Michelle Visage Reveals Her Favorite RuPaul’s Drag Race Performances | Glamour

Legendary RuPaul’s Drag Race judge, Michelle Visage, stops through to reveal her picks for the top 7 most iconic performance moments on the show. She reviews and ranks each performance while also breaking down what most impressed her from each queen. From "eloguent" to "extravaganza eleganza," Michelle serves up her thoughts on the most memorable moments from RPDR.
Queen of the Universe, with Michelle Visage, Graham Norton, Leona Lewis, Trixie Mattel, brings drag queens from across the globe to battle it out in a singing competition for the ages - Streaming now only on Paramount+.
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Michelle Visage Reveals Her Favorite RuPaul’s Drag Race Performances | Glamour

[@sneakers_8579]

It was shady for her to pause and say "and katya as well" 😭😭

[@envylopez6035]

😂😭😂😭😂 yes Michele is me if I was a judge since everyone else wants to be so nice

[@JonCach]

HAHAHHAA

[@itsdragherjade]

true 😭

[@angelabvlogs5490]

😂😂😂😂💀💀💀

[@Greg-bh4jp]

If Katya sees this, she will crack the f up lol

[@gildeddrake1479]

sasha being the nerdy intellectual queen all season, never lip syncing, everybody expecting her to get crushed in the finale by the 3 other dancing queens BUT THEN managing to outshine them on stage was the most exciting dragrace moment for me.

[@Jungeit]

Why no one reply to this

[@mrkiracakeable]

@@Jungeit perfect take no notes

[@aaronemerson8049]

No Alyssa vs Tatianna? Rigamorris

[@medway4581]

This is her own personal favorites. She doesn't have to pick exactly what we want.

[@okayokayokay9722]

@@medway4581 yeah like she has her own opinion

[@kasumiijay]

Coco vs Alyssa is by far the best. Y’all keep forgetting about that one. Waaay better than Roxxy Vs Alyssa or Tatiana Vs Alyssa

[@aaronemerson8049]

@@kasumiijay Both Roxxxy vs Alyssa and Coco vs Alyssa are really only iconic for one specific moment, and Roxxxy’s moment was INFINITELY more iconic than Coco’s

[@jorgeaguilar5851]

There's a video actually where she says Tatianna vs Alyssa was one of her favorites ever, but I don't remember which

[@ggd210]

The fact that Dida made something very memorable… without splits, ruveals, or any other trick, make me think her lip sinc is the number one!!!

[@glennzo211]

But still hasn’t been called up for all stars - she fully deserves a chance to shine like this on tv again!

[@ohwowoh7281]

Dida needs to be on All Stars!!!

[@mariacristinaosorio7838]

Let's sign a petition to put her in all stars

[@emanuelmonzon6677]

and the fact they haven’t called her for all stars competing or as a lip sync assassin that’s wild

[@ggd210]

@@emanuelmonzon6677 true and sad!! :/

[@BibiTheLinkBuilder]

When I saw Sasha Velour reveal the rose petals I literally cried

[@mrkcfan]

same :O

[@carolcozer5974]

I'm still crying to this day

[@belle8932]

It was the start of ridiculous reveals though and how the majority of finale lip syncs just become a reveal-off.

[@MiuXiu]

@@belle8932 yep. But none have topped it

[@hongkongfueynz3071]

Yeah I almost fell out of bed, as we hadn’t seen her lip sync and didn’t know what to expect, and she killed it!

[@kosh3501]

im never gonna stop talking about how strong season 9's top 4 were

[@JamesSurayuth]

as we should, such an iconic season! and so many amazing queens that are not in the top 4.

[@Lapinporokoira]

That was my first season

[@tadatada1234]

season 9 is probably the strongest top 4, along with season 5 and 3

[@martinibarlam9292]

💅🏼💅🏼💅🏼

[@SuperKrisco]

@@tadatada1234 Season 10 was actually a great top 4 - Monet X Change, Vanjie and Mo Heart were in the season but didn't make the top!

[@seesamsaw]

I’m surprised she didn’t mention Shutup and Drive with Tati and Alyssa but it was a strong list no doubt.

