RuPaul’s Drag Race: Every Winner’s Track Record On The Show

There is just no formula to winning RuPaul’s Drag Race, and that is proven by the wildly different track records that each of the previous winners have had on the show. From landing in the bottom multiple times to winning just a single maxi challenge, there are many paths to getting to the grand finale and convincing RuPaul that you’re the right contestant to get crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar.

BeBe Zahara Benet (2 wins, 1 bottom)

BeBe Zahara Benet is known as the original winner of Drag Race, and her track record was pretty traditional as well. Overall, BeBe won two maxi challenges (episodes 3 and 6) and only fell into the Bottom Two once (episode 5), which is when she sent Ongina home. At the finale, Mama Ru decided to give BeBe the crown instead of her fellow finalist Nina Flowers.

James Ross a.k.a. Tyra Sanchez (3 wins, 0 bottoms)

The RuPaul’s Drag Race season 2 winner has abandoned drag and now only identifies as his real name, James Ross. On the show, James competed as the drag character Tyra Sanchez. The contestant won three maxi challenges (episodes 3, 5, and 9) and got all the way to the finale without landing in the Bottom Two even once.

Raja (3 wins, 1 bottom)

Raja elevated Drag Race in many ways, as she was already a seasoned queen and makeup artist who had various high-profile friends and clients. During the competition, Raja won three maxi challenges (episodes 2, 7, and 10) and landed in the Bottom Two one time. She was responsible for sending Carmen Carrera home a second time, given that the judges had brought her back.

Sharon Needles (4 wins, 1 bottom)

Sharon Needles was the first contestant in history to win four maxi challenges on RuPaul’s Drag Race. During season 4, Sharon won episodes 1, 3, 9, and 11. In turn, Sharon only landed in the Bottom Two one time, which is when she faced off against then-rival Phi Phi O’Hara. Alas, Ru announced that Willam had been disqualified from the show, which meant that both Sharon and Phi Phi stayed in the competition.

Jinkx Monsoon (2 wins, 1 bottom)

Over the course of Drag Race season 5, Jinkx Monsoon won over the fans and the judges. Altogether, this queen won two maxi challenges (episodes 5 and 9) and only landed in the Bottom Two once on episode 11. She was responsible for eliminating the one and only Detox.

Bianca Del Rio (3 wins, 0 bottoms)

Some fans hold onto the impression that Bianca Del Rio steamrolled the competition on Drag Race season 6, and that’s largely due to the fact that she won three maxi challenges and never got a Bottom Two placement on the show. Bianca’s three wins took place on episodes 2, 8, and 10.

Violet Chachki (3 wins, 0 bottoms)

Violet Chachki is one of the most fashion-forward and shadiest queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and her unshakable confidence led her all the way to win the crown. Over the course of season 7, Violet won episodes 1, 10, and 11. If that weren’t enough, Violet also never landed in the Bottom Two.

Bob The Drag Queen (3 wins, 1 bottom)

The hilarious Bob The Drag Queen was envied by many queens on Drag Race season 8, but Bob never let the negativity get to her. Overall, Bob won three maxi challenges on the show (episodes 3, 5, and 7) and was put in the Bottom Two one time. During that sole Lip Sync For Your Life, Bob sent Derrick Barry home.

Sasha Velour (2 wins, 0 bottoms)

Sasha Velour got to the Drag Race season 9 finale with two maxi challenge wins (episodes 4 and 9) and zero Bottom Two placements. She wasn’t necessarily the frontrunner to win the season, but her iconic “So Emotional” lip sync against Shea Coulee gave her the necessary edge to snatch the crown.

Aquaria (3 wins, 0 bottoms)

There were many fierce competitors on Drag Race season 10, but Aquaria still reigned supreme over all of them. This young queen won three maxi challenges (episodes 4, 7, and 11) and wasn’t put in the Bottom Two even once.

Yvie Oddly (1 win, 1 bottom)

Yvie Oddly is the RuPaul’s Drag Race winner with the least amount of maxi challenge wins under her belt. During season 11, Yvie won one challenge (a joint win with Scarlet Envy on episode 2) and landed in the Bottom Two once (which led to a Double Shantay for her and Brooke Lynn Hytes).

Jaida Essence Hall (3 wins, 1 bottom)

Drag Race season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall won as many as three maxi challenges on the show (episodes 2, 9, and 10). In turn, Jaida had a single Bottom Two placement on episode 11, which is when she sent Heidi N Closet home.

Symone (4 wins, 2 bottoms)

The current reigning champion of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Symone, became the second winner of the series to win four maxi challenges (episodes 2, 4, 10, and 11). On the other hand, she landed in the Bottom Two twice: episode 8 (against Kandy Muse) and episode 12 (against Utica Queen).

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Bernardo Sim
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Bernardo Sim writes about TV shows, queer culture, & Brazilian media. Born and raised in the Amazon, he now lives in South Florida. he/him

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