Top 10 Most Shocking RuPaul's Drag Race Runway Looks
#10: Gottmik’s Little Black Dress Look
Season 13
Sometimes, queens can go wrong taking the runway theme too literally. But Season 13 finalist Gottmik took the phrase “Little Black Dress” to the nth degree of literalness – and it was epic. With just a strategically-placed doll-sized black dress on the front and a bow in the back, the queen gave us one of the season’s most provocative looks. Gottmik strutted down the runway in so many ingenious looks. Yet her interpretation of the Week 6 runway theme was one of her simplest, and by far most shocking. It’s not just an iconic fashion moment. It’s also a cautionary tale about the dangers of machine drying your drag. We’re joking about that last part, but hats off to Gottmik for the bold move.
#9: Jinkx Monsoon’s Spanish Telenovela Realness Look
Season 5
Top 10 Jinkx Monsoon Moments on RuPaul’s Drag Race
Eventual Season 5 winner Jinkx Monsoon was constantly underestimated by her fellow competitors all season long. During the Week 9 telenovela challenge, Jinkx’s decision to paint a Day of the Dead sugar skull onto their face was met with skepticism. Many queens seemed sure they were making a huge mistake. But the only mistake Jinkx made was not giving the judges advance warning of the absolute slay headed for the runway. When you’ve got even RuPaul gasping for breath, you know you’ve just cemented yourself in “Drag Race” herstory. The daring concept was executed flawlessly by one of the show’s most celebrated contestants.
#8: BenDeLaCreme’s Animal Kingdom Couture Look
Season 6
Top 10 BenDeLaCreme Moments on RuPaul’s Drag Race
Someone get the swatter! For the Animal Kingdom Couture runway, BenDeLaCreme chose to embody a fly on the mainstage. But she didn’t just wear a costume and call it a day. Her walk, which mimicked the movements of an actual fly, impressed the judges. Guest Paula Abdul, who knows a thing or two about how to work a stage, was particularly pleased. The runway as a whole was a mixed bag, but DeLa’s look was certainly the most unexpected of the night. It wouldn’t be the last time we saw a fly on the mainstage, but DeLa was certainly the more fashionable bug!
#7: Katya’s Two Looks in One Look
All Stars 2
Top 10 Katya Moments on RuPaul’s Drag Race
The cast of the long-awaited “All Stars 2” had to be twice as fierce and twice as clever. The Week 4 runway required them to present two looks in one. For some, this involved a full-on feat of fashion engineering. So when fan favorite Katya removed her bangs to reveal a Satanic pentagram and a mouth full of blackened teeth, it was so deliciously unexpected. It probably shouldn’t have been surprising, given how true it was to Katya’s perfectly deranged and wicked sense of humor – but we died anyway! Amazingly, while the dress itself is nice, it’s arguably not all that ground-breaking. It just goes to show how sometimes, the devil is in the details.
#6: Symone’s Fascinating Fascinators Look
Season 13
Season 13 winner Symone was always inventive, eye-catching, and deeply meaningful. Her innovative durag train was an early standout for surprising runway looks. But her Fascinating Fascinators look honoring Black victims of police brutality brought a sobering reminder to the mainstage. The angelic look featured a large fascinator with the words “Say Their Names” inscribed on it, with two bullet holes represented on the dress’ back. She saw the presentation as a way to bring her activism to her drag, and RuPaul thanked her for using her platform to spread the message. To say it was a powerful moment would be an understatement.
#5: Lady Camden’s Chaps on the Runway Look
Season 14
It was supposed to be such a fantastic week for Lady Camden. She killed it in the acting challenge, and the runway should have been her victory lap. But when the season 14 contestant hit the stage in her Chaps on the Runway look, she took a hard spill onto the floor. Whenever a queen falls on the mainstage, it’s always shocking and can be embarrassing. But just as we and the judges catch our breaths... She sold the stunt with such conviction that even if she revealed a bra and joggers underneath, it still would’ve been an all-time moment for the franchise. Now sissy that fall.
#4: LaLa Ri’s Bag Ball Eleganza Look
Season 13
In a season of so many memorable fashion moments, the week 5 Bag Ball separated the fashionistas from the… whatever the opposite of that is. The ball challenges are a true testament to what some contestants can do with little time. In the amount of time it took Utica and Gottmik to create some beautiful statement pieces, LaLa Ri stuck a bunch of small gift bags to a bodysuit and called it a day. Few looks made our jaws drop like this one. If you ask us, guest judge Nicole Byer said it best. The bags would go on to win the “Golden Boot” award for the worst look of the season. This ensemble truly is the gift bag that keeps on giving.
#3: Farida Kant’s Long Live the Bride Look
Italia Season 1
During the bridal makeover episode in the first season of “Drag Race Italia,” the judges were shocked and delighted by Farida Kant’s wild mid-runway reveal. The eventual runner-up pulled off a spill stunt even more daring than Lady Camden’s. What seemed like an accident was revealed to be part of a theatrical moment when, cackling, she revealed a pair of vampire fangs. Not only was this look totally shocking, it also taught us a very important lesson. Vampires should probably not wear white. Seriously, they’ll never be able to get those stains out!
#2: Kennedy Davenport’s Death Becomes Her Look
Season 7
The world may never know. What we do know is that Kennedy Davenport really was full of surprises —mostly good— on Season 7 of “Drag Race.” Her entry for the Death Becomes Her runway theme is a legend among the fandom, mostly because people still can’t believe it exists. What’s amazing about this look is you can really see the work that went into it. After all, those little stones and appliqués didn’t stone and appliqué themselves. Kennedy was only safe this week, so we were robbed of the judges’ critiques. Lucky for us, we still got Kennedy’s unforgettable explanation in “Untucked.”
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Milk’s Night of a Thousand RuPaul’s Look, Season 6
Milk Did the Unthinkable… She Wore Pants on the Runway
Nina West’s MILF Eleganza Look, Season 11
The Queen Has Two Faces, & One of Them Is Amazingly Terrifying
Peppermint’s Club Kid Couture, Season 9
A Breath of Fresh Air
Sharon Needles’ Post-Apocalyptic Couture, Season 4
The Season 4 Winner’s First Runway Was Beautiful, Spooky, & Disgusting
Kandy Muse’s Beast Couture, Season 13
A Neon Green Bodysuit & a Blow-Up Doll - What Could Go Wrong?
#1: Violet Chachki’s Death Becomes Her Look
Season 7
This ensemble from season 7’s “Death Becomes Her” runway blew our minds for the best reasons. Violet Chachki is the quintessential fashion queen. From the very first week to her looks postseason, her ensembles have pushed the boundaries of what drag could be inside or outside the “Drag Race” workroom. Violet’s 18-inch waist, strangled into place by a corset, was just the start of what made this look instantly iconic. The oxygen tank rolling down the runway beside her sold the death-defying fashion moment. Ru, the judges, and guest star Ariana Grande were gagging for it. All these years later, we still are, too.
