simbernardo
Must win four or more challenges to go on this ride!
Shea Couleé; Sasha Colby; Onya Nurve on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' over the years.VH1; MTVRuPaul's Drag Race has proven over the years that winning is pretty great, but it isn't everything! Some of the most successful queens in the entire franchise haven't been crowned America's Next Drag Superstar, nor did they enter the Drag Race Hall of Fame. The series has even officially embraced "losing is the new winning!" as an official motto.
Nonetheless, it's often exciting to watch a contestant who has several different skills and who succeeds in a wide range of challenges. On this list, we celebrate the queens who made herstory by winning four maxi challenges in a single season of the flagship U.S. season. The list also includes two "honorable mentions" for going above and beyond and winning an astonishing total of five maxi challenges.
Scroll through to discover the select group of queens who won at least four maxi challenges in a single season of RuPaul's Drag Race — and tune in for new episodes from season 17 every Friday on MTV.
Sharon Needles (Season 4)
Sharon Needles on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 4.
Logo TV
Sharon Needles was the first queen in Drag Race herstory to win four maxi challenges. Throughout season 4, Sharon won the design challenge (episode 1), the commercials challenge (episode 3), the improv challenge (episode 9), and the ball challenge (episode 11).
At the finale, Sharon Needles was crowned America's Next Drag Superstar.
Shea Couleé (Season 9)
Shea Couleé on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 9.
VH1
She didn't come to play… she came to slay!
The one and only Shea Couleé won four challenges on Drag Race season 9: the improv challenge (episode 4), the Rusical (episode 5), the commercials challenge (episode 9), and the ball (episode 11).
Gigi Goode (Season 12)
Gigi Goode on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 12.
VH1
Gigi Goode was a fierce competitor throughout season 12 of Drag Race. She reached the grand finale alongside Jaida Essence Hall and Crystal Methyd with four maxi wins under her belt: the ball challenge (episode 4), the Snatch Game (episode 6), the Rusical (episode 7), and the Las Vegas-themed Rumix challenge (episode 12).
Symone (Season 13)
Symone on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 13.
VH1
Drag superstar and Out100 honoree Symone also won four challenges during her journey on Drag Race season 13: the first Rumix challenge (episode 2) an acting challenge (episode 4), the makeover challenge (episode 10), and the commercials challenge (episode 11).
Sasha Colby (Season 15)
Sasha Colby on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 15.
MTV
Sasha Colby was crowned America's Next Drag Superstar after one of the most spectacular runs in Drag Race season 15. The G.O.D.D.E.S.S. of drag won the commercials challenge (episode 3), the ball (episode 9), the improv challenge (episode 10), and the Rumix challenge (episode 14).
Sapphira Cristál (Season 16)
Sapphira Cristál on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 16.
MTV
During season 16, Sapphira Cristál became the first queen in herstory to win three consecutive maxi challenges in a flagship season of Drag Race. Overall, Sapphira won the talent show (episode 1), the Rumix challenge (episode 10), the comedy/presentation challenge (episode 11), and the interior design challenge (episode 12).
Plane Jane (Season 16)
Plane Jane on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 16.
MTV
Plane Jane, who competed against Sapphira Cristál, also won four challenges in season 16. This marked the first-ever flagship season of Drag Race to feature two queens with four maxi challenge wins. The Boston queen won the talent show (episode 2), the Snatch Game (episode 8), the interior design challenge (episode 12), and the makeover challenge (episode 13).
Onya Nurve (Season 17)
Onya Nurve on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 17.
MTV
Onya Nurve is the latest addition to the "four maxi challenge wins" club while competing on Drag Race season 17. The Cleveland-based queen won a singing challenge (episode 4), the Snatch Game (episode 7), an acting challenge (episode 11), and the stand-up comedy challenge (episode 12).
It do take Nurve, and fans are here for it!
Alaska (All Stars 2)
Alaska on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' season 2.