[@melaniebr9974]

Felt the same, It was one of the most obvious to be on everybody list

[@carlosbravo2305]

maybe because she didn't like how alyssa made fun of her during that episode

[@markmaese9495]

This is her list of favorite lipsyncs. If she wanted to get everyone’s favorite I’m sure that would of been number 1

[@Dalsemien]

It would not have been on my list either. Great lip sync, but overrated by fans.

[@Spikedsoymilk]

WAS THINKING THE SAME!!!

[@orbitalwarrior]

Chi Chi against Thorgy was an iconic performance to me. If Dida Ritz embodied the song, Chi Chi was the song.

[@juliebee4841]

This one’s my all time favorite. Chi Chi shut it down.

[@bethtillman1136]

THANK YOU FOR EDUCATING THE CHILDREN.

[@_Al__]

yes this is hands down my favorite lipsync. It made me cry the first time I watched and still does.

[@rainbownarah]

this is my absolute favourite lipsync EVER! i watch it all the time. made chi chi my favourite queen 💖

[@megankennedy1725]

THANK YOU. makes me cry every time. rest in power Chi Chi.

[@unodos1925]

Season 9's top four are really top tier!! They all deserve a crown!! Hoping to see Peppermint in all stars!!

[@Machiatto13]

I hope she win her all star season. S9 top4 are all winners ❤❤❤

[@saging-kun]

YAS BECAUSE SEASON 9 IS THE BEST SEASON!

[@chimakiso]

thats the very first season of rpdr i've ever watched and it blew me away by how incredible the top 4 lipsyncs were. i honestly thought every other season finale will be as good as that one but boy was i wrong lmao

[@giox9533]

Yessss! So powerful that 3/4 of them already have a crown! We’re only missing miss Peppermint.

[@ayembic7933]

give poppermind the crown

[@valalava1]

I really like seeing Michelle's interviews out of the show, there's this like maternal vibe to it, like in these I can really tell she wants these girls to do their best and puts her guard down and it's not just "the mean judge" she is on the show

[@Altonahh10]

She´s a Virgo - what else could she be? ;-)

[@kuromi8384]

​@@Altonahh10 that explains why I love her so much

[@mitsk2002]

"Read U Wrote U" was amazing to watch for the first time. I wish Katya's lyrics would never end.

[@yodoquynh5597]

"Kennedy Davenport is a dancing machine... And Katya as well" 😂

[@HB-by5tw]

I would add Latrice's Natural Woman performance. She didn't walk around the stage but had such a wonderful presence!

[@lmgutier]

Yeeeessss!!!! She didn’t even move!

[@andrewavila1127]

Yeeeessss I was waiting to see her in the top 1

[@starcherry6814]

It was unforgettable

[@egg_2705]

She somehow made Kenya her backup dancer without walking during that performance it was incredible

[@indigo3896]

I can’t watch that one without laughing a lil bit, Kenya working it all over the place while Latrice is just having her moment kills me every time ✋😭

[@brendafromoside]

The Sasha win -well deserved. Shea coulée gettin her rudemption on all stars - priceless.

[@elizimmer3838]

Shea didn't need Rudemption. Even on her OG season, she had the best track record, and everyone loved her. Really no reason to just rig a season in her favor. Hence why that AS season is bad

[@marybilbao6179]

Sasha is a walking, living art. Periodt

[@chrisbuckley1785]

Wearable art and terrible art It's the motherfucking world is unbearable art

[@ZephyrZelda]

Blesssss this comment

[@jennyk9748]

No one ever talks about the emotion Sascha emoted during that lip sync- like a crazed stalker instead of a grieving woman. That, to me, was just as iconic as the rose petals.

[@giggles7179]

Dida transcended time and space with that performance in front of Natalie Cole herself. She may not have as much post-Drag Race exposure as some of the other girls, but that lipsync will rarely be equalled.

[@MsBossLadyLola]

She performed it exactly how it feels to listen to it

[@luiz90s]

YES

[@danielm5535]

Kennedy’s jump-split was in homage to Sahara Davenport (rest her soul), who was first to do it AND IN BALLET POINTE SHOES. Honey’s jump-split, which wasn’t the best execution, was also in tribute to her House of Davenport sister.

