RuPaul's Drag Race

In mini challenges, each contestant is asked to perform a different task with varying requirements and time limitations. Certain mini challenges are repeated from season to season. For instance, the first mini challenge of the first six seasons is a photo shoot with the photographer Mike Ruiz that includes a special twist (such as being doused with water while in full drag, having a high-powered fan turned on during the shoot, or being photographed while jumping on a trampoline). Another recurring mini challenge is dedicated to "reading," a drag term for making insulting observations about one's peers for comedic effect. The winner of a mini challenge is sometimes rewarded with an advantage in the main challenge. Though most episodes have a mini challenge, select episodes do not.

The requirements of the maxi challenge vary across each episode, and can be individual or group challenges, and initially grant immunity to the winner in the next challenge. However, as of season 6, immunity is no longer granted to challenge winners. The winner of the maxi challenge also receives a special prize for their win. In the past, challenge winners have been rewarded with custom designer clothing, vacations, cruises, and quality cosmetic items. The final maxi challenge of every season up to season 8 involved the contestants starring in a RuPaul music video.

The goal of each maxi challenge involves a new theme and outcome. Contestants are often asked to design and construct a custom outfit, sometimes incorporating unconventional materials. Other challenges focus on the contestants' ability to present themselves on camera, perform with music, or perform humorously. Some challenges became a tradition across seasons, such as the "Snatch Game" (in which the contestants impersonate celebrities in a humorous recreation of Match Game), a ball or a makeover, in which the contestants create drag personas for other people.

The contestants walk down a runway presenting outfits. If the maxi challenge involves the creation of an outfit, that outfit is presented to the judges in the runway. Otherwise, a theme is assigned and the contestants must put together a look that fits the theme, which is presented to the judges. The runway looks and presentation are judged along with the maxi challenge performance.

A panel of judges cast opinions about the challenge performances and runway looks, first to the contestants onstage, and then again with them offstage.

Current main judges

RuPaul

Michelle Visage

Ross Matthews

Carson Kressley

Beginning with the seventh season, Michelle Visage, Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley are the staple judges alongside RuPaul. Visage joined the show at the beginning of season three, while Mathews and Kressley joined at the beginning of season seven, and each joins RuPaul and Visage on alternate episodes. Past fixtures on the panel include Merle Ginsberg, who was a regular judge in the first two seasons, and Santino Rice, who held his position from the first season until the conclusion of the sixth. Until season eight, Rice was the only person, apart from RuPaul, to take part in every season of the show, serving as a main judge for seasons one through six, the first season of All Stars, and guest judging for season seven. In certain instances, Rice was absent and replacement judging was provided by make-up artist Billy Brasfield (commonly known as Billy B), Mike Ruiz, Jeffrey Moran (Absolut Vodka marketing executive), or Lucian Piane. However, due to Brasfield's numerous appearances in seasons three and four, including appearing in the Reunited episodes in both seasons, Rice and Billy B are considered to have been alternates for the same seat at the judges table throughout the two seasons.[8]

Prior to the grand finale, the three main judges are joined by celebrity guest judges each week. Guest judges have included Pam Tillis, Paula Abdul, Pamela Anderson, Eve, Ariana Grande, Audra McDonald, Miley Cyrus, Troye Sivan, Neil Patrick Harris, Kathy Griffin, Debbie Harry, Debbie Reynolds, Khloé Kardashian, Kat Dennings, La Toya Jackson, Adam Lambert, Amber Riley, Demi Lovato, Bob Mackie, Rose McGowan, Olivia Newton-John, Tamar Braxton, Rebecca Romijn, Chanel Iman, Gigi Hadid, Kate Upton, Sharon Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Lizzo, Dan Savage, John Waters, Michelle Williams, Candis Cayne, Martha Wash, Natalie Cole, Dita Von Teese, Niecy Nash, Vanessa Williams, Paulina Porizkova, Wilmer Valderrama, The Pointer Sisters, Trina, Leah Remini, The B-52's, Jordin Sparks, Mel B, Emma Bunton, Kesha, Shania Twain, Graham Norton, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga, Halsey, Adam Rippon, Gus Kenworthy, Cara Delevingne, Katherine Langford, Miles Heizer, Elvira, and Tiffany Pollard.

The judges each provide their opinion on the contestants' performances in the main challenge and on the runway before RuPaul announces which queen is the winner of the challenge and which two had the weakest performances.

