They're underrated, but get couldn't sing these lip syncs higher praises. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at the most amazing lip syncs from the original American franchise that don’t get their due from the fans.
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00:00 ♪ In my heart I feel it, I'm that special kind of girl ♪
00:03 - Welcome to Ms. Mojo,
00:05 and today we're counting down our picks
00:07 for the top 20 underrated
00:09 RuPaul's Drag Race lip sync performances.
00:11 ♪ That's what they say when we're together ♪
00:15 - For this list, we're looking at the most amazing lip syncs
00:17 from the original American franchise
00:19 that don't get their due from the fans.
00:22 Because we'll be revealing key points of the episodes,
00:25 a spoiler alert is in order.
00:27 Did your favorite underrated lip sync make the list?
00:29 Sound off in the comments.
00:31 Number 20, My Humps, Utica Queen versus Tina Burner.
00:37 The kooky fashion queen from Minnesota
00:39 being a lip sync assassin
00:40 was not on our season 13 bingo card.
00:43 - I'm honestly scared, but I am here to fight,
00:47 and I am here to just lay it all out on this stage
00:50 because that's where I feel most at home.
00:52 - When she and Tina Burner landed in the bottom
00:54 for the Pop Goes the Queen challenge,
00:55 the two were pretty evenly matched.
00:58 Their beast couture looks only added
01:00 to the ridiculousness of the situation.
01:02 However, it was Utica who stole the spotlight
01:05 with her hilariously dramatic and villainous
01:07 take on the song.
01:08 ♪ I'ma make, make, make, make you scream ♪
01:10 ♪ Make you scream, make you scream ♪
01:12 - Her Maleficent-inspired outfit
01:14 had her looking like a fairy tale witch
01:16 who was determined to hypnotize us with her humps.
01:18 Not to be outdone, Tina also got her chance to shine.
01:22 After all, who wouldn't love a hairy beast
01:25 doing iconic dances from the '90s?
01:27 Number 19, Dirty, Manila Luzon versus Kylie Sonique Love.
01:32 We all knew we were about to get a show
01:34 when drag race legend Manila Luzon
01:37 was announced as the week's lip sync assassin.
01:39 She's a powerhouse in her own right.
01:41 ♪ It's as close as sneakers are gonna get ♪
01:44 ♪ But still come at six in the morning ♪
01:46 - But she wasn't quite prepared for Kylie Sonique Love,
01:49 a queen who makes a backflip into a split
01:51 look like kid's stuff.
01:52 She owned the stage like a seasoned pop star,
01:55 and the lip sync was so tight
01:57 that for a brief moment, we lived in a world
01:59 where there was no Christina Aguilera,
02:01 only Kylie Sonique Love.
02:03 ♪ Get up, get it up, yo, that's what's up ♪
02:06 ♪ You can just get your butt to the maximum ♪
02:08 - Technically, Manila Luzon
02:10 was this week's lip sync assassin,
02:11 but if anyone slayed on the main stage in this performance,
02:14 it was the season's eventual winner.
02:17 Number 18, I Kissed a Girl, Bende La Creme versus Shangela.
02:22 Some lip syncs are made so much better
02:24 when the queens play off of one another,
02:26 and this All Stars 3 lip sync for your legacy
02:28 is a great example.
02:30 ♪ I'm caring, as for you ♪
02:34 ♪ Caught my attention ♪
02:37 - Playing against type, Bende La Creme assumes
02:40 the part of the ultra-feminine bad girl,
02:42 while Shangela is the repressed and introverted bookworm.
02:46 Together, they present a heartbreaking
02:48 and hysterical character study of sexual awakenings,
02:51 forbidden love, and vulgarity.
02:53 ♪ Ain't no big deal, it's in the sun ♪
02:57 - It was amazing to begin with,
03:01 but once Shangela started tossing those breath mints,
03:03 it was a wrap.