Logo TV
After finishing as runner-up in season 5, Alaska came back to All Stars 2 feeling ready to secure her place in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. In the lead-up to the grand finale, Alaska won four maxi challenges: the Snatch Game (episode 2), an acting challenge (episode 4), the stand-up comedy challenge (episode 5), the commercials challenge (episode 6).
BenDeLaCreme (All Stars 3) — 5 challenges
BenDeLaCreme on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' season 3.
VH1
BenDeLaCreme steamrolled the competition on All Stars 3 — breaking a new record of five maxi challenge wins over the course of the season. Unfortunately, sending that many girls home eventually prompted DeLa to quit the show, but her journey over the course of the season was still sickening!
On All Stars 3 alone, DeLa won the variety show (episode 1), the Rusical (episode 2), the improv challenge (episode 3), the Snatch Game (episode 4), and the girl-groups challenge (episode 6).
Trinity The Tuck (All Stars 4)
Trinity The Tuck on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' season 4.
VH1
Besides rebranding her original name (Trinity Taylor) to Trinity The Tuck, this queen had an excellent track record on All Stars 4. She won the variety show (episode 1), the Snatch Game (episode 3), the design challenge (episode 7), and the acting challenge (episode 9).
In the end, Trinity won the season in a tie with Monét X Change — and both queens secured a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
Trinity The Tuck (All Stars 7)
Trinity The Tuck on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' season 7.
Paramount+
The Tuck came back for the first-ever all-winners edition of Drag Race and competed with other legendary legends like herself. On All Stars 7, Trinity also delivered in maxi victories — winning the Snatch Game (episode 2), the ball (episode 3), the design challenge (episode 7), and the comedy roast challenge (episode 10).
Jinkx Monsoon (All Stars 7) — 5 challenges
Jinkx Monsoon on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' season 7.
Paramount+
Nearly a decade after winning Drag Race season 5, Jinkx Monsoon also competed on All Stars 7 and, similarly to her Seattle drag sister BenDeLaCreme, won a whopping five maxi challenges.
The "water off a duck's back" legendary legend won the Snatch Game (episode 2), the improv challenge (episode 4), the stand-up comedy challenge (episode 5), the commercials challenge (episode 9), and the comedy roast challenge (episode 10).
Jimbo (All Stars 8)
Jimbo on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' season 8.
Paramount+
Following her fan-favorite status on Canada's Drag Race season 1 going home way too early on RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World, Jimbo became the first-ever queen from an international franchise to compete in the overall U.S. series.
Jimbo literally dominated All Stars 8 by winning an acting challenge (episode 2), the commercials challenge (episode 4), the Snatch Game (episode 5), and the comedy roast challenge (episode 9).
Angeria Paris VanMicheals (All Stars 9)
Angeria Paris VanMicheals on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' season 9.
Paramount+
The winner of All Stars 9, Angeria Paris VanMicheals, entered the Hall of Fame after dominating the season and winning four maxi challenges. Overall, Angie won the Rumix (episode 1), the comedy roast (episode 6), an acting challenge (episode 7), and the final talent show finale challenge (episodes 11-12).
Plastique Tiara (All Stars 9)
Plastique Tiara on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' season 9.
Paramount+
All Stars 9 was a fabulous ru-demption journey for many queens, such as season 11 star Plastique Tiara, who not only showcased her insane runway presentations but also her natural talents as an entertainer. Plastique won four challenges during this season: the ball challenge (episode 2), the commercials challenge (episode 5), the comedy roast challenge (episode 6), and the design challenge (episode 8).
Roxxxy Andrews (All Stars 9)
Roxxxy Andrews on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' season 9.
Paramount+
Roxxxy Andrews was another stellar competitor on All Stars 9 who gave Angie, the eventual winner, a run for her money. Roxxxy's track record included wins in the makeover/girl-groups challenge (episode 4), the commercials challenge (episode 5), the design challenge (episode 8), and the lip sync challenge (episode 10).