A screenshot shows two contestants lip-syncing from elimination.

The contestants selected as the bottom two must "lip sync for their lives" to a previously assigned song in a final attempt to impress RuPaul. After the lip sync, RuPaul decides which contestant won the lip sync and is safe, while the one who lost the lip sync is eliminated. Two contestants in the show run have been eliminated without going through a lip sync: Willam Belli for breaking the competition rules, and Eureka O'Hara due to an injury. In both cases, the bottom two contestants performed the lip sync, but neither of them were eliminated. The only instance with more than two contestants lip syncing "for their lives" was in season 11, where an entire six-person team was up for elimination after losing a challenge. Ultimately though, only one contestant, Honey Davenport, was eliminated.

From Season 9 on, the final contestants are also made to "lip sync for the crown". RuPaul describes the qualities the contestants must have to be crowned the winner of the show as "Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent... These are people who have taken adversity and turned it into something that is beautiful and something powerful."[9] The phrase "charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent" is used repeatedly on the show, the acronym of which is CUNT. On the first season of All Stars, "synergy" was added to provide an explanation behind the contestants being sorted into teams (expanding the acronym into CUNTS).

The first season of Drag Race was accompanied by a seven-episode web series, titled Under the Hood of RuPaul's Drag Race. LOGOonline published a webisode of Under the Hood after each episode of Drag Race. In this companion series, RuPaul presents a documentary of contestants' conversation in the green room, replays pertinent moments from Drag Race, and airs deleted footage.[10][11]

In the second season of Drag Race in 2010, Logo reformatted Under the Hood, increased its production budget, moved it from the web to television, and re-titled it to RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked. Logo broadcast an episode of Untucked after each episode of Drag Race. Untucked replaces the basic green room of Under the Hood with two decorated rooms that were until season six sponsored by Absolut Vodka and Interior Illusions, Inc.: the Interior Illusions Lounge and the Gold Bar. FormDecor sponsored the Lounge for season six. These two backstage areas allow for separate group conversations.

At the start of the seventh season of the Drag Race, Untucked reverted to a webseries, as part of the World of Wonder YouTube page. Instead of two decorated rooms, Untucked was moved back to the one room, an empty backstage space that connects to the main stage and work room, with couches for contestants to chat on. The newly renovated version also follows contestants following their elimination from the show, documenting them packing their belongings and leaving the set. The webseries format continued for the eighth and ninth season. For the show's tenth season, Untucked returned to television, where it airs on VH1 during the 30 minute time slot after the 90 minute episode airs.

"Whatcha Packin'" is a Drag Race web series that began at the start of the sixth season, and has also included the third and fourth seasons of All Stars. It features main stage judge Michelle Visage interviewing the most recently eliminated queen about their run on the show, as well as showcasing outfits that they had brought but did not have the opportunity to wear.

Since the eighth season, every episode of Drag Race has been followed by a 5 to 10-minute long aftershow called The Pit Stop. It involves a host and guest, typically past competitors of Drag Race, discussing the recently aired episode. The Pit Stop for the eighth season of Drag Race was hosted by YouTuber Kingsley. Seasons 9 and 10 and All Stars season two were hosted by Raja, with Bob the Drag Queen filling in for the ninth and tenth-season finales. The third season of All Stars was hosted by previous All Stars winner Alaska Thunderfuck. The fourth season of All Stars was hosted by All Stars season three winner, Trixie Mattel, with Manila Luzon subbing in for her in the finale episode. Luzon also hosted the Pit Stop for season eleven. The host for season twelve and current host for All Stars 5 is season eight winner Bob the Drag Queen.

Season 1 winner BeBe Zahara Benet

The first season of RuPaul's Drag Race premiered in the United States on February 2, 2009, on Logo.

Nine contestants were selected to compete in the running of becoming "America's Next Drag Superstar." The winner of the first season won a lifetime supply of MAC Cosmetics, was featured on the cover of Paper Magazine, was featured in an LA Eyeworks campaign, joined the Absolut Pride tour, and won a cash prize of $20,000. One of the nine contestants to compete on RuPaul's Drag Race was determined by an audience vote via the show's official website. The results were announced in early September 2008. The contestant to win this honor was Nina Flowers from Bayamón, Puerto Rico (currently residing in Denver, Colorado). The theme song playing during the runway every episode was "Cover Girl" from RuPaul's album Champion.

