Over the years, RuPaul’s Drag Race evolved from being just about looking fierce and serving realness. In recent seasons, the contestants have been challenged more and more to dance, sing, write jokes, and prove themselves as true jacks-of-all-trades. Of course, not everyone can do everything, but the series has certainly featured great singers over the course of 12 seasons.
Singing abilities are subjective, of course, but this list has the intent of celebrating some of the powerhouse performers we’ve had on Drag Race over the years. Hopefully, we’ll get to see one of these queens performing live at major award shows very soon, and perhaps even watch them snatch those trophies as well.
SHEA COULEE
Shea Coulee may be better known for her rapping abilities on songs like “Cocky” and “Crème Brulee.” On season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Shea also slayed the game with her verse on the Top 4 “Category Is…” remix.
More recently, however, Shea Coulee is also proving herself as a great singer. With songs like “Gasoline” and “Rewind,” Shea has showcased her singing abilities that go way beyond her skills as a rapper.
BENDELACREME
While it is a more theatrical and Broadway-ready voice, BenDeLaCreme has proven over time that she can certainly sing. The proof is in the pudding: Ben had several singing numbers during her touring shows Terminally Delightful, Cosmos, and A-Go-Go, and even released a holiday song for the Christmas Queens 2 album.
On RuPaul’s Drag Race season 6, BenDeLaCreme showcased her singing voice during the “Shade: The Rusical!” challenge. Then, on All Stars 3, she sang the “Drag Up Your Life” song for the Kitty Girl-group challenge.
GINGER MINJ
There’s no denying that Ginger Minj is one of the best singers – and overall performers – to have ever been on RuPaul’s Drag Race. After her time on season 7, this drag veteran released a full-length album, Sweet T, and was featured on all four volumes of the Christmas Queens albums. As of late, Ginger was cast in the touring production of the Broadway musical Xanadu.
One would be remiss not to mention Ginger Minj’s performance of “Eggs” on Drag Race season 7, which took place during the show’s tribute to John Waters. Ginger even received a lot of compliments from John Waters himself, who compared her star power to Divine’s.
JINKX MONSOON
Drag Race season 5 winner Jinkx Monsoon is undoubtedly one of the best singers in the history of the franchise. Over time, Jinkx has shared her talents in many different ways, having released three albums (The Inevitable Album, ReAnimated, and The Ginger Snapped) since her time on the show. On the 2015 documentary Drag Becomes Him, we also had the chance to watch Jinkx performing live on stage.
Speaking of performing on stage, Jinkx Monsoon has been part of several productions in Seattle, WA over the years, including 2010’s Henry V, 2012’s Rent and Spring Awakening, and 2013’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Hairspray. In 2019, she was cast in a touring production of Xanadu alongside Ginger Minj.
IVY WINTERS
Many fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race may not release this, but season 5 Miss Congeniality Ivy Winters actually has one of the best voices in the history of the franchise. On the show, we got a tiny glimpse of her vocal capabilities on the “Can I Get an Amen?” single. Furthermore, you can listen to her 2016 single “Overcome” or one of her many holiday songs included in the Christmas Queens albums.
Better yet, however, is watching YouTube videos of Ivy Winters singing live on her several club and theater gigs. The queen can certainly belt out some tunes!
KENNEDY DAVENPORT
Season 7 didn’t provide too many opportunities for the contestants to sing. Known mostly as a dancing queen, Kennedy Davenport didn’t get too many chances to show Drag Race fans how well she could sing. However, the truth remains that Kennedy has a beautiful and powerful singing voice.
In 2018, Kennedy Davenport released the single “Moving Up” (featuring Dresia Dee), where her voice certainly shines. On All Stars 3, we also got to watch Kennedy singing twice: once during the girl group challenge (“Drag Up Your Life”), and then again on the Top 4 “Kitty Girl” remix challenge.
MONET X CHANGE
Monet X Change has been singing professionally since the very beginning of her career. On season 10 of Drag Race, the queen revealed that she sang every Sunday at her church (out of drag). Then, we got a taste of Monet’s powerful voice during the show’s “Cher: The Unauthorized Rusical” challenge.
On All Stars 4, we got to see Monet X Change singing twice. First, she sang on “Errybody Say Love” for the Henny girl group challenge. Then, Monet wrote and performed her own verse for the Top 4 remix of RuPaul’s “Super Queen.” Outside of the show, Monet X Change made waves with her “Soak It Up” single and the “Unapologetically” EP.
TRIXIE MATTEL
When it comes to musical careers that were kickstarted by RuPaul’s Drag Race, it’s hard to beat Trixie Mattel. With that said, Trixie is also one of the best and most interesting singers to have ever been on the series.
On All Stars 3, Trixie Mattel was able to perform one of her songs during the “All Star Variety Show” challenge, then sang one of the parts for “Drag Up Your Life,” then performed yet again during the “Kitty Girl” Top 4 remix. Off the show, Trixie released two folk EPS – 2017’s Two Birds and 2018’s One Stone – and is releasing a full-length album, Barbara, in 2020.
As a musician, Trixie Mattel has been featured on the cover of the Autoharp Quarterly Magazine and has toured the world with 4 comedy/musical solo tours.
COURTNEY ACT
Before she even stepped foot on Drag Race, Courtney Act was already known for competing on the first season of Australian Idol. She is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful singers that have ever been on Drag Race, which was made clear by her singing in the “Shade: The Rusical” challenge.
In 2015, Courtney Act released the Kaleidoscope EP. Ever since, the queen has focused on releasing singles instead, such as 2017’s “AAA” (featuring Alaska and Willam) and 2018’s “Fight For Love.”
ADORE DELANO
When Drag Race fans think of queens who can sing really well, it’s usually Adore Delano that comes to mind right away. After all, it was Adore who competed none other than American Idol. Moreover, it was Adore’s first album (2014’s Till Death Do Us Party) that debuted at number 59 on the Billboard 200 charts – a feat that no other Drag Race contestant has achieved.
Since being on the show, Adore Delano has toured the world with her music and released two more albums: 2016’s After Party and 2017’s Whatever.