The Most Legendary Lip Syncs on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' of All Time

The art of lip sync has been a popular mode of performance for drag queens for many decades, but "RuPaul's Drag Race" put the wonderful artistic expression on the small screen. At the end of each competitive episode, the two bottom ranking queens duke it out with a lip sync for their lives, performing to a song as a last chance effort to stay in the competition.

Throughout roughly a gazillion seasons of the show, we've seen some truly terrible lip syncs, but we've also seen many absolutely legendary performances that are often more memorable than anything else that happens in the episode. Let's take a look at some of the best moments. Here are the most legendary drag race lip syncs.

"Shut Up and Drive" by Rihanna – Tatiana vs. Alyssa Edwards ("All Stars" Season 2)

Now, this is what happens when queens in "All Stars" lip sync for their lives! Alyssa and Tatiana absolutely brought the house down with this passionate lip sync. Their outfits complement each other perfectly, their makeup is phenomenal, and Rihanna has never been done better on the show. One of the most undeniable double saves in the show's existence.

"I Drove All Night" by Celine Dion – Priyanka vs Kiara ("Drag Race Canada" Season 1)

There are a lot of great lip syncs from the international seasons, but the one most deserving of a spot here is this phenomenal duel in "Canada's Drag Race" Season 1. "I Drove All Night" has all the highs and lows of a perfect lip sync song, and Priyanka and Kiara both delivered brilliance. The only problem was that it didn't end in a double sashay!

"Sorry Not Sorry" by Demi Lovato – Brooke Lynn Heights vs Yvie Oddly (Season 11)

Two of the most physically gifted queens the show has ever seen were all but guaranteed to be an explosive battle, and that's exactly what we got in "Sorry Not Sorry." Yvie delivered quite possibly the best wig reveal ever, and there are so many splits and jumps that it's hard to keep up with the spectacular madness of it all. It's clear that both Brooke and Yvie are having the time of their lives, and nobody could have possibly gone home after this one.

"Pound The Alarm" by Nicki Minaj – Monét X Change vs Dusty Ray Bottoms (Season 10)

First thing, Dusty actually did great! It's a song very much not in her wheelhouse, but she nailed every word. However, this lip sync announced Monét as one of the most gifted lip syncers the show has ever seen. The most memorable move was the fakeout jump split, followed by a perfectly executed real jump slit a moment later. Sensational!

"Music" by Madonna – Peppermint vs Cynthia Lee Fontaine (Season 9)

If you looked up the definition of "massacre," you'd find this lip sync. Peppermint showed the world what a superstar she is, delivering a pitch perfect rendition of Madonna's "Music." Glorious dance moves had everyone losing their mind, but the best moment came when Peppermint mimicked a shotgun to blow Cynthia away. Genius.

"So Emotional" by Whitney Houston – Sasha Velour vs Shea Couleé (Season 9)

Everyone expected Shea Couleé to walk out of the Season 9 finale with the crown, but Sasha Velour had other plans. This one's a beatdown. Sasha connected with the emotions of the song perfectly, but it was her stunning and game-changing rose petal reveal that nobody could have predicted. The image of Sasha removing her wig to a cascade of rose petals will never, ever be forgotten.

"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" – Chi Chi DeVayne vs Thorgy Thor (Season 8)

Technically Thorgy was present, but this lip sync was the Chi Chi show (may she rest in peace), and we were living for it. No big stunts or splits were needed in this epic show of emotion. OK, there's one – when Chi Chi drops to her knees and all her pearls come undone all over the stage, it's a moment of absolute magic.

"Roar" by Katy Perry – Kennedy Davenport vs Katya (Season 7)

Another fantastic duel between two incredibly gifted physical performers. Splits, flips, and death-defying jumps are all here. There's a reason Violet Chachki screamed "Come through!" at the end from the back of the stage. Violet, like all of us, was truly living.

"Vibeology" by Paula Abdul – Adore Delano vs Trinity K Bonet (Season 6)

Is this the sexiest lip sync in "Drag Race" herstory? Adore and Trinity truly went all out while looking fantastic in this awesome battle. Trinity is one of the best lip syncers the show has ever had, but Adore was something of a surprise, going toe-to-toe with the assassin and taking her down.

"Cold Hearted" by Paula Abdul – Coco Montrese vs Alyssa Edwards (Season 5)

The lip sync fans had waited for all season truly delivered. The rivalry between Coco and Alyssa was heated, and when "Cold Hearted" came on, it was time to finally settle things. It was fiercely competitive, but Coco got the upper hand with a gorgeous flowing yellow dress, and she made damn sure the judges knew she knew every single syllable.

"You Make Me Feel (Like A Natural Woman) by Aretha Franklin – Latrice Royale vs Kenya Micheals (Season 4)

This lip sync matchup is 100% on this list thanks to Latrice Royale. Ignoring Kenya's ballet-style performance that's completely out of place, Latrice didn't move an inch in delivering one of the most impassioned lip syncs we've ever seen. Latrice perfected the park and bark on "RuPaul's Drag Race," and we couldn't be happier about it – a perfect reminder that real lip sync magic comes through the face.

"Come Rain or Come Shine" by Judy Garland – Naomi Smalls vs Monét X Change ("All Stars" Season 4)

Monét is undoubtedly one of the best performers we've seen, but in "Come Rain or Come Shine," you barely notice she's there next to the absolute powerhouse that is Naomi Smalls. Looking immaculate from head to toe, Naomi owned every inch of the stage in an awe-inspiring rendition of Judy Garland's classic, and it was like Garland herself took over Naomi's body for a few sensational minutes.

"Phone" by Lizzo – Ginger Minj vs Mayhem Miller ("All Stars" Season 6)

Proof that great lip syncs can be hilarious too! Two fantastic performers in Ginger and Mayhem delivered the heck out of Lizzo's "Phone." It was a big moment for Ginger, who made it clear she's a magnificent performer, and lip sync assassin Mayhem slayed just as hard. The payoff at the end is hilarious.

"This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole – Dida Ritz vs The Princess (Season 4)

Click here to watch the fierce lip sync.

A magical moment in "Drag Race" herstory. This is the single greatest lip sync performance the show has ever seen. While The Princess performed admirably, it's hard to notice she's there when Dida Ritz is on stage. Dida embodied every single lyric in a showstopping performance full of monumental joy. All in front of Natalie Cole, no less! Whatever it takes to get Dida back on All Stars, we're willing to do it.