[@tomsaaristo6294]

Michelle wasn't there yet. She also credits Alyssa with being the first queen to Grand Jete across the stage, but again, Sasha did it first

[@asaabrahamagulnik574]

@@tomsaaristo6294 Sasha was on Season 9, which is after Alyssa

[@lucyjohns5111]

@@asaabrahamagulnik574 Sahara not Sasha

[@tomsaaristo6294]

@@lucyjohns5111 thank you, yes, Sahara Davenport

[@rachel6905]

“each verse was better than the last” …. Who’s gonna tell her

[@elizimmer3838]

I mean, to be fair, it does start that way lmao

[@felixdeckers8863]

She meant any verse was better than that last one

[@sunnymarie2060]

😆😆😆

[@monroefanatic]

Haha

[@viqttor1]

but she said next, not last

[@mattsouth9531]

“Each verse was better than the last” confirmed Roxxxy Andrews had the best verse in Read U Wrote U

[@Leo-xk2zb]

Lol she literally said next

[@celestewatts5482]

@@Leo-xk2zb RIGHT 😂😂

[@GreatBooker]

I meannnn…it is the only verse I know by heart 😂

[@bjosh01]

You spelled Katya wrong

[@AgentBlueCanary]

here to make it clear

[@pembrokelove]

It was very sweet of her to say, about Read U Wrote U, “Every verse was better than the one before it”; it recognizes the special gift that Roxxxy gave all of us. We really *do* love her, baby; that’s why they brought her there.

[@dannybrave6798]

😂😂😂😂

[@zerb.B]

in no particular order, I would replace trinity vs peppermint with alyssa vs tatiana . Still Season 9 was my fave season because it was the first season that I watched and the queens those season are mostly winner material.

[@RazvanMihai88]

or Alyssa vs Coco.

[@laurapiacentinicasarin8205]

YES Tati vs Alyssa in AS2 IS BEYOND ICONIC

[@beckymorrow1809]

came here to say this!

[@pikash2dinor]

Even trinity vs milk or Monet vs Dusty but peppermint vs trinity I can’t see it

[@christinecorpse]

This is correct

[@emmathroneburg9]

I was shocked Alyssa vs Tatianna wasn’t on her list!! The best of all time for me!

[@siv21]

I was thinking the same thing! That lip-sync should be in everyone's top 3!

[@dcrcort]

goes to show Michelle is not really a good judge of lip syncs

[@LastPersephone]

I thought that lip sync would be nr 1

[@Visdemhvemduer]

First of all she puts Trinity vs peppermint at number one instead of Alyssa vs Tatiana and To add salt to the wound, Sasha’s rose petals number came second. The audacity, the nerves, …

[@jayceelou1475]

Michelle doesn't like Alyssa

[@fionajiang]

I'm surprised they left out TKB and Laganja's lip sync, that was easily top 5 for me.

[@mkthom1791]

TKB doing 'Whatta Man' during S6 was ev--ereeee-thang! She's one of my very at time faves

[@jodavitow]

@@mkthom1791 The taste level in this comment is through the roof

[@asaabrahamagulnik574]

I don't think it had happened yet; I think it was filmed well before this post.

[@paulalapoderosa6762]

surprised by the top choice, but it's great to see Dita on here!

[@donaldconell5855]

Not surprised, Dita getting the recognition she deserves.

[@th0m4s229]

*DiDa

[@NattyBurz]

These were my thoughts exactly

[@MS-dh9gh]

no shade to peppermint and trinity, but how is that the #1 lip sync?? It's defiinitely iconic, but the Naomi smalls vs gia gunn was actually next level! all of those back bends, c'mon!!!

[@BilalEllis]

I think she had to do just regular DR and not AS because I wasn't wondering why she didn't mention Alyssa vs Tatianna

[@itirnitii]

@@BilalEllis read you wrote you was allstars

[@BilalEllis]

@@itirnitii oooo ur right, idk then. Weird.