03:04 Ultimately, they were both declared winners,
03:06 but we have to wonder, where are their Tony Awards?
03:10 Because this performance unfolds
03:11 like an entire Broadway epic in pantomime.
03:15 Number 17, Meeting in the Ladies' Room,
03:17 Stacey Lane Matthews versus India Farah.
03:20 This climax song calls for a fierce attitude
03:23 and a take-no-prisoners approach.
03:25 Needless to say, Stacey Lane Matthews
03:28 heard that loud and clear.
03:29 - I had this mentality, you know, just be fierce,
03:32 be a bitch, give attitude, give everything that they need
03:35 to keep me in this competition.
03:37 - Other Season 3 lip syncs soak up all the glory,
03:40 but Stacey's fierce delivery proved one thing.
03:43 She was not a BW, a basic woman.
03:46 She was a star.
03:48 The country queen from North Carolina
03:49 was Season 3's biggest underdog.
03:52 Watching her take on the role of a woman
03:54 who is just daring you to start some beef with her
03:56 is kind of funny and also a little scary.
03:58 - Don't slap me.
04:00 - Ha ha!
04:01 - 'Cause I'm not in the mood.
04:04 - After all, she had to leave her condo to come to this.
04:08 Number 16, Carry On,
04:10 Sahara Davenport versus Morgan McMichaels.
04:13 As if the possibility of elimination wasn't dire enough,
04:16 RuPaul seemingly raised the stakes
04:18 when she revealed just how much
04:19 this Martha Wash song meant to her.
04:21 - Because when my mother,
04:22 who had suffered from a long bout with cancer,
04:26 finally passed away,
04:28 I was listening to this song incessantly.
04:31 - Sahara Davenport and Morgan McMichaels
04:34 clearly took that to heart.
04:35 While Morgan was by no means terrible,
04:38 the standout performance here undeniably came from Sahara.
04:41 Known for her formal training in ballet
04:44 and her graceful style of lip syncing,
04:46 Sahara was able to meld her expertise seamlessly
04:48 with this house anthem of perseverance and strength.
04:51 - ♪ I said, "No, I can't stand it" ♪
04:54 ♪ Let me rise above, I'll never ♪
04:58 ♪ Nobody's gonna take my pride ♪
05:00 ♪ I won't stop ♪
05:02 - The lip sync also took on a whole new meaning
05:04 when Sahara tragically passed away in October of 2012.
05:08 Number 15, Point of No Return,
05:11 Bendelecrem versus Darian Lake.
05:13 During season six, Bendelecrem was a fan favorite,
05:16 but Darian Lake was constantly on her heels and her neck.
05:19 - I think it's better not to strut around
05:22 and be like a peacock when you win.
05:24 You gotta make sure that you're not too in love with yourself.
05:27 Bendelecrem.
05:28 - Their season-long rivalry almost came to an end
05:30 in week seven, having both landed in the bottom.
05:33 They matched each other point for point
05:35 while performing Exposé's Point of No Return.
05:38 Both were in some of the best drag
05:40 they featured on the season,
05:41 shimmering as they caught every beat and every word.
05:44 ♪ I'm gonna take you in my heart ♪
05:48 ♪ Take you in ♪
05:51 ♪ This beautiful young love affair ♪
05:55 - Other queens have pulled plenty of tricks and stunts
05:58 to wordless sections of a song,
05:59 but Darian miming as if collecting tips
06:02 from an invisible audience is an all-time lip sync moment.
06:06 It was a well-deserved double shantay.
06:09 Number 14, "I'm So Excited,"
06:11 Coco Montrese versus Jade Jolie.
06:14 ♪ Tonight's the night we're gonna make it happen ♪
06:19 - Coco Montrese is at least half responsible
06:21 for some of the most remarkable lip syncs on "Drag Race,"
06:24 as well as one of the show's most famous rivalries,
06:27 long before her ultimate triumph over Alyssa Edwards.