The winner of the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race was BeBe Zahara Benet, with Nina Flowers winning Miss Congeniality.

In late 2013,[12] Logo re-aired the first season, which was titled RuPaul's Drag Race: The Lost Season Ru-Vealed, and featured commentary from RuPaul.[13]

For season two, the number of contestants was increased from nine to twelve, and the prizes were slightly modified: a lifetime supply of Nyx Cosmetics and be the face of nyxcosmetics.com, an exclusive one year public relations contract with LGBT firm Project Publicity, be featured an LA Eyeworks campaign, join the Logo Drag Race tour, and a cash prize of $25,000. A new tradition of writing a farewell message in lipstick on the workstation mirror was started by the first eliminated queen of the season, Shangela Laquifa Wadley. The theme song playing during the runway and the end credits each episode is "Jealous of My Boogie" from RuPaul's album Champion. Each week's episode is followed by a behind-the-scenes show, RuPaul's Drag Race Untucked.

The winner of the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Tyra Sanchez, with Pandora Boxx winning Miss Congeniality.

On December 6, 2011, Amazon.com released this season on DVD via their CreateSpace program.[14]

Season 3 winner Raja

This season had Michelle Visage replacing Merle Ginsberg on the judging panel and Billy Brasfield[15] (commonly known as Billy B), Mike Ruiz, and Jeffrey Moran (courtesy of Absolut Vodka) filling in for Santino Rice's absence during several episodes. Due to Billy B's continued appearances, he and Rice are considered to have been alternate judges for the same seat on judges panel.[16] Other changes made included the introduction of a wildcard contestant from the past season, Shangela; an episode with no elimination; and a contestant, Carmen Carrera, being brought back into the competition after having been eliminated a few episodes prior. A new pit crew was also introduced consisting of Jason Carter and Shawn Morales. The theme song playing during the runway each episode was changed to "Champion" while the song playing during the credits is "Main Event", both from RuPaul's album Champion. As with the previous season, each week's episode was followed by a behind-the-scenes show, RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked.

The winner of the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Raja, with Yara Sofia winning Miss Congeniality.

On December 6, 2011 Amazon.com released this season on DVD via their CreateSpace program.[17]

Season 4 winner Sharon Needles

The fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on January 30, 2012,[18] with cast members announced November 13, 2011.[19]

The winner of season four headlined Logo's Drag Race Tour featuring Absolut Vodka, won a one-of-a-kind trip, a lifetime supply of NYX Cosmetics, a cash prize of $100,000, and the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar."[20] Like the previous season, Santino Rice and Billy B (Billy Brasfield), shared the same seat at the judges table alternatively, with Brasfield filling in for Rice when needed.[16] Both judges appeared side by side in the audience during the "Reunited" episode.

The winner of the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Sharon Needles, with Latrice Royale winning Miss Congeniality.

The theme song playing during the runway every episode was "Glamazon" and the song played during the credits was "The Beginning", both from RuPaul's album Glamazon.

Season 5 winner Jinkx Monsoon

The fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on January 28, 2013, with a 90-minute premiere episode. It had the most contestants since the inaugural season of the show with a total number of fourteen.

Season five's winner walked away with the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar" along with a lifetime supply of Colorevolution Cosmetics, a one-of-a-kind trip courtesy of AlandChuck.travel, a headlining spot on Logo's Drag Race Tour featuring Absolut Vodka and a cash prize of $100,000. Santino Rice and Michelle Visage were back as judges on the panel.[21] The theme song played during the runway each episode is "I Bring the Beat", while the song playing during the credits is "The Beginning", both songs are from RuPaul's album Glamazon.

The winner of the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Jinkx Monsoon, with Ivy Winters winning Miss Congeniality.

Season 6 winner Bianca Del Rio

The sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing February 24, 2014.

Like the fifth season, this season featured fourteen contestants competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar". For the first time in the show's history, the season premiere was split into two episodes; the fourteen queens are split into two groups and the seven queens in each group compete against one another before being united as one group in the third episode.