[@tanyakas4111]

Thats why she said HER top not YOURS

[@carolinaandreamouattrengov1882]

Naomi and gia 💯

[@kalebr560]

Michelle basically also agrees the new seasons don’t compare to older ones

[@wonderland4515]

I also really love Chi Chi Devayne's "you're gonna love me" lip sync and Jinx Monsoon vs Detox

[@dreadrington5271]

Yes!!! The moment the beads broke and spilled all over the stage IN TIME TO THE MUISC was such a magical moment. She could not have possibly planned that.

[@wonderland4515]

@@dreadrington5271 exactly!! so good and so full of emotion, gives me chills EVERYTIME!

[@bellscanyonsurvivor5519]

Chi chi Devayne "I'm telling you (you're going to love me)" made me literally gasp. It was like a revival!

[@valhalax25]

Coco vs Alyssa for me. Top tier performance.

[@ellaocean]

they need to update this with Anetra and Marcia3's lipsync being her all time fave

[@watchmaggiepaint]

Chi Chi’s “And I Am Telling You” makes me cry. Best performance in Rupaul’s history.

[@memyselfi2005]

I'm so glad someone said this. Yep that had me in tears too it was beautiful

[@mrlately]

IM GLAD THEY TALKED ABOUT DIDAAAA. SHE DESERVED

[@meekatoblerone5242]

I’m always shocked when people mention Peppermint vs. Trinity as a top lip sync because it just never made a big impression on me. It’s not bad at all I just thought it seemed liked all of it had been done before and better. Like it’s good but I wouldn’t put it before Alyssa vs. Tati for example

[@cunty_doll]

Very that

[@lionboy1053]

it's the precision of peppermint's wig reveal.

[@Goingby20s]

I saw an interview with Pepermint where the interviewer who was in the audience at the finale said that Pepermint's reveal actually got more applause than Sasha's, and seeing it live was amazing, maybe it's one of those things that it was just better during the live performance and the producers didn't do it justice.

[@meekatoblerone5242]

@@Goingby20s that’s because too many people were having an emotional breakdown during Sasha’s to even give applause 😂

[@m20047]

i feel like it was overshadowed by sasha

[@gabrieldicenzo4564]

AND they put a pic of Naomi instead of Yvie😭😭😭 the editing team clearly doesn’t watch drag race

[@caglacoskun777]

I was looking for this comment, really unbelievable

[@doobskywalker1983]

Did they change it? I honestly cant tell where it is lol

[@creoorion3439]

Where

[@erbi3853]

It seems like they do it intentionally so people in comment will correct them and the video's gonna get hyped up to more potential viewers 😭 I hope that's the case, bcs if it's not?? Gurl...

[@JorgeDiaz-boy]

There's no picture of Naomi!

[@lyorbit.02]

Wait, did she say each verse in Read U Wrote U was better than the one before? So that last verse was better than the rest?👀👀🤣🤣

[@Hi-qx5fs]

Everyone is allowed to have wrong opinions

[@ProblematicBitch]

She said each verse is better than the NEXT, meaning roxxies was the worst 😂

[@paulbrown5934]

I mean her verse is the one that everyone thinks of when they think of this song.

[@RazvanMihai88]

the last verse, became a meme.

[@styles2535]

Roxxxy’s verse is lowkey really good if you cut out the breathy “I’m gonna show you…”

[@abbyniloingsigh7188]

Dida Ritz performance has been one of my favourites of all time. So glad to see Michelle give it some love.

[@jmo4585]

This is literal study material for future contestants 😳

[@Rikkul3oml3]

I have to say black velvet with jujubee was the most insane raw emotion lip sync, theres a reason why they keep calling miss juju to come back

[@endymion6538]

I love how she says nice things about them all 🥰

[@robbieexo]

in shock she didn’t mention Alyssa vs Tatianna, definitely the best thing ever to come out of drag race; the moment before and after included, perfection!

[@mr.campbell912]

I'm glad to see my two favorite queens on this list Katya and Sasha. I would put Sasha's finals performance at the top of the list, no shade on Shae.

