Drag fans have come to know several dancing queens over the course of 12 seasons – and countless spin-offs – of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Whether it is a on lip sync, a Rusical, or a straight-up choreography challenge, contestants are always asked to put their rhythm to test on the show. Thankfully, Drag Race has prominently featured various drag performers who also happen to be fantastic dancers.
Like any other type of performance art, dance is open to subjectivity. On this list, we’ll celebrate a variety of drag performers that excel in dancing and have prominently shown those skills on and off their time on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Vivacious
Vivacious was cast on season 6 to represent a generation of drag that must be remembered and celebrated by newcomers. Despite the fact that Vivacious’ time was cut short on Drag Race, her traditional ballroom style of dancing and walking definitely made its mark on the show, introducing younger audiences to moves that were memorialized by Paris Is Burning.
There’s no denying that Vivacious’ dancing style stands out from most other present-day drag performers, and it is precisely that uniqueness that makes her one of the most memorable dancing queens in the history of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Courtney Act
Courtney Act came into the Drag Race franchise already being a well-known performer around the world. And yet, after becoming the first drag queen to compete on a season of the Idol franchise, making it to the Top 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 6, and winning Celebrity Big Brother UK, Courtney went on to prove herself as a formidable dancer as well.
In 2019, Courtney Act competed on the Australian edition of Dancing With The Stars and ended up in 2nd place, coming very close to winning yet another reality competition. All season long, Courtney dazzled the viewers and the judges with her newly-acquired dancing skills, performing both in and out of drag.
Jasmine Masters
Jasmine Masters didn’t get too many chances to showcase her dancing abilities on Drag Race season 7 and All Stars 4. However, if you’ve ever seen this queen performing live, you know that she is one fierce dancer that commands the audience’s attention.
Better known for her hilarious videos and subsequent viral memes, Jasmine Masters is a bonafide showgirl who has quite a few dancing numbers up her sleeve. With so many years of dancing experience in the bag, Jasmine was chosen as one of the Drag Race queens who performed alongside Miley Cyrus for the singer’s performance of “DOOO IT” on the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.
Sonique
Even all the way back on Drag Race season 2, there was never any doubt that Sonique was a dancing queen through and through. Nearly 10 years later, Sonique was cast on the RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular TV special and proved that her stage presence and dancing skills are better than ever.
If you’re curious to watch even more from Sonique, there are countless videos on YouTube showing her performances at a variety of clubs – proving that she’s a great dancer who is very in charge of her own body.
Sahara Davenport
Season 2 contestant Sahara Davenport was the first-ever queen who came to RuPaul’s Drag Race as a classically trained dancer. Unfortunately, Sahara is no longer among us, but her talents as a professional dancer and experienced queen will live on forever in the hearts and minds of drag fans.
On Drag Race, Sahara Davenport had several noteworthy moments. For instance, this queen was responsible for out-lip-syncing the then-inexperienced Shangela in the first episode (thus sending Shangie home). Moreover, Sahara was part of the famous “Carry On” lip sync, which is a RuPaul favorite.
Kennedy Davenport
There are so many incredible dancing moments from Kennedy Davenport on Drag Race, it’s hard to pick just a few.
On season 7, Kennedy danced circles around Katya during the “Roar” lip sync, ultimately sending her home. Then, on the All Stars 3 finale, the queen showcased her years-long experience in dance twice more: first during her part in the “Kitty Girl” remix performance, then during her Lip Sync For The Crown to the tune of “Wrecking Ball.”
Off the show, Kennedy Davenport has been touring nonstop, frequently showcasing her dancing and lip syncing skills to audiences around the world.
Laganja Estranja
Laganja Estranja already entered the Drag Race season 6 werkroom with a shocking and iconic “death drop” (which, as Laganja herself would explain, is actually called a “dip”). Over the years, this House of Edwards member has become more and more attached to the dance and choreography industry, and even competed on season 15 of So You Think You Can Dance.
As a drag queen, Laganja Estranja is still performing across the country, releasing original music, and showing naysayers just how good of a dancer she actually is.
Shangela
As the story goes, Shangela used to be a backup dancer for Alyssa Edwards, who, in turn, is credited as the person who first got Shangie into drag. After her time on seasons 2 and 3 of Drag Race, as well as All Stars 3, Shangela has solidified her career as a professional drag entertainer, which largely involves how good of a dancer she has always been.
Just recently, Shangela made a cameo in the 2018 remake of A Star Is Born, was featured on the Super Saturday Night promotional videos for the pre-Super Bowl concert by Lady Gaga, and even honored Beyoncé on the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards with a dancing performance that had Queen Bey on her feet.
Brooke Lynn Hytes
Brooke Lynn Hytes walked into season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race with a large reputation to uphold. First and foremost, the queen had already won the highly-coveted title of Miss Continental in 2014. Furthermore, Brooke had an extensive background in ballet, being part of prestigious companies such as Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and Cape Town City Ballet.
On Drag Race, Brooke Lynn Hytes made it impossible for RuPaul to send anyone home after her lip sync performance (alongside Yvie Oddly) to “Sorry Not Sorry.” Then, dressed as a ballerina, Brooke sent then-boyfriend Vanessa Vanjie Mateo home during an emotional lip sync.
Alyssa Edwards
It feels impossible and unfair to elect any one drag performer as being the best dancer of them all. With that said, there is no doubt that Alyssa Edwards is largely regarded – by the fans and by the judges – as the ultimate dancing queen of the Drag Race universe.
On seasons 10 and 11, Alyssa Edwards was brought in to coach the contestants and develop a choreography for a challenge, becoming the first-ever contestant to come back to the show on a professional capacity. On the Netflix docu-series Dancing Queen, fans were able to watch Alyssa performing her day-to-day duties as both the owner of a dance company and a drag queen.