06:30 She took down Jade Jolie to the '80s classic
06:32 "I'm So Excited" right in front of the Pointer Sisters.
06:36 Both of the queens gave this one their all,
06:38 and the bubbly energy in the room was palpable.
06:41 Even the judges couldn't stop themselves
06:42 from lip syncing right along with them.
06:45 ♪ I'll get you baby ♪
06:47 ♪ I'll get you baby ♪
06:50 - Once that first chorus hit, though,
06:56 it was impossible to look away
06:58 from Coco's explosive choreography and playful demeanor.
07:01 Indeed, she kicked her way to a clear victory.
07:05 Number 13, "I've Got to Use My Imagination,"
07:08 Latrice Royale versus Dita Ritz.
07:10 Latrice and Dita were two of season four's
07:12 best lip sync performers,
07:14 and when they hit the stage
07:15 to this percussive "Gladys Knight" classic,
07:17 it was a true battle royale.
07:20 ♪ I've really got to use ♪
07:24 ♪ My imagination ♪
07:27 - Both of them understood the assignment.
07:29 Dita's high-energy performance style served her well here,
07:32 but Latrice paid special attention
07:34 to the meaning behind the lyrics.
07:36 What's more, she didn't even have to compromise
07:38 on the entertainment value to do it.
07:40 - Latrice was taking me to church.
07:42 I mean, my skin started smoking.
07:44 It was good.
07:45 - Her dramatic style perfectly aligned
07:47 with the song's themes of grit and determination
07:50 in the face of a dying relationship.
07:52 It was a good fight, but ultimately,
07:54 it was Latrice who was allowed to keep on keeping on.
07:57 Number 12, "Knock on Wood,"
07:59 Alexis Mateo versus Stacey Lane Matthews.
08:02 For reasons that defy logic,
08:05 Alexis Mateo is not always listed
08:07 among the "Drag Race" legends.
08:09 Considering her high-flying performance
08:11 to Amy Stewart's "Knock on Wood,"
08:13 she's easily a contender for legendary status.
08:16 ♪ You gotta wonder ♪
08:18 ♪ Like this ♪
08:20 - The editors may have taken a few liberties
08:22 with this lip sync, but honestly,
08:23 if you told us that Alexis could cause a rift
08:25 in the space-time continuum when she performs,
08:28 we'd believe it.
08:29 On the other hand, Stacey Lane Matthews
08:31 seemed uncomfortable with the song from the jump.
08:34 - Now, I'm no stranger to being bald on the runway,
08:36 but Stacey is taking out track by track by track.
08:40 It looks like a poodle just shed all over the runway.
08:43 - Even if she had found her footing later on in the number,
08:46 it still would have been hard to catch up to Alexis.
08:49 Number 11, "I Think We're Alone Now,"
08:51 Ginger Minj and Sasha Bell
08:53 versus Jaden Dior-Fierce and Tempest DuJour.
08:56 Season seven gave us a lot of tight, polished,
08:58 and technically impressive lip syncs.
09:01 This is not one of them.
09:03 This four-way performance by Ginger Minj,
09:05 Sasha Bell, Jaden Dior-Fierce, and Tempest DuJour
09:07 was a complete and total mess,
09:09 but frankly, that's what makes it so great.
09:12 ♪ They don't understand ♪
09:14 ♪ And so we're running just as fast as we can ♪
09:18 - Coming right from a maxi challenge
09:19 where the remaining queens had to walk the runway
09:22 attached to a previously eliminated contestant,
09:25 this lip sync presented some logistical challenges.
09:28 However, from Ginger motorboating herself
09:30 to the amusing attempts of Tempest and Jaden
09:32 to dance while attached, it was still a lot of fun.
09:35 As Jaden described it, this one was #thebesticandoightnow
09:39 in the situation.
09:40 You cannot help but cackle.