Santino Rice and Michelle Visage are back as judges at the panel. Two new pit crew members, Miles Moody and Simon Sherry-Wood, joined Jason Carter and Shawn Morales.[22] The winner of this season won a prize package that included a supply from Colorevolution Cosmetics and a cash prize of $100,000.[23] This was the first season where Absolut Vodka and Interior Illusions, Inc. were not sponsors for the show, more specifically for the Untucked episodes. The Interior Illusions Lounge is now known as the Silver Lounge or FormDecor Lounge. The theme song played during the runway segment each episode was "Sissy That Walk" while the song playing during the credits is "Dance With U", both from the album Born Naked.

The winner of the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Bianca Del Rio, with BenDeLaCreme winning Miss Congeniality.

Season 7 winner Violet Chachki

The seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on March 2, 2015.

Returning judges included RuPaul and Michelle Visage, while the space previously occupied by Santino Rice was filled by new additions Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley.[24] Mathews and Kressley were both present for the season premiere and then took turns sharing judging responsibilities. Shawn Morales, a member of the Pit Crew since the third season and Simon Sherry-Wood, a member in the sixth season, did not appear this season and were replaced by Bryce Eilenberg.

Like the previous two seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race, the season featured fourteen contestants competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar", a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics, and a cash prize of $100,000. The season premiere debuted with a live and same-day viewership of 348,000, a 20% increase from the previous season. On March 20, 2015, it was announced that LogoTV had given the series an early renewal for an eighth season.[25]

The winner of the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Violet Chachki, with Katya winning Miss Congeniality.

Season 8 winner Bob the Drag Queen

The eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on March 7, 2016, with cast members announced during the 2016 New Now Next Honors on February 1, 2016.

Michelle Visage returned as a main judge, while Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews returned as rotating main judges.[26]

The first episode celebrated the 100th taping of the show, and the 100th drag queen to enter the work room. Similar to the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race, the season featured twelve contestants competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar", a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics, and a cash prize of $100,000.

The winner of the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Bob the Drag Queen, with Cynthia Lee Fontaine winning Miss Congeniality.

Season 9 winner Sasha Velour

The ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on March 24, 2017, with cast members being announced on February 2, 2017.

Michelle Visage returned as a main judge, while Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews returned as rotating main judges.

This season features fourteen contestants competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar", a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics, and a cash prize of $100,000. The ninth season aired on VH1, with encore presentations continuing to air on Logo.[27][28] This season featured the return of Cynthia Lee Fontaine, who previously participated in the series' eighth season. The ninth season featured a top four in the finale episode, as opposed to the top three, which was previously established in the fourth season. This season featured a twist in the finale called "Lipsync for the Crown" where there will be two rounds of lipsyncs and the winner of both lipsyncs will move ahead to the final lipsync and who ever wins the final lipsync will be declared as the winner.

The winner of the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Sasha Velour, with Valentina winning Miss Congeniality.

Season 10 winner Aquaria

The tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on March 22, 2018.

Michelle Visage returned as a main judge, while Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews returned as rotating main judges.

This season features thirteen new contestants, and one returning contestant, competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar", a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics, and a cash prize of $100,000. Eureka O'Hara, who was removed from the ninth season due to an injury, returned to the show after she accepted an open invitation.[29] The tenth season of Drag Race premiered; alongside the televised return of Untucked.[30] The tenth season featured a top four in the finale episode, as opposed to the top three, which was previously established in the fourth season.

The winner of the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Aquaria, with Monét X Change winning Miss Congeniality.

Season 11 winner Yvie Oddly

The eleventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing February 28, 2019. This season has a record-breaking fifteen contestants total, whereas previous seasons typically stuck to fourteen contestants consistently.

Michelle Visage returned as a main judge, while Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews returned as rotating main judges.

This season features fourteen new contestants, and one returning contestant, competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar", a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics, and a cash prize of $100,000. This season saw return of Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, who was first eliminated in the tenth season. The eleventh season featured a top four in the finale episode, as opposed to the top three, which was previously established in the fourth season. As with the previous season, each week's episode was followed by an episode of the televised return of RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked.

The winner of the eleventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Yvie Oddly, with Nina West winning Miss Congeniality.

Season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall

On January 22, 2019, casting for the twelfth season was announced via YouTube and Twitter and was closed on March 1, 2019. On August 19, 2019, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a twelfth season.[31] The season began airing on February 28, 2020. The twelfth season includes celebrity judges such as Nicki Minaj, Normani, Whoopi Goldberg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chaka Khan, Robyn, Leslie Jones, Jeff Goldblum, Daisy Ridley, Thandie Newton, Olivia Munn, Rachel Bloom, Daniel Franzese, Jonathan Bennett and Winnie Harlow.[32]

The winner of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Jaida Essence Hall, with Heidi N Closet winning Miss Congeniality.