[@user-zo6ny1xw9i]

WHOEVER PUT NAOMI’S PICTURE WHEN MICHELLE WAS TALKING ABOUT YVIE,, URE GONNA GET FIRED

[@sidsthesid]

Peppermint doing the double clap after her reveal just realty elevates the whole thing idk it just scratches my brain in a way I can’t explain

[@CruelHoax-hy4ft]

This

[@heyitsmira17]

Season 9 is my fave for a reason. Not only top 4, every queen was memorable and did a great job, I cherish that season a lot and it elevated my standards for drag performers and for the show as well to a very high level that no other season was able to match till now. The only one I bring rather close to it is s6 bc it's the first I watched and queens were also very talented

[@vixxa]

It was so nice to revisit all of these. I loved each she listed (except for the Pep/Trinity). The remainder were so memorable and gave me chills when I watched them the first time. I remember how I felt watching Dita Ritz, Rocky Andrews wig reveal and Sasha Velourrrrr. Awesome

[@courtneycarlisle6475]

Rocky andrews lmao ??

[@vixxa]

@@courtneycarlisle6475 lol sorry, I meant Riger Morris

[@rat7746]

My personal top 7 no one asked for: 7- This will be an everlasting love (Dida Ritz vs The Princess) 6- 100% pure love (Denali vs Kahmora Hall) 5- Roar (Kennedy Davenport vs Katya) 4- Break free (Jayden Dior Fierce vs Kandy Ho) 3- I'm Every Woman (TKB vs April Carrion) 2- Fireworks (Jackie Cox vs Widow Von Du) 1- And I'm telling you I'm not going (Chi Chi Devayne vs Thorny Thor)

[@fmaries7000]

Chi Chi brought me to literal tears, and still does, in her iconic lip sync against Thorgy.....🙏🔥🙏

[@Alex-lq5zw]

This is why Michelle is a judge. Amazing

[@protectsummer]

I thought the wrong pic of Katya was funny shade until they f*cked up Yvie’s pic too. The editor failed or I’m failing to see how it’s funny to do it to multiple queens.

[@rocaydran]

i absolutely adore the love michelle has for all the queens... like just little things like calling them kids. she's so maternal.

[@joeuhden5540]

Okay but am I the only one wondering how did Shut up and Drive not make this list?!

[@Sirlgglesworth]

When I say I still watch the Brooke vs. Yvie lip sync at least once a week, if not once a day... Fully no exaggeration.

[@MrLuis85698]

I wish they have other edits of those lipsyncs so we can watch fully what really happened , the ones that the editors have before the final aired version , with that material alone they could do a special edition of those lypsyncs and everyone would watch them again

[@laurenmichele9921]

One of my favorite moments EVER on the show is Shuga going "Come on Cirque de Soleil!" during their lipsync

[@PockiTrapp]

“I never want them to be anything other than they are, but more than they thought they could be.” - Michelle Visage I felt that 💕 Love me some Ru Paul’s Drag Race, the queens and the judges. They give me life!! And the pit crew of course 😏

[@hummme]

I have to admit I was SHOOCKED to see RUWU in 6th place and I tought 'Well what could be better than this one?' and she shut me down with every single position after that one. Amazing CHOICES.

[@mrloverandf9249]

That's why is her choices and not yours. 😉

[@Sewer.rat.666]

The way she honored “Read You, Wrote You” I love 🥰😂

[@daveysversion]

Season 9 alone itself is already an all stars and all winners season!!!

[@cuzimnotlaughing]

“Not jumping off the stage, we don’t like that” THE HONEY DAVENPORT SHADE 💀

[@ashleycrash8838]

I want more videos of Michelle’s opinion and reviews! I could watch her all day, she really is the true mama of the queens as much as Ru is ❤️

[@evangaymer]

So glad the Dita Ritz number make this list. It's always been my favorite

[@umeshvaghjiani822]

The #1 choice was so weird and random! All the rest, I am on board with, and yes...DIDA need to be on ALL STARS!!

[@stevenanthonywright]

WHERE WAS CHI CHI DEVAYNE....I'M TELLNG YOU?