09:42 ♪ I think we're alone now ♪
09:44 ♪ Alone now ♪
09:45 ♪ It doesn't seem to be anyone around ♪
09:50 ♪ Oh oh ♪
09:51 - Number 10, "Lovergirl,"
09:53 Kandi Ho versus Mrs. Kasha Davis.
09:56 - I absolutely deserve to be in this competition.
09:59 Ru, I'm ready.
10:00 Let's do this.
10:01 - When she's put up against Kandi Ho,
10:03 Mrs. Kasha Davis pulls up her skirt and says,
10:05 "Let's do this."
10:06 ♪ Coffee to your mids, baby ♪
10:10 ♪ To your chandelier ♪
10:12 - Davis is serving across the stage to "Lovergirl"
10:15 and gets some exceptional praise from Ginger Minj.
10:18 - Mrs. Kasha Davis just pulls up the slit in that skirt
10:21 and honey, she is serving these young kids.
10:24 - While Jaden points out that Kandi starts off slow,
10:27 she earns early laughs from RuPaul.
10:29 As her routine speeds up,
10:31 Kandi brings attitude to her lines and drops to her knees.
10:34 While their gowns would normally limit a performance,
10:37 both queens offer a lot of face to compensate.
10:40 It's Kandi Ho's building energy, however,
10:42 that has us coming back to this lip sync.
10:44 ♪ It was a love-love ♪
10:46 (laughing)
10:48 - Number nine, "Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But the Rent,"
10:53 Alyssa Edwards versus Ivy Winters.
10:57 - I'm disappointed.
10:58 Of course, I don't wanna be known as being in the bottom
11:02 two times in a row.
11:03 - For her second lip sync in a row,
11:06 Alyssa Edwards needed to deliver
11:07 when she sang "Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But the Rent."
11:10 Alyssa puts everything out in front of the judges
11:13 in an effort to beat out Ivy Winters.
11:15 ♪ Build the leftovers at my door ♪
11:18 ♪ What can you do for me ♪
11:20 Ivy insists on singing in place
11:22 as she talks about focusing on the lyrics from her corner.
11:25 - I want them to focus on my mouth
11:26 and hope that what I do is better than what she's doing.
11:29 ♪ Life is free ♪
11:30 - Though Jinx Monsoon claims
11:32 Ivy is owning her side of the stage,
11:34 Alyssa easily dominates everything else.
11:38 Through their dramatically different energies,
11:40 Alyssa and Ivy brought a lot of romance
11:43 to their finance looks.
11:44 ♪ Ain't nothin' goin' on but the rent ♪
11:48 (audience applauding)
11:51 Number eight, head to toe,
11:52 Gia Gunn versus Laganja Estranja.
11:55 After a very mixed edition of Snatch Game,
11:58 Gia Gunn and Laganja had their friendship tested
12:00 in the bottom two.
12:01 - I can't believe I'm in the bottom two
12:03 and I'm up against one of my best friends
12:06 in this competition and that really sucks.
12:09 - As they grooved to Lisa Lisa's head to toe,
12:11 the two queens put a lot of chemistry
12:13 into very contrasted dances.
12:15 Despite being read by guests like Gillian Jacobs
12:17 for not being funny,
12:18 Gia fits a costume change
12:20 into her otherwise controlled routine.
12:22 Ms. Estranja, however, goes all out
12:25 and drops a jump split right next to her opponent.
12:28 - The jump split is pretty impressive.
12:30 I can see the difference in their style.
12:32 Gia's a lot more controlled.
12:34 Laganja is giving everything.
12:36 ♪ Let's go ♪
12:37 - Though Gia's voguing made up
12:38 for a lackluster Kim Kardashian impression,
12:41 Laganja's energy was undeniably more impressive.
12:44 Number seven, "Call Me," Chi Chi Devayne
12:47 versus Neysha Lopez.
12:49 With members of Blondie themselves watching on,
12:52 Neysha and Chi Chi had to deliver
12:54 when they lip synced to "Call Me."