On December 2, 2019, casting for the thirteenth season was announced via YouTube and Twitter. The casting call closed on January 24, 2020.[33]

On December 13, 2015, Logo aired a seasonal themed episode of RuPaul's Drag Race. The non-competitive special episode was released in conjunction with RuPaul's holiday album Slay Belles and featured music videos for songs from the album. The cast included RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Siedah Garrett, and Todrick Hall, and former contestants Alyssa Edwards, Laganja Estranja, Latrice Royale, Raja, and Shangela.[34][35][36]

On November 1, 2018, VH1 announced a seasonal themed special episode of RuPaul's Drag Race scheduled to air on December 7, 2018. The special saw eight former contestants compete for the title of America's first Drag Race Christmas Queen.[37] In the same announcement, the eight contestants confirmed to be competing were Eureka O'Hara, Jasmine Masters, Kim Chi, Latrice Royale, Mayhem Miller, Shangela, Sonique, and Trixie Mattel.[38][39]

On April 10, 2020, VH1 announced a celebrity edition of RuPaul's Drag Race titled ‘RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race’ was scheduled to air for four weeks beginning on April 24, 2020. The four-part event series will feature a trio of celebrities opening up their hearts and minds to the transformative power of drag. After getting some help from beloved past contestants — deemed “Queen Supremes” — Alyssa Edwards, Asia O'Hara, Bob the Drag Queen, Kim Chi, Monét X Change, Monique Heart, Nina West, Trinity the Tuck, Trixie Mattel and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, the celebrity contestants will compete in fan-favorite challenges and step onto the runway in their new looks with one of that week’s three celebrity contestants will win the title of “America’s Next Celebrity Drag Race Superstar” and prize money for a charity of their choice.[40]

During seasons 1–8, the top queens must lip sync to and sometimes record a verse for a new RuPaul music video. From season 9 and All Stars 2 onward, the finale music video was replaced by the queens recording new verses to a RuPaul song and perform it with full choreography on the main stage.

• "CoverGirl" (feat. BeBe Zahara Benet, Nina Flowers, & Rebecca Glasscock) (season 1)
• "Jealous of My Boogie" (Gomi & RasJek Mix) from Jealous of My Boogie – The RuMixes and Essential, Vol. 2 (season 2)
• "Champion" (DJ BunJoe's Olympic Mix) from Drag Race (season 3)
• "Glamazon" from Glamazon (season 4)
• "The Beginning" from Glamazon (season 5)
• "Sissy That Walk" from Born Naked (season 6)
• "Born Naked" (Stadium Remix) (feat. Clairy Browne) from Realness (season 7)
• "The Realness" (feat. Eric Kupper) from Realness (season 8)

Occasionally throughout the show, and in every season finale from season 9 onward, the cast will be challenged to write their own original verses to new or existing RuPaul songs.

