl, however, she ended up becoming a true superstar despite her crazy antics that fans absolutely adored.
Apart from her absolutely stunning body and looks, Willam is the most famous for being the first and only queen in the show's herstory to ever be disqualified for breaking the rules. Although it was not revealed immediately as to why she was disqualified, it was said at the reunion that she had routine visits from her husband when any contact to the outside world was strictly forbidden. Although she didn't win, she still has a repertoire of films and TV shows that she's acted on that makes her quite the successful queen.
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