12:56 (upbeat music)
12:58 The two queens bring intense rock moves
13:02 in their neon realness outfits
13:04 as Devayne says it's time to hustle.
13:07 With her second elimination of the season on the line,
13:09 Lopez shows great eye to the judges along with some flips.
13:13 ♪ Call me ♪
13:15 ♪ I'm the one, call me, call me ♪
13:18 - Chi Chi returns the favor with gymnastics of her own
13:20 and a back flip that makes Rue's jaw drop.
13:23 (upbeat music)
13:25 The two end the lip sync on an energetic note
13:31 as they end up on the floor
13:33 gesturing to the judges to call them.
13:35 ♪ Call me ♪
13:36 (laughing)
13:38 Number six, "Even Angels,"
13:42 Alexis Mateo versus Shangela.
13:44 The queens face a brutal outfit and wig challenge
13:47 which puts Shangela and Alexis head to head in the bottom.
13:51 ♪ I'm driving in circles ♪
13:53 ♪ Should've bought that new phone ♪
13:56 - Though both contestants were known for their high energy,
13:59 Fantasia's "Even Angels" demanded
14:01 a much more emotional show.
14:03 ♪ First step, take a deep breath ♪
14:06 ♪ You don't need a reason why ♪
14:08 - Shangela delivered plenty of hand moves
14:10 and an upbeat enthusiasm for the song
14:13 all while in her hair dress.
14:15 Alexis on the other hand was interpreting the song
14:17 with her entire body, which Manila deemed timeless.
14:21 With Shangela and Alexis on the verge of tears,
14:24 Fantasia herself cheers as they finish.
14:26 By redeeming a reed worthy runway day,
14:29 these queens brought the house down.
14:32 ♪ Close the door, take your right foot ♪
14:34 ♪ All you gotta do is try ♪
14:37 - Number five, "Vogue", Milan versus Kenya Michaels.
14:40 Kenya's very messy showing on "Snatch Game"
14:43 pits her against Milan, who was read for an outfit
14:46 that was more drag king than queen.
14:48 - Bottom line, it's still a drag queen competition
14:51 and you're giving us drag king.
14:53 - With Madonna's classic "Vogue" behind them,
14:55 the two queens are ridiculously high energy
14:58 in different ways.
14:59 ♪ You try everything you can to escape ♪
15:03 ♪ The pain of life that you know ♪
15:05 - As much as Kenya's antics hurt her "Snatch Game",
15:07 this attitude translated into an endlessly watchable dance.
15:11 Milan's quirky moves get mixed reactions at first,
15:14 but her voguing quickly stands out.
15:16 ♪ Carbo and Monroe, Dietrich and DiMaggio ♪
15:20 - The pair ends up doing simultaneous dips
15:22 and even share a tango moment together.
15:24 Milan and Kenya gave audiences something to remember
15:27 with their ecstatic performances
15:28 and tribute to "Vogue" history.
15:31 ♪ You got to just ♪
15:34 ♪ Go, go, go, go, go ♪
15:37 - Number four, "Something He Can Feel",
15:39 Jujubee versus Tatiana.
15:41 As season two was nearing the finals,
15:43 stars like Jujubee and Tatiana ended up against each other
15:46 when the standards were high.
15:47 ♪ Shoo, shoo ♪
15:52 ♪ Shoo, shoo ♪
15:54 - After a draining dance challenge that week,
15:58 the queens were asked to slow things down
16:00 for some Aretha Franklin.
16:01 Despite a lot of glowing work from Tatiana
16:04 across the competition,
16:05 she couldn't nail Franklin's vocals and often sang backups.
16:08 ♪ I'm something he can feel ♪
16:11 ♪ Yes I am, babe ♪
16:14 ♪ To let you know ♪
16:16 - Juju redeemed her dancing missteps
16:18 by bringing raw soul and giggle-inducing humor
16:21 to her lip sync.
