A Ranking of 'Drag Race's' Season 9 Lip Syncs

Now that season 9 has come to an end, and we’re onto RuVealed, it’s the perfect time to rank the lip syncs of a controversial season that people either loved or hated—which is fitting since the lip syncs are a real mixed bag. You’ve got some great lip syncs this season and others that are just...meh.

(I’m not including the lip sync from the final four nor any of the lip syncs from the finale because the former almost never matters and the latter shouldn’t have even happened. These are ranked in descending order, from worst to best. And, it should go without saying, these are just my opinions.)

10. Farrah Moan vs. Cynthia Lee Fontaine (around the 4:44 mark)

Cynthia hit the same split she hits in every lip sync. Farrah was not exciting by any means (granted, the Meghan Trainor song didn’t help). Without a doubt, this was the least interesting lip sync of the season. It’s a shame that the non-elimination lip sync was used on them and not someone else.

9. Jaymes Mansfield vs. Kimora Blac

Many fans were shocked when Kimora won this lip sync—Jaymes seemed to be the more entertaining queen out of the two. But between the weird way that Kimora’s mouth looks performing this song and Jaymes looking confused and unsure, this lip sync follows the tradition of generally unexciting first lip syncs.

8. Nina Bo’Nina Brown vs. Shea Couleé

This lip sync could have been epic, but it fell a bit short. Viewers had come to expect high level performances from lip sync assassin Nina, but at that point in the competition Nina just wasn’t able to deliver that—and has since admitted she didn’t have it in her to try her hardest. It was obvious Shea would stay, no matter what she did, but we all hoped she’d deliver something great anyways. Instead, her best move was a fierce walk. This lip sync wasn’t bad, people just expected so much more and were disappointed.

7. Peppermint vs. Alexis Michelle

What a terrible song for a lip sync, I’m sorry. And a trans woman having to perform to "Macho Man?" I can’t. The only saving grace of the lip sync, really, is that both queens fought hard. You could see how much they wanted it. Peppermint busted a few of her moves again and had the judges screaming, but this lip sync probably won’t be remembered for long.

6. Alexis Michelle vs. Farrah Moan

Both Alexis and Farrah gave decent performances in this lip sync. Traditionally, queens struggle with country songs, but the pair managed to keep it entertaining. Alexis played the role of the seasoned diva where Farrah played the ingénue (and for a Dolly Parton song, Alexis’ style definitely fits better). It was fun and high energy. We could’ve asked for little more.

5. Aja vs. Kimora Blac

This lip sync made up for the boring one that preceded it. Not only that, but Aja showed herself to be a queen who isn’t afraid to lip sync. She didn’t hold back any of her tricks and decimated Kimora who didn’t seem to know many (or any) of the words. Not to mention, this is a perfect song for a lip sync! Aja gave moves and face, earning her the well-deserved win.

4. Trinity Taylor vs. Charlie Hides

This lip sync was not competitive, in the least, but it was entertaining as hell to watch. People all over the world watched and said the same thing, “DO SOMETHING, CHARLIE!” It was tragic to watch, but it was easy to forget Charlie’s misery watching Trinity pull out all the stops to a hot Britney song. Few people wanted to lip sync against Trinity after this, and I don’t blame them.

3. Nina Bo’Nina Brown vs. Valentina

Here lies one of the most insane lip syncs of all time. Though many fans had already had the Valentina mask fiasco spoiled for them via social media, it was still a hell of a thing to actually watch. This lip sync delivered the shock and drama that was missing from most of the season. But Valentina and her mask aside, Nina served one hell of a performance. Watch this version, here, and see what Nina looks like without all the distractions and commentary. She made “Greedy” her own, for sure.

2. Peppermint vs. Cynthia Lee Fontaine (around the 5:49 mark)

The difference between Peppermint and Cynthia in this lip sync is almost on the same level as Dida Ritz vs. The Princess. Peppermint slayed her and shot her dead, literally. She hit every single beat and showed the world that she was a legendary performer long before RuPaul’s Drag Race and would continue to be one no matter what.

1. Nina Bo’Nina Brown vs. Aja

This was an epic battle between two all-star lipsyncers. On one hand you have Nina, who plays the lip sync cool and smooth and embodies the song with her every movement. And on the other hand you have Aja, who gives high-energy every time and knows how to do the shablams that everyone adores. But really, it was Nina who showed herself to be a star in this lip sync. Sasha is lucky neither of these queens made it to the finale. But anyways, the song is perfect. The competitiveness of the lip sync is perfect. Nina’s titty-bounce was perfect. Nina’s vogueing was perfect. Aja’s split was perfect. Ru laughing and smiling the whole time is perfect. Trinity and Shea living for the lip sync in the background are perfect. In a season of boring lip syncs and slaughters, this one gives you what you’re looking for: a true battle.

What were your thoughts about the lip syncs on this past season of Drag Race? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!

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