• "CoverGirl" (feat. BeBe Zahara Benet, Nina Flowers, & Rebecca Glasscock) (Original version from Champion) (Season 1)
• "Can I Get an Amen?" (feat. Alaska, Alyssa Edwards, Coco Montrese, Detox Icunt, Ivy Winters, Jade Jolie, Jinkx Monsoon, & Roxxxy Andrews) (Original version from Born Naked) (Season 5)
• "Oh No She Better Don't" (feat. Adore Delano, BenDeLaCreme, Bianca Del Rio, Courtney Act, Darienne Lake, Joslyn Fox, Laganja Estranja, Milk, & Trinity K. Bonet) (Season 6)
• "Get Ready to Clock" (parody of "Sissy That Walk" from Born Naked) (feat. Max, Violet Chachki, & Jaidynn Diore Fierce) (Season 7)
• "Tan With You" (parody of "Dance With U" from Born Naked) (feat. Trixie Mattel, Miss Fame, Pearl, & Katya) (Season 7)
• "I Got Paid" (parody of "Let the Music Play" from Born Naked) (feat. Mrs. Kasha Davis, Ginger Minj, Kennedy Davenport, & Kandy Ho) (Season 7)
• "Les Chicken Wings" (feat. Robbie Turner, Kim Chi, & Naomi Smalls) (Season 8)
• "Street Meatz" (feat. Bob the Drag Queen, Thorgy Thor, & Acid Betty (Season 8)
• "Dragometry" (feat. Derrick Barry, Chi Chi DeVayne, & Naysha Lopez) (Season 8)
• "Category Is" (feat. Peppermint, Sasha Velour, Shea Coulee, & Trinity Taylor) (Original version from Butch Queen) (Season 9)
• "American" (feat. Aquaria, Asia O'Hara, Eureka, & Kameron Michaels) (Original version from American) (Season 10)
• "Queens Everywhere" (feat. A'keria C. Davenport, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo & Yvie Oddly) (Original version from Queen of Queens) (Season 11)
• "I'm That Bitch" (feat. Brita, Crystal Methyd, Gigi Goode, Heidi N. Closet, Jackie Cox, Nicky Doll, & Widow Von'Du) (Season 12)
• "You Don't Know Me" (feat. Aiden Zhane, Dahlia Sin, Jaida Essence Hall, Jan, Rock M. Sakura & Sherry Pie) (Season 12)
• "I Made It / Mirror Song / Losing Is The New Winning” Las Vegas Live Medley) (feat. Crystal Methyd, Gigi Goode, Jackie Cox, Jaida Essence Hall, & Sherry Pie) (Season 12)
• "Read U Wrote U" (Ellis Miah Remix) (feat. Alaska, Detox Icunt, Katya, & Roxxxy Andrews) (All Stars 2)
• "Drag Up Your Life" (feat. Bebe Zahara Benet, BenDeLaCreme, Kennedy Davenport, Shangela, & Trixie Mattel) (All Stars 3)
• "Sitting on a Secret" (feat. Aja, Chi Chi DeVayne, Milk, Morgan McMichaels, & Thorgy Thor) (All Stars 3)
• "Kitty Girl" (feat. BeBe Zahara Benet, Kennedy Davenport, Shangela, & Trixie Mattel) (Original version from American) (All Stars 3)
• "Don't Funk It Up" (feat. Gia Gunn, Latrice Royale, Manila Luzon, Trinity The Tuck & Valentina) (All Stars 4)
• "Evrybody Say Love" (feat. Naomi Smalls, Monique Heart, Farrah Moan, & Monét X Change) (All Stars 4)
• "Super Queen" (feat. Monét X Change, Monique Heart, Naomi Smalls, & Trinity The Tuck) (Original version from Christmas Party) (All Stars 4)
• "I'm in Love!" (feat. Alexis Mateo, Blair St. Clair, India Ferrah, Jujubee, Mariah Balenciaga, Mayhem Miller, Miz Cracker, Ongina, & Shea Coulee) (All Stars 5)
• "Break Up (Bye Bye)" (Frock Destroyers version feat. Baga Chipz, Blu Hydrangea, & Divina de Campo; Filth Harmony version feat. The Vivienne, Cheryl Hole, & Crystal) (UK Series 1)
• "To the Moon" (feat. Baga Chipz, Divina De Campo & The Vivienne) (UK Series 1)

In addition to the original music challenges, sometimes the contestants will be challenged to lip sync or sing live to a new original song. For seasons 7 and 8, the top 3 queens each had songs specifically written for them to lip-sync on the finale. Some of these have been released as singles, and an album was released containing some of songs written by Lucian Piane entitled RuPaul's Drag Race: The Rusical on April 22, 2016.

