A variety of talents!
The Variety Show is now an iconic and traditional challenge in the RuPaul's Drag Race franchise. Despite being first introduced for All Stars seasons, this maxi challenge is now also incorporated in regular U.S. seasons — challenging new queens to introduce themselves and make a great first impression from the start.
With so many iconic Variety Show performances of the years, this feels like the perfect time to look back at the queens who won this challenge and will never be forgotten for their fierce performances.
Scroll through to check out every single Variety Show winner in the flagship and All Stars seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race!
Roxxxy Andrews — 'All Stars 2'
The first-ever Variety Show on RuPaul's Drag Race happened on All Stars 2, and Roxxxy Andrews was one of two winners for this challenge. Roxxxy's dazzling burlesque number had the judges living for her fantasy — making her return to Drag Race even more exciting.
Tatianna — 'All Stars 2'
Tatianna, who also embarked on a redemption journey throughout All Stars 2, was in the top 2 of the Variety Show along with Roxxxy Andrews. The judges really didn't see it coming when Tatianna started her legendary "Same Parts" monologue. By the end, though, they couldn't stop laughing at this whacky (but brilliant) concept.
Aja — 'All Stars 3'
"Is she gonna jump from there?!" It's fair to say that Aja came into All Stars 3 for the kill. By winning the Variety show challenge at the grand premiere, Aja not only proved that she was a force to be reckoned with, but she also showed how much she had evolved despite the short time between season 9 and All Stars 3.
BenDeLaCreme — 'All Stars 3'
The cast of All Stars 3 really underestimated BenDeLaCreme's talents going into this season, but it didn't take long for this queen to show them what she's got. Ben performed a hilarious burlesque number in this All Stars Variety Show and then also went on to win the lip sync against Aja.
Mo Heart — 'All Stars 4'
Formerly known as Monique Heart (now Mo Heart), this season 10 queen was one of two winners in the "All Star Super Queen Variety Show" from All Stars 4. She performed an on-brand song with her "brown cow stunning" catchphrase, and it was a pure delight to watch her return to our TVs.
Trinity The Tuck — 'All Stars 4'
Trinity The Tuck is the other winner from All Stars 4's "All Star Super Queen Variety Show." The queen performed a cheeky original song about teaching people how to tuck — and ended the number by showing off her fierce tuck to the panel of judges. Mama Ru was LIVING!
India Ferrah — 'All Stars 5'
Despite the shift in the format from top 2 lipstick to Ru-mocracy group voting, All Stars 5 maintained the Variety Show as the challenge featured in the grand premiere. This time, India Ferrah won with an original song referencing the "drag is not a contact sport" quote that made her known in the Drag Race fandom.
Yara Sofia — 'All Stars 6'
Yara Sofia proved the star power of an OG Drag Race queen by winning the "All Star Variety Extravaganza" at the grand premiere of All Stars 6. Through her kooky sense of humor and off-the-wall look, Yara had Mama Ru laughing for a long time, which culminated in her winning that first challenge.
Kornbread 'The Snack' Jeté — 'Drag Race' Season 14
The Variety Show challenge was established as a tradition over several All Stars seasons, and it was brought to regular cycles of Drag Race in the U.S. starting with season 14. The first round of "The Charisma, Nerve and Talent Show" was featured in the first episode of the season, and Kornbread "The Snack" Jeté's original song performance turned her into an immediate frontrunner for the competition.
Watch 'Drag Race' Season 14's The Charisma, Nerve and Talent Show (Episode 1)
Angeria Paris VanMicheals — 'Drag Race' Season 14
The first Variety Show win from Angeria Paris VanMicheals took place in season 14, episode 2, which featured part two of "The Charisma, Nerve and Talent Show." Angeria's original song number introduced her "check" catchphrase, showcased her fierce skills as a performer, and oozed the charisma contained in this Southern Belle of ATL.
Watch 'Drag Race' Season 14's The Charisma, Nerve and Talent Show (Episode 2)
Monét X Change — 'All Stars 7'
This all-winners season of Drag Race brought us Monét X Change's number in the "Drag Race Gives Back Variety Extravaganza," which is still considered one of the best (if not the best ever!) Variety Show performance in Drag Race herstory. This opera number blew the judges, queens, and fans away and cemented Monét as an All Stars 7 finalist by winning three more Legendary Legend Stars.
Shea Couleé — 'All Stars 7'
Shea Couleé was another breakout performer in the "Drag Race Gives Back Variety Extravaganza" of All Stars 7. Even in a talent showcase of winners leaning into their strengths, Shea delivered actual pop star realness on the Drag Race main stage and earned herself enough Legendary Legend Stars to qualify for the lip sync for the crown.
Watch 'All Stars 7's Drag Race Gives Back Variety Extravaganza
Anetra — 'Drag Race' Season 15
Six letters and three vowels… and just like that, Anetra performed an original song that introduced her iconic "walk that f*cking duck" catchphrase, displayed her dancing abilities, and incorporated her mixed martial arts training — all while looking fierce! Unsurprisingly, Anetra won the "One Night Only Talent Show" on Drag Race season 15 and established herself as a force to be reckoned with.
Watch 'Drag Race' Season 15's One Night Only Talent Show
Jaymes Mansfield — 'All Stars 8'
Jaymes Mansfield had a lot to prove on All Stars 8 after being the first-eliminated queen of Drag Race season 9. Even though Jaymes didn't go on to the finale and wasn't crowned the Queen of the Fame Games, she did win "The Fame Games Variety Extravaganza" alongside LaLa Ri and increased her chances of winning the title.
LaLa Ri — 'All Stars 8'
Drag Race fans fell in love with LaLa Ri during her original run in season 13, but this fabulous queen was best known in the fandom for her infamous "Bag Ball" look as she came out of the competition. Upon returning for All Stars 8, LaLa was able to actually show her strengths and deliver the full "LaLa Ri Experience" during her Variety Show performance. Ultimately, not only did LaLa win "The Fame Games Variety Extravaganza," but she was also crowned the Queen of the Fame Games as well.
Watch 'All Stars 8's The Fame Games Variety Extravaganza
Sapphira Cristál — 'Drag Race' Season 16
Sapphira Cristál delivered a hilarious opera singing number in the first Variety Show challenge from Drag Race season 16, which was dubbed "MTV Spring Break Talent Show" and was hosted by Derrick Barry. Given that this was the very first episode of the season, Sapphira came out of the gate as a frontrunner, went on to win three more challenges, and finished the competition as runner-up.
Watch 'Drag Race' Season 16's MTV Spring Break Talent Show
Plane Jane — 'Drag Race' Season 16
The second episode of Drag Race season 16 featured another Variety Show — dubbed "Queen Choice Awards Talent Show" — for the remaining queens being introduced in this double premiere. This time, Plane Jane's performance of her original song "Burger Finger" came out on top.
Watch 'Drag Race' Season 16's Queen Choice Awards Talent Show
Angeria Paris VanMicheals — 'All Stars 9'
Angeria Paris VanMicheals was one of two queens who won the "Slay It Forward Variety Extravaganza" at the grand finale of All Stars 9 — adding three more badges to her track record and securing her spot to lip sync for the crown. In the end, Mama Ru crowned Angeria as the winner of All Stars 9!
Vanessa Vanjie — 'All Stars 9'
The other winner of All Stars 9's "Slay It Forward Variety Extravaganza" was Vanessa Vanjie, who went from having two Beautiful Benefactress Badges to a total of five. This also landed Vanjie a spot in the top 3 of the season, but she ultimately lost the crown to Angeria.