16:21 ♪ Oh, oh ♪
16:25 ♪ Give it up, something he can feel ♪
16:29 - The subtle comedy and appropriate interpretation
16:32 was captivating and helped secure Jujubee's place
16:35 as the season's lip sync assassin.
16:37 Number three, "Mesmerized",
16:39 Robbie Turner versus Cynthia Lee Fontaine.
16:42 A roller girl realness challenge meant the bottom two
16:45 could do their lip sync in wheels or heels.
16:47 - Do you wanna lip sync in heels or wheels?
16:51 - Heels.
16:53 - Wheels.
16:53 - With Robbie Turner on skates
16:57 and Cynthia Lee Fontaine rocking shoes,
17:00 you can hear queens screaming in excitement.
17:03 Cynthia embraces Faith Evans' "Mesmerized"
17:05 by frantically kicking and punching her heart out.
17:08 ♪ You don't know what you do to me ♪
17:11 ♪ Let me tell you how you make me feel ♪
17:14 - Robbie taps into the disco side of the song
17:16 with her reels and flows hypnotically around the stage.
17:20 Robbie gets so caught up in her act
17:22 that she breaks a light by accident
17:23 and tumbles off the podium.
17:25 Between Cynthia's magical cuckoo and Robbie's sliding,
17:28 there was a lot to make the judges holler at this dance.
17:31 - Robbie Turner, shantay you stay.
17:34 (upbeat music)
17:36 - Thank you.
17:37 - Number two, "Shake It Off",
17:39 Roxy Andrews versus Tatiana.
17:41 - The same parts.
17:42 (audience laughing)
17:45 - The same parts.
17:47 (audience laughing)
17:48 - In typical all-stars fashion,
17:50 Roxy and Tatiana were actually on stage
17:53 because they rocked their talent show.
17:55 (upbeat music)
17:58 (audience cheering)
18:00 With $10,000 on the line
18:01 for their best rendition of "Shake It Off",
18:03 these ladies work in peak form.
18:06 ♪ I stay out too late ♪
18:10 ♪ Got nothing in my brain ♪
18:12 - Roxy fit her burlesque style around the lip sync
18:14 for a uniquely cheeky and glamorous update
18:17 to Taylor Swift's hit.
18:18 After a spoken word win at the talent show,
18:21 Tatiana had a lot of lyric specific choreography.
18:24 Though Roxy spent most of the season
18:26 clawing her way out of the bottom,
18:28 her personality and flying tassels
18:30 helped her wow the judges
18:31 while she lip synced for her legacy.
18:33 ♪ Shake it off ♪
18:34 ♪ You got to ♪
18:35 ♪ Shake it off ♪
18:36 ♪ Shake it off ♪
18:39 (audience cheering)
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18:56 Number one, Two of Hearts,
18:59 Morgan McMichaels versus Kylie Soneik Love.
19:02 For their fight set to Two of Hearts,
19:04 Kylie Soneik Love and Morgan McMichaels
19:07 pitted flashy moves against accurate lip work.
19:10 Kylie insists on doing whatever it takes
19:13 and centrally strips down for the excited crowd.
19:15 ♪ Yeah, no baby ♪
19:18 ♪ My body's burning so come on ♪
19:20 ♪ Heat my desire ♪
19:23 ♪ Come on, come on ♪
19:25 She wastes no time
19:27 and begins flipping and splitting around the entire stage.
19:30 Morgan nails every single word of the song
19:33 with RuPaul praising her
19:34 as one of the series tightest performers.
19:36 ♪ I need you, I need you ♪
19:38 ♪ Two of hearts ♪
19:40 As earlier mentioned,
19:42 Morgan's low energy show wouldn't help her
19:44 against the fierce Sahara one episode later however.
19:47 This masterclass in lip sync technique and variety
19:50 is still one of the series highlights to this day.
19:53 - Morgan, the precision of your lip sync
19:57 was one of the tightest we've ever seen.
19:59 - Do you agree with our picks?
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