[@jozayzay9079]

I love how Michelle gives critiques. She’s firm but not harsh. ❤️

[@irmagabriela7609]

Can you guys imagine how good the feeling, hearing the goddess, queen of drag Michelle speak so highly of them? I can't even imagine, it makes me so proud of all the mentioned queens like purrrr baby dolls yall made it

[@syedmajed5115]

Hi

[@KuriConvention]

"Each verse is better than the last", I think she forgot that Roxxy was at the end of Read U Wrote U 😂

[@elizimmer3838]

She said better than the next

[@hayleyholt5551]

Read U Wrote U performance is easily the best in the whole of RPDR. I could rewatch it 12 times in a row and still be just as entertained

[@leonardo.diCATio]

I wish we saw more of this side of Michelle on the show!!! This is amazing.

[@LP-km7gj]

Totally agree with these!

[@megambam]

OMG why was there a picture of Miz Cracker instead of Katya??? I'm screaming 😂

[@zachdoubled6166]

They must have changed it because I see Katya

[@ma.auroragutierrez663]

I 'm Waiting for the top 8 with anetra and marcia😻😻😻

[@mariab.e.2182]

Amo a Michelle Visage 💜 su descripción de cada momento que experimentó en RPDR habla de lo mucho que ama su trabajo y realmente disfruta la vida, como cada unx viendo el show 🤩🖤

[@BillyGollnerMusic]

Totally agree with this list. So iconic.

[@briansherrod1916]

Love me some Michelle visage and this is a good list!

[@blake..-]

“I never want them to be anything other than they are, but more than they thought they could be” this is why Michelle visage is an icon and pillar of this community period

[@mitsk2002]

Amen!

[@wesley6873]

I just love Michelle.

[@1BSDjunkie]

Dita Ritz - This Will Be - is forever my #1

[@wendybutler1681]

Sasha was on fire that night!

[@jeannetterw]

Brooke Lynn and Yvie is in my top 3.

[@skyler5233]

So agree. I love season 9 final a lot

[@SamAsm367]

YES. I've been watching since Season Two. Her list matches mine.

[@LaLaAnn0.0]

Oh my god. I always thought Dida had glitter in her hand and was like sprinkling it at one point but it was Latrices dress in the background!!!

[@carlosdejesus5293]

Seeing Naomi while they're talking about Yvie had me thinking I was tweeking - glad I'm not the only one who caught that lol

[@christianbataclao268]

Where?

[@JorgeDiaz-boy]

They didn't show Naomi anywhere lol

[@TheBobbyJarel]

Several of this are in my top favs.

[@alexamaree13]

I thought for sure that she would mention Ben Dela Crème’s lipsynch to “Anaconda.” I’ve never seen her laugh as much!

[@celebrorn]

very much that

[@puledoctormokoena415]

Katya and Roxxxy Andrews appearing twice on this list makes sense in my fantasy!!! AS2 truly had iconic Queens!!

[@SophhpoS30]

“The level of unprofessionalism....far too much!” 🙄 the editor doesn’t watch Drag Race we get it!

[@imaphoenix7692]

i was def expecting to see ms. chi chi but awesome list ❤️

[@queenAaliyah3000]

This video gave me tingles 🥹.

[@mrmjking_]

That read you wrote you performance tho…. I remember the first time I watched it chillleeee I wasn’t ready like it really really was a moment.. like she said

[@nachel6306]

Sasha Velour forever in my mind! I need to watch this reveal again and again! Her moves and face expressions were just out of this drag planet… and the wig reveal? Shut the front door!

[@bellamitchell6017]

i could listen to her for hours

[@Leanyweeny]

I LOVE THIS WOMAN!

[@tonytheparamorestan]

for me Monet X Change vs Dusty was one of the best and most hilarious performances ever

[@bencynnet]

i’m surprised not one jujubee lipsync made it. her drunk performance in Black Velvet was just *chefs kiss

[@ebdgr]

READ YOU WROTE YOU IS SUCH A BOP, TOO. SOOOOO ICONIC! I LISTEN TO IT EVERY FEW MONTHS.

[@taylorkaykay5137]

Love the hair . I've been working on getting my hair like that lol.

[@kayleehunt2200]

sasha’s rose petals will ALWAYS be the most iconic

[@m_milos]

love how even michelle doesn't know how to pronounce the "read" in "read you wrote you"

[@itsdegsy]

I agree with Michelle's list because I have the same fave lipsyncs, too!

[@jointheleanrat]

I love your hair this season! Take note, queen!!