4 Best Queens From RuPaul's Drag Race Who Never Won

In the universe of RuPaul's Drag Race the road to success does not necessarily lie through crown and scepter. Some of the most beloved queens in the show's herstory never claimed the title of America's Next Drag Superstar, yet their impact on drag culture and entertainment is undeniable.

The magic of Drag Race lies in its ability to make superstars that go way beyond the show. Of course, winners get their moment with the crown, but it's often the queens who leave empty-handed that capture our hearts, and dominate our social media.

Today, we're looking at 5 queens who have shown us that it is possible to gain something more from a competition than just a crown.

Latrice Royale

We're starting out strong. When you think of drag royalty, Latrice Royale instantly comes to mind.

When Latrice Royale first came into the werkroom of Season 4, her personality, coupled with that infectious laugh that could light up any room, instantly made her the heart of the season. And despite competing three times without securing a crown, Latrice's impact on the drag community is immeasurable.

Since the show, she's been using her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, particularly focusing on stories of gay man in jail through her powerful documentary Gays in Prison (2015).

When asked by Billboard if it's getting easier to be eliminated (as she was previously eliminated three times), she hilariously replied:

"Oh, rub it in. You’re counting now? You’re keeping count. [Laughs] No. No, it doesn’t. It just sucks every single time. It sucks. It does."

This is exactly why we love Latrice so much. She's real, and she's definitely not afraid to show vulnerability.

"I know the word "iconic" gets used way too often these days but for longtime fans of the show, Latrice is undisputably one of the most iconic RuGirls ever. Her lines during the show and her confessionals are still referenced to this day,” Redditor Adobongmanowk perfectly captured.

This is something we can all agree on, and we think that Latrice's impact will continue to inspire new generations of drag performers.

Brooke Lynn Hytes

The queen, who went from being a contestant to being a judge.

This former ballet dancer turned drag superstar is the first former contestant to transition into a permanent judge on the franchise, becoming the face of Canada's Drag Race.

In an interview to Gay Times, she said:

"It's going to be really great. I'm happy because, and I know I've said this in a lot of interviews, but it's tough in Canada because there's nowhere and nothing for the girls to do...I’m really excited that we have it coming so we can push ourselves to be better."

Fans have noticed her growth as well, with Redditor tiramini noting:

"I like her more as a host than I did as a contestant on season 11. And I like her more on season 3 than I did on 1. She truly keeps on evolving."

Vanessa Vanjie

We can't mention Brooke Lynn Hytes without mentioning Vanjie (previously, these two lovebirds competed on Season 11). And, for Vanjie it only took three words to change her life.

Miss Vanjie's backward exit while repeating her name became a cultural reset. Her first-episode elimination on Season 10 could have been the end of her story, but instead, it was just the beginning.

After her memorable exit in Season 10, Vanjie came back as a completely transformed artist. Her natural charisma and unfiltered personality has made her one of the most successful queens in the franchise's herstory, regardless of any placements.

One fan perfectly said it:

"She can be on every season for all I care, the entertainment value is through the roof with her. I absolutely love it."

Katya Zamolodchikova

The queen of people's hearts.

If there's one queen who proves that authenticity wins over the competition, it's definitely Katya. Her unique blend of absurdist humor and raw honesty about her personal struggles has created an unbreakable bond with fans worldwide.

Post-Drag Race, Katya has built an empire alongside Trixie Mattel. Their web show UNHhhh (2016-present) has become a phenomenon in its own right. The show is watched not only by RuPaul's Drag Race fans, but also by people who are far from the drag community.

Redditor stannats33 beautifully summarized Katya's appeal:

"She doesn't take drag so seriously. She can do both glamour and silly looks, but always deliver them with a funny twist. Plus, she's a great live performer and interacts well with the fans. I think she is the full package for a fan favorite !"

This balance of talent and authenticity has made Katya one of the most successful queens to emerge from the franchise, crown or no crown.