• "The Diva Awards" (Season 2)
• "Lady Boy" (feat. Tyra Sanchez, Raven, Jujubee, Tatianna, Pandora Boxx, Jessica Wild, & Sahara Davenport) (Season 2)
• "Superstar" (feat. Raja, Manila Luzon, Alexis Mateo, Yara Sofia, Carmen Carrera, & Shangela) (Original version from Glamazon) (Season 3)
• "Bitch Ball" (Season 4)
• "Sugar Babies" (Season 5)
• "So Much Better Than You" (feat. Latrice Royale, Willam, Phi Phi O'Hara, Sharon Needles, Chad Michaels, & DiDa Ritz) (Season 4)
• "Shade: The Rusical" (feat. Courtney Act, BenDeLaCreme, Adore Delano, Bianca Del Rio, Darienne Lake, Joslyn Fox, Trinity K. Bonet, Laganja Estranja, Milk, Gia Gunn, & April Carrión) (Season 6)
• "Always Wear a Jewel" (Season 6)
• "Glamazonian Airways" (Season 7)
• "Eggs" (feat. Ginger Minj & Trixie Mattel) (Season 7)
• "Cha Cha Heels" (feat. Katya & Kennedy Davenport) (Season 7)
• "Poo" (feat. Pearl, Miss Fame, & Violet Chachki) (Season 7)
• "Too Many Daddies" (written for Violet Chachki) (Season 7)
• "Pray & Slay" (written for Ginger Minj (Season 7)
• "Sleepwalker" (written for Pearl (Season 7)
• "Rucapella (Bitch Perfect)" (Season 8)
• "Jerri Blank Tribute" (Season 8)
• "I Don't Like To Show Off" (written for Bob the Drag Queen) (Season 8)
• "Fat, Fem & Asian" (written for Kim Chi (Season 8)
• "Legs" (written for Naomi Smalls) (Season 8)
• "Kardashian: The Musical" (Season 9)
• "PharmaRusical" (Season 10)
• "Cher: The Unauthorized Rusical" (feat. Aquaria, Eureka, Kameron Michaels, Miz Cracker, Monét X Change, & The Vixen) (Season 10)
• "Trump: The Rusical" (Season 11)
• "Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical" (feat. Brita, Crystal Methyd, Gigi Goode, Heidi N Closet, Jackie Cox, Jaida Essence Hall, Jan, Sherry Pie, & Widow Von'Du) (Season 12)
• "The Shady Bunch" (feat. Aiden Zhane, Brita, Crystal Methyd, Dahlia Sin, Gigi Goode, Heidi N Closet, Jackie Cox, Jaida Essence Hall, Jan, Nicky Doll, Rock M Sakura, & Widow Von'Du) (Season 12)
• "Glamazon (Savage Sisters)" (All Stars 1)
• "Cover Girl (Fanny Shosha)" (All Stars 1)
• "Jealous of My Boogie (V3)" (All Stars 1)
• "Good vs. Evil" (All Stars 1)
• "Herstory of the World" (All Stars 2)
• "Divas Live" (All Stars 3)
• "Best Judies" (All Stars 4)
• "Twerkin’ 5 to 9" (RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race season 1)

Every season, a new song is played as the queens present their looks on the main stage runway. When RuPaul walks down the runway, the song played in every season is "CoverGirl" from Champion

• "CoverGirl" from Champion (season 1)
• "Jealous of My Boogie" (Gomi & RasJek Mix) from Jealous of My Boogie – The RuMixes and Essential, Vol. 2 (season 2)
• "Champion" (DJ BunJoe's Olympic Mix) from Drag Race (season 3)
• "Glamazon" from Glamazon (season 4)
• "I Bring the Beat" from Glamazon (season 5)
• "Sissy That Walk" from Born Naked (seasons 6–7)
• "The Realness" (feat. Eric Kupper) from Realness (season 8)
• "Forever – Alonsso Franco (Reworked with elements of ‘Spotlight’ from American and ‘Category is...’ from Butch Queen) (season 9)
• "Snapshot" (feat. Mark Macutchi) from Remember Me: Essential, Vol. 1 (season 10)
• "Mighty Love" (feat. KUMMERSPECK) from American (season 11)
• "Superstar" (Hollywood Royalty Remix) from SuperGlam DQ (season 12)
• "Sexy Drag Queen (dootdoot 'doot-swift' Remix)" from Essential, Vol. 2 (All Stars seasons 1–3; RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race)
• "Super Queen (Runway Remix)" from Christmas Party (All Stars season 4)
• "Be Someone (feat. Taylor Dayne) [JROB Edit]" from Butch Queen: Ru-Mixes (All Stars season 5)
• "A Little Bit of Love" (feat. KUMMERSPECK) from Remember Me: Essential, Vol. 1 (UK series 1)

RuPaul confirmed via Twitter that an album, in which each contestant from season six covered a song from his catalog, would be released. The album, titled RuPaul Presents: The CoverGurlz, was released on January 28, 2014.[42]

Similar to season six, each of the seventh season's contestants covered a song that was previously recorded by RuPaul. The album is titled RuPaul Presents: CoverGurlz2 and was released on February 3, 2015. The album also features the single "New York City Beat", a song by RuPaul featuring Michelle